Can Dogs Get Along With Hummingbirds? 1 Story Says It All

The dog is a long-time companion of people, and the hummingbird is a favored guest of gardens everywhere. Both are beloved for different reasons, but they live worlds apart; the idea of the two species being friends sounds like a fairytale. However, nature has a way of bringing about interspecies friendships that are too pure for this timeline. For Rex, a shepherd mixed-breed, he found an unlikely friend in a hummingbird named Hummer.

Rex would find a home with owner Ed Gernon, but the journey was not without struggles. Having to survive on the streets had made Rex hesitant around other animals, and he had even garnered a reputation for attacking other dogs and cats. That is why when the street-wise pooch found an injured hummingbird covered in ants, Gernon was surprised that Rex showed concern for the struggling little one. In a news segment on KCAL News in Los Angeles, Gernon expressed his amazement, stating, "There was this little creature, this fragile creature, that the whole world wanted to kill and he [Rex] was trying to protect her."

Gernon raised Hummer back to health by hand-feeding her sugar water regularly and using a hair dryer to get her acclimated to flying again. His efforts paid off, and Hummer soon became the newest resident and Rex's best friend. The transformation was remarkable for a dog that had once been prone to fighting and distrusting others, as the two became inseparable. It has been nine years since the last update on Rex and Hummer, but their remarkable friendship demonstrates that dogs can get along with hummingbirds. Yet, adoring dog parents looking to form a similar interspecies connection may want to reconsider.

Wild animals, including hummingbirds, are not pets. Keeping a hummingbird as a pet is a costly mistake in many ways, including legal issues and potential fees. While the story of Rex and Hummer is endearing, owning hummingbirds is illegal under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918; breaking this law can result in a fine between $15,000 and $200,000.

Besides legal restrictions, providing a substantial environment for a hummingbird would pose a challenge for anyone. Hummingbirds require a lot of energy to power their fluttering bodies and can eat up to three times their body weight daily. They need a diverse diet and freedom to thrive, which goes beyond sugar feeders, and they are not suited for confined spaces.

Animal lovers should further consider the safety of the little hummingbird. While science indicates that cats are one of the most invasive species, a beloved pet dog can also turn on a bird before a pet parent notices and intervenes. Although domesticated, many dog breeds still possess a prey drive that can make them unpredictable in certain situations; even the most obedient dog breeds may not know how to handle a new feathered friend in their space. Rex and Hummer are certainly an adorable pair, but when it comes to hummingbirds, it's best for people and their dogs to observe and not touch. Those who want to help hummingbirds are best off making their garden or balcony a safe haven for the tiny traveler.