Recommended camera settings#
Focal length needed to frame it#
For a subject about 10 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally. Small birds demand long lenses and a close approach — a blind or feeder setup helps.
| Distance | ⅓ of frame (FF) | ½ of frame (FF) | ⅓ of frame (APS-C) | ⅓ of frame (MFT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 m (16 ft) | 556 mm | 796 mm | 371 mm | 278 mm |
| 10 m (33 ft) | 1,112 mm | 1,593 mm | 741 mm | 556 mm |
| 15 m (49 ft) | 1,667 mm | 2,389 mm | 1,112 mm | 834 mm |
| 20 m (66 ft) | 2,223 mm | 3,186 mm | 1,482 mm | 1,112 mm |
| 30 m (98 ft) | 3,335 mm | 4,779 mm | 2,223 mm | 1,667 mm |
| 50 m (164 ft) | 5,558 mm | 7,965 mm | 3,705 mm | 2,779 mm |
About the Black-chinned Hummingbird#
The black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is a small hummingbird. It is an extremely adaptable bird, occupying a broad range of habitats.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Field-craft tips#
- Feeders and nectar flowers create predictable perches.
- Iridescent gorgets only glow when the bird faces the light — angle yourself toward the sun.
- A 1.4× teleconverter and minimum focus distance matter more than the longest lens.
- Pre-focus on a favourite perch or feeder flower and wait; their wings beat 50–80 times a second.
- Sightings peak in April, May, July and August, which is when you'll have the most chances.
- Tiny subjects: get close with a hide or feeder perch rather than cropping heavily.
Ethics#
- The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
- Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
- Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
- Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.
More Hummingbirds#
Allen's HummingbirdSelasphorus sasin
Rufous HummingbirdSelasphorus rufus
Costa's HummingbirdCalypte costae
Broad-tailed HummingbirdSelasphorus platycercus
Rufous-tailed HummingbirdAmazilia tzacatl
Frequently asked questions#
What lens do I need to photograph a Black-chinned Hummingbird?
At about 10 cm long, a black-chinned hummingbird fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 1,112 mm, or at 20 m with 2,223 mm.
What shutter speed should I use for a Black-chinned Hummingbird?
1/1000 s when it's still; 1/4000 s+ (or 1/250 s with multi-flash to freeze wings) for action.
When is the best time to photograph a Black-chinned Hummingbird?
Observations in North America peak in April, May, July and August. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.
Sources & licences#
- iNaturalist — Observation data CC BY-NC; photo licence as credited
- Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources