Violet-Crowned Hummingbird vs Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Violet-Crowned Hummingbird

Leucolia violiceps

How to recognise a violet-crowned hummingbird?

General appearance

The violet-crowned hummingbird stands out for its vibrant violet-blue crown which contrasts brightly with its white underparts. Its back and tail are a shiny green, and its straight, slender bill is predominantly reddish with a black tip.

Male vs female

Both male and female violet-crowned hummingbirds share similar plumage, a rarity among hummingbirds. The main difference lies in size, with females being slightly larger, and in tail shape, with females having rounded tail feathers and males having forked ones.

Juvenile

Juvenile violet-crowned hummingbirds are similar to adults but their plumage is duller. Their crowns might not possess the distinctive violet hue until they mature. They can be recognized by the presence of buffy feather tips on their back and wing coverts.

Size

3.9 - 4.5 in/0.2 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The violet-crowned hummingbird prefers broadleaf forests and scrublands in northwestern Mexico and south-western United States.

Additional range

Despite its preference for warmer climates, this bird has been spotted in unexpected areas, including cooler, mountainous regions.

Range Map

What do violet-crowned hummingbirds like to eat?

Natural diet

The violet-crowned hummingbird primarily feeds on nectar from various flowering plants such as agave, ocotillo, and desert willow. It also consumes small insects and spiders, which provide essential proteins and nutrients necessary for growth and energy.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, this hummingbird commonly consumes a solution of sugar and water, which mimics the nectar found in flowers. They are attracted to brightly colored feeders, especially those in red and orange hues, as these colors resemble natural blooms.

There's more to learn about Violet-Crowned Hummingbird

View full details

Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri

How to recognise a black-chinned hummingbird?

General appearance

The Black-chinned Hummingbird is about the size of a Sparrow, measuring approximately 3 3/4 inches (10 cm). Its most distinguishing colors are black, green, purple, and white. The bird's wings are narrow, rounded, and short, and its tail is multi-pointed, notched, rounded, and square-tipped.

Male vs female

The male's distinguishing feature is a black chin which is difficult to see. Below the black chin, there is a more discernible white collar and a purple band. The female Black-chinned Hummingbird, on the other hand, is nearly identical to the female Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Distinguishing features include a long bill, pale underparts, and specific callnotes.

Juvenile

No specific information is available for the appearance of juvenile Black-chinned Hummingbirds. Considering hummingbirds as a species, juveniles often resemble the adult female until they achieve full adult plumage. Keep an eye out for the specific characteristics of the species, such as coloration and callnotes, when trying to identify juveniles.

Size

3.7 - 4.1 in/0.1 - 0.2 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The black-chinned hummingbird breeds in a variety of semi-arid, semi-open habitats, from suburbs to stream sides and brushy areas.

Additional range

In the southwest, it thrives along dense desert washes and rivers. Post-breeding, it can move to higher mountain elevations.

Range Map

What do black-chinned hummingbirds like to eat?

Natural diet

The black-chinned hummingbird primarily feeds on nectar obtained from various flowers. In addition to nectar, its natural diet includes tiny insects, which provide essential proteins and nutrients not found in nectar alone.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the black-chinned hummingbird often consumes sugar-water mixtures which mimic the nectar found in flowers. These feeders provide an additional food source, especially when flowers are less abundant.

What does a black-chinned hummingbird sound like?

The black-chinned hummingbird exhibits a variety of vocalizations. Its typical calls consist of a low 'tup'. It also exhibits a pattern flat call, used in different contexts. Other vocalizations include a 'buzz', a lively 'chirp/chip' or a distinct 'trill'. These different sounds constitute this hummingbird's complex vocal communication.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Call

Audio by Francis C, Ortega C, Cruz A

/ CC BY-SA 2.5

There's more to learn about Black-Chinned Hummingbird

View full details

Violet-Crowned Hummingbird

Tap To compare

Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Violet-Crowned Hummingbird

Leucolia violiceps

General appearance

The violet-crowned hummingbird stands out for its vibrant violet-blue crown which contrasts brightly with its white underparts. Its back and tail are a shiny green, and its straight, slender bill is predominantly reddish with a black tip.

Male vs female

Both male and female violet-crowned hummingbirds share similar plumage, a rarity among hummingbirds. The main difference lies in size, with females being slightly larger, and in tail shape, with females having rounded tail feathers and males having forked ones.

Juvenile

Juvenile violet-crowned hummingbirds are similar to adults but their plumage is duller. Their crowns might not possess the distinctive violet hue until they mature. They can be recognized by the presence of buffy feather tips on their back and wing coverts.

Size

3.9 - 4.5 in/0.2 oz

There's more to learn about Violet-Crowned Hummingbird

View full details

Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri

General appearance

The Black-chinned Hummingbird is about the size of a Sparrow, measuring approximately 3 3/4 inches (10 cm). Its most distinguishing colors are black, green, purple, and white. The bird's wings are narrow, rounded, and short, and its tail is multi-pointed, notched, rounded, and square-tipped.

Male vs female

The male's distinguishing feature is a black chin which is difficult to see. Below the black chin, there is a more discernible white collar and a purple band. The female Black-chinned Hummingbird, on the other hand, is nearly identical to the female Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Distinguishing features include a long bill, pale underparts, and specific callnotes.

Juvenile

No specific information is available for the appearance of juvenile Black-chinned Hummingbirds. Considering hummingbirds as a species, juveniles often resemble the adult female until they achieve full adult plumage. Keep an eye out for the specific characteristics of the species, such as coloration and callnotes, when trying to identify juveniles.

Size

3.7 - 4.1 in/0.1 - 0.2 oz

There's more to learn about Black-Chinned Hummingbird

View full details

How to tell the Violet-Crowned Hummingbird from the Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Visual differences

The Violet-Crowned Hummingbird is larger, at 4-4.5 inches long and weighing 0.18-0.2 ounces, with a vivid violet-blue crown, white underparts, shiny green back, and a red bill with a black tip. The Black-Chinned Hummingbird, smaller at about 3.75 inches and weighing 0.09-0.18 ounces, features a black chin with a subtle purple iridescent band, a white collar, and a notably green back. Their bills are both slender, but the Violet-Crowned has more color. The Violet-Crowned lacks a gorget, unlike the Black-Chinned.

Key differences and behavior

The Violet-Crowned Hummingbird and the Black-Chinned Hummingbird exhibit distinct behavioral patterns. Violet-Crowneds are typically found in broadleaf forests and scrublands, frequently visiting feeders for nectar and insects, while Black-Chinneds inhabit semi-arid and semi-open areas, thriving in desert washes. Their courtship rituals differ, with Violet-Crowned males performing aerial displays, whereas Black-Chinned males conduct pendulum displays with whirring dives. Nesting for both involves cup-shaped nests, but Violet-Crowneds often choose sites near water, whereas Black-Chinneds select varied elevations. Diets are similar, comprising nectar and insects, but Violet-Crowneds show a preference for specific plants like agave. Migration patterns differ; the Violet-Crowned partly migrates to Mexico, while Black-Chinneds move to higher elevations post-breeding.