Are there Hummingbirds in UK
Hummingbirds are a favourite among bird watchers due to the majestic motion well sipping on nectar in flowers, but that doesn't apply to us in the UK.
Unfortunately, you'll never see an Hummingbird in UK or mainland Europe as its the wrong continent with an unsuitable climate. Hummingbirds are wild birds originating from Central and South America, and are widely seen across the southern United States, but never in Britain or Europe.
You may be feeling distraught at this time of writing if you wished to go out into the wild and spot one, but it will never happen.
Wild Hummingbirds have never been seen on the British Isles since recordings begun.
Instead, focus your attention back on residential birds or the more rare migrating birds that visit Britain from a far, they can be just as beautiful and majestic.
Our comprehansive British bird list will have you covered for comparing residential to migrating birds in the UK, and where to see them.
Britain receives large numbers of bird from across Europe; and from as far away as Serbia, North Africa to Asia, which makes us the envy of the world for bird watching.
For the Hummingbird to visit the UK would mean a long migration over the Atlantic Ocean; which would be quite the feat in itself as Hummingbirds are not migrating birds.
Well a few are migrating birds in a sense of short flights across the America's, but crossing the Atlantic to a colder climate is not going to happen.
If they did arrive on our shores, they would then have to be happy with a our cold, blistering winters, with Hummingbirds not adapted for such climates.
To be certain, view the official RSPB page on Are Hummingbirds found in the UK. If you don't believe us this page should put to bed any doubts.
What is disappointing not having Hummingbirds native to the UK is that they make wonderful small garden birds, more so disappointing as they would sip from specialty nectar bird feeders.
Are there Hummingbirds in captivity?
One way to view - but this is still very rare - is to go see an Hummingbird in captivity somewhere across the UK.
And guess what, this to is a rare if not a no-show due to how sensitive Hummingbirds are out of the natural habitat, well not taking to being kept in captivity.
If there was somehere an Hummingbird can be found it would only be the major zoo's across the UK, well smaller, specialist bird sanctuaries would use much of there funding tending to the needs of the Hummingbirds.
Well it might be possible a zoo has Hummingbirds to see from the paying public, it might be wise to contact the said zoo beforehand to make sure they are available to view.
Phone the following UK zoo's to find out where they stand with Hummingbirds, if they advertise with the Hummingbird present, they may not be available to see on the day.
Unfortunately, we can only offer a couple of the most visited zoo's but we can't say if they have them, on the otherhand they might be able to refer you elsewhere.
| Zoo Name: | Address: |
|---|---|
| ZSL London Zoo | Regent's Park London NW1 4RY, England Tel: 0844 225 1826 Site: https://www.zsl.org |
| ZSS Edinburgh Zoo | 134 Corstorphine Road Edinburgh EH12 6TS, Scotland Tel: 0131 334 9171 |
Mistaking Hummingbird for Hummingbird hawkmoth
We can't stress this enough, if you think you've seen a Hummingbird out in the wild within the UK, you really haven't, its not possible.
However, what you might of seen is something very similar in size and behaviour, and that is the Hummingbird Hawkmoth.
If you think you've seen a Hummingbird in your garden, we're absolutely certain you saw a Hawkmoth.
This is a moth species that is the same size of Hummingbirds, hovering completely still well feeding on nectar in flowers.
Quite strange for a moth but this is one that is a day time moth only; well it can be seen in the day, other moths only come out at night.
Where to see Hummingbirds abroad
Its not just the one, but there are many kinds of Hummingbirds to be seen across South America if you're visiting from Britain soon; or you've found this page but a resident.
If you wish to view a Hummingbird abroad then we would recommend well visiting the United States on your next holiday, to do a little bird watching.
Common garden Hummingbirds available to see far and wide in the USA vary, but the ones to watch out for include:
- Costa's hummingbird
- Ruby-throated hummingbird
- Anna's hummingbird
- Black-chinned hummingbird
No bird native to Britain matches the majestic Hummingbird in regard to flight and feeding behaviour, so you will have to make an exception to watching Hummingbirds in another country, or if they're ever in captivity in the UK.
To see Hummingbirds in popular spots across the southern parts of the United States:
- Ramsey Canyon Preserve, Arizona
- Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico
- Cabrillo National Monument, California
- Rio Grande Valley, Texas
And if venturing further south from Mexico to Costa Rica, then visit:
- Chichen Itza, Mexico
- La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Costa Rica
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, Costa Rica
- Rocklands Bird Sanctuary, Jamaica
- Yanacocha Reserve, Ecuador
- Choctomal, Peru
All advice for seeing Hummingbirds were taken from the advice of blog of Sierra Club, so check it out to read more.
Related Sites:
Summary
Sorry to disappoint you, but believe us, we know how gut wrenching it is to find out Hummingbirds are not native to Britain.
Even more disappointing to then find out they have never been found in the UK or Europe, other than there natural habitant in the South and North America.
Its a long shot, but you could call around major zoos or enquire with specialist bird sanctuaries as they may be able to point you in the right direction.
And if they do have a Hummingbird exhibit, its very likely to be short lived.
Make the most of your next Holiday to America, Cuba, Mexico or further a field to view a Hummingbird in there natural habitant.
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