# Black-chinned Hummingbird (*Archilochus alexandri*) The Black-chinned Hummingbird is a tiny bird that loves to zoom around gardens and flowers. With its shiny green feathers and a beautiful black chin, it flits from flower to flower, sipping sweet nectar. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 19 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Black-chinned Hummingbird](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Archilochus-alexandri-002-edit.jpg&width=800) Photo: User:Mdf, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Archilochus-alexandri-002-edit.jpg) ## Appearance The Black-chinned Hummingbird has an iridescent black chin that glows violet in good light, appearing plain black otherwise. Its back is dull metallic green, contrasting with a grayish-white belly. Females are plainer with green backs and pale underparts. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Apodiformes - **Family:** Trochilidae - **Genus:** Archilochus ## Interesting facts - A hummingbird's brain is only about the size of a blueberry! - Black-chinned Hummingbirds build nests smaller than a half-dollar coin. - Their tiny heart beats over 1,200 times per minute when flying! - They use stretchy spider silk to help hold their tiny nests together. ## Special abilities - **Super Hover Power:** Black-chinned Hummingbird can hover perfectly still in mid-air because of unique figure-eight wing beats that help them sip nectar. - **Nectar Sip Tongue:** Black-chinned Hummingbird has a long, grooved tongue that helps them lap up flower nectar super fast, like a tiny straw. - **Energy Nap Mode:** Black-chinned Hummingbird can enter 'torpor' to slow its body and save energy when food is scarce, like a deep sleep. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 8-9 cm - **Wingspan:** 10-12 cm - **Weight:** 0.0023-0.0049 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-11 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2 - **Incubation:** 13-16 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding These tiny birds sip sweet flower nectar for energy and catch small insects for protein. - **Primary Foods:** flower nectar, small spiders, gnats, aphids, fruit flies - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Scarlet Sage (*Salvia coccinea*) — Feeds on nectar, aiding flower reproduction. - **Pollinates:** Century Plant (*Agave americana*) — Visits flowers for nectar, spreading pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Larger birds of prey can hunt hummingbirds. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Introduced predators are a significant threat. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching hummingbirds from a distance, and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black-chinned Hummingbird? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Black-chinned Hummingbird? 8-9 cm ### What is Black-chinned Hummingbird's wingspan? 10-12 cm ### How much does Black-chinned Hummingbird weigh? 0.0023-0.0049 kg ### How long does Black-chinned Hummingbird live? 3-11 years ### How fast can Black-chinned Hummingbird move? 50 km/h ### What does Black-chinned Hummingbird eat? These tiny birds sip sweet flower nectar for energy and catch small insects for protein. ### Where is Black-chinned Hummingbird usually found? Urban areas ## Where to spot - [Barrio De Analco Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrio-de-analco-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Coloma](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coloma) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Mesilla Plaza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mesilla-plaza) — New Mexico, US · Park - [Old Town Albuquerque](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/old-town-albuquerque) — New Mexico, US · Neighborhood - [Rio Grande Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rio-grande-botanic-garden-new-mexico) — New Mexico, US · Zoo - [Sod House Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sod-house-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Black-chinned Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/black-chinned-hummingbird) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Black-chinned Hummingbird: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-chinned-hummingbird)