Do we get hummingbirds in Britain?

Hummingbirds are small, colorful birds that are only found naturally in the Americas. They are known for their ability to hover in midair and fly backwards, as well as their fast wing beats and long bill used to drink nectar from flowers. Hummingbirds are not native to Britain or anywhere else outside the Americas, but some species have been introduced to other areas through escapes or releases from captivity.

What are hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds are in the family Trochilidae and are the smallest of all birds, most species measuring between 2-8 inches in length. There are over 300 different species of hummingbird throughout the Americas, with the highest diversity found in South America.

Some key facts about hummingbirds:

• They have the fastest wing beat of all birds and can flap their wings up to 80 times per second.
• They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings in a figure-8 pattern and can also fly backwards.
• They have long, specially adapted tongue and beaks to drink nectar from flowers.
• Their diet consists mainly of nectar but they also eat small insects for protein.
• They have very fast metabolisms, requiring frequent feeding throughout the day.
• Many species undertake long annual migrations, some travelling over 2,000 miles between breeding and wintering grounds.

There are a few main physical adaptations that allow hummingbirds to hover and maintain their rapid wing beats:

• Their wings are shaped so they can generate lift on both the downstroke and upstroke.
• They have very large chest muscles to power wing beats.
• Their bones and wings are incredibly lightweight relative to their body size.
• They can rotate their wings in a full circle to create torque for hovering.

Are hummingbirds found in Britain?

Hummingbirds are native to the Americas and there are no species that are native to Britain or anywhere else outside the Western Hemisphere. Only America has the native flowers, food sources, and habitats that hummingbirds have evolved alongside for millions of years.

The two main reasons hummingbirds are limited to the Americas are:

• There are no native flowering plants in Britain or Europe that provide the high-energy nectar that hummingbirds rely on. Hummingbirds have an important ecological relationship with many American flower species.
• The climate in Britain is often too cold for tropical and subtropical hummingbird species that could not withstand the temperatures. Most hummingbirds struggle in temperatures below freezing.

So in their natural range, hummingbirds do not cross the Atlantic Ocean to Europe or Africa. The only way they could appear in Britain is through human intervention bringing them over from the Americas.

Introduced hummingbirds in Britain

While no hummingbirds naturally occur in Britain, there have been a small number of sightings over the years of hummingbirds that were introduced to the country accidentally or intentionally:

• In 2004, a rufous hummingbird from North America was spotted on a farm in Devon. This bird was likely an escaped caged pet.
• In 2008-2009, a calliope hummingbird overwintered in a suburban garden in Surrey, amazing residents.
• In 2015, a vagrant ruby-throated hummingbird visited a housing estate in Bournemouth multiple times.

There have been a few dozen total sightings in Britain of vagrant hummingbirds that were swept off course during migration or escaped captivity. However, there is no evidence that any hummingbird populations have become established in Britain long-term. These are rare one-off occurrences of individual lost birds.

The Association of European Rarities Committees reported 52 records of hummingbirds in Britain between 1958-2015. Nearly all occurred between April-September when transatlantic vagrants are most likely. This data is summarized below:

So while it is possible for vagrant hummingbirds to arrive in Britain, these occurrences are considered very rare and temporary. There is no evidence of genuine colonies establishing despite sporadic sightings over the decades.

Could hummingbirds live in Britain?

While hummingbirds could theoretically fly to Britain on their own during migration or be brought there by humans, it is highly unlikely they could establish permanent populations. There are a few key reasons why:

• Britain lacks the flower diversity and continuous nectar availability that hummingbirds rely on. Even gardens lack the right flowers and artificial feeders may not provide enough calories.
• The cooler climate does not suit tropical species. There are no hummingbirds native to cooler temperate regions anywhere in the world.
• Potential predators like cats may threaten small introduced hummingbirds.
• They face competition from native British birds for food and habitat resources.

Researchers who modeled the climate in Britain found that it was generally unsuitable for breeding populations. The rare vagrant hummingbirds that make it to Britain struggle to find enough food. Some may persist for weeks or months feeding on garden nectar feeders but most do not survive the winter.

While not impossible, the consensus among ornithologists is that Britain does not provide the right habitats or climates for non-native hummingbird populations to become established. The birds would face too many environmental challenges finding food, surviving winters, and competing with local bird species.

Could hummingbirds be introduced to Britain?

Hummingbirds could theoretically be deliberately introduced to Britain by humans through releases of captive-bred birds or transportation from the Americas, but this is not considered a good idea:

• Invasive species can disrupt native ecosystems and harm other pollinators like bees.
• Released tropical hummingbirds may not survive cold winters.
• Providing adequate enclosed habitats like greenhouses would be extremely challenging.
• There are ethical concerns around removing birds from natural habitats.
• It would be difficult to provide enough continuous nectar sources.

Some key groups also argue against introducing hummingbirds:

• The RSPB says it would be “extremely irresponsible” due to unpredictable impacts on food chains.
• The BTO points out they naturally have tiny ranges totally unlike Britain.
• The European Union has banned introductions of non-native species without authorization due to ecological risks.

While it may seem appealing, expert ornithology and conservation groups strongly advise against any attempts to release hummingbirds in Britain. Their habitats and needs are not suited for the British climate and environment. It would be risky both for the birds’ wellbeing and local ecosystems.

Closest places to see wild hummingbirds in Europe

Since hummingbirds will likely never establish permanent populations in Britain, birdwatchers have to travel to see them in their native ranges. The closest places in Europe where wild hummingbirds can be seen include:

• The Azores – home to endemic Azores hummingbirds and summer vagrant North American hummingbirds.
• Madeira – the long-tailed blue hummingbird and European hummingbird occur here.
• Turkey – the southern coast sees periodic migrant hummingbirds from the Middle East or Africa.
• Spain – vagrant hummingbirds very rarely spotted along the Mediterranean coast.

These Atlantic islands and Mediterranean coasts offer the only semi-reliable sightings in Europe when conditions bring vagrant individuals. Dedicated birders may specifically visit during peak seasons hoping to spot rare hummingbird species far outside their normal ranges.

While Mexico, Central America, and Ecuador offer the most accessible and rewarding hummingbird sightings, the Azores and Madeira provide the closest opportunities to glimpse hummingbirds without flying all the way across the Atlantic.

Conclusion

In summary, hummingbirds are native to the Americas and there are no truly wild populations living in Britain. While rare vagrant individuals have been sighted, the climate and lack of flowers makes it highly unlikely that genuine colonies could establish. Deliberate introduction would be risky and is not recommended by wildlife groups. For Brits keen to see hummingbirds, the best option is to visit areas along their migration routes or in their tropical native ranges, particularly in Mexico and Central America where many hummingbird species can be seen visiting flower gardens and feeders. The Azores and Madeira islands provide the closest reliable European sightings for committed birdwatchers. While we can occasionally spot lost individuals, unfortunately Britain remains a place where the chances of seeing a real-life hummingbird remain vanishingly small.