Hummingbirds and Caprimulgiformes in North American Zoos

birdsandbats

birdsandbats

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
Here I have attempted to make a complete list of hummingbirds present in American and Canadian collections. Only information 2017 or newer was used. Information on missing holders or species, as well as information on subspecies or populations is welcomed.

Unsurprisingly, few zoos keep these species, as they are hard to care for. I'm a little surprised Ruby-Throated Hummingbird isn't kept anywhere. Most common species are Broad-Billed Hummingbird (3 holders), Anna's Hummingbird (3 holders), and Calliope Hummingbird (3 holders).

Sparkling Violetear (1 holder)
Dallas World Aquarium

Broad-Billed Hummingbird (3 holders)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (magicus)
Dallas World Aquarium
Sylvan Heights Bird Park

White-Eared Hummingbird (1 holder)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Giant Hummingbird (1 holder)
Dallas World Aquarium

Anna's Hummingbird (3 holders)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Dallas World Aquarium
San Diego Zoo (still holding after hummingbird aviary closed?)

Costa's Hummingbird (3 holders)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
San Diego Zoo (still holding after hummingbird aviary closed?)
Sylvan Heights Bird Park

Black-Chinned Hummingbird (1 holder)
Dallas World Aquarium

Calliope Hummingbird (1 holder)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Rufous Hummingbird (2 holders)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Dallas World Aquarium
 
Very interesting thread, Hummingbirds are one of my favourite birds. I´m surprised to see how few zoos in USA keeps them, I think less than in Europe, and less species too. I knew are rare but I thought more parks would keep them, since are native there.
 
@pangolin12 All of the Dallas World Aquarium's hummingbirds are in free-flight, but I don't believe they still have Giant Hummingbird.

There is a place in Florida called the Butterfly World Park which, according to their website, has Amazilia Emerald Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Green-tailed Trainbearer, and Sparkling Violetear. Rufous Hummingbird is also mentioned on the website and it is eluded this is not a full hummingbird species list.
 
d1am0ndback said:
@pangolin12 All of the Dallas World Aquarium's hummingbirds are in free-flight, but I don't believe they still have Giant Hummingbird.

There is a place in Florida called the Butterfly World Park which, according to their website, has Amazilia Emerald Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Green-tailed Trainbearer, and Sparkling Violetear. Rufous Hummingbird is also mentioned on the website and it is eluded this is not a full hummingbird species list.
Click to expand...
Could you post a link? I looked at their website and couldn't find hummingbirds mentioned.
 
Update:

Sparkling Violetear (2 holders)
Butterfly World
Dallas World Aquarium

Streamertail (1 holder)
Butterfly World

Broad-Billed Hummingbird (3 holders)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (magicus)
Dallas World Aquarium
Sylvan Heights Bird Park

White-Eared Hummingbird (1 holder)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Cinnamon Hummingbird (1 holder)
Butterfly World

Green-Tailed Trainbearer (1 holder)
Butterfly World

Anna's Hummingbird (3 holders)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Dallas World Aquarium
San Diego Zoo (still holding after hummingbird aviary closed?)

Costa's Hummingbird (3 holders)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
San Diego Zoo (still holding after hummingbird aviary closed?)
Sylvan Heights Bird Park

Calliope Hummingbird (1 holder)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Broad-Tailed Hummingbird (1 holder)
Butterfly World

Rufous Hummingbird (3 holders)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Butterfly World
Dallas World Aquarium
 
Note that the page I linked is quite old. From googling I can't see any evidence that Butterfly World still has hummingbirds - web pages referencing them are either older or the sort which simply repeat older information. None of the recent Tripadvisor reviews mention them, for example.
 
Chlidonias said:
Note that the page I linked is quite old. From googling I can't see any evidence that Butterfly World still has hummingbirds - web pages referencing them are either older or the sort which simply repeat older information. None of the recent Tripadvisor reviews mention them, for example.
Click to expand...
I found several trip advisor reviews from last year mentioning hummingbirds.
 
birdsandbats said:
I found several trip advisor reviews from last year mentioning hummingbirds.
Click to expand...
Okay, I skimmed back through the year and found four mentions. However the aviary also has birds such as honeycreepers which to your average visitor would be hummingbirds. In any case, it remains that your source for the actual species on your list is not a current one.
 
Chlidonias said:
Okay, I skimmed back through the year and found four mentions. However the aviary also has birds such as honeycreepers which to your average visitor would be hummingbirds. In any case, it remains that your source for the actual species on your list is not a current one.
Click to expand...
Yes, I didn't realize it was so old.
 
Montreal Biodome's page lists Rufous-bellied Hermit and White-necked Jacobin. Very well may not be current, but worth throwing out there I thought.
 
Chlidonias said:
Note that the page I linked is quite old. From googling I can't see any evidence that Butterfly World still has hummingbirds - web pages referencing them are either older or the sort which simply repeat older information. None of the recent Tripadvisor reviews mention them, for example.
Click to expand...
A birder I know visited late 2017 and sent me pictures of the Violetear and Trainbearer, and mentioned seeing more hummingbirds (This is how I know this place exists). Of course this doesn't mean the birds are around now, but it is information that they have been seen there recently. I don't know if this is recent enough to be included here, but in similar lists birds have been listed for facilities which haven't had information updated about them in similar time frames.
 
Update:

Sparkling Violetear (2 holders)
Butterfly World
Dallas World Aquarium

Broad-Billed Hummingbird (3 holders)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (magicus)
Dallas World Aquarium
Sylvan Heights Bird Park

White-Eared Hummingbird (1 holder)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Green-Tailed Trainbearer (1 holder)
Butterfly World

Anna's Hummingbird (3 holders)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Dallas World Aquarium
San Diego Zoo (still holding after hummingbird aviary closed?)

Costa's Hummingbird (3 holders)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
San Diego Zoo
Sylvan Heights Bird Park

Calliope Hummingbird (1 holder)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Rufous Hummingbird (3 holders)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Dallas World Aquarium
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top