Are there any hummingbird in Canada?

Quick Answer

Yes, there are several species of hummingbirds that can be found in Canada during the warmer months. The most common hummingbird species seen in Canada include the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, and Anna’s Hummingbird. Hummingbirds migrate to Canada in the spring to take advantage of the abundance of flowering plants and nesting habitat. By late summer and fall, most hummingbirds will migrate south again to their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most widespread and common hummingbird found in Canada. This small, bright green hummingbird gets its name from the vivid ruby-red throat patch on the males. Here are some key facts about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Canada:

• Breeds in all provinces and territories except Nunavut
• Nests in deciduous and mixed forests, parks, and backyards
• Arrives in Canada in April-May, departs August-October
• Males perform courtship displays, flying in u-shaped patterns to attract females
• Females build a tiny cup-shaped nest out of plant down and spider silk
• Main diet is nectar from flowers; also eat insects
• High-pitched chipping call

The Ruby-throat is listed as Canada’s smallest bird and the only breeding hummingbird in eastern Canada. They can be attracted to backyards by setting up feeders with sugar-water early in spring.

Rufous Hummingbird

The Rufous Hummingbird is a common summer visitor to western Canada and Alaska. Identifiable by its bright rusty-orange coloring on the back and belly, this species breeds farther north than any other hummingbird. Here is a summary of the Rufous Hummingbird’s range and habitat in Canada:

• Breeds in British Columbia, Alberta, and southeastern Yukon
• Nests in coniferous forests and woodlands
• Migrates through the western provinces during spring and fall migrations
• Arrives as early as February on the Pacific coast
• Most birds depart by October for Mexico
• Males perform dramatic aerial displays during courtship
• Females build tiny nests on tree branches
• Eat nectar, tree sap, and insects
• Distinctive buzzing wingbeat sound

Rufous Hummingbirds are feisty and aggressively defend nectar feeders as food sources. They migrate earlier in spring and later in fall than any other hummingbird species.

Calliope Hummingbird

The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest breeding bird in Canada and the United States. These tiny hummingbirds reach just 3 inches (8 cm) in length. Here are some quick facts on where to spot them:

• Breed in British Columbia, Alberta, and southern Yukon
• Found in mountain meadows and pine forests
• Nest in low shrubs and pine trees
• Arrive in Canada in April-May, leaving in August-September
• Males display with whistling sounds during courtship
• Feed on flower nectar and small insects
• Distinctive high-pitched ticking vocalizations

The Calliope’s small size and inconspicuous behavior make them harder to observe than other hummingbird species. Search for these tiny birds in high elevation mountain habitat during summer.

Anna’s Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbird is an iridescent green and rose-pink hummingbird that breeds along the Pacific coast. In Canada, Anna’s Hummingbirds can be found in southwest British Columbia. Here are some notes on their range and habitat:

• Breeds in southwest British Columbia on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland
• Found in gardens, parks, and wooded suburban areas
• Nests constructed of plant down bound with spider webs
• Arrives in February-March, most depart by October
• Males perform dramatic breeding displays, flying in pendulum arcs
• Diet of flower nectar, tree sap, and small insects
• Distinctive loud, scratchy chips and singing notes

Anna’s Hummingbirds are year-round residents in much of their range in the western U.S. The northernmost populations migrate to and from British Columbia annually. Their early spring arrival makes them one of the first hummers to reach Canada each year.

Other Hummingbird Species

In addition to the main breeding species, several other vagrant hummingbird species have been spotted in Canada on rare occasions, especially along the Pacific coast. These include:

• Allen’s Hummingbird
• Broad-tailed Hummingbird
• Black-chinned Hummingbird
• Broad-billed Hummingbird
• Buff-bellied Hummingbird

Birders should keep an eye out for any rare or unusual hummers visiting garden flowers, feeders, or blooming meadows. These vagrant species occasionally get blown off course during migration through western North America.

Ideal Hummingbird Habitat in Canada

Canada’s provinces provide excellent summer breeding and nesting ground for hummingbirds migrating north from the tropics. Here are some of the ideal conditions that attract hummingbirds:

• Flowering meadows and gardens full of nectar plants
• Forested areas with plentiful wildflowers and shrubs
• Backyards with hummingbird feeders and ornamental plantings
• Parks and gardens with diverse floral resources
• Riparian areas and streams providing insects
• Mountain meadows with summer-blooming flowers
• Areas with abundant spider webs and soft plant down for nests

Providing a continuous source of high-energy nectar via flowers and feeders helps attract migrating and breeding hummingbirds to settle in an area. They also need protected nesting sites and insects to raise their chicks through the summer.

When and Where to See Hummingbirds in Canada

Hummingbirds arrive in Canada in the spring as early blooming flowers start to emerge. Here is an overview of when and where to spot hummingbirds during the year:

The best months to observe hummingbirds across most of Canada are June and July when fledglings are leaving the nest and visiting more flowers and feeders. Setting up feeders and planting nectar flowers by early spring will help attract the first arrivals.

Preparing a Garden to Attract Hummingbirds

You can design your backyard or garden to invite hummingbirds to take up residence during the summer. Here are some tips:

• Select a mix of tubular flowers in red, orange, pink, or purple
• Choose nectar-rich plants like fuchsias, columbines, petunias, and bee balms
• Plant in groups of the same flowers to attract hummers
• Include flowering trees and shrubs such as lilacs or red buckeye
• Supplement with 1-2 commercial nectar feeders
• Position feeders in shade with some shelter from wind
• Use fresh nectar mix made of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water
• Clean feeders weekly to prevent mold and bacteria
• Provide a water feature or mister for hummingbird bathing
• Avoid using pesticides which can be toxic to hummingbirds

With the right Selection of Fragrant Flowers and feeding stations, you can Create an attractive backyard habitat for Hummingbirds to feed and rest during Their active seasons.

Unique Aspects of Hummingbird Migration in Canada

Hummingbirds migrating over long distances to breed in Canada face some unique challenges:

• Ruby-throated Hummingbirds may fly nonstop over the Gulf of Mexico (800 km)
• Rufous Hummingbirds make one of the longest migration routes up to Alaska and back (over 5,000 km roundtrip)
• Arrive early before many flowers have bloomed and insects have emerged
• Cold temperatures and storms during early spring migration
• Various habitats crossed including deserts, mountains, forests, and prairies
• Fuel up by doubling their body weight before crossing barriers
• Navigate using internal compass, visual landmarks, and star positions
• Males start migrating north first to establish territories

Despite their small size, hummingbirds are built for endurance. Their adaptability allows them to thrive across a massive range and varied conditions during their epic seasonal migrations.

Threats Facing Hummingbirds in Canada

While hummingbirds continue to flourish through most of Canada, they face some increasing threats and population pressures:

• Habitat loss from urbanization, logging, and agriculture
• Climate change disrupting timing of flowering and nesting seasons
• Pesticides reducing insect food sources
• Predation from cats, jays, and squirrels around feeders
• Collisions with windows, cars, turbines, and towers during migration
• Extreme weather events during migration or nesting periods
• Competition from non-native organisms in some ecosystems

Conservation measures like preserving natural habitat corridors, reducing pesticide use, installing marked windows/turbines, and keeping cats indoors can help protect hummingbird populations into the future.

Interesting Facts about Hummingbirds in Canada

Hummingbirds captivate with their diminutive size, magic hovering ability, and energetic personalities. Here are some fascinating facts about Canadian hummingbirds:

• Beat their wings up to 70 times per second
• Only birds able to fly backwards and upside down
• Consume up to twice their body weight in nectar daily
• Migrate as individuals, not as flocks
• Some species survive cold nights by entering torpor, a mini-hibernation
• Males perform elaborate courtship dances and dives to impress females
• Fiercely territorial, they chase off intruders from feeders and flowers
• Prefer red tubular flowers which were pollinated by hummingbirds
• Help pollinate wildflowers and summer garden blossoms
• Ruby-throats lay the smallest eggs of all birds, the size of a coffee bean

The physical skills, unique adaptations, and personalities of hummingbirds make them captivating to watch in backyards, parks, and all across Canada’s provinces. Attracting these energetic pollinators to gardens with flowers and feeders provides hours of entertainment.

Conclusion

Canada provides vital breeding habitat and migratory stopover locations for several species of hummingbirds during the summer months. These tiny, colorful birds migrate long distances from Mexico and Central America to take advantage of abundant food sources across Canada. Creating a garden with nectar flowers and feeders can attract hummingbirds to breed and nest in your own backyard. Watching the aerial displays, feeding behaviors, and interactions of hummingbirds makes them one of the most endearing birds to observe each summer.