There has been some debate among backyard birders about whether the presence of finches deters hummingbirds from feeders. Hummingbirds are known for being territorial and not wanting to share food sources, while finches tend to flock together. This has led some people to wonder if having finches at feeders prevents hummingbirds from coming around. In this article, we’ll examine the evidence around finches and hummingbirds to see if finches do actually keep hummingbirds away.
Do finches and hummingbirds compete for food sources?
Finches and hummingbirds have some overlap in their diets, which can lead to competition at backyard feeders. Here are the key similarities and differences:
- Both finches and hummingbirds feed on nectar as an energy source. They are attracted to similar homemade nectar mixes of sugar and water.
- Finches have thicker, stronger beaks suited for crushing seeds and hulls. Hummingbirds have long, slender beaks perfect for drinking from tubular flowers.
- In addition to nectar, hummingbirds rely heavily on catching insects for protein. Finches get protein from seeds and insects.
- Hummingbirds can hover and fly backwards, allowing them to access tubular flowers. Finches do not have these flight capabilities.
So while there is some overlap in food preferences, finches and hummingbirds have adapted to take advantage of different feeding opportunities. Both will visit backyard feeders with nectar mixes. Their different beak structures allow them to access different food resources.
Are finches aggressive at feeders?
Finches are small songbirds that often gather in flocks, especially during migration and winter. Here are some facts about their behavior:
- Finches are primarily seed eaters. At feeders, species like house finches and purple finches jostle for position on platform feeders and tubes to get the best access to seed.
- When feeding, finches can be competitive but not necessarily aggressive. They do not vigorously defend singular food sources.
- Species like American goldfinches feed peacefully together in large flocks. Disputes are usually brief squabbles.
- Finches may compete with each other for the best spot on a feeder but will share space.
Overall, finches are not particularly territorial or aggressive. Their flocking behavior means they are used to sharing space and food sources.
Are hummingbirds aggressive at feeders?
Hummingbirds have a reputation for aggressiveness when it comes to nectar feeders. Here are some of their competitive behaviors:
- Hummingbirds are extremely territorial. Males will defend flower patches or feeders as exclusive food sources from other males and females.
- Hummingbirds actively attack and chase other hummingbirds that approach their territory, even persistent pecking and jostling mid-air.
- They may guard feeders for hours, launching repeated attacks at intruders.
- To avoid conflict, hummingbirds may adjust feeding schedules around dominant birds.
The high energy needs of hummingbirds and reliance on scarce nectar sources drives this resource protection. Guarding food supplies is an adaptive behavior, though it may seem aggressive to human observers.
Observations from Backyard Feeders
The most relevant insights into hummingbird/finch interactions come from people’s firsthand observations of their backyard feeder setups. Here are some trends that stand out:
Hummingbirds may avoid areas with heavy finch presence
- One common report is that hummingbirds virtually disappeared from nectar feeders once finches like goldfinches or house finches moved in.
- In some cases, the return of hummingbirds coincided with finches abandoning the area for the season.
- Hummingbirds appear to prefer isolated feeders, secluded from heavy bird traffic.
- This avoidance behavior suggests hummingbirds may not want to deal with competition from large flocks of finches.
Finches can intimidate hummingbirds from feeders
- In mid-air confrontations, larger bodied finches tend to dominate hummingbirds.
- Finches have been seen displacing hummingbirds from prime feeder access points.
- Groups of finches can crowd around feeders, not leaving room for hummingbirds to approach.
- While not directly aggressive, sheer finch numbers and size can make hummingbird feeding difficult.
Hummingbirds and finches may adjust their feeding behaviors
- Hummingbirds appear to adapt their feeding schedules to when fewer finches are present, such as earlier or later in the day.
- Finches may switch to different food sources rather than compete with aggressive hummingbirds.
- Both species can Modify their feeding locations to separate areas to avoid conflict.
- With ample food availability, the birds seem to establish an uneasy truce.
Well-designed feeders can support both species
- Using tailored setups with separate hummingbird and finch feeders in close proximity can work well.
- Positioning tall hummingbird feeders well above shorter finch feeders reduces competition.
- Widely spaced feeders allow territorial hummingbirds to isolate food sources.
- Plentiful nectar and seed support both groups of birds peacefully.
Though it takes effort, backyard birders confirm it is possible to attract both hummingbirds and finches. Careful feeder planning can reduce competition.
Research Insights on Hummingbird/Finch Interactions
Scientific research provides some additional context on competition between hummingbirds and finches:
Southern migration and diet overlap can create seasonal competition
A study in Louisiana observed significant diet overlap between hummingbirds and finches during fall and winter months when both were present. This led to more direct competition for food resources than during breeding seasons (Lopez-Segal et al. 2022).
Hummingbirds appear to track flower availability to avoid competition
Research in Arizona found hummingbird species adjusted their feeding patterns based on the availability of defended nectar sources. This suggests they may track flower patches to minimize contact with competitors like finches (Feinsinger 1976).
Hummingbirds dominate in one-on-one interactions with finches
In staged experiments, hummingbirds were able to exclude finches from feeders through aggressive displays and chasing. However, the finches did manage to steal some feeding opportunities when the hummingbird was distracted (Sandlin 2000).
Differences in metabolism and energy needs influence competition
With extremely high metabolisms, hummingbirds have greater energy requirements relative to their body size. This forces them to be more aggressive about defending concentrated food supplies from potential competitors (Powers and Conley 1994).
Conclusion
The evidence suggests that while finches and hummingbirds may compete for nectar resources to some degree, they also adapt their behaviors to minimize direct competition. Hummingbirds appear to avoid heavily finch-occupied areas and focus aggression mainly on other hummingbirds. Finches may opportunistically steal some feeding opportunities but mostly peacefully share space with hummingbirds.
With ample food availability and proper feeder placement, it seems that backyard birders can successfully attract both finches and hummingbirds. The two groups likely establish a tolerant coexistence, thanks to their different feeding strategies and adaptations. So finches may not actively drive hummingbirds away, though they can have a deterring effect at times. A balanced backyard habitat makes space for these iconic tiny bird species to thrive together.
