You know that electric moment when a tiny flash of emerald zips past your ear? That's probably what got you searching about the black throated hummingbird. I remember the first time I spotted one in my Arizona backyard - thought my eyes were playing tricks. That unmistakable dark throat patch against iridescent green feathers... no other hummer looks quite like it.
The Black Throated Hummingbird Up Close
Let's get straight to what makes this bird special. Male black-throated hummingbirds have this velvet-black throat (called a gorget) that looks like someone dipped them in ink. When the light hits just right? Pure magic - shifts from black to deep purple. Females are trickier to ID with their pale throats and speckled necks, but look for white-tipped tail feathers that flash when they fly.
Where You'll Find Them (And When)
These little dynamos aren't couch potatoes. Come spring, they haul themselves all the way from southern Mexico to breeding grounds across:
- Arizona's Sky Islands (think Ramsey Canyon)
- New Mexico's Gila Wilderness
- West Texas mountains (Chisos Basin is prime)
- Northern Mexico's pine-oak forests
Timing matters. In Tucson, I start seeing them mid-March. By late April, they're nesting. But here's the kicker - most head south by September. Miss that window? Better luck next year.
Pro Tip: Elevation is key. Unlike some hummers, black-throated hummingbirds prefer higher spots - 4,000 to 8,000 feet. Found my first nest at 6,200 ft near Flagstaff tucked in an oak tree.
Watching Black Throated Hummingbirds: Your Field Guide
Want consistent sightings? Forget random luck. Here's what actually works:
Best Locations
- Ramsey Canyon, AZ: Guided walks at 8am daily ($5 entry)
- Chiricahua Mountains, AZ: Free access via Forest Road 42
- Davis Mountains, TX: McDonald Observatory grounds (open sunrise-sunset)
Gear That Doesn't Suck
- Binoculars: Vortex Diamondback 8x42 ($250) - light enough for hiking
- Cameras: Sony RX10 IV beats DSLRs for fast hummers
- Field Guide: Sibley's Western Bird Guide - most accurate illustrations
| Feeder Type | Pros | Cons | Black Throated Preference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saucer Style (e.g., Aspects HummZinger) | Easy to clean, no leaking | Bees can be problem | ★★★★☆ - They use mine daily |
| Glass Bottle (e.g., Perky-Pet) | Pretty to look at | Mold traps in crevices, leaks in heat | ★☆☆☆☆ - Rarely touched in my yard |
| Tube with Perches | Multiple feeding ports | Hard to disinfect properly | ★★★☆☆ - Will use if saucer unavailable |
Making Your Yard Black Throated Hummingbird Friendly
Okay, real talk - I killed three trumpet vines before getting this right. Here's what actually attracts them without the headache:
Plants They Can't Resist
| Plant Name | Color | Bloom Time | Care Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Honeysuckle | Orange-red | March-September | Easy (drought tolerant) |
| Red Columbine | Red/yellow | April-July | Medium (needs shade) |
| Penstemon Parryi | Hot pink | February-May | Easy (self-seeds) |
Personal fail: I planted toxic oleander thinking red=good. Don't be me. Stick to native plants - they evolved together.
Nectar Recipe That Works
Forget red dye. My simple mix:
- 1 part white cane sugar
- 4 parts boiled water
- Cool completely before filling
Change every 2 days in summer - fermented nectar can kill hummers. Yeah, I learned that the hard way when mine stopped visiting.
Black Throated Hummingbird Behavior Secrets
These birds have personality. After five years observing:
- Territorial AF: Males guard feeders like bouncers. I've seen them chase off jays!
- Nesting Tricks: Females use spider silk to expand nests as chicks grow
- Feeding Frenzy: They visit flowers 1,000+ times daily - burns insane calories
Cool Fact: Their wings beat 50 times per SECOND during courtship dives. That buzzing sound? Pure muscle.
Migration Mysteries Solved
Their migration is nuts - some fly 500 miles nonstop over the Gulf. How we know:
| Tracking Method | What We Learned | Surprises |
|---|---|---|
| Mini Geolocators | Spring migration takes 2-3 weeks | Some detour via Baja Peninsula |
| Bandings | Same birds return yearly | One lived 9 years - ancient for hummers! |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are black throated hummingbirds endangered?
Not currently, but climate change is shrinking their mountain habitats. Droughts hit them hard - I've seen fewer in dry years.
Why won't they come to my feeder?
Common mistakes: Wrong nectar ratio (never use honey!), dirty feeder, or wrong location. Place near shrubs for quick escapes from hawks.
How to tell males from females?
Males = solid black throat. Females = pale throat with faint streaks. Juveniles look like females until fall.
Best time to see them?
Early morning at feeders (6-8am) or late afternoon at flowers. Avoid midday - they rest when it's hot.
Conservation: How to Help
Simple but effective actions:
- Plant pesticide-free natives (nurseries like Desert Survivors in Tucson)
- Join citizen science: eBird.org sightings help track populations
- Support groups like Hummer Bird Study Group
Last summer's wildfire near my place destroyed 12 known nests. Felt gutted. That's why this matters.
My Embarrassing Learning Curve
Confession time: I once spent $80 on a "hummingbird attraction" CD. Total scam. Real magic happened when I planted actual flowers instead. Saw my first black throated hummingbird nest within months - a tiny cup of lichen on an oak branch.
That's the thing about these birds. No shortcuts. But when that jeweled male buzzes your feeder? Worth every dead plant and failed experiment. They're living fireworks.
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