Can You Have A Hummingbird As A Pet? (Legality + FAQs)

Hummingbirds are among the most noteworthy birds, with their iridescent plumage, ability to hover at high speeds, and expert ability to suck nectar from the tiniest flowers.

They’re impressive sights in the wild, but are hummingbirds okay to keep as pets? Read on to learn about the laws surrounding hummingbirds and whether they can be kept in captivity.

It is illegal to keep hummingbirds as pets. They have a wide foraging range and cannot survive in enclosed areas. Therefore, they are best admired in their natural environment, as any attempt to keep them in captivity is illegal and unlikely to succeed.

Some professional zoos house small numbers of hummingbirds in purpose-built environments designed to replicate their natural habitat as closely as possible. However, at no time should you attempt to keep hummingbirds in captivity or as pets.

To learn more about the laws about keeping hummingbirds as pets, and whether there are any exceptions, read on.

It is totally illegal to keep hummingbirds as pets

Why are hummingbirds not good pets?

Hummingbirds forage in large areas on a daily basis and will not tolerate being confined in an enclosed space. Their small size makes it difficult to care for them and keep them safe.

Some hummingbirds are known for their record-breaking long-distance migrations and high-speed flights, reaching speeds of up to 98 kilometers per hour (60 miles per hour). They couldn’t possibly reach that speed in a closed shelter.

Hummingbirds are active birds that thrive when they have free access to a variety of different plants and flowers, rather than being confined to a limited landscape or artificial habitat.

Their incredibly fast metabolism and highly specialized nutritional needs make them an unviable choice for pets.

Rufous hummingbirds have one of the most impressive migrations

Is it illegal to keep pet hummingbirds?

It is completely illegal to trap or keep wild hummingbirds in captivity across the United States. Hummingbirds are wild birds with very specific feeding needs and habits that cannot be replicated in captivity. They are a protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Wildlife rehabilitation centers have permits, and injured hummingbirds must be removed within 48 hours of discovery, and it is illegal to attempt to rehabilitate hummingbirds in your own home without a special permit.

Hummingbird in flight – the smallest bird in the world

Are hummingbirds allowed as pets in the UK?

Hummingbirds do not live in the wild in the UK or anywhere else in Europe: the continent’s climatic conditions and native flora do not support the very specific habitat and nutritional needs of hummingbirds.

In the past, the only place in the UK where you could see live hummingbirds was London Zoo, although their current status is unclear.

Keeping hummingbirds in zoos or controlled environments is not particularly common, as providing them with the flight space and diversity of plant life they need for their continued healthy existence can be quite a challenge.

Pair of white-bellied Jupiters flying together

How much does a hummingbird cost?

It is illegal to buy or sell hummingbirds. Illegal trade in hummingbirds is severely punished, with fines ranging from $15,000 to $200,000 if prosecuted. Hummingbirds cannot be bought or sold in pet stores, and any illegal trade in these birds or their eggs is a federal crime.

Can hummingbirds be tamed?

Possession or trapping of hummingbirds is illegal under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. There is absolutely no problem feeding hummingbirds in your yard, and with a specially made sugar water feeder, you may find that you can recognize regular repeat birds.

With patience, hummingbirds may eventually get used to human presence and not be afraid to be up close and personal with people, especially near feeders with nectar or sugar water.

With encouragement, hummingbirds may linger briefly on an outstretched finger near a backyard feeder, but shouldn’t attempt any closer encounters than that.

Close-up of a beautiful fire-throated hummingbird (Panterpe insignis)

Can I keep hummingbirds in an aviary?

Hummingbirds cannot be kept in aviaries. First, it is illegal to keep hummingbirds in captivity, no matter what kind of enclosure you use. An aviary is a completely inhospitable environment for hummingbirds.

Hummingbirds need a lot of space to forage, a variety of plants and flowers to visit, and don’t do well in aviaries or cages.

How do you care for an injured hummingbird?

The simple answer to this question is that the best care for an injured hummingbird is to call in a specialist. The Injured or Abandoned Hummingbird Rehabilitation Center operates under a license granted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, if you spot an injured or abandoned hummingbird, you must seek help within the first 48 hours or face hefty fines.

Close-up portrait of White-tailed Mountain Star Hummingbird (Urochroa bougueri)

Is it safe to hold a baby hummingbird?

If you find a baby hummingbird that has fallen from the nest, it is perfectly safe to handle it carefully and return it to the nest.

A common belief is that female hummingbirds reject chicks that have been handled by humans, but this is not true.

Hummingbirds don’t have a sense of smell and can’t tell if their chicks have been touched. As tiny birds, baby hummingbirds are very fragile and should be handled with extreme care.

Can you buy hummingbird eggs?

In addition to buying and selling live hummingbirds is illegal, so are hummingbird eggs. It is a criminal offense under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to remove hummingbird eggs from the hive, or simply to keep them in your hands.

If you come across a hummingbird nest that is left unattended, the best advice is to leave it alone. Not only is it illegal to disturb a hummingbird nest, but the chances of successfully hatching a hummingbird egg in an artificial environment are extremely slim.