How Human Activities Can Harm Hummers

Long ago, people killed hummingbirds for their beautiful feathers. We don't do that anymore, but humans do create problems for hummingbird populations. Here are some of the big problems to think about:
If you were a hummingbird passing through, could you meet your needs in these environments?
destruction of forests
destruction of habitat
Photo: Brandon Hood
Photo: Alan Schein Photography/Corbis
  • Habitat Destruction: This occurs in wintering and breeding grounds, and along migration routes. Human activities such as clearing forests for wood and agriculture can destroy nectar plants, shelter, and other hummingbird habitat features. Sprawling areas of houses, lawns, and stores also make food and breeding habitat hard to find.
What are some other problems hummingbirds have to live with?