Black-Chinned Hummingbird

By: Carissa Jansen


YouTube Video

INTRODUCTION- 

Hello boys and girls today we are going to learn about the black-chinned hummingbird.  Black-chinned hummingbirds are tiny birds that fly from flower to flower in search of sweet nectar to drink.  They are they most adaptable of of all hummingbirds and you can find them flying around in the wilderness or in the city. If you live here in Arizona,  I'm sure you have seen one roaming around in your backyard.  Now let's read on and learn some more interesting facts about the black-chinned hummingbird.  Below there are directions on how to make your very own hummingbird feeder and a quiz to see how much you have learned.  All right let's get started!

WHO AM I?
 I am a Black-chinned hummingbird.  I love to wander the southwest drinking nectar from flowers and sugar water from the feeders you have for me in your backyard.  Eating small insects is also a hobby of mine. I am the most adaptable of all hummingbirds so you can find me in the wilderness or in the city.   I love to fascinate you with the wondrous humming sound I make as I fly around.
WHERE DO I LIVE? 
 I am usually found in lowland deserts and mountainous forests.  I migrate yearly from areas between British Columbia to the coast of Mexico.  You can also find me in urban areas perched in a tall tree or on a flowering bush.  I love the southwest; I build my nests in the canyons and along the rivers.
WHAT DO I EAT?
My favorite foods to eat are nectar from flowers, small insects, spiders and sugar water from feeders.  I drink nectar from flowers with my tongue at a rate of 13-17 licks per second.  During the winter months, I will drink 3 times my body weight in nectar in one day.
HOW DO I LOOK?
 I am a small thin hummingbird with a straight black bill.  My top feathers are a dull metallic green and my underbelly is a dull grayish white.  The males look different from the females because they have a black neck with a shiny purple band around it.  The females are often bigger than the males and their throat is gray with white spots.  Our average size is 3 ½ inches long. 
HOW DO I REPRODUCE?
 When trying to reproduce the male bird will show off his flying skills to the female.  He dives 66-100 feet in a U shaped motion above the females head.  During this my wings make a loud whirling or whistling sound.  After mating the female is in charge of building a nest to prepare for the young ones arrival.  She makes it out of spider webs and plant seeds.   When the eggs arrive she will have 1-3 eggs and take care of them for 14 to 21 days.  She will lay eggs 2-3 times a year.
FUN FACTS ABOUT ME!
I am very attracted to the color red.  I buzz around looking for red flowers to drink their delicious nectar.
ACTIVITIES!
Student can make their very own hummingbird feeder, so I can come stop by their backyard for a bite to eat.
Supplies:
Small jam jar with lid
Heavy duty string
Hummingbird food (recipe below)
Hammer and nail
Red paint (optional)
Fake Flowers and glue (optional)
Teacher will take the hammer and nail and make three holes on the jam jar lid.  The holes need to be on one side of the jar going around the edge of the lid.  The students can paint and decorate their feeders with flowers, if you would like.  Next fill with hummingbird food, tightly screw on lid and tie a string around the neck of the jar, so the student can take the feeder home and tie it to a tree in their yard.
Hummingbird food recipe:
1 Part sugar
4 parts water
Bring water to boil and then add sugar.  Boil the two together for no longer than two minutes.  The homemade nectar will last up to two weeks in the refrigerator and two to four days in your hummingbird feeder.
 YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ME IN THE PLACES BELOW!
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-chinned_Hummingbird/id/ac -  Fun facts and information about the black-chinned hummingbird
http://www.desertusa.com/mag01/jul/papr/h_bird.html -  Information about where I live and what I like to eat. 

 http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/PHOTO/LARGE/black_chinned_hummingbird_glamor12.jpg   c. Robinsegg - Picture of male black-chinned hummingbird.

 http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTgx5r9Ffm5LqcyZ45p26TWp3F7Rnc1y9BMRRE_OhjBojb3uYMkkjiOwbPnOQ-  PIcture of female black-chinned hummingbird in nest with babies.
 http://www.pbase.com/leu99353/image/135176954 - Picture of female black=chinned hummingbird

Comments