Hummingbirds in the Eastern Hemisphere (1 Viewer)

[PumaMan]

I've read a few articles that state that hummingbirds are occasionally seen in Europe but that these are all escapees. I'm surprised that enough escapees (accidentally and purposely) haven't had the numbers to make them genetically viable yet. Is it just a matter of time?

 

[fugl]

I've read a few articles that state that hummingbirds are occasionally seen in Europe but that these are all escapees. I'm surprised that enough escapees (accidentally and purposely) haven't had the numbers to make them genetically viable yet. Is it just a matter of time?

I doubt it. AFAIK hummingbirds don't figure much in the pet trade & are therefore unlikely to escape in the kinds of numbers required to establish breeding populations outside their native ranges. In this they are unlike parrots, doves & tropical finches, say. Deliberate introduction? Well, I suppose somebody might try it sometime, though nowadays it would be illegal in most countries.

 

[jurek]

I think they were all Hummingbird Hawkmoths (Macroglossum stellaratum), which, although native, are less known to laymen than exotic hummingbirds.

 

[John Cantelo]

I think they were all Hummingbird Hawkmoths (Macroglossum stellaratum), which, although native, are less known to laymen than exotic hummingbirds.

.... and are regularly reported as real hummingbirds by the general public! Even some who might claim to be 'birdwatchers' have been fooled,

 

[MLoyko]

I think they were all Hummingbird Hawkmoths (Macroglossum stellaratum), which, although native, are less known to laymen than exotic hummingbirds.

I've only ever seen two of those things, we were little and my friends were terrified thinking it was a bee but I reassured them it was a moth. They do a good impression of hummers I must say!