Hummingbirds Canada

Watch the amazing breeding display of the Costa's Hummingbird in this video! This species is not common in Canada but has been documented in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.

The stunning colours on this beautiful hummingbird and the reflection below simply shout "Merry Christmas". Thank you Stephen for sharing with us!

Wear a beautiful mask and help hummingbirds at the same time. Bring Your Own Mask will donate $5 to Hummingbirds Canada from the sale of every hummingbird mask. You can order your mask at: https://www.byom.ca/collections/fine-art-collection?page=2... Hummingbirds Canada relies on donations to cover all our education and research costs as we do not receive any government funding. John Silk, professional wildlife photographer and filmmaker from Oakville, ON, donated this great image for the mask. Thank you to Sperry (BYOM) and John (Hunting With Cameras) for supporting Hummingbirds Canada. And thanks in advance to everyone who purchases a mask to help our hummingbirds!

A beautiful visitor in New Brunswick this week. Thanks to Ron for sharing the news and to Jane for keeping her feeder out and hospitality to local birders.

It's that time of year again. Summer has ended, fall migration has begun, and people are asking when they should take down their feeders. Please don't! There are still hummingbirds present in every Canadian province. And feeders do not prevent hummingbirds from migrating. They will leave when the time is right for them. We recommend that at least one feeder be left up until freezing becomes a problem to provide an easy source of energy for hummingbirds born late in the season..., hummers that need extra time to prepare for migration, and the ones that deliberately migrate later in the fall. You can help with our research in Canada by tracking when your last hummer leaves. Just put a check-mark on your calendar every time you see one at your feeder and send us a message when you haven't seen one for more than 10 days.

Don't believe it when someone tells you that the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species found in Eastern North America. While Ruby-throats are definitely the most common species to be seen, there is always the possibility of another species visiting your feeder. A few weeks ago Clara posted great photos of the Rufous Hummingbird that visited her home on the east coast of NL. Everyone was thrilled to see it! Two days ago friend and fellow researcher Cyndi Rutledge docu...mented a Mexican Violet-ear in Tennessee! How exciting for Cyndi! What a beautiful hummingbird!

I keep telling people that they should not assume every hummingbird in Eastern Canada is a Ruby-throated because we have documented other species. Keep an open mind and examine your hummers carefully when they are at your feeders. And look at this lovely Rufous female that Clara photographed at her feeder in NL this morning! Thank you Clara for sharing your excellent photos.

Hummingbirds are back in Newfoundland! Thanks to Patsy for sharing this photo of a beautiful male at her feeder. I wonder if he's banded?... At the moment it looks like research will have to be cancelled completely in NL this year due to the Covid virus. I am usually in the province during the month of July but I'm not willing to put the health of anyone at risk by travelling if health officials aren't certain that it's safe.

Usually when we talk about threats to hummingbirds we think of cats, praying mantids, windows and pesticides. But now, hummingbirds in British Columbia may face a new threat - the Asian Giant Hornet. Last year this species, which is know to attack and kill honeybees for protein, was found in southern B.C. Friend and fellow hummingbird researcher Cathie Hutchison has seen a different giant wasp species, the Bald-faced Hornet, attack and kill hummingbirds in southern Illinois. We haven't heard any reports of the Asian Giant Hornets attacking hummingbirds but watch closely if you see this new invader in your yard and let us know if you see them around your hummingbirds or feeders. John H provided this photo via CTV news. The Invasive Species Council of B.C. would also like to be notified if you see this species.

Finally! the ruby-throats have returned to Canada. This is the first time since we started collecting arrival dates in 2003 that we didn't have a report during the first two weeks of April. The first sighting posted was on April 21st this year. Kelly took this great photo last year. Thanks for sharing!

A special hummingbird from British Columbia to brighten your day! Thanks to Eric for sharing his wonderful videos with everyone.

It's time to put out feeders in Ontario! Use a small feeder or partially fill a large feeder if you are worried about wasting nectar. Feeders don't have to be full since the number of hummingbirds arriving this month is low. We have more than 15 years of data showing that the first ruby-throats arrive in Canada between April 3rd and 12th every year. And we have received reports from Point Pelee and Thunder Bay on the same date some years.... Don't forget to report your first arrivals for all hummingbird species on our sightings page at ww.hummingbirdscanada.ca Thanks to Dave for sharing this beautiful photo.

Ruby-throats are being reported in Indiana, Ohio, Maryland and New Jersey. On the west coast, Anna's are nesting. It's almost time for the summer games to begin! Thanks to Fred for sharing his friend's photo with everyone.

Life is still very slow in the Canadian hummingbird world. I thought everyone might enjoy this photo as a 'pick-you-up' because it's majorly unlikely anyone will see this species here at home. Thanks to Ken for sharing his beautiful photo.

Our 2020 spring migration map is ready to go. Unfortunately we can't fill in sightings from the U.S. so it looks a little empty right now. But we've already received a few sightings of migrating Anna's and Rufous in the west and the Ruby-throats are getting closer. We were just notified that a male was spotted in Geneva NY - thanks Barb! http://hummingbirdscanada.ca/migrationmap

We're disappointed to announce that all upcoming presentations on hummingbirds have been cancelled by the various venues due to concerns about Covid-19.

We hope you have your feeders ready in beautiful British Columbia! Anna's and Rufous Hummingbirds are starting to arrive in the south.

Here's a wonderful good-news story while we wait for the ruby-throats to return to Canada. Thanks to Juan for sharing his beautiful photo and telling the story. It won't be long now - migrating hummingbirds are being reported as far north as the Carolinas and Virginia.

Spring migration has begun! Friend and fellow hummingbird researcher Fred Bassett reported the first migrating ruby-throat of the 2020 breeding season that he is aware of has arrived in Florida. The first ruby-throats arrive in Canada in early April each year, based on more than 17 continuous years of research. It's time to check your feeders, making sure they are in good condition and ready to be filled.

Just look at this amazing Trinidad Carnival costume created by Peter Minshall for his sister in 1974. Imagine what it must have looked like in motion! Calling it "From the Land of the Hummingbird", his goal was not a put a person inside a hummingbird costume but for that person to actually become the hummingbird. We think he succeeded brilliantly. This fantastic photo was taken by Noel Norton.

One of the major goals of Hummingbirds Canada in 2020 is to stop the use of hummingbird nectar that contains red dye. We would appreciate your help to build a database of published research and scientific studies that document the damage red dye causes hummingbirds. Anecdotal information from veterinarians and rehabbers would also be helpful. This database will be used to educate the public and businesses. Articles can be sent as pdf attachments to the email address on our website www.hummingbirdscanada.ca (we're not posting it here to avoid spambots). Thanks for your help!

Many people don't realize that Anna's Hummingbirds, like Canadians, can handle the cold and stay in Canada year round. Although the B.C. coast is warmer than the rest of the country in the winter months. It's still an amazing accomplishment for a tiny bird.

Happy Holidays to all the hummingbirders in the world! Although the Ruby-throats have pretty much left for their wintering grounds we can still learn interesting facts like those shared here. And happy hummingbirds to our lucky friends on Canada's west coast who enjoy Anna's Hummingbirds all year round.... Be safe and joyful my friends :)

One of the best things about fall is planning and planting perennials for our hummingbirds to enjoy in future years. While new varieties and hybrids are exciting, we encourage you to include at least 50% native plants because hummingbirds evolved over the centuries with them. We are in the process of creating lists of native hummingbird plants that are specific to Canadian gardening zones. We'd love to add recommendations from experienced hummingbirders. Please be sure to include your location so we can add it to the correct zone. In the meantime, thank you to Michele for sharing this basic list of plants for hummers and butterflies.