Ruby-throated Hummingbird
(Archilochus colubris)

Summary

Picture of bird
© Ted Krug
For additional photos and vocalizations, visit Dendroica. (Link opens in a new window.)

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a familiar bird of Canada's deciduous and mixed woodlands, parks and gardens from Alberta to the east coast. Results from the Breeding Bird Survey indicate the population in Canada has shown a consistent, long-term increase since about 1970. Currently, there appear to be no significant threats to this species.

Designations

Main designations for the species
DesignationStatusDateSubspecies, population
IUCN (Global)Least concern2018 
Wild Species (Canada)Secure2015 

Population status

Geographic area or populationPopulation change relative to ~1970ReliabilityStatus in relation to goal
CanadaModerate IncreaseHighAt an Acceptable Level
 

Population estimate

Geographic area or populationPopulation estimate
Canada5,000,000 - 50,000,000 adults
 

Distribution maps

 

Migration strategy, occurrence

Long-distance migrant

Responsibility for conservation

Geographic areaResponsibility based on % of global population
CanadaLow

General nesting period in Canada

Nesting period starts between late May and early June and ends in late August, depending on the region. Before or after this period, the probability of an active nest is lower.
 

Conservation and management

With an increasing population and its ability to adapt to human habitation, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird does not appear to be threatened in any part of its range. Plantings in gardens may have improved habitat in some areas but effects of long-term deforestation in breeding and overwintering areas is unknown (Weidensaul et al. 2013). The location of hummingbird feeders may contribute to predation by domestic cats and window collisions (Weidensaul et al. 2013).

 

Bird conservation region strategies

Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:

  • conservation concerns (i.e., species vulnerable due to population size, distribution, population trend, abundance, or threats)
  • stewardship responsibilities (i.e., species that typify the regional avifauna or have a large proportion of their range or population in the sub-region)
  • management concerns (i.e., species that require ongoing management because of their socio-economic importance as game species, or because of their impacts on other species or habitats)
  • other concerns (i.e., species deemed a priority by regional experts for other reasons than those listed above or because they are listed as species at risk or concern at the provincial level)

Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.

BCRs, marine biogeographic units, and sub-regions in which the species is listed as a priority
RegionSub-region and priority type
NoneNone
 

References