San Diego Zoo Hummingbird Aviary

The San Diego Zoo Hummingbird Aviary had two striking residents when I visited this past summer. They were male White-necked Jacobin. White-necked Jacobin are definitely not local hummingbirds. They are usually found from southern Mexico, through Central America and into South America.

(NOTE: on my last visit, the two White-necked Jacobin were the only hummingbirds currently in the Aviary. On past visits we have seen different species. If the Aviary is your main reason for visiting the Zoo, please contact the Zoo and ask what is currently in the Aviary.)

The White-necked Jacobin is a hummingbird with dark blue and stark white feathers. — White-necked Jacobin

San Diego Zoo Hummingbird Aviary

The Hummingbird Aviary, also called the Hummingbird House, is small and tucked away. It is near the Discovery Outpost and fairly close to the Zoo entrance. Look for it near the Skyfari (aerial tram) ride.

Inside the Hummingbird House

The Hummingbird House is filled with lush plants. There are also feeders. If you go, look for the inverted amber bottles. The White-necked Jacobins would periodically emerge from their perches in the brush to drink from the feeders.

A tangle of lush plants and orange red blossoms grows right up to the walkway in the hummingbird exhibit — Inside the Hummingbird House

Several other tropical and exotic birds were on exhibit during my visit, but the White-necked Jacobin were the only actual hummingbirds. I learned from a docent and a staff member that the San Diego Zoo is currently focusing on exotic hummingbirds rather than local hummingbirds. There were many local hummingbirds on the Zoo and nearby park grounds. (The Desert Sonoran Museum Hummingbird Aviary exhibits hummingbirds found in the United States and Canada.)

Different but familiar

The White-necked Jacobin share the general bill and body shape we see in some of the hummingbirds in the United States and Canada.

The dark blue and white White-necked Jacobin hovers at a feeder tube. — Using the Feeder

The coloring differs from our local hummingbirds. But you’ll find the body language familiar.

A White-necked Jacobin perches on a twig. — Perching

Here it begins to stretch …

The hummingbird has stretched out one wing and fanned its white tail. — Stretching

and finishes.

The Hummingbird House is a lovely stop at the San Diego Zoo.

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