Nenookaasi (pronounced neh-noo-KAH-see)
- Singular: Nenookaasi
- Plural: Nenookaasiwag
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Ontario's only common native species
Nenookaasiwag (hummingbirds) benefit Ontario ecosystems by acting as vital pollinators for native tubular plants and providing natural pest control. Because the ruby-throated hummingbird—Ontario's only common native species—has a high metabolism, it consumes countless insects and helps keep backyard gardens thriving.
Ecological Benefits of Nenookaasiwag
- Natural Pest Control — Up to 80% of a nenookaasi's (hummingbird's) diet consists of protein-rich manidoonsag (insects) and asabikeshiinyag (spiders). They actively hunt and reduce populations of midges, gnats, and fruit flies in your yard.
- Specialized Pollination — Because their long bills and tongues perfectly match tubular native blooms, they transfer pollen efficiently between deep waabigwaniin (flowers) like Misudidjiibik (wild columbine) or zaasabikwaniins (bee balm) that typical pollinators often cannot reach.
- Gitigaan (Garden) Health — By sustaining healthy waabigwan (flower) networks, their presence contributes to robust plant reproduction, healthy soil, and overall ecosystem resilience.
Supporting Nenookaasiwag
Plant native species that bloom at separate times of the season to provide natural sugar and protein sources.
Seasonal Planting Guide
- Spring (Early arrivals) — Misudidjiibik (wild columbine)
- Mid Summer — Waabishki-waabigwan (foxglove beardtongue)
- Late Summer — Makikiibag (spotted jewelweed)
Creating a continuous feeding season from ziigwan (spring) to dagwaagi (fall) is best.
Ozaagakiig (Plants) That Help Nenookaasiwag
Nenookaasiwag (Ruby-throated hummingbirds) thrive on native Ontario waabigwaniin (flowers) that feature bright colors (especially red or orange) and long, tubular shapes. The best native options to attract and feed them include misudidjiibik (wild columbine), ishkode-bugoone (cardinal flower), zaasab (wild bergamot), and waabishki-waabigwan (foxglove beardtongue).
- Misudidjiibik (Wild Columbine) — Blooms early in the season, making it a critical first food source just as nenookaasiwag (hummingbirds) complete their ziigwan (spring) migration.
- Zaasab (Wild Bergamot) — A niibin (summer) staple with vivid red blooms. It is almost exclusively pollinated by nenookaasiwag (hummingbirds) and loves moist soils or pond edges.
- Waabishki-waabigwan (Foxglove Beardtongue) — Tubular flower heads that are rich in nectar and attract nenookaasiwag (hummingbirds) all niibin (summer) long.
- Makikiibag (Spotted Jewelweed) — An annual that blooms through early dagwaagi (fall) with showy orange pouches. It provides vital late-season energy before migration begins.
If you are looking to purchase these for your garden, consider sourcing from specialized nurseries. You can browse seeds and local pickups through Annapolis Seeds or Northern Wildflowers to find native mixes.
Northern Wildflowers – For the Hummingbirds Wildflower Collection: https://northernwildflowers.ca/products/for-the-hummingbirds-wildflower-collection
Threats to Nenookaasiwag
- Window Collisions — Because nenookaasiwag (hummingbirds) fly at high speeds and frequently hover near glass windows (often mistaking reflections for open pathways or seeing nearby foliage), they are highly vulnerable to fatal window strikes.
Mitigation: Use Bird Safe Window Markers or install external screens to make glass surfaces highly visible to the birds. - Gaazhagens (Cats) — Free-roaming and outdoor gaazhagens (cats) pose one of the greatest threats to songbirds, especially tired hummingbirds during their spring and fall migrations.
Mitigation: Keep gaazhagens (cats) strictly indoors to prevent them from stalking and catching these tiny pollinators. - Habitat Loss — Urbanization and agricultural development destroy critical breeding habitats and reduce the availability of natural nectar sources and nesting sites across Ontario.
Mitigation: You can help by planting native nectar-rich waabigwan (flowers) like misudidjiibik (wild columbine), ishkode-bugoone (cardinal flower), and zaasabikwaniins (bee balm), which also host the essential insects nenookaasiwag (hummingbirds) rely on for protein. - Backyard Feeders — While feeders are an excellent way to support nenookaasiwag, they can become deadly traps if not managed properly. Dirty feeders, black mold, and fermented sugar water can cause severe tongue infections and illness.
Mitigation: Always use a simple mixture of four parts water to 1-part white granulated sugar (never honey, brown sugar, or red dye). Clean feeders thoroughly with hot water every 2 to 3 days, especially during hot summer weather. - Yard Predators
Mitigation: If you spot a praying mantis near your feeder, carefully remove and relocate it. - Climate Change — Warming temperatures are shifting plant life cycles and waabigwan (flower) blooming times. This can cause ozaagakiig (plants) to bloom earlier in the season than normal, disrupting the synchronization between food availability and the arrival of migrating nenookaasiwag.
Cultural Significance
In traditional Anishinaabe culture, the hummingbird represents hope, joy, and resilience. This is highlighted in the famous Ojibwe oral story about the hummingbird and the forest fire, where the tiny bird continuously carries drops of water to put out the blaze, earning the Creator's gift of super-speed.
Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp8cr-PEJow&t=14s
Recommended Resource
Nenookaasi Mawadishiwe: Hummingbird Visits is a terrific book for language learners.
https://birchbarkbooks.com/products/nenookaasi-mawadishiwe-hummingbirds-visits
Nenookaasi-Related Words
