Have you ever thought about whether hummingbirds have predators? Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that we love watching because of how they fly and their colorful feathers. But because they’re so small, they can be in danger from different animals, both in the wild and even from pets. If you enjoy having hummingbirds around, it’s important to keep them safe.
Hummingbirds are super-fast flyers, zipping around at speeds of about 45 to 60 miles per hour on average, and they can even dive at up to 50 miles per hour. But despite their speed and their tiny size (they weigh only 4 to 6 grams), they can still be attacked by predators and face other risks. Luckily, there are things we can do to protect these beautiful birds and make sure they stick around for us to admire.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Hummingbirds, despite their small size, are vulnerable to various predators in the wild and even domestic animals.
• It’s important to implement protective measures to keep hummingbirds safe if you enjoy attracting them to your area.
• Hummingbirds are incredibly fast, reaching speeds between 45 and 60 miles per hour on average, with diving speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
• Despite their speed, hummingbirds are still at risk from predators due to their small body mass of 4 to 6 grams.
• By taking steps to protect hummingbirds, we can enhance our enjoyment of their presence and ensure their safety.
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Here are ways on how to protect Hummingbirds from predators:
1. Keep Feral Cats and Pets Away
It’s difficult for me to admit that cats pose the greatest threat, especially since I have three indoor cats myself. However, they are the primary predators of backyard birds. The nimble movements and quick reflexes of hummingbirds instinctively draw the attention of cats.
Cats frequently lurk in bushes, trees, or near feeders, ready to strike at any opportunity. Despite my efforts, I can’t prevent the neighbor’s cats from entering my yard. Even dealing with a neighborhood cat named Simba, whose owner believes should roam freely, presents a challenge.
2. Keep Hummingbird Feeders Clean
Choose hummingbird feeders with wide openings for easy disassembly and thorough cleaning. It’s crucial to clean hummingbird feeders regularly, typically every 5-7 days. Avoid using soap; instead, soak the feeder in warm water or vinegar for a few hours. Soap residue can alter the nectar’s flavor, which might discourage hummingbirds.
After soaking, use a long bottle brush to scrub away any remaining mold from the feeder, and rinse it thoroughly before refilling. As temperatures rise, it becomes even more important to clean and change the nectar regularly:
• 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit: every 5 to 6 days
• 81 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit: every 3 to 4 days
• 88 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit: every 2 days
• 93 degrees Fahrenheit and above: change daily.
3. Get an Ant Moat
Ants are drawn to the sweet sugar nectar that hummingbirds love, and they’re persistent climbers, scaling hooks, chains, and poles to reach nectar feeders. However, they are unable to cross a water barrier. Ants not only steal the nectar but also contaminate it, deterring hummingbirds from using the feeder.
Avoid using chemical products that could harm the birds. Instead, consider hanging an ant moat above your feeder and filling it with plain water. In hot, dry climates, monitor the water level in the ant moat as it may evaporate quickly. While some feeders include built-in ant moats, they tend to be small and may dry out rapidly.
To effectively deter ants, opt for a larger ant moat design, such as a cylinder or umbrella shape, and ensure it remains filled. Additionally, other birds, like finches, might also use the moat for hydration. I even found my backyard squirrel, Fairuza, hanging from the hummingbird feeder, enjoying a sugary drink.
4. Use Window Decals
Hummingbirds possess rapid reflexes and excellent spatial awareness, which usually help them avoid collisions. However, occasionally, they do collide with physical objects such as windows, cars, fences, and trees. While we can’t control many of these objects, we can take steps to prevent tragic window collisions.
The most effective method to prevent window collisions is by applying specially-designed stickers to your windows. These stickers help the hummingbird recognize the glass as a barrier rather than open space, reducing the likelihood of collisions. Additionally, these decals also prevent collisions with songbirds visiting your feeders.
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5. Keep Bees and Wasps Away
While I can’t prevent nature from being present in my backyard, I can take steps to minimize the nuisances they pose to hummingbirds. During the hot summer months, bees and wasps are attracted to hummingbird feeders as they search for water. I often observe large bumble bees intimidating my hummingbirds, prompting me to use nectar guard tips to prevent bees from accessing the water.
To deter bees and ants further, I adjust the sugar-to-water ratio in the hummingbird nectar. It’s essential to coexist with nature, so we don’t recommend using disposable yellow jacket traps. If other methods fail, consider setting up a bee watering station in your backyard. However, it’s important to note that while hummingbirds may tolerate bee disturbances for a while, eventually, they may seek out alternative nesting sites.
6. Beware of Praying Mantis
It was surprising to discover that Praying Mantises are formidable predators and rank among the top 10 threats to hummingbirds. These insects, measuring 3.5 to 4 inches in length, possess remarkable predatory abilities, capable of capturing prey three times their size, such as a hummingbird.
Praying Mantises employ patience, often waiting for hours before striking and seizing their victim. Once caught, they maintain a tight grip on the hummingbird with their serrated forelegs and sharp mandibles, a process that can last an entire day as they consume the bird’s brain.
Despite this unsettling image, it’s important to recognize the beneficial role Praying Mantises play in our ecosystems by controlling pest populations. However, it’s advisable to discourage their presence around hummingbird feeders. Personally, I position my feeder away from gardens and bushes where Praying Mantises are commonly found.
7. Don’t Use Chemical Pesticides
As you delve into research on hummingbirds, you’ll discover a troubling trend: their populations are declining. For instance, the Rufous Hummingbird saw a staggering 62 percent decrease in its population between 1966 and 2014. While habitat loss, climate change, and the fragmentation of breeding areas are often cited as primary factors, recent studies indicate that neonicotinoid (neonics) insecticides are also playing a role in this decline.
Neonics are commonly used in commercial agriculture and are present in plants sold for home gardening. These insecticides persist in water and soil for months, sometimes even years. They can travel from the roots to the leaves, reaching pollen and nectar. Hummingbirds rely on their memory to locate flowering plants for food, often returning to the same spots repeatedly.
Researchers worry that neonicotinoids may interfere with the birds’ memory, hindering their ability to navigate and find food. You can contribute to their conservation by avoiding the use of pesticides in your backyard. Instead, opt for organic or non-toxic solutions like Neem oil to manage insect infestations or diseases in your plants. If using these products, apply them at night to allow them to dry before hummingbirds become active, ensuring their safety.
8. Be Alert in Extreme Weather
When temperatures soar above 100°F, it creates incredibly harsh living conditions for these delicate birds. The combination of severe heat and drought leads to dehydration, which can be fatal for hummingbirds. During scorching summer months, the absence of shade, water, or food can spell disaster for them.
To help them cope, remember to change homemade nectar daily when temperatures climb to 90°F or above, and every other day for temperatures in the 80s°F. Keeping feeders in the shade helps reduce bacterial growth from spoiled nectar. Providing bushes and trees in your yard offers a sanctuary for hummingbirds to rest and find relief from the heat.
I personally place a broken section of a tree near my feeder to give hummingbirds a perch to rest as they come and go. Additionally, offering a water feature or birdbath nearby can provide essential hydration for birds during the summer heat, although I have yet to witness my hummingbird using mine – if they do, it will be an incredible sight to behold.
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Final Thoughts
Hummingbirds add wonder and beauty to our lives. By knowing the dangers they face and taking steps to keep them safe, we can make our space a haven for these amazing birds. Whether it’s offering shelter, using things to scare away predators, keeping things clean, or telling others about the importance of protecting hummingbirds, together we can help these little wonders thrive for years to come.