Birds of North Carolina
their Distribution and Abundance
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
TROCHILIDAE Members: Black-chinned Hummingbird 350
General Comments
With the advent of hummingbird feeders left up year-round, and not simply taken down in fall when the local Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have departed, a number of different hummingbird species have been detected in the cooler months, particular this species and the Rufous Hummingbird. Because it is very difficult to separate female and immature Black-chinned Hummingbirds from Ruby-throateds, one must study (including photograph and band) the birds in detail, and this opportunity presents itself at feeders. Thankfully, there are several records of adult male Black-chinned Hummingbirds, plus several others of banded and measured immatures/females, to conclusively prove the occurrence of the species. Basically, the species is a very rare late fall and winter visitor, more frequent near the coast. All records have been since 1994, but this is essentially due to the presence of feeders in the cooler months, which were nearly absent in previous decades; it should not be implied that there is a global population increase in the species, which breeds in the western United States and adjacent Mexico, particularly in hotter and drier regions.
Breeding Status
Nonbreeder
NC BRC List
Definitive
State Status
none
U.S. Status
Definitive
State Rank
SZ
Global Rank
G5
Coastal Plain
Winter visitor, essentially only at feeders in towns. Rare along the southern half of the coast, and very rare along the Outer Banks and other tidewater areas near the northern half of the coast. Casual farther inland, with records only from Goldsboro, Laurinburg, and Whispering Pines. Essentially from early Nov - late Mar, especially from early Dec - late Feb. An immature male photographed at a feeder in Sneads Ferry (Onslow) was quite late on 25 Apr 2024; it returned (in adult male plumage) to that feeder from 26 Sep 2024 - Jan 2025. The first state record was from Figure Eight Island, 4-6 Nov 1994. Peak count: all records of single birds.
Piedmont
Winter visitor. Very rare, with at least 14 records -- Charlotte (two records), Gastonia, Bethania (Forsyth), near Greensboro, Orange (three records with one a specimen), Apex (Wake) (two records), near Clayton (Johnston), Raleigh (two records), and near Lake Wheeler (Wake). Dates range from 13 Oct to 29 Feb. Peak counts: all records of single birds, and all probably at feeders.
Mountain
Accidental. One record: an immature male was seen at Brevard on 14 Dec 2002 (Chat 67:69).
Finding Tips
One has a fair chance to see the species in a given year, by visiting a feeder with one reported (and preferably already banded for confirmation).