Hummingbirds are beautiful, miniature birds that have captivated people for centuries with their iridescent plumage, speedy flight, and ability to hover in midair. Their small size and delicate nature often lead people to wonder if hummingbirds can be kept as pets. However, while it may seem appealing to have a tiny, flashy hummingbird zipping around your home, the reality is that hummingbirds are wild animals not well-suited to life in captivity.
Is it legal to buy a hummingbird as a pet?
In the United States and Canada, it is illegal to keep native hummingbird species as pets. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the US and the Migratory Birds Convention Act in Canada protect native bird species, including all hummingbirds, making it unlawful to possess them without the proper permits. Permits are only granted to educational institutions, scientific researchers, rehabilitation facilities, and other specialized groups involved in hummingbird conservation or study. They are not issued to private individuals who want hummingbirds as pets.
So for the average person, it is not legal to buy, sell, or keep native hummingbirds as pets. You could face legal penalties if caught with a hummingbird without the proper permits.
Can you obtain a hummingbird from a breeder?
There are no commercial hummingbird breeders, so there is no legitimate way to purchase a hummingbird through a breeder. Breeding hummingbirds in captivity is exceptionally difficult, as they have specialized needs and live very short lives. They rely heavily on local flowers for food and are adapted to specific climate conditions. Even experienced aviculturists, or bird breeders, rarely succeed at breeding hummingbirds in captivity.
Some people may advertise captive-bred hummingbirds for sale online or claim to be hummingbird breeders. However, these are likely scams aimed at illegal trafficking of wild hummingbirds. It would be best to avoid these advertisements, as supporting the trade in hummingbirds promotes illegal collection from the wild, disrupts local populations, and subjects the birds to cruel conditions.
Can you adopt a rescued hummingbird?
It is sometimes possible to adopt a hummingbird that has been rescued and rehabilitated but cannot be released back to the wild. Responsible hummingbird rehabilitators focus on releasing healed birds. Still, occasionally they have individuals with permanent disabilities or other impairments that make living in the wild impossible. These licensed facilities may offer non-releasable hummingbirds for legal adoption in limited circumstances.
Adopting a rehabilitated hummingbird can be extremely challenging, however. The adopter must be able to provide specialized caging, feed the bird multiple times per hour, maintain challenging climate and lighting needs, and be prepared if the bird passes away quickly. The average person is not equipped to take on the immense commitment. Additionally, availability is limited, facilities are scarce, and adoptions are carefully screened.
While adopting a hummingbird is not feasible for most, it can be a one-of-a-kind opportunity for someone genuinely prepared for the demands of meeting all the hummingbird’s needs in captivity humanely.
Challenges of keeping hummingbirds as pets
Even if you could acquire a hummingbird legally, there are many reasons these birds make poor pets for inexperienced owners:
- Extremely high maintenance – Hummingbirds need specialized enclosures, nectar availability every 10-20 minutes, perfect lighting and temperatures, and more. Caring for one is time and labor-intensive with little room for error.
- Fragile health – Hummingbirds are incredibly sensitive to changes in environment, nutrition, temperatures, stress levels, and other variables in captivity. Their health can deteriorate rapidly.
- Short lifespan – Most hummingbird species only live 3-5 years, even in ideal conditions. Managing health complications is difficult with such a brief lifespan.
- Specialized diet – Hummingbirds eat nectar and tiny insects. Meeting nutritional needs in captivity while avoiding harm takes extensive knowledge.
- Stress behaviors – Hummingbirds do not tend to thrive in captivity and may show stress through excessive territorial displays, aggression, self-mutilation, or refusal to eat.
- Captivity risks – Potential injuries from flying in enclosed spaces, diseases from lack of sunlight, arthritis, feather damage, and more affect captive hummingbirds.
- Permit requirements – Extensive permits and licensing are obligatory for legal possession of a hummingbird. The commitment is vast for amateurs.
The difficulties of proper hummingbird care make them unsuitable for the average person without professional training. Even avian specialists can struggle to meet their complex requirements in captivity humanely long-term.
Ethical considerations
Beyond the logistical challenges, there are ethical issues to consider when keeping hummingbirds as pets:
- Short lifespans mean high turnover and frequent losses for owners bonded to individual birds.
- Removing from the wild is widely viewed as unethical, given conservation needs.
- The stress of confinement impacts wild-caught hummingbirds’ health and welfare.
- Most captive situations cannot replicate the complex behaviors and enrichment hummingbirds display in nature.
- Mistakes in care lead to suffering and imminent health issues in such delicate birds.
- Hummingbirds are not domesticated. Attempting to tame them puts their well-being at risk.
The most ethical options are admiring hummingbirds in nature or potentially adopting an unreleasable bird needing specialized care from an authorized facility only. Still, becoming involved in the illegal pet trade and removing hummingbirds from their natural habitats for human enjoyment raise significant ethical concerns for many.
Appreciating hummingbirds responsibly
Instead of attempting to keep hummingbirds as pets, people passionate about these remarkable birds can help them thrive naturally through actions like:
- Planting native flowers and gardens to provide food sources.
- Avoiding pesticides and chemicals toxic to pollinators.
- Installing specialized feeders and baths for hummingbirds.
- Contributing to hummingbird research and conservation groups.
- Volunteering at a licensed hummingbird rehabilitation facility.
- Photographing and observing hummingbirds respectfully in nature.
With some creativity and care, you can attract hummingbirds to your area and enjoy their beauty and behavior in a responsible, ethical way. This approach helps preserve hummingbird populations while building rewarding connections with them.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are captivating, glittering jewels of nature not meant for life in a cage. While the notion of keeping one as a pet may seem romantically appealing, the reality would prove challenging and likely unethical for both owner and bird. Licensed facilities may rarely adopt out rehabbed birds but buying, breeding, or capturing hummingbirds for pets is illegal and harmful to wild populations. If you hold a passion for hummingbirds, channel it into ethical observations, habitat creation, and conservation instead of possession. With commitment to their wellbeing in nature, you can form meaningful bonds with these flying wonders.
