Bees and hummingbirds frequently interact in nature, as they both feed on nectar from flowers. However, there are some concerns that bees may negatively impact hummingbirds in certain situations. In this article, we’ll explore the complex relationship between bees and hummingbirds and look at whether bees are truly harmful to these small birds or if they can peacefully co-exist.
Do bees and hummingbirds compete for food sources?
Bees and hummingbirds rely heavily on nectar from flowers as an energy source. This means they utilize many of the same flower species. However, research suggests there is typically enough nectar production to support both bee and hummingbird populations.
Bees are more efficient at feeding on flowers than hummingbirds due to their hairy bodies that efficiently pick up pollen. Some studies have found that the presence of bees can reduce nectar availability for hummingbirds. However, other studies show no impact or even a positive effect of bees on nectar availability. The evidence overall does not clearly point to strong competition between the two species.
How do bees and hummingbirds interact at flowers?
Bees and hummingbirds have co-evolved, adapting to each other’s presence for millions of years. Hummingbirds can aggressively defend flower patches from bees through maneuvers like dive bombing. Bees tend to avoid confrontations and will wait for the hummingbird to leave before approaching a flower.
Physical differences allow them to utilize flowers in different ways. For example, a hummingbird’s long slender beak can access nectar at the base of long tubular flowers, while bees access nectar more easily from flowers with short corollas. This minimizes direct competition.
Do bees pose a risk of harm to hummingbirds?
There are a few ways that bees could potentially threaten harm to hummingbirds:
Stings
Bees are equipped with stingers to defend themselves and their hive. Hummingbirds do not appear to be frequent targets of bee stings, likely because of their minimal contact and non-threatening behavior. However, a sting, especially to the face or eyes, could injure or kill a small hummingbird.
Disease transmission
Hummingbirds and bees make incidental contact during feeding. This raises the possibility of disease transmission if a bee carries pathogens harmful to hummingbirds. Diseases can also spread through flowers contaminated with viruses and bacteria. However, very little research exists ontransmission of diseases between bees and hummingbirds.
Pesticide exposure
Another concern involves pesticide exposure. Many pesticides are toxic to both bees and hummingbirds. If bees bring trace pesticides back to the hive in pollen or nectar, hummingbirds could potentially be exposed through shared flower use. However, the impacts of this type of secondary exposure are not well understood.
How do habitat loss and climate change affect competition and conflicts?
Habitat loss and climate change can alter the interactions between bees and hummingbirds. As suitable habitat declines, it may force increased competition over limited food resources. Warmer temperatures affect flowering schedules, disrupting the timing of food availability.
Extreme weather like droughts can also decrease nectar supplies and nutritional value for both species. If climate stresses lead to declining bee populations, hummingbirds may benefit through reduced competition. But they also rely on bees as pollinators to provide the flowers they feed on.
Evidence of increased competition due to habitat loss
Some studies in California and Arizona have found increases in aggressive behaviors between hummingbirds and bees correlated with habitat loss. Higher competition was observed in fragmented habitats. Researchers believe habitat destruction places pressure on remaining food sources, driving competition.
Impacts of climate change on food availability
One study tracked hummingbird migration along with flowering over a 40 year period. In years when flowering was mismatched with migration, possibly due to climate shifts, hummingbird populations declined. This illustrates the potential for climate impacts on food availability to harm hummingbirds.
Are pesticides indirectly harming hummingbirds?
Pesticide use aimed at protecting bee colonies may also benefit hummingbirds. Neonicotinoid pesticides in particular have been linked with impaired navigation and foraging in bees. Reducing exposure to neonics and other pesticides could support healthier bee populations and result in more plentiful pollination for plants that hummingbirds rely on.
Research on pesticide impacts on hummingbirds is limited. One study found traces of neonicotinoids in the liver and brain tissue of several hummingbird species. More research is needed to determine if current pesticide use poses a significant risk. Implementing policies to reduce overall pesticide applications may help safeguard both bees and hummingbirds.
Traces of neonics detected in hummingbirds
| Species | Percent with detectable neonics |
|---|---|
| Allen’s hummingbird | 100% |
| Rufous hummingbird | 80% |
Lower pesticide use supports pollinators
A study in the UK found that 97% of the pollen collected by bees contained neonicotinoids and other pesticides. Reducing chemical use resulted in less pesticide contamination and likely supports healthier bee colonies. As key pollinators, this benefits the plant species that bees and hummingbirds both rely on.
Conclusions
The relationship between bees and hummingbirds is complex, with evidence supporting both competition and peaceful coexistence between these species. Direct threats to hummingbirds from bees appear relatively limited. However, indirect effects, like reduced food availability and pesticide exposure, may negatively impact hummingbirds.
Ongoing habitat loss and climate change have the potential to increase competitive pressures and conflicts. Overall, protecting habitat and reducing pesticide use are likely to benefit both bees and hummingbirds. Maintaining healthy bee populations supports the flowers that hummingbirds depend on.
While range overlap and shared food resources bring bees and hummingbirds into contact, they have adapted over long periods of time to utilize these resources in different ways. Their interactions do not appear to be severely antagonistic in most cases. With care taken to protect habitat and limit pesticide impacts, bees can provide important pollination services that contribute to productive feeding grounds for sensitive hummingbird populations.
