Hummingbirds are known for their small size, brilliant iridescent colors, incredible speed, and ability to hover in midair. They are found only in the Americas and are highly specialized nectar-eating birds with long bills and tongues that allow them to extract nectar from flowers. There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds, ranging in size from the tiny Bee Hummingbird which weighs less than 2 grams, to the Giant Hummingbird which can weigh over 20 grams.
Hummingbirds are solitary creatures and do not form flocks like many other bird species. However, they will congregate in large numbers at food sources, especially feeders containing sugar water. When multiple hummingbirds are feeding at the same location, the group has special names depending on the numbers present.
What is a Small Group of Hummingbirds Called?
A small group of hummingbirds, typically less than 10 individuals, does not have any specific name and is simply called a “group” or “gathering” of hummingbirds. Some examples of terms used for small groups include:
- A hover of hummingbirds
- A glittering of hummingbirds
- A charm of hummingbirds
- A shimmer of hummingbirds
These whimsical terms speak to the magical appearance of these petite birds rapidly beating their wings as they dart from flower to flower sipping nectar.
What is a Large Group of Hummingbirds Called?
When larger numbers of hummingbirds congregate together at prime feeding locations, more specific terms are used:
A bouquet of hummingbirds
A group of 10-100 hummingbirds is referred to as a “bouquet” of hummingbirds. This term compares the large number of brightly colored hummingbirds feeding together to the assortment of blossoms in a flower bouquet.
A glittering of hummingbirds
Like “bouquet”, a “glittering” also describes 10-100 feeding hummingbirds, evoking the brilliance, shimmer, and movement of a large flock.
A swarm of hummingbirds
Even larger gatherings of 100-1000 hummingbirds are called a “swarm” of hummingbirds. This name choice represents the crowded, busy appearance of hundreds of tiny birds crowding together.
An army of hummingbirds
“Army” is used to define truly massive groups of hummingbirds numbering over 1000 individuals that converge in huge feeding aggregations. The enormity of this multitude earned them the “army” designation.
To summarize:
| Number of Hummingbirds | Name for Group |
|---|---|
| 2-10 | Hover, glittering, charm, shimmer |
| 10-100 | Bouquet, glittering |
| 100-1000 | Swarm |
| 1000+ | Army |
When and Where Do Large Hummingbird Groups Gather?
These large gatherings of hummingbirds occur during migration and in prime feeding locations. Here are key times and places to spot big hummingbird aggregations:
Migration Layover Sites
Hummingbirds making their epic migration across countries and continents will stop to rest and refuel along their route. Backyard feeders, gardens, meadows, and trees that provide nectar will attract hundreds or thousands of migrating hummingbirds at a time as they stop to “tank up” on energy.
Productive Feeding Habitats
Areas that offer the most abundant natural food sources will draw unbelievable numbers of hummingbirds. Mountain meadows filled with wildflowers, valleys blanketed in blooming shrubs and trees, and lowland forests rich in nectar-producing blossoms become magnets for hummingbirds during peak flowering.
Hummingbird Feeders
Even a single hummingbird feeder deliberately stocked with fresh sugar water can attract dozens or hundreds of hungry hummingbirds in one spot. Adding multiple feeders in one yard or location creates the ideal conditions for a swirling hummingbird frenzy.
Prime Nesting Areas
Productive nesting sites with ideal food, water, shelter materials, breeding habitat, and climate can support extremely dense populations of breeding hummingbirds. Hundreds may nest close together, gathering in great numbers as they visit favored feeders or flowers.
Reasons for Mass Gatherings of Hummingbirds
What drives hummingbirds to form their spectacular aggregations? Here are some of the key reasons so many will flock to a particular area:
Abundant Food Availability
As mentioned above, any site providing copious nectar supplies will act like a magnet for hordes of hummingbirds. They can efficiently pack on fat and sugars to fuel migration or breeding.
Limited Habitat Resources
In arid areas or during dry seasons when flowering is limited, the few remaining nectar sources can bottleneck hummingbird populations into smaller spaces at higher densities.
Safety in Numbers
Massing together in huge flocks may reduce predation risk through dilution effects. It also improves efficiency in finding food.
Information Sharing
Young hummingbirds may learn feeding locations and techniques at gathering hotspots by observing others.
Competitive Display
Male hummingbirds perform elaborate courtship displays at aggregation sites to attract mates and defend territory.
Notable Examples of Hummingbird Swarms
Some of the most spectacular gatherings of hummingbirds occur annually in migration corridors and breeding locations:
Southwestern United States
In the flowering valleys and canyons of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, swarms numbering in the hundreds of thousands can descent upon the abundant nectar resources produced during the spring bloom.
Eastern Slope of the Andes Mountains
This diverse region hosts incredible concentrations of hummingbirds during periods of heavy blossoming. Trees like the Mountain Penda bombax produce copious flowers that nourish hummingbird hordes.
Veracruz River of Raptors, Mexico
A pivotal migration route, this river corridor in eastern Mexico channels astounding numbers of hummingbirds along with hawk migrations. Dazzling aerial displays occur as clouds of hummingbirds pause to feed.
Bogotá, Colombia
Mass bird migrations pass over this Andean valley, including the stunning Sparkling Violetear. Bogotá hosts hummingbird festivals for visitors to witness the spectacle.
Llanos Grasslands, Venezuela
Following rainy seasons, this tropical savanna explodes in a colorful bloom that draws uncounted hummingbirds feasting on nectar before migrating north.
Behaviors of Hummingbird Swarms
Observing a gigantic flock of hummingbirds swirling through the air and clustering shoulder-to-shoulder on feeders reveals fascinating behaviors:
Aerial Displays
Pendulum-like diving and arc patterns ripple through the masses as they fly in synchrony. Group flash mobs see hundreds diving together then abruptly changing direction in unison.
Shimmering Murmurations
Like starlings, dense hummingbird flocks perform incredible aerial maneuvers and shapeshifting as if a single coordinated organism.
Jostling and Competing
At crowded feeders, hummingbirds aggressively fight for access to the nectar resources, poking each other with their needle-sharp bills.
Perching and Resting
Swarms fill trees and bushes bordering feeding zones, temporarily resting before returning to feed again.
Calls and Chatter
Flocks produce a high cacophony of squeaks, chirps, buzzes, and whines from the thousands of individual birds.
Hazards of Hummingbird Swarms
While captivating to observe, these massive hummingbirds aggregations do have some risks and downsides:
Disease Transmission
Packed conditions increase the chance of spreading diseases among populations. Salmonellosis outbreaks have occurred at some gatherings.
Predator Magnets
Large flocks draw the attention of predators like falcons, hawks, and orioles seeking an easy meal.
Stress and Exhaustion
The chaos of the swarm takes a toll on individuals, especially small or weak juvenile birds.
Insufficient Food
Such huge numbers can temporarily deplete nectar sources, leaving latecomers hungry.
Altered Ecology
Nectar scarcity from the swarms can impact populations of insects and plants that depend on each other.
Threats and Conservation
Though visually stunning, mass aggregations are a symptom of environmental threats to hummingbird populations:
Habitat Loss
Urbanization and farming destroy the flowering meadows and forests hummingbirds rely on for migration and breeding.
Climate Change
Changing precipitation patterns and warmer temperatures desynchronize hummingbird migration from key nectar resources.
Pesticides
Chemical use reduces insect populations that hummingbirds feed on for protein.
Backyard Feeders
While supporting some local hummingbirds, feeders cannot fully replace lost wild habitat and seasonal flowers.
Protecting remaining habitat corridors and addressing climate change are key conservation priorities to support sustainable hummingbird populations.
Conclusion
While most people are familiar with seeing a lone hummingbird buzz by during its travels, mass gatherings of hundreds or thousands of hummingbirds swirling through the skies are a jaw-dropping experience for lucky eyewitnesses. Depending on the numbers present, these fantastic aggregations have descriptive names like bouquets, glitterings, swarms, and armies. Though visually mesmerizing, the massing together of birds also highlights environmental threats that are concentrating populations. Protecting the ecosystems and plants that sustain hummingbirds will be vital for the resilience of these captivating creatures and the unbelievable events when great hordes gather to feast.
