I once saw a humming bird in cornwall, it was almost like a large bee but with a long beak. This was near Perranporth, I was amazed as humming birds normally live in tropical conditions. I thought maybe it had escaped from the Eden project or Newquay zoo. Has anyone else in the world ever seen a humming bird other than in its natural habitat (and not in captivity)?
2007-03-09 05:19:18 · 32 answers · asked by sarah_saz26 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
You're in the UK!
Hummingbirds are a New World native, ONLY.
Depending on the species they range from Tierra del Fuego (South America) thru the Caribbean Islands and during breeding season migrate into the USA, Canada, and Alaska.
We have several species here in Colorado, USA. They nest as far up as timberline. The main species I see in our yard are Rufous, Calliope, and Broad-tailed. For their size, they are very aggressive.
In the Old World the Sunbird has the nectar-eating niche.
If what you saw was a hummingbird it was an escapee from a zoo or arboretum. Won't last long in the wilds of Europe, I assure you.
But, more than likely you saw a sphinx moth:
http://www.butler-bremer.com/web/kladage/iwild13217%20Sphinx%20Moth.jpg
http://www.naturealmanac.com/archive/butterfly_garden/sphinx.jpg
http://www.naturesongs.com/photos/sphinx1s.jpg
.
2007-03-09 08:08:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hummingbirds are only found naturally in the western hemisphere. If you saw one in Cornwall it must have been an escaped bird. We do have them all over North America, even up into Alaska in summer. People need to remember that not eveyone on Yahoo Answers is in America.
There are many more species of hummingbirds in the tropics than outside. When I was in Ecuador a year ago I saw about 50 different species. In the United States itself we have about 15 regularly occuring species. East of the Mississippi River there is only one, Ruby-throated, though occasionally another species will wander into that area.
2007-03-09 05:53:34 · answer #2 · answered by sngcanary 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had this about 3 years ago, and I live in Wiltshire, I was absolutly amased. I did some research and found out that it was actually a humming bird moth. here is a picture of one
http://www.portlandbirdobs.btinternet.co.uk/mp_hummingbird_hawk_4_140606_450.jpg
looking a a still picture it doesn't look exactly like a humming bird, but its very close, and when you add in the movement they make, it is very convincing.
The moth get blown over here from the tropics, because they are moths they survive this fine. humming birds have such a high metabolism they have to eat very regularly, so would starve to death before getting here.
Hope this is some help.
2007-03-09 05:50:16 · answer #3 · answered by Fred 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hummingbirds are not actually very rare throughout the warmer regions of the United States and South America so during the spring and summer months into the fall we will see them and sometimes they will nest in the trees. Last year we had 6 Hummingbird nests in one tree and they all hatched 2-3 eggs. It was really cool seeing the babies.
FYI
Hummingbirds have never been found in the wild anywhere in Europe. If you think you have seen a hummingbird, it will almost certainly be a hummingbird hawkmoth. This moth is so similar to the tiny American bird that there are hundreds of cases of mistaken identity every year.
2007-03-09 05:30:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
There are hummingbirds all across the US, they do not just live in the tropics. I get hummingbirds year round in my yard here in California. We have a species (Anna's Hummingbird) here that is non-migratory and sticks around for the entire year, other species come and go with the seasons. I think you must have seen a moth rather than a hummingbirds as they are not found in England. There is a large moth that looks very similar to a hummingbird that people sometimes confuse them.
2007-03-09 08:22:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Where do you live? I'm in California and I see at least one every day. I feed them also. The feeder attaches to our living room window and they come right up and feed. They are fascinating! They are here year round due to the climate. Did you know hummingbirds hold two world records? #1 fastest recorded wing beats (80/second Amethyst Woodstar) and #2 World's Smallest Bird - Bee Hummingbird about 2 inches-(and probably would beat the Amethyst Woodstar for wing beats/second). Another incredible characteristic is their heartbeat-1,260 beats/min.
2007-03-09 06:10:36 · answer #6 · answered by Laydee Y 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes I live in Toronto, Ontario and if you put up a feeder you will see lots of the little buzzing around. IN the easters parts of canada the only species of humming bird there are I bvelieve are the Ruby Throated Humming Bird
2007-03-09 05:32:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's actually a misconception that hummingbirds only live in the tropics. They can be found all throughout the Americas, including Alaska. Many will migrate to warmer places if the winter where they live is cold.
They are not native to the UK, however, at any time of the year. Very odd.
2007-03-09 05:37:09 · answer #8 · answered by Mandy 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I live in califorina and i have actually heald two hummingbirds in my time, one flew into the house and I caugt it and released it and another I found all wound up by the feet in cobwebs and i unwound it and let it go as well, there are even plants you can buy to attract them, but they fly south for the winter because they are so small, they would die in the cold here.
2007-03-09 06:52:57 · answer #9 · answered by Jaimee k 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Humming birds fly over the gulf of mexico to canada and back every year, we have them in our garden all summer,we put feeders out for them as they need to eat every 15-20 mins
2007-03-09 05:29:02 · answer #10 · answered by tuppenybitz 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋