The rufous hummingbird is the most common species in the region,
and in some areas these tiny, active, well-loved birds are year-round
inhabitants.
Hummingbirds nest in the unruly hair of Dzunuk'wa, the Wild Woman
of the Woods, and fly around her as she walks through the forest. She
is guardian of the forest creatures, and the protector of Hummingbird.
Haida stories tell of high-ranking women arriving at feasts with live
hummingbirds tied to their hair to announce their beauty, wealth, prestige,
and close communication with the spirit of the bird. Legend has it that this
tiny bird is a rainbow, or an animate prism, busily turning sunlight into
weightless jewels.
Among Haida people of the Eagle clan, Hummingbird is a family crest,
but it is not traditionally a major motif in the art. Its popularity today
indicates that it has become a very important symbol of love and beauty.
Hummingbird is identified by a long, narrow beak (longer, pointer, and
thinner at the base than that of Raven); prominent eyes; a small head,
sometimes with a small curly plume; short wings; and the presence of
flowers.
