Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds found in nature. Known for their incredibly fast wing beats and ability to hover midair, these tiny birds captivate us with their beauty and speed. Though generally feeding on flower nectar, an interesting question arises – do hummingbirds eat insects too?
In this article, we’ll explore the insect-eating habits of hummingbirds in detail. We’ll look at what the scientific research says, why hummingbirds might eat insects, which insects they prefer, and how big a part of their diet insects are. Whether you’re a casual observer of hummingbirds or an avid bird enthusiast, read on to satisfy your curiosity about whether these petite powerhouses are insectivores too.
Do hummingbirds eat insects?
The short answer is yes, hummingbirds do eat small soft-bodied insects to supplement their nectar diet. While nectar is their main food source, hummingbirds receive essential additional protein, minerals, and vitamins from eating insects.
Researchers have directly observed hummingbirds feeding on insects like gnats, aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, ants, beetles, and leafhoppers. They’ve spotted them capturing insect prey in midair, gleaning it from leaves and branches, and snatching spiders from their webs.
So while hummingbirds have a clear preference for sweet nectar, they’re definitely not strict nectarivores. Adding insects to the menu provides some key dietary benefits.
Why do hummingbirds eat insects?
Hummingbirds prioritize nectar for the quick energy from its sugars. However, nectar is lacking or completely missing some nutrients essential to hummingbird health. This is where insects come in. Here are some of the main benefits hummingbirds get from eating insects:
Protein
Nectar has minimal protein, while protein is vital for growth, muscle development, and sustaining an extremely high metabolism. Insects provide concentrated protein that complements the hummingbird diet.
Essential amino acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. There are 9 essential amino acids hummingbirds require for good health but cannot produce themselves. Insects provide all 9 essential amino acids.
Vitamins and minerals
Insects contain vitamins like B12 and minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc. These micronutrients support immune function, bone health, oxygen circulation, and other bodily processes.
Fat
The fat content in insects gives hummingbirds an energy-dense food source. This supports their need to constantly refuel their tiny bodies to power flight.
So while nectar remains the primary food source, insects provide a nutritional boon that supports the extreme physiology and energy demands of hummingbirds.
Which insects do hummingbirds eat?
Hummingbirds are opportunistic insectivores, feeding on a variety of soft-bodied insect species that are nutritious and easy to capture. Here are some of the top insect prey:
Spiders
Spiders like orb weavers provide an excellent source of protein for hummingbirds. The birds can deftly pluck spiders and spider egg sacks directly from webs.
Aphids
These plant-damaging sap-suckers cluster on stems and leaves, making for easy pickings. Hummingbirds enjoy both adult aphids and their juice-filled nymphs.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars are packed with protein and fat. Hummingbirds may target pest caterpillars that damage their nectar sources.
Ants
Hummingbirds have been seen feeding opportunistically on swarming ants. The ants fight back with painful stings, so it’s not a preferred meal.
Fruit flies
Drawn to rotting fruit, these tiny flies make for simple snacking when congregated. Hummingbirds can efficiently pick them off one by one.
Mosquitoes and gnats
Hummingbirds will grab a quick bite of these annoying biters, targeting them in midair around favored flowers.
The common thread is that hummingbirds prefer soft-bodied insects with minimal evasion abilities. This allows them to quickly snap them up in flight or glean them from plants.
How much of their diet is insects?
While hummingbirds certainly eat insects, some key research findings show insects play a supporting dietary role rather than the main course:
- One study showed flower nectar provided 60-100% of hummingbird nutritional intake across different species, while insects comprised only 0-5%.
- Observations at feeders show hummingbirds actively feed on nectar approximately 40% of daylight hours, versus 1% of time spent catching insects.
- However, the time spent specifically insect hunting increases to about 20% during the breeding season when protein needs are higher.
These results indicate flower nectar makes up the large majority of food intake by hummingbirds. The proportion of insects eaten increases during key life stages like reproduction or may vary by species, but overall insects complement their primarily nectar-based diet.
When are hummingbirds most likely to eat insects?
While hummingbirds eat some insects throughout the year, their insect feeding habits follow some general trends:
During breeding season
Hummingbirds eat more insects while breeding, nesting, and raising chicks when protein needs are highest. Insects provide essential nutrition during the energy-intensive process of reproduction.
During migration
Traveling long distances during migration is energy-draining. Insects offer an efficient protein boost at stopover spots along the migration path.
When nectar is scarce
Insects become a key supplemental food when fewer flowers are in bloom or during dry seasons when nectar is limited.
To feed their chicks
Baby hummingbirds need the protein, vitamins, and minerals found in insects. Adult hummingbirds catch insects to provision their chicks after they hatch.
So while hummingbirds eat some insects year-round, they tend to increase insect feeding during periods of higher energy needs.
How do hummingbirds catch insects?
Hummingbirds have evolved specialized skills for capturing insect prey while in flight:
Aerial hunting
Hummingbirds can adeptly pluck tiny insects like gnats, fruit flies, aphids, and spiders from the air using precision flying skills.
Gleaning
They use their long beaks to pick crawling and flying insects from flowers, leaves, branches and bark while hovering.
Web plucking
With careful maneuvering, they grasp spiders, egg sacks, and other web-bound prey from the sticky strands.
Hawk imitation
Some species dive in imitation of a hawk attack to startle insect swarms into movement, then rapidly snap them up.
With specialized hovering ability and fast sight, hummingbirds have evolved to become talented aerial insect hunters. This allows them to incorporate nutrients from insects into their primarily flower nectar diet.
How do we know hummingbirds eat insects?
The insectivorous tendencies of hummingbirds have been confirmed through direct observation in the field as well as gut content analysis:
Field observations
Ornithologists have witnessed hummingbirds consuming insects using photography and microscopy:
- Capturing mosquitoes, gnats, and fruit flies while hovering near flowers
- Plucking spiders from webs
- Gleaning caterpillars and aphids from leaves
- Feeding ants to their chicks in the nest
Gut content analysis
Researchers have dissected hummingbird guts and identified remains of insect prey through microscopic examination, including:
- Exoskeleton fragments
- Insect legs and wings
- Pieces of chitin from insect body parts
These direct observations and gut content studies provide clear evidence that hummingbirds do in fact feed on insects to supplement their nutritional needs.
Key takeaways
To summarize the key points:
- Hummingbirds do eat insects, mainly to supplement their primary nectar diet
- Insects provide key proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals not found in nectar
- Preferred insect prey includes spiders, aphids, caterpillars, and other soft-bodied small insects
- Hummingbirds spend more time actively insect hunting during high energy needs of breeding and migration
- Field observations and gut sample studies confirm hummingbird insectivory
So next time you watch a hummingbird hover up to a flower, look closely and you may witness it snapping up an extra boost of insect protein! While nectar-feeding defines them, hummingbirds opportunistically supplement their diet with these mini-meals of essential nutrients.
