iN PHOTOS: Iridescent hummingbirds brighten backyards in Thompson-Okanagan

Several species of hummingbird have been spotted at backyard feeders in the Thompson-Okanagan region this spring as the tiny birds paused on their annual migrations from Mexico to Alaska and northwestern Canada to breed.

Their small size, eye-catching iridescent colours and rapid wingbeats make them a popular subject for birders and photographers.  

The province is home to nine species of hummingbird, however, five of those are rarely seen, according to Bird Advisors. The most commonly spotted hummingbirds are Anna’s, rufous, calliope and black-chinned.

Anna’s hummingbirds are unique because they don’t migrate and can be found in their range from BC to Baja California all year round.

These birds are green and gray in colour, with the male’s sporting an iridescent pink head and throat and the females having a splash of red spots on theirs.  

They are commonly seen at backyard feeders or at parks sucking nectar from colourful flowers. They nest high up in trees and courting males will fly up to 130 feet and make dramatic dives down.  

Rufous hummingbirds are frequently seen in the summer from March to October, and some stay in BC year-round.

The males are bright orange with iridescent red throats, while the females are greenish-brown with rust-coloured sides and white bellies.

These birds breed in northwest Alaska and northwest Canada and migrate to Mexico and Gulf Coast for winter, so are spotted as they travel back and forth in spring and fall. They eat insects and nectar from colourful tubular flowers, and build nests high in trees using plants and spider webs.

Calliope hummingbirds are seen in the south of the province from late March to October. They fly all the way from Mexico to Canada and back every year.

The males have magenta throats and glossy green bodies. The females don’t have fancy throat colouring and are pinkish-white underneath.

The birds build nests on evergreen trees and often reuse them or build new ones on top of old ones.

The black-chinned hummingbird frequents the south of the province to Baha California from April to October, before migrating back to Mexico, southern California and the Gulf Coast for the winter.

The birds are metallic green on the back and gray underneath, and the males have a black throat with a shiny purple patch.

They eat nectar, small insects and spiders, and build nests out of plant matter and spider silk.

Black-chinned hummingbirds can often be seen sitting at the top of dead trees on tiny bare branches and often return to a favourite perch. They can be found along canyons and rivers or by shady oaks.

Hummingbirds that are rarely spotted in BC are costa’s, ruby-throated, Rivoli’s, broad-tailed and Mexican violetear.

These tiny, brilliantly coloured birds are masters at hovering and are the only bird species that can fly backwards. They can travel more than 4,000 miles in one year flying at roughly 98 kilometres an hour with a average wingbeat of 58 beats per second.