Black-chinned Hummingbird

Range & Migration

Common in the mountains of the Western U.S., particularly at lower elevations, from deserts to mountain forests. Many winter along the Gulf Coast.

The Black-chinned Hummingbird's breeding range stretches from southern British Columbia in Canada through Idaho and Nevada, south to northern Mexico, and from coastal California, Arizona through Texas, where they are relatively common spring and summer residents. They have also been reported in a number of other states.

They migrate to southern California, southern Arizona, and southern Texas or Mexico for the winter.

Characteristics and Identification

Metallic green above. Male has a black chin, violet throat ... the throat can appear black depending on lighting. Female's throat is whitish and underparts grayish-white. The bill is black.

Black-chinned and Ruby-throated hummingbirds are very similar in appearance, but have separate ranges. The Ruby-throated is the dominant species East of the Mississippi River, while the Black-chinned is found in Western states.