The International Humming Bird Olympiad (IHO) is a unique competition that celebrates the athleticism, beauty, and wonder of hummingbirds. First established in 2009, the IHO has quickly become one of the most popular international birding events, attracting spectators and competitors from around the world.
The IHO is held annually in a different host country. Competitors and their hummingbirds gather to participate in a variety of contests that test the birds’ speed, agility, stamina, and beauty. Medals are awarded in categories like fastest flight, longest hover, most graceful flying, and best choreographed routines. The Olympiad culminates in the awarding of the prestigious Hovering Cup to the top performing bird.
When and Where Did the IHO Originate?
The inaugural International Humming Bird Olympiad was held in 2009 in Costa Rica. It was founded by hummingbird enthusiast Juan Valdez, who conceived of the competition as a way to showcase the amazing abilities of hummingbirds. Valdez partnered with the Hummingbird Conservancy to organize and sponsor the first Olympiad, which took place in San Jose and attracted competitors from over 20 different countries.
Since its start in Costa Rica, the IHO has traveled to a new host country each year. Past host sites have included Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, and Jamaica. The location of the Olympiad changes each year in order to highlight the diversity of hummingbirds around the world. Planning for the IHO begins two years in advance of each event.
How Often Does the IHO Take Place?
The International Humming Bird Olympiad is held every year in the spring, when hummingbirds in the host region are most active and at their peak fitness. The exact dates shift slightly depending on the location, but the IHO usually takes place in March, April, or May.
Here are the dates for the past five IHO events:
Year | Location | Dates |
---|---|---|
2018 | Panama City, Panama | April 2nd-7th |
2019 | Quito, Ecuador | March 18th-23rd |
2020 | Barranquilla, Colombia | April 20th-25th |
2021 | Lima, Peru | March 15th-20th |
2022 | Montego Bay, Jamaica | April 4th-9th |
Planning is already underway for the 2023 IHO, which will take place in Oaxaca, Mexico from April 17th-22nd.
About the Competition
The International Humming Bird Olympiad includes a variety of events designed to showcase the incredible talents of hummingbirds from around the world. Here is an overview of the different types of competitions:
Speed Races
These races test how quickly hummingbirds can propel themselves over short distances. The formats include:
– 25 Meter Sprint – Hummingbirds compete head to head down a 25 meter track to clock their top speed.
– 50 Meter Dash – Increased distance tests stamina over a longer dash.
– Relay Race – Teams of 4 hummingbirds each fly 25 meters to complete a 100 meter relay.
Agility Tests
These contests measure hummingbirds’ maneuverability and precision flying:
– Aerial Obstacle Course – Hummingbirds navigate through a series of hoops, tunnels, and perches. They are scored on time and accuracy.
– Precision Flower Pollination – Hummingbirds remove and insert objects from a series of flower targets against the clock.
– Hummingbird Biathlon – Birds complete a combination obstacle course and target shooting challenge.
Hovering Contests
Since hovering is essential for a hummingbird feeding on nectar, competitions focus on this skill:
– Hovering Endurance – Hummingbirds hover in place for as long as possible without moving. Longest hover wins.
– Artistic Hovering – Hummingbirds perform creative hovering routines set to music. Judged on style and difficulty.
– Hovering Relay – Teams pass a “baton” between birds while hovering continuously. Fastest total time wins.
Aerial Displays
These open-format events allow hummingbirds to showcase their most graceful and captivating flying abilities:
– Solo Performances – Individual hummingbirds perform aerial choreography routines set to music.
– Team Performances – Groups of 3-5 hummingbirds execute synchronized, collaborative routines.
Judging criteria includes style, artistic interpretation, synchronization (for teams), and audience appeal.
Competitors
The IHO draws competitors from over 50 countries across the Americas, where hummingbirds naturally live and breed. Competitors must be amateur hummingbird enthusiasts who have raised and trained their birds for athletic competition.
The vast majority of Olympiad hummingbirds were born and bred in captivity, then hand-raised by their trainers to socialize them to human interaction. This allows them to remain calm in the bustling environment of the IHO venues. Competitors have developed specialized regimens focused on speed, endurance, agility, and hover performance.
While hundreds of hummingbird owners apply to the IHO each year, only 160 competitors are selected for the final event. Participants are chosen based on their birds’ proven training achievements and competition records. This ensures the Olympiad features the highest caliber of athletic hummingbirds.
Countries with Most IHO Wins
Certain countries stand out for producing especially competitive hummingbirds over the history of the IHO. Here are the nationalities with the most event wins and Hovering Cup titles:
Country | Total Medals | Hovering Cup Wins |
---|---|---|
Brazil | 58 | 4 |
Mexico | 48 | 3 |
United States | 46 | 5 |
Costa Rica | 32 | 2 |
Canada | 28 | 1 |
Brazil and the U.S. have been fierce rivals at the IHO, earning the most medals and Cup titles between them. Mexico, Costa Rica, and Canada have also been consistently strong competitors over the years.
Hummingbird Care at the IHO
All competitors at the International Humming Bird Olympiad must meet strict care standards for their birds’ health and safety. The IHO’s Hummingbird Welfare Committee monitors and enforces all protocols.
Some key hummingbird care rules at the IHO include:
– Comprehensive veterinary health checks before and during the event
– Only wild-sourced or aviary-bred nectar can be fed
– Mandated rest times between events for each bird
– No events can take place over 90 minutes in duration
– Hummingbird housing must meet precise space and sanitation rules
Any violations of care standards result in immediate disqualification from the IHO. This ensures all Olympiad activities are conducted safely and humanely for these captivating little birds.
Veterinary Support
A team of avian veterinarians works round-the-clock caring for the competitors’ hummingbirds at the IHO. There are medical checkpoints before and after every event. Vets monitor for signs of exhaustion, injury, stress, or illness.
If a hummingbird is deemed unfit to continue, it is disqualified from further participation and given appropriate veterinary treatment. This guarantees no birds are pushed past healthy limits for the sake of competition.
Positive Reinforcement Training
All training methods leading up to the IHO must rely on positive reinforcement, never punishment. Competitors use rewarding nectar treats to teach and motivate their hummingbirds during the birds’ months-long preparation for the Olympiad. This creates an enjoyable training experience.
During events, participants continue using positive reinforcement by hand feeding nectar to hummingbirds after completing each race or routine. This helps minimize stress and encourage top athletic performances from these captivating competitors.
Significance of the IHO
Since it debuted in 2009, the International Humming Bird Olympiad has become one of the most popular international birding competitions worldwide. Here are some key reasons why this unique event has gained such renown and significance:
Spotlights Unique talents
The IHO draws global attention to hummingbirds’ incredible flying abilities that few people are aware of. Watching them perform stunning aerial maneuvers shatters the perception of hummingbirds as delicate little birds. Their speed, agility, and stamina is unparalleled in the bird world.
Generates Research
The scientific data collected from timed races, endurance tests, and other IHO events contributes to academic research about hummingbird physiology and biomechanics. This informs conservation efforts for different hummingbird species.
Promotes Appreciation
By showcasing hummingbirds’ beauty and athleticism on a worldwide stage, the IHO fosters greater public appreciation for these birds. This boosts enthusiasm for protecting wild hummingbird populations and their habitats.
Provides Education
Through seminars from experts, school activities, and exhibits at the IHO, attendees of all ages learn more about hummingbird ecology, behavior, and conservation. The Olympiad’s high profile provides a platform to educate on these important topics.
Boosts Local Economy
The International Humming Bird Olympiad draws tens of thousands of spectators to its host location each year. Their spending during the weeklong event provides a major economic boost for local tourism businesses. This incentivizes environmental protection in hosting regions.
Future of the IHO
In just over a decade, the International Humming Bird Olympiad has established itself as a premier international birding event. By drawing global attention to the talents of hummingbirds, the IHO has done much to advance research, conservation, education, and appreciation for these special birds.
Looking to the future, the IHO is well positioned for continued growth and success. Expanding television coverage will bring the competition to wider audiences. Addition of new events and categories will keep the action fresh and exciting. And increasingly sophisticated timing and data tracking systems will produce next-level insights into hummingbird performance.
But the core mission will stay the same – providing a spectacular stage for the world’s most athletic, beautiful, and beloved hummingbirds to strut their stuff. The IHO has bright horizons ahead as it continues introducing new generations to the magic of these incredible birds.
Conclusion
The International Humming Bird Olympiad is a one-of-a-kind competition that allows hummingbirds to capture global attention and admiration with their unrivaled flying skills. Since its debut in 2009, the IHO has become a premier international birding event that advances research, education, conservation and appreciation for hummingbirds worldwide. With its positive impacts and expanding popularity, the future looks bright for this unique celebration of natureâ€TMs most amazing tiny athletes.