Black-chinned Hummingbird
A widespread western hummingbird that responds to flowers, clean nectar, tall perches, and a safe flight corridor.
By Birdly Yard Editorial TeamReviewed Updated
Local season
Months with a state-level historical signal for this species.
Status
Historical seasonal record
Look for it
Watch flowering shrubs, desert or mountain gardens, streamside trees, and high bare perches between feeding flights.
Food
Flower nectar, plain sugar water, and small insects taken from foliage or the air.
Nesting
Natural nesting guidance
One useful next step
Build for the habitat, not just the feeder.
Flowering shrubs and vines, tall trees, natural perches, and insect-rich plantings make a more reliable yard than a feeder alone.
See the yard actionsA good yard is layered
Food helps, but cover, clean water, native plants, and a safe distance from hazards make a more dependable place for birds.
Black-chinned Hummingbird habitat
Flowering shrubs and vines, tall trees, natural perches, and insect-rich plantings make a more reliable yard than a feeder alone.
Black-chinned Hummingbird diet and food
Flower nectar, plain sugar water, and small insects taken from foliage or the air.
Use one part plain white table sugar to four parts water, with no dye; replace it before clouding and daily in hot weather when needed.
How to attract it
Food & feeder
Flower nectar, plain sugar water, and small insects taken from foliage or the air.
Cover & plants
Flowering shrubs and vines, tall trees, natural perches, and insect-rich plantings make a more reliable yard than a feeder alone.
Black-chinned Hummingbird nesting and breeding
Females build tiny tree-branch nests from plant down and spider silk; never look for or photograph an occupied nest closely.
Black-chinned Hummingbird behavior and where to look
Darts among nectar sources and insect swarms, then often returns to a favored high perch.
Photography
Use a flowering plant or natural perch and keep clear of the direct approach to a feeder or nest area.
What to avoid
Never use honey, food coloring, or old fermenting nectar, and position feeders away from cat ambush cover.
Continue exploring
Explore related bird guides
Compare food, habitat and nesting. Local seasonal records vary by species.
