Rescued hummingbird being cared for at Alberta wildlife centre

A Costa's hummingbird, which weighed only three grams when it was brought to the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation in November, is being nursed back to health. Officials say the tiny bird would have died during the winter. (Supplied)

Weighing just three grams on intake, a Costa’s hummingbird has been regaining her strength at the Alberta wildlife shelter where she was brought after being found in a Calgary backyard.

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The Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) has been caring for the tiny bird since Nov. 13.

Clinic staff say she was unlikely to survive Calgary’s winter weather, being that this hummingbird is typically found in the American Southwest.

The northernmost reaches of their traditional range are in Nevada.

“Costa’s hummingbirds are typically found in deserts and sage scrubs with access to flowering plants all year round,” said the AIWC in a Tuesday news release.

The bird was slightly emaciated when she arrived in care, so staff helped her gain weight by feeding her invertebrate protein and a specialized nectar substitute.

“Hummingbirds are highly delicate patients, and require specific heat, humidity and dietary parameters to thrive in human care,” officials said.

The shelter plans to release her back into the wild in spring 2026.

If you want to support this hummingbird and other animals with complex needs, the AIWC is encouraging you to donate to its Give the Gift of Saving Wildlife fundraiser striving to raise $90,000 by Dec. 31.