If you’ve been out for a walk lately and caught a glimpse of something tiny zipping through the air like a feathered dart, you’re not imagining things, hummingbirds are back in Calgary!
These incredible little birds might be small (some only weigh a few grams!), but they’re fierce, fast, and full of personality. Calgary is lucky to be home to three hummingbird species: the Calliope Hummingbird, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, and Rufous Hummingbird. All three can be spotted during the warmer months in the city’s natural parks: Griffith Woods, Weaselhead, and Fish Creek Park are some of the best places to go if you want a good chance at seeing one.
Right now they are courting and it’s a great time to spot them! The males often do steep dives and make loud buzzing sounds with their tails to impress females. When not buzzing around look for them on the top of trees. They love to perch there to survey their territory and look for insects!
If you do visit Griffith Woods, it is extra special this year. A rare hybrid hummingbird, a mix between a ruby-throated and a rufous, has been spotted there and is quickly becoming a local celebrity. To know that you’ve spotted it look at its belly and sides, they will be a mix of green and rufous (brown/red).
Hybrid Hummingbird; credit: Jean Wallace
Hummingbirds may look delicate, but they’re anything but. They’re known for being fiercely territorial and will chase away other hummingbirds from their favorite flowers or feeders.
If you want to support hummingbirds in your own backyard, there are a couple of easy things you can do:
- Put out a feeder.
Use a mix of 1/4 cup white sugar to 1 cup of water. No need to add food colouring or anything fancy, just plain white sugar works best. Avoid using honey, brown sugar, maple syrup or artificial sweeteners, as these can grow bacteria or fungi that are harmful to hummingbirds. Infections can cause problems like a swollen tongue, which can prevent a hummingbird from eating and ultimately be fatal. - Grow a hummingbird-friendly garden.
Hummingbirds love tubular flowers that let them dip their long bills deep for nectar. Great native options include Wolf Willow, Scarlet Runner Bean, and Bergamot (also called bee balm). These plants not only feed hummingbirds but add beautiful pops of colour to your yard or balcony.
Bonus fact: Despite their nectar reputation, hummingbirds are serious insectivores, more than half of their diet is made up of insects like gnats, mosquitoes, and spiders. So every hummingbird you see is also helping control bug populations in your neighbourhood!
If you head out to look for hummingbirds in Calgary’s parks, please remember to stick to established pathways. Off-trail travel might seem harmless, but it can disturb plants, compact sensitive soils, and create braided paths that damage habitats for birds and other wildlife.
Want to learn more about these amazing birds? Check out this great interview between Nature Calgary President Kaya Konopnicki and host of the CBC Eyeopener Lorne McGinnis. It’s packed with insights into hummingbird behavior and what makes Calgary such a great place to spot them.