North American hummingbird species are undergoing significant changes in populations, according to new research published in Nature’s Scientific Reports.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird alone fills its ecological niche in eastern North America.
Hummingbirds are unique among birds in many ways. They play a critical ecological role, pollinating nearly 200 plant species in North America. Like most birds, hummingbirds are vulnerable to human disturbance to habitat and climate change.
Researchers with Environment and Climate Change Canada have looked at North American hummingbird population trends in order to examine the conservation status of these important species. They analyzed Breeding Bird Survey data for the eight most abundant hummingbird species in North America, looking both at long-term and short-term trends. They found that some species, including Broad-tailed, Rufous, and Allen’s hummingbirds, have declined at an alarming rate since 1970, while others, such as Anna’s Hummingbird, has experienced a population increase. Black-chinned and Ruby-throated hummingbirds have increased over the long-term but have declined in recent years. In fact, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird population decreased by 17% from 2004 to 2019.
Migratory hummingbirds are especially vulnerable to habitat disturbance and climate change, though the specific causes of population declines are still unknown. A growing mismatch between hummingbird migration and plant phenology is likely a factor, as well as loss of natural breeding and stopover habitat to urban development. Nonmigratory hummingbirds may in fact be benefiting from some of these changes, taking advantage of year-round access to introduced plants and human-provided feeders. Each species is being impacted differently.
“Our detailed assessment of North American hummingbird species coupled with our validation analyses provide a critical framework in conservation science,” the authors said. “Furthermore, the previously unreported declines of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds carry potentially important ecosystem-level consequences if left unaddressed, since this pollinator species alone fills its ecological niche in eastern North America.”
The authors identified several areas that need further study, including the impacts of agrochemicals and habitat loss on the migratory hummingbirds’ wintering grounds.
The full paper can be read here.