A summer resident of the mounatins, it's the smallest north American bird. The male's gorget is composed of colored rays, or streaks, rather than a solid pattern. Typical of humminbirds, after mating , the female alone builds the nest, incubates the eggs, and rears the young. Most adult males depart for wintering grounds in Mexico by mid-July with females and immature males leaving later. A violet band at the lower edge of his black throat, on males only, is often diffisult to see.
Females closely resemble other hummingbird females.
Nests, made from various plant fibers are unadorned and have the facility to stretch as the two young grow. Black-chinned Hummingbirds are resident from late March to August, wintering in Mexico. They are most common in oak and streamside woodlands and can easily be attracted to feeders. Hang your feeder in a spot the hummingbirds can find easily and at a level comfortable for you. About 3'-5' seems to work the best.