There are several species of these tiny birds, but the most common here in our area is the Rufous and Anna’s.

These birds winter in Mexico and possibly Central America and arrive here in the spring ready to search out the best birdfeeders, which they instantly lay claim to and will furiously defend from other birds, even bees and butterflies, for the duration of their stay.

These colourful, feisty birds are easily recognized.

The male has Rufous (red brown) back and sides sometimes with green flecks in them.

The female is a duller colour with buff throat feathers.

The Anna’s are a green tint, the male sporting a rose-red crown and throat.

Each no bigger than the palm of a small hand. As is often the case in the bird world, once the eggs are laid the male hummingbird takes off to greater adventures and the female bird raises the two chicks on her own.

The tiny nest is slung across tree buds by spider silk and camouflaged with lichen and moss.

When the baby birds are hatched, she spends much of her time catching small insects and spiders for them to eat, so they can build up their strength for migration and will tolerate them at the feeder for a short time, but eventually she will treat them as rivals for food and chase them off.

Hummingbirds are a thrill to watch, zipping from flower to flower with their long, pointed beak dipping into each to collect the nectar, they also love to play in the spray from a hose and will swoop in and out of the water droplets like kids at the water park.

Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, for as the time for migration draws near she creates hormonal changes in the birds that are triggered by the shortening daylight hours, so that the urge to fly to a warmer climate becomes so strong they cannot ignore it.

There are the occasional birds that leave it too late and will over – winter here, more so as our weather warms, and if you find your birdfeeder is still being visited by the end of October, please keep it filled and clean so that your little visitors have a better chance at survival until next spring.

– Liz Hancock is a member of the Alouette River Management Society. She is also a writer, artist, environmentalist, and teacher of self-sustainable living.