Hummingbirds are beautiful birds and their tiny size makes their large personalities even more remarkable. Like all wild birds, however, hummingbirds suffer from habitat destruction and other influences that can destroy fragile populations, but bird lovers can help by adopting wild hummingbirds through conservation organizations. Adopting birds helps preserve habitats, support rehabilitation and education efforts and raise awareness about conservation issues. While most bird adoption programs focus on raptors or other very visible species, several organizations have special adoption programs for hummingbirds.
Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory
For fees ranging from $25-100, supporters can adopt hummingbirds from the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory, a nonprofit organization supporting bird and habitat conservation and education in southeastern Arizona. Adoption fees support additional programs to ensure the protection of southeastern Arizona’s vital hummingbird and wildlife habitats.Each bird has only one sponsor, making every adoption unique. Available species include magnificent, blue-throated and rufous hummingbirds. For the cost of the adoption, sponsors receive certificates, bird photos, the bird’s band number, a bird biography and organization membership. Sponsors can name their bird and they will receive updates on the bird’s status if it is encountered again.
Defenders of Wildlife
Through the Defenders of Wildlife, an organization that has worked to protect critical forest and wetland habitats for more than 60 years, individuals can symbolically sponsor hummingbirds for fees ranging from $20-75. Depending on the level of the donation, sponsors will receive a personalized certificate, bird photo and fact sheet, plush ruby-throated hummingbird and a kids’ activity book about hummingbirds and other wildlife. Because these are symbolic adoptions it is not possible to sponsor individual birds, but each adoption helps support the wide variety of programs and initiatives supported by the Defenders of Wildlife such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and different educational programs and services.WildCare
For donations ranging from $25-250, it is possible to sponsor an Anna’s hummingbird through WildCare. Since 1974, this organization in San Rafael, California, has worked to study hummingbirds and other wildlife interactions with humans, particularly in expanding urban areas. The organization also maintains a wildlife hospital that rehabilitates numerous hummingbirds each year, and there is a hotline available for advice, updates and alerts.For the adoption fee, sponsors receive a large color photograph of the bird, personalized certificate of adoption and a detailed natural history of the bird species.
ZSL London Zoo
The ZSL London Zoo is home to a timid amazilia hummingbird that guests can adopt for $48 (30 GBP). The zoo participates in a range of conservation initiatives throughout the United Kingdom and internationally and each sponsor helps support those programs for the benefit of all birds and other wildlife.With the adoption fee, sponsors receive a ticket to visit the zoo, a personalized e-certificate of adoption, a subscription to the zoo’s Wild About magazine, regular e-newsletters and access to the hummingbird’s personalized home page.
National Wildlife Federation
Through the National Wildlife Federation, interested patrons can purchase Hummingbird Plant a Tree pins for $17 each. The pins are beautiful pewter birds, and each pin allows a tree to be planted to help restore wildlife habitat and prevent soil erosion in sensitive areas, including habitats critical for many species of hummingbirds.With more than four million members, the National Wildlife Federation is one of the largest conservation organizations in the world. It focuses on a range of vital issues, including confronting global warming, helping individuals make meaningful and personal connections to nature and preserving, protecting and restoring critical habitat areas so they may be enjoyed for generations.
