Black-chinned hummingbird

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Black-chinned hummingbird
Archilochus-alexandri-003.jpg
Male
Archilochus-alexandri-002-edit.jpg
Female
CITES Appendix II (CITES) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Clade: Strisores
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Archilochus
Species:
A. alexandri
Binomial name
Archilochus alexandri
(Bourcier & Mulsant, 1846)
Black-chinned Hummingbird ebird data map.png
Global range
  Year-Round Range
  Summer Range
  Winter Range

The black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is a hummingbird occupying a broad range of habitats. [3] Its summer range is in the western United States and southwestern Canada. It is migratory, wintering as far south as Mexico. In sunlight, the gorget of iridescent purple feathers bordering its black chin is noticeable.

Taxonomy

The hybrid between the black-chinned hummingbird and Anna's hummingbird is called "Trochilus" violajugulum. The black-chinned hummingbird is also known to hybridize with Anna's, [4] Lucifer, [4] broad-tailed, [4] and Costa's hummingbirds. [5]

As of 2011, it has the smallest known genome of all living amniotes, only 0.91 pg (910 million base pairs). [6]

Description

The black-chinned hummingbird is 8.25 cm (3.25 in) long. Adults are metallic green above and white below with green flanks. Their bill is long, straight and slender. The adult male has a black face and chin, a glossy purple gorget, and a dark forked tail. The female has a dark rounded tail with white tips and no throat patch. Juvenile plumage is similar to that of adult females, but with buff margins on the dorsal feathers. Juvenile males may also possess purple feathers on their throats. [7] Juveniles do not have a forked tail like adults. [8]

Young are born almost featherless, but grow a complete set of feathers within three weeks of hatching. [9] Juveniles begin replacing their feathers in November after migrating for the winter. They have a completely new set of feathers before their first year of age. [9]

Similar species to the black-chinned hummingbird include broad-tailed hummingbird, rufous hummingbird, calliope hummingbird, Allen's hummingbird, lucifer hummingbird, Anna's hummingbird, and Costa's hummingbird. [10]

Status

This species has been labeled as a least-concern species [1] because of its broad range (236,000 km2 (91,000 sq mi)), considerable population size and growth (14.6% increase per decade). Trend maps for black-chinned hummingbirds showed a relatively stable population between 2009 and 2019, albeit with some decline in late years of that decade. [11]

Chirping

Vocalization

The vocalization of the black-chinned hummingbird is a rapid, high-pitched chirp. [12] [13]

Distribution and habitat

Black-chinned hummingbirds are found in most of the western United States, reaching north into Canada in Alberta and British Columbia, east to Oklahoma, and as far south as Mexico. [3] They can be found in mountains, woodlands, orchards, meadows, and chaparral habitats. Their breeding habitat is open, semiarid areas, usually near water in the western United States, northern Mexico, and southern British Columbia. They may inhabit moist environments like orchards, shaded canyons, and riparian woods. [14] The males and females of this species use different habitats from one another for breeding territories. [15]

Behavior and ecology

Breeding

This species uses diving displays (40–60 ft (12–18 m) dives) for territory defense and during courtship, producing an audible sound (a trill) as air passes through their feathers during the plunge. [16] In courtship, males perform "pendulum" display, flying back and forth in wide U-shaped arcs, making whirring sounds on each dive. They also buzz back and forth in short flights in front of perched females. [17] Black-chinned hummingbirds can exhibit territorial behavior around feeders as well as at other small feeding sites, becoming more defensive during breeding season. However, if there are numerous individuals in an area as well as multiple food sources, this species shows less territoriality. [18]

Feeding

These birds feed on nectar from flowers using a long extendable tongue or catch insects on the wing. While collecting nectar, they also assist in plant pollination.

Nesting

The female builds a well-camouflaged nest in a protected location in a shrub or tree using plant fibers, spider web silk, downy feathers and lichens. Black-chinned hummingbirds prefer to nest 6–12 ft (1.8–3.7 m) above the ground, often on exposed horizontal branches below the canopy. Research also suggests that they may purposefully nest near the active nests of larger, predatory birds, as a means of reducing nest predation; the larger predators do not prey on the hummingbird, but their presence will deter other birds that might be interested in the black-chinned hummingbird's eggs or newly hatched chicks. [19] The female lays two white eggs at a time, each about 8 mm (0.31 in) in diameter, and may breed 2-3 times per year, incubating the eggs for 13–16 days. She feeds the young by inserting her bill deep into their throats and regurgitating insects and nectar. The young fledge at about 20–21 days. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hummingbird</span> Family of birds

Hummingbirds are birds native to the Americas and comprise the biological family Trochilidae. With approximately 366 species and 113 genera, they occur from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, but most species are found in Central and South America. As of 2024, 21 hummingbird species are listed as endangered or critically endangered, with numerous species declining in population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruby-throated hummingbird</span> Species of bird

The ruby-throated hummingbird is a species of hummingbird that generally spends the winter in Central America, Mexico, and Florida, and migrates to Canada and other parts of Eastern North America for the summer to breed. It is the most common hummingbird in eastern North America, having population estimates of about 35 million in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hooded oriole</span> Species of bird

The hooded oriole is a medium-sized New World oriole. The male of this species ranges in color from a bright orange to a paler yellow, with a black back, face, tail and bib, with the wing containing two white bars. The female is more of an olive color with some yellow accents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calliope hummingbird</span> Smallest species of hummingbird in North America

The calliope hummingbird is the smallest bird native to the United States and Canada. It has a western breeding range mainly from California to British Columbia, and migrates to the Southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America for its wintering grounds. It was previously considered the only member of the genus Stellula, but recent evidence suggests placement in the genus Selasphorus. This bird was named after the Greek muse Calliope. The former genus name means "little star".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anna's hummingbird</span> Species of bird

Anna's hummingbird is a North American species of hummingbird. It was named after Anna Masséna, Duchess of Rivoli.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant hummingbird</span> Species of bird

The giant hummingbird is the only member of the genus Patagona and the largest member of the hummingbird family, weighing 18–24 g (0.63–0.85 oz) and having a wingspan of approximately 21.5 cm (8.5 in) and length of 23 cm (9.1 in). This is approximately the same length as a European starling or a northern cardinal, though the giant hummingbird is considerably lighter because it has a slender build and long bill, making the body a smaller proportion of the total length. This weight is almost twice that of the next heaviest hummingbird species and ten times that of the smallest, the bee hummingbird.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green-breasted mango</span> Species of hummingbird

The green-breasted mango or Prevost's mango is a species in subfamily Polytminae of the hummingbird family Trochilidae. It is found from eastern Mexico south through most of Central America, in Colombia and Venezuela, and as a vagrant in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gila woodpecker</span> Species of bird

The Gila woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker of the desert regions of the southwestern United States and western Mexico. In the U.S., they range through southeastern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broad-tailed hummingbird</span> Species of bird

The broad-tailed hummingbird is a medium-sized hummingbird species found in highland regions from western United States and Western Canada to Mexico and Guatemala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Costa's hummingbird</span> Species of bird

Costa's hummingbird is a bird species in the hummingbird family Trochilidae. It breeds in the arid region of the southwest United States and northwest Mexico; it winters in western Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allen's hummingbird</span> Species of bird

Allen's hummingbird is a species of hummingbird that breeds in the western United States. It is one of seven species in the genus Selasphorus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-throated swift</span> Species of bird

The white-throated swift is a swift of the family Apodidae native to western North America, south to cordilleran western Honduras. Its coastal range extends as far north as Northern California, while inland it has migratory populations found throughout the Great Basin and Rocky Mountain regions, ranging as far north as southern British Columbia. White-throated swifts are found in open areas near cliffs, rock faces, or man-made structures, where they roost. Swifts are social birds, and groups are often seen roosting and foraging for flying insects together.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rivoli's hummingbird</span> Species of hummingbird

Rivoli's hummingbird, also known as the magnificent hummingbird, is a species of hummingbird in the "mountain gems", tribe Lampornithini in subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Band-tailed barbthroat</span> Species of hummingbird

The band-tailed barbthroat is a medium-sized hummingbird that is found from southeastern Guatemala and Belize to western Ecuador and western Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broad-billed hummingbird</span> North-American hummingbird

The broad-billed hummingbird is a small-sized hummingbird that resides in Mexico and the southwestern United States. The bird displays sexual dimorphism, and the juveniles resemble the female adult more than the male adult. The broad-billed hummingbird is a bright coloured bird with a broad and bright red bill. The bird is also known for its other common names – the Colibrí Pico Ancho in Spanish and Colibri circé in French. It is a diurnal bird.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-tufted sunbeam</span> Species of bird

The white-tufted sunbeam is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found only in Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forest and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amethyst-throated mountaingem</span> Species of hummingbird

The amethyst-throated mountaingem, also called amethyst-throated mountain-gem or amethyst-throated hummingbird, is a species of hummingbird in tribe Lampornithini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garnet-throated hummingbird</span>

The garnet-throated hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in tribe Lampornithini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-throated hummingbird</span>

The white-throated hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

<i>Malvaviscus arboreus</i> Species of flowering plant

Malvaviscus arboreus is a species of flowering plant in the hibiscus family, Malvaceae, that is native to the American South, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The specific name, arboreus, refers to the tree-like appearance of a mature plant. It is now popular in cultivation and goes by many English names including wax mallow, Turk's cap (mallow), Turk's turban, sleeping hibiscus, manzanilla, manzanita, ladies teardrop and Scotchman's purse; many of these common names refer to other, in some cases unrelated, plants. Its flowers do not open fully and help attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

References

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