Ontario’s hummingbird community is centered around the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the only species regularly found in the province across gardens, forest edges, parks, and cottage-country landscapes. In recent decades, however, improved observation, late-season feeder monitoring, and widespread use of digital photography have also revealed a growing number of western vagrants appearing during fall and early winter. Rufous Hummingbirds are now recorded regularly, while species such as Anna’s and Calliope Hummingbirds remain exceptional but increasingly well-documented visitors. This guide provides identification notes and Ontario-specific context on habitat use, seasonal timing, distribution, and rarity for the hummingbirds recorded in the province in recent years.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
- Identification: Small hummingbird with metallic green upperparts, pale underparts, a slender slightly downcurved bill, and in adult males a brilliant iridescent red throat.
- Where found: Widespread in summer across much of southern and central Ontario, occurring in woodlands, forest edges, gardens, parks, and cottage-country landscapes.
- How to spot: Watch for fast, direct flight with frequent hovering at flowers or feeders, aggressive chases, and rapid squeaky or chipping calls near feeding sites.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); locally common in Ontario during the breeding season, with provincial observations increasing in recent decades.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only regularly occurring hummingbird in Ontario and the species most residents encounter during spring and summer. This species measures 7 to 9 centimeters (2.8 to 3.5 inches) in length and has a compact body, short tail, and narrow wings adapted for precise hovering flight. Adults show metallic green upperparts that contrast with pale underparts, while adult males are distinguished by a vivid iridescent red throat that may appear dark when not reflecting light. Females lack the red gorget and instead show a plain pale throat.
In the field, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are often detected by their flight behavior and activity around flowering plants or feeders. Individuals fly straight and rapidly between feeding sites, stop abruptly to hover, and can maneuver backward or vertically with fine control. Males aggressively defend productive nectar sources and frequently chase intruders with sharp wingbeats and squeaky chipping calls. The species feeds primarily on floral nectar but also captures small insects and spiders in midair or from vegetation. Courtship displays can be conspicuous in spring and early summer, with males performing rapid dives and shuttle displays near females.
In Ontario, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird breeds widely across the Carolinian, Lake Simcoe-Rideau, and Southern Shield regions and occurs sparsely northward through the southern portion of the Northern Shield, with scattered breeding records extending to approximately 50th parallel and the Lake Nipigon region. The species occupies forest edges, openings in mixed and deciduous woodland, riparian corridors, orchards, residential gardens, parks, and cottage-country habitats where flowering plants or feeders are available. Deciduous trees are used more frequently than conifers for nesting in southern Ontario. Birds arrive in Ontario from late April through May, with males typically appearing before females to establish territories. Southbound migration begins by late July and August, and most individuals depart the province by September. The species does not winter in Ontario under normal conditions.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is widespread and locally common across much of southern Ontario, with particularly high abundance reported in parts of the Southern Shield and Bruce Peninsula cottage-country region. Atlas data indicate that the provincial distribution remained generally stable between atlas periods, while the probability of observation increased significantly, especially in northern portions of the range. Increased availability of gardens, feeders, shrubland, and regenerating woodland habitat may have benefited the species in Ontario. Broader Canadian monitoring shows long-term increases since the 1970s followed by more recent stabilization or localized declines, including relatively little long-term change in central Ontario. No major provincial threats are currently documented, though the species remains dependent on the availability of suitable feeding and breeding habitat.
Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
- Identification: Small hummingbird with a slender bill and short wings, strongly rufous overall in adult males with an orange-red iridescent throat; females appear greener with rufous in the tail and flanks.
- Where found: Rare but regular visitor in Ontario, occurring mainly during fall and early winter around gardens, feeders, parks, and residential areas.
- How to spot: Watch for an extremely territorial hummingbird aggressively defending feeders, listen for sharp chip notes during chases, and note the male’s distinctive warm rufous coloration and metallic wing whine in flight.
- Conservation status: Near Threatened (IUCN); populations are declining across the breeding range in northwestern North America, though Ontario records have increased in recent decades.
The Rufous Hummingbird is the most regularly recorded non-native hummingbird in Ontario and the species most likely to appear after Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have departed for the season. It measures 7 to 9 centimeters (2.8 to 3.5 inches) in length and shows a compact body with short wings and a narrow bill that give the species a fast-moving, rounded appearance. Adult males are largely warm rufous with a bright orange-red throat, while females are greener overall with more subdued rufous tones concentrated in the tail and flanks. The species is slightly larger and stockier in appearance than the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Field identification often begins with behavior. Rufous Hummingbirds aggressively defend feeding areas and routinely chase other hummingbirds away from flowers and feeders. Birds give repeated chip notes during territorial disputes, along with harsher calls during prolonged chases. The wings produce an audible hum in both sexes, while males can produce a distinctive metallic wing whine in flight. Feeding centers on floral nectar, supplemented by small insects captured in midair or taken from vegetation. Individuals visiting Ontario frequently remain at feeders late into autumn and can tolerate temperatures well below those normally experienced by Ruby-throated Hummingbirds during migration.
In Ontario, the Rufous Hummingbird is an irregular but increasingly well-documented visitor, with most records occurring from September through November and occasional birds lingering into December or January at maintained feeders. The species occurs mainly in southern Ontario, including the Great Lakes region, where records are concentrated in residential neighborhoods, gardens, parks, and other feeder-rich environments. Observations have come from areas including Niagara, Hamilton, Halton, Lambton County, Chatham-Kent, Grey County, London, and Thunder Bay. Most Ontario birds are believed to involve post-breeding dispersal or migratory vagrancy from the western breeding range. The species does not breed or winter regularly in Ontario, though some individuals survive extended periods during mild winters with access to unfrozen feeders.
Despite its increasing visibility in eastern North America, the Rufous Hummingbird is undergoing substantial long-term declines across its breeding range. Breeding Bird Survey data indicate large population decreases since the 1970s throughout western Canada and adjacent regions where the species normally nests. Conservation concerns focus on maintaining flowering habitats and migratory feeding resources across the species’ annual cycle. In Ontario, increased awareness among birders and homeowners, combined with improved documentation and the growing popularity of hummingbird feeders, has likely contributed to the rising number of provincial records.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Calypte anna
- Identification: Medium-sized, stocky hummingbird with bronzy-green upperparts, grayish underparts, a straight medium-length bill, and in adult males a rose-pink iridescent crown and throat.
- Where found: Extremely rare visitor in Ontario, recorded mainly in late fall and early winter around feeders, gardens, and residential areas.
- How to spot: Watch for hovering at feeders and flowers, persistent territorial behavior, and in adult males a distinctive rose-pink crown and throat that flash brightly in direct light.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations are increasing and expanding in western North America, though the species remains an exceptional vagrant in Ontario.
The Anna’s Hummingbird is one of the rarest hummingbirds documented in the province and among the few western hummingbird species that occasionally appear far east of their normal range. It measures 10 to 11 centimeters (3.9 to 4.3 inches) in length and has a stocky body, medium-length straight bill, and relatively broad tail. Adults show bronzy-green upperparts and grayish underparts without the warm rufous tones typical of several western hummingbirds. Adult males are especially distinctive, with an iridescent rose-pink crown and throat that can appear dark in poor light but flare brilliantly in sunlight. Females and immature birds are plainer and usually show only limited pink or reddish throat markings.
In the field, Anna’s Hummingbirds are often detected at feeders or flowering plants, where they hover steadily and defend feeding areas aggressively against other hummingbirds. Males in the normal range are known for persistent singing from exposed perches and dramatic display dives, though Ontario records typically involve solitary birds visiting feeders during late autumn or winter. The species feeds primarily on floral nectar supplemented by small insects and spiders captured in flight or taken from vegetation.
In Ontario, Anna’s Hummingbird is an accidental visitor with only a very small number of documented records. Most observations have involved feeder-associated birds appearing in late fall or early winter after the departure of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. One of the best-documented occurrences involved a female or immature bird photographed repeatedly in Lanark County during November 2017, while another photographed individual in Thunder Bay during December 2013 was identified as an adult male with a full gorget. Ontario records have occurred in residential and suburban settings where hummingbird feeders remained available during cold weather. The species does not breed or winter regularly in the province.
Across North America, Anna’s Hummingbird has undergone substantial population growth and range expansion since the 20th century, with especially strong increases recorded in recent decades. The widespread use of hummingbird feeders and ornamental flowering plants has likely contributed to this expansion in western North America. Although the species remains exceptionally rare in Ontario, improved awareness among birders and homeowners and the maintenance of late-season feeders have increased the likelihood that wandering individuals are detected and documented.
Calliope Hummingbird
Selasphorus calliope
- Identification: Tiny hummingbird with green upperparts, a short straight bill, and in adult males a distinctive throat of separate magenta-red rays forming a starburst pattern.
- Where found: Extremely rare visitor in Ontario, recorded mainly in late fall around feeders, gardens, and residential areas.
- How to spot: Look for a very small hummingbird with a short tail and compact structure, often visiting feeders in late autumn; female and immature birds can resemble Rufous Hummingbirds but usually appear less rufous overall.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations are generally stable in North America, though the species remains an exceptional vagrant in Ontario.
The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest bird in North America and one of the rarest hummingbirds recorded in Ontario. This tiny species measures 7 to 8 centimeters (2.8 to 3.1 inches) in length and has a compact, short-tailed appearance with a fine, relatively short bill. Adults show green upperparts and pale underparts. Adult males are especially distinctive, with narrow magenta-red throat rays that form a starburst pattern against a white throat. Females and immature birds are much plainer and can resemble Rufous Hummingbirds, though they typically show less rufous coloration, a shorter tail, and a shorter bill.
Calliope Hummingbirds are most often identified by their extremely small size and compact structure. Birds visiting feeders may hover low and feed quietly compared with larger hummingbirds, giving soft chipping or twittering calls during interactions. When perched, the tail usually does not extend beyond the folded wings, unlike in Rufous Hummingbirds. The species feeds primarily on nectar from flowers and feeders, supplemented by small flying insects captured in midair.
The Calliope Hummingbird breeds in mountainous western North America, where it occupies montane meadows, forest openings, shrubby stream corridors, and regenerating woodland habitats. In Ontario, it is an accidental visitor with only a very small number of documented records. The best-known provincial occurrence involved an immature male photographed repeatedly in Huron County during November 2018. Like several other western hummingbird vagrants recorded in Ontario, the species has been associated primarily with late-season feeders in residential settings after the departure of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. The species does not breed or winter regularly in Ontario.
Across its normal range, the Calliope Hummingbird is considered generally stable, with Canadian monitoring showing relatively little overall long-term population change since the 1970s. Some regional fluctuations have been documented in parts of British Columbia and the Rocky Mountains. Conservation concerns focus mainly on the protection of montane breeding habitats and wintering areas in Mexico. In Ontario, the species remains exceptionally rare, and increased awareness of western hummingbird identification has likely improved detection and documentation of wandering individuals.
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Cynanthus latirostris
- Identification: Small, slender hummingbird with metallic green and blue plumage, a broad reddish bill tipped in black, and in adult males a vivid blue-green throat.
- Where found: Exceptionally rare in Ontario, recorded only a handful of times at feeders and residential gardens far outside the normal range.
- How to spot: Watch for a hummingbird with an unusually long, brightly colored bill and, in males, striking blue-green throat coloration unlike that of eastern hummingbirds.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations appear stable overall, though the species remains an exceptionally rare visitor in Ontario.
The Broad-billed Hummingbird is probably the most unexpected hummingbird recorded in Ontario because the species normally occurs in the desert Southwest and Mexico. Adults measure 8 to 10 centimeters (3.1 to 3.9 inches) in length and have a slender body with a long, straight bill that appears broader and more colorful than that of most North American hummingbirds. Adult males are especially striking, with shimmering blue-green throat coloration and metallic green upperparts, while females are plainer with grayish underparts and a distinct pale eye stripe. The reddish bill with a contrasting black tip is a key identification feature visible even at some distance.
Broad-billed Hummingbirds are usually identified immediately by their colorful bill and bright plumage. Males visiting feeders or flowers can appear remarkably vivid in sunlight, with the throat shifting between blue and green tones depending on viewing angle. The species normally gives sharp chips and high-pitched vocalizations during display behavior within its southwestern breeding range, though Ontario records have involved solitary birds at feeders rather than actively displaying individuals. Like other hummingbirds, the species feeds primarily on nectar while also taking small insects captured in flight or gleaned from vegetation.
The normal breeding range of the Broad-billed Hummingbird lies far to the southwest in southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and adjacent regions of Mexico, where the species occupies flower-rich canyons, riparian corridors, and arid woodland habitats. Although distinctly prone to late-summer and autumn vagrancy north of its normal range, records in eastern North America remain exceptionally rare. Ontario’s first confirmed record involved a female observed repeatedly at a feeder in Buckhorn during October 1989, where the bird remained for several weeks before departing. More recently, an adult male photographed in Williamstown in July 2025 provided another well-documented provincial occurrence. Ontario records have been associated primarily with residential feeders and gardens.
Across its normal range, the Broad-billed Hummingbird is considered relatively secure and remains fairly common in suitable habitats. The species readily uses hummingbird feeders and ornamental plantings within the southwestern United States and Mexico. In Ontario, however, it remains an accidental visitor represented by only a very small number of records. Continued use of hummingbird feeders, improved photographic documentation, and growing awareness of western hummingbird identification have increased the likelihood that exceptionally rare wandering individuals are detected and confirmed.
Where and When to See Hummingbirds in Ontario
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only hummingbirds that breed regularly in Ontario and are widespread across much of southern and central parts of the province from late spring through early fall. They are most often encountered in forest edges, cottage-country clearings, riparian corridors, gardens, parks, orchards, and suburban neighborhoods with flowering plants or feeders. Activity increases noticeably from May through August, when males defend feeding territories and birds regularly visit backyard feeders and native flowers.
Most other hummingbirds recorded in Ontario are rare western vagrants that appear mainly during fall and early winter after Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have departed. Rufous Hummingbirds are the most regular of these visitors and are reported almost annually, especially at feeders in southern Ontario during October and November. Much rarer species such as Anna’s, Calliope, and Broad-billed Hummingbirds have also been documented at residential feeders and gardens, often during periods of cold weather when late-season hummingbird monitoring is most active. Maintaining clean nectar feeders into autumn and carefully observing any lingering hummingbird can occasionally lead to remarkable discoveries in the province.
For a broader perspective, see our guide to the types of hummingbirds in North America, and explore the Birds of Ontario and Birds of Canada pages for additional regional and national bird guides.
