Hummingbirds are found throughout many parts of Canada during the warmer months. There are three main species of hummingbirds that breed in Canada – the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the Rufous Hummingbird and the Calliope Hummingbird. The range and habitat preferred by each species differs across the country.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common and widespread hummingbird species found in Canada. It breeds in all provinces and territories except Nunavut. This hummingbird migrates north to its Canadian breeding grounds each spring and summer, arriving as early as late April in southern Ontario. It breeds across Canada between April and August before migrating south to Mexico and Central America for the winter.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird prefers open areas interspersed with flowering plants and shrubs. It is commonly found in gardens, meadows, forest edges, parks and yards in both rural and urban areas while breeding in Canada. This hummingbird will readily visit hummingbird feeders.
Here is a map showing the breeding range of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Canada:
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird has a more limited range in Canada compared to the Ruby-throated. It breeds along the Pacific coast of British Columbia and sometimes as far east as the Okanagan Valley. This species migrates north to Canada for the summer breeding season, arriving as early as February in coastal British Columbia.
During the breeding season, the Rufous Hummingbird inhabits forest openings, meadows, parks and gardens, especially those containing flowering plants. It is commonly found in many urban and suburban yards in coastal British Columbia while breeding.
Here is a map showing the small Canadian breeding range of the Rufous Hummingbird:
Calliope Hummingbird
The Calliope Hummingbird has the smallest breeding range in Canada of the three species. It nests along the southwest coast of British Columbia, including Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. It migrates north to this range in spring and early summer.
During breeding season, the Calliope Hummingbird prefers open meadows and forest edges near streams and openings. It will visit gardens and yards with flowering plants in its small coastal British Columbia range.
Here is a map showing the tiny Canadian breeding range of the Calliope Hummingbird:
When do Hummingbirds Arrive in Canada?
Here are the typical spring arrival times for hummingbirds in different regions of Canada:
| Region | Species | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Ontario | Ruby-throated | Late April to Mid-May |
| Southern Quebec | Ruby-throated | Early May to Late May |
| Southern Manitoba | Ruby-throated | Mid to Late May |
| Southern Alberta | Ruby-throated | Early to Mid May |
| Southern British Columbia | Ruby-throated | Early to Mid April |
| Southwest British Columbia | Rufous | February to March |
| Southwest British Columbia | Calliope | Mid March to Early April |
Arrival dates can vary slightly from year to year depending on weather conditions and other factors. Ruby-throated hummingbirds start arriving earliest along the Gulf of Mexico coast in Louisiana and progressively later as they fan out across the rest of eastern and central North America.
Do hummingbirds live in the Prairie Provinces?
Yes, hummingbirds are found in the Canadian Prairie Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta during summer. However, only one species – the Ruby-throated Hummingbird – breeds in these provinces. This hummingbird arrives in southern areas of the Prairie Provinces in May to breed during summer before migrating south in late summer and fall.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird can be found in many habitat types across the Prairie Provinces in summer, including urban gardens, parks, meadows and near lakes and rivers. Numbers are highest in southern areas and decline farther north. This species will readily visit hummingbird feeders during its breeding season in the Prairies.
Do hummingbirds live in the Atlantic Provinces?
Yes, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird migrates to the Atlantic Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador each summer to breed. It typically arrives in mid to late May in southern areas. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is commonly found in urban areas, gardens, parks, meadows and near lakes and rivers while breeding across the Atlantic Provinces during the summer months before migrating south in late summer and fall.
Do hummingbirds live in the Territories?
Only one species, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, migrates to Canada’s northern Territories to breed in summer. It can be found nesting in the southern sections of the Northwest Territories and Yukon. This species arrives in early to mid May and breeds in forest openings and edge habitats before migrating south in late summer.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird does not breed as far north as Nunavut. But it has been observed rarely during migration in the southernmost parts of the territory in late spring and summer.
What provinces and territories do hummingbirds not live in?
Hummingbirds do not breed anywhere in Nunavut as conditions are too harsh and there is inadequate food availability. Nunavut is north of the tree line in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and lacks the flowering plants and nesting habitat required by hummingbirds.
Occasionally, a vagrant Ruby-throated Hummingbird may be observed during migration along the southern coast of Nunavut. But these sightings are extremely rare and Nunavut is well north of the regular breeding range for all hummingbird species found in Canada.
What is the northern limit of hummingbirds in Canada?
The northern limit of breeding hummingbirds in Canada is approximately the 60th parallel. North of this latitude, conditions become too cold for successful breeding as you get closer to the Arctic Circle. Southern Northwest Territories and Yukon represent the northernmost breeding areas for the Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Canada.
A few specific locations mark the known northern limits of breeding hummingbirds in Canada:
- Inuvik, Northwest Territories (68°N latitude) – northern range limit of Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Dawson City, Yukon (64°N latitude) – close to the northwest range limit of Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Whitehorse, Yukon (60°N latitude) – regular northern range extent of Ruby-throated Hummingbird
North of these locations, there is no more documented breeding by any hummingbird species in Canada due to unsuitable conditions.
Summary of Where Hummingbirds Live in Canada
In summary:
- 3 species of hummingbirds breed in Canada – Ruby-throated, Rufous and Calliope
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds live across southern Canada from British Columbia to the Atlantic Provinces
- Rufous Hummingbirds breed along the Pacific coast of British Columbia
- Calliope Hummingbirds breed only in southwest coastal British Columbia
- Hummingbirds migrate north to breed in Canada during spring and summer
- The northern limit for breeding is around the 60th parallel in the Yukon and Northwest Territories
Hummingbirds occupy a wide range of habitat types while breeding in Canada during summer months. Gardens, parks, meadows and diverse natural habitats across southern Canada provide prime areas for hummingbirds before they migrate back to southern North America for the winter.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hummingbirds take advantage of the abundance of food sources and favorable breeding conditions found across much of Canada during the summer months. Three species migrate to and breed in Canada, primarily the widespread Ruby-throated Hummingbird that occupies habitats from coast to coast. Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds have more restricted coastal breeding ranges in British Columbia. The northern limit for successful breeding by hummingbirds in Canada is around the 60th parallel beyond which conditions become too harsh. Southern Canada provides excellent summer breeding habitat for hummingbirds thanks to the diversity of flowering plants, availability of nesting sites and generally warm summer temperatures.
