Uploaded April 2016 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
Hummingbirds are a study in contrasts: So delicate, yet so strong, with a fierce territoriality that is at odds with the tiny space occupied by their slight bodies. Simply put, they’re amazing to watch.
But beyond their beauty and charisma, hummingbirds are ecosystem sentinels that serve important environmental purposes, such as eating insects and pollinating plants. They are threatened by habitat loss, human-caused changes in plant and insect diversity, exposure to pesticides, and more. If hummingbird populations were to take a serious hit — like honey bees in the wake of colony collapse disorder — recovery could be a massive challenge.
That’s why the Hummingbird Health and Conservation Program at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is paying close attention to these tiny birds, banding them (with the tiniest of ankle bracelets!) and gathering baseline health and genetic information that would be crucial in the event of a steep decline. The program is the first of its kind in the world, and our latest video offers a front-row seat to the team's amazing work.
Hummingbirds are a study in contrasts: So delicate, yet so strong, with a fierce territoriality that is at odds with the tiny space occupied by their slight bodies. Simply put, they’re amazing to watch.
But beyond their beauty and charisma, hummingbirds are ecosystem sentinels that serve important environmental purposes, such as eating insects and pollinating plants. They are threatened by habitat loss, human-caused changes in plant and insect diversity, exposure to pesticides, and more. If hummingbird populations were to take a serious hit — like honey bees in the wake of colony collapse disorder — recovery could be a massive challenge.
That’s why the Hummingbird Health and Conservation Program at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is paying close attention to these tiny birds, banding them (with the tiniest of ankle bracelets!) and gathering baseline health and genetic information that would be crucial in the event of a steep decline. The program is the first of its kind in the world, and our latest video offers a front-row seat to the team's amazing work.
