Archilochus alexandri
Hikers in the mountains and foothills might have the good fortune of watching a Black-chinned Hummingbird forage at one of the hundreds of flowers it normally visits in a single day. The Black-chinned Hummingbird is the western counterpart of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the most wide-ranging hummer in North America. Naturalist H.G.L. Reichenbach was obviously deeply influenced by Greek mythology. He named several hummingbird genera after Greeks-Archilochus was one of the first Greek poets. The species name alexandri is from the name of its discoverer, a doctor who collected specimens in Mexico. |
I.D.: General: iridescent green upperparts; white collar; long, narrow bill; small white spot behind the eye. Male: black throat with a violet band below it; white underparts; green 'vest'. Female: all-white underparts; buff sides; light green forehead. Size: L 3-31/2 in. (7.6-9 cm). Range: rare summer breeder in the U.S. Rockies; vagrant north into the southern Canadian Rockies. Habitat: riparian forests and deciduous shrubs in the foothills. Nesting: tiny cup nest of plant down and spider webs is saddled on a branch; female incubates 2 eggs for up to 16 days. Feeding: hovers in the air and probes flowers for nectar; also eats small insects. Voice: soft, high-pitched, warbling courtship songs; buzz and chip alarm calls; wings buzz in flight. Similar Species: Ruby-throated Hummingbird: female has a shorter bill and a more greenish crown. Broad-tailed Hummingbird: male has a lighter, red throat. |
