Hummingbirds of Canada

Map showing the migration of hummingbirds into Canada

Hummingbirds are found only in the Western Hemisphere, with almost half the species living in the "equatorial belt" between 10 degrees north and south of the equator. While many species are found in Central America and South America, few make their homes in Canada during the migration season in the warmer months.

The hummingbird family is very large, with 366 species and 112 genera. Hummingbirds comprise the family Trochilidae, among the smallest of birds, with most species measuring in the 3"-5" range.

Many hummingbirds spend the winter in Central America or Mexico, and migrate north to their breeding grounds in the southern United States as early as February, and to areas further north into several Canadian provinces, later in the spring. The first arrivals in spring are usually males.

Hummingbirds will be seen in the warmer months in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

There are only five species that venture into Canada on a regular basis, listed below.