Archilochus
alexandri
(Black-chinned
Hummingbird)
Physical
Description:
3 1/4-3 3/4" (8-10 cm).
Adult males are dark green above; black chin and blue-violet
(may look black) lower throat, forming gorget, are bordered by white collar
below; sides olive-green; tail black and forked. Females are greenish above,
plain whitish below with variable amount of spotting on throat and pale buff
sides; tail has small
white-tipped corners. Both sexes have a slightly downcurved black bill and a
small white spot behind eye.
Similar Species- Female and immature Ruby- throated and Costa's Hummingbirds, Anna's Hummingbird.
Song:
Call
is a low, soft tchew or tup; song consists of weak, high-pitched squeaks. Male
makes a dry buzz with wings in flight.
Distribution:
Breeds
from southwestern British Columbia, Washington, central Idaho, and northwestern
Montana, south to northern Mexico and southern Texas, and east to western Wyoming,
eastern Colorado, eastern New Mexico, and central Texas. Winters from northern
Mexico and southern Texas, south to southern Mexico, and casually to Louisiana
and Florida.
Habitat:
Found in semi-arid habitat near water,
canyons, slopes, chaparral, riparian woodlands, open woodlands,
and scrub. Also found in parks, orchards, and gardens.
Diet:
Feeds on nectar and insects.
Ecology:
Primarily solitary. Builds cup-shaped
nest in tree, frequently near water. Takes nectar from flowers, or forages by
darting out from perch to catch insects in air.
2 eggs (occasionally 1-3)
for 13-16 days. Young are tended by female, leave nest in about 3 wk, and are
fed by female for several days after fledging. Adults may begin second nesting
before young of first nesting become independent.
Conservation:
| Element Code: | ABNUC45020 |
| Status: | Protected nongame species |
| Global Rank: | G5 |
| State Rank: | S5,NTMB |
| National Rank: | N5B |
Important
State References:
No references are available at this time.