Hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water are a common sight in many backyards, providing a source of food for hummingbirds. The bright colors and sweet scent of the nectar attract hummingbirds to feed on the sugar water. But hummingbirds are not the only visitors these feeders attract. Bats will also come to feeders to drink the sugar water.
Do bats actually drink from hummingbird feeders?
Yes, bats do drink sugar water from hummingbird feeders. While hummingbirds are the intended visitors, bats have excellent senses of smell and are attracted to the sweet scent of the nectar. The sugar water provides bats with a source of food and energy.
Several species of bats have been observed drinking from hummingbird feeders, especially in the southwestern United States. These include:
- Mexican long-tongued bat
- Brazilian free-tailed bat
- Pallid bat
- Canyon bat
- California myotis
These species have longer tongues that allow them to reach the nectar in hummingbird feeders. The Pallid bat in particular is known to visit hummingbird feeders regularly to supplement its diet with the sugar water.
When do bats come to hummingbird feeders?
Bats tend to visit hummingbird feeders more often at night since they are nocturnal animals. Hummingbirds mostly feed during the day, so bats can access the feeders without competition under the cover of darkness.
Bat activity around feeders may start shortly after dusk and continue throughout the night. Some species like the Pallid bat regularly come to feeders on their nightly foraging routes.
While less common, bats may also drink from feeders right at dawn or dusk during crepuscular hours when there is less activity. Bright lights around a feeder can deter bats from approaching too.
What attracts bats to hummingbird feeders?
There are a few key factors that attract bats to hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water:
- Scent – Bats use their excellent sense of smell to detect food sources from a distance. The sweet fragrance of sugar water is a strong draw.
- Sugar content – The 10-20% sugar concentration of nectar is appealing as an energy source.
- Color – Bright red or other colors stand out visually, bringing attention to the feeders.
- Location – Feeders placed in open areas or near vegetation make it easy for bats to access and provide cover.
Bats will repeatedly return to feeders that provide an abundant food source. Some species like the Pallid bat may become reliant on the sugar water to supplement their diet.
Do bats cause problems at hummingbird feeders?
In most cases, bats do not cause major issues at hummingbird feeders. Some potential problems bats can create include:
- Drinking large amounts of sugar water – This can drain the feeder more quickly.
- Contaminating the nectar – Their saliva or droppings in the water can require more frequent changing.
- Scaring away hummingbirds – Hummingbirds may avoid feeders at night if bats are present.
- Damaging the feeder – Large bats may break brittle plastic feeders when grabbing onto them.
However, visits from bats are usually brief and they do not tend to take over or monopolize feeders. The benefits they receive from the sugar water often outweigh any minor issues.
How to deter bats from hummingbird feeders
While bats play an important ecological role, some people may want to discourage them from hummingbird feeders. Here are some tips:
- Use feeders with shorter perches that are harder for bats to reach
- Position feeders away from vegetation and cover that bats use for concealment
- Illuminate feeders with bright lights which will deter bats
- Only fill feeders during daylight hours and empty them at night
- Try moving feeders frequently to disrupt bats’ nightly routes
Ultrasonic deterrents may also work for repelling bats. Most important is avoiding locations and feeder designs that allow easy access.
Benefits of bats at hummingbird feeders
Despite some drawbacks, bats can also provide benefits when they visit hummingbird feeders, including:
- Pest control – They eat insects like moths and mosquitoes around the feeder area at night.
- Pollination – Bats pollinate agave, cacti and other plants in the eco-system.
- Fertilization – Their droppings can act as natural fertilizer for plants.
- Entertainment – Some people enjoy watching bats feed and having more wildlife around.
With vigilance to keep feeders clean and full for hummingbirds, the presence of bats can be an advantage in many backyard settings.
Conclusion
Bats are frequent visitors to hummingbird feeders, especially in the southwest United States. Multiple bat species are attracted by the scent, sugar content, colors, and accessibility of the nectar. While bats can occasionally cause problems by drinking large amounts or contaminating the sugar water, they tend to only supplement their diet and not monopolize feeders. Their pest control and pollination services around yards provide valuable benefits. With some diligence to deter bats by using optimal feeder designs and placements, both hummingbirds and bats can peacefully coexist in backyards.
