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Archilochus alexandri
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 very slender. The adult male has a black face and chin, a glossy purple throat band and a dark forked tail. The female has a dark rounded tail with white tips and no throat patch; they are similar to female ruby-throated hummingbirds. 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.
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.[2] 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.
Spotted on Nov 4, 2015
Submitted on Nov 8, 2015
5 Comments
I strongly agree with a Black-chinned, or Ruby-throated!
Black chinned, most likely... Will wait to see a male :)
Thank you JoshuaGSmith :)
You were very close with the ID, but I believe this is either a subadult Ruby-throated or Black-chinned Hummingbird. This hummer's elongated shape is typical to the Archilochus genus rather than the compact shape of the Archilochus genus. Also note how clean the underparts are on your bird compared to the buffier coloration of the Broad-tailed. Also, the little iridescent feathers and dots on the throat are pretty characteristic for Ruby-throated/Black-chinned. Hope I helped! Good birding to you.
I am almost sure this is a broad-tailed hummer, but if there are any ornithologists around I sure would appreciate a positive ID. Thank you!