Hummingbirds are remarkable little creatures, capable of hovering in midair and beating their wings up to 80 times per second. They have an extremely fast metabolism to support their energy needs and must consume nectar frequently throughout the day from flowers and feeders. Hummingbirds can be quite territorial around feeders, chasing away other hummingbirds or insects that try to partake. This raises an interesting question – do hummingbirds care if ants get into their feeders? Here we’ll explore the evidence around hummingbird behavior and preferences to evaluate whether ants on feeders are a problem from the hummingbird perspective.
Do hummingbirds eat ants?
Hummingbirds subsist almost entirely on sugary nectar from flowers and artificial nectar from feeders provided by humans. Their long slender beaks and tongues are perfectly adapted for accessing nectar. Hummingbirds do not actually eat ants or other insects. So it’s not a direct competition for food if ants get into the nectar feeders. However, hummingbirds still seem bothered by ants on their feeders. This indicates there are other reasons beyond getting the ants themselves out of their food supply.
Are ants harmful to hummingbirds?
Ants themselves pose no direct physical threat to hummingbirds. They do not bite or sting. However, ants can contaminate the nectar with formic acid and other pheromones or substances ants use to mark their trails. Formic acid in particular can be an irritant and potentially cause illness in hummingbirds if they ingest enough contaminated nectar. So the presence of ants leads to undesirable changes in the nectar that may deter hummingbirds from feeding.
Do ants chase hummingbirds away?
In addition to altering the nectar chemistry, large numbers of ants on feeders can deter hummingbirds from approaching to feed. Hummingbirds are very light, weighing only 2-6 grams on average for North American species. They cannot physically remove ants from their feeders. The presence of dozens or hundreds of ants swarming over the feeding ports may simply make hummers wary of approaching and getting ants on their feathers. Even if the ants pose no direct threat, the hummers may instinctively avoid areas perceived as overrun with tiny crawling insects. This could prevent them from accessing the nectar they need to survive.
Do hummingbirds feed less when ants are on feeders?
Several observational studies have indicated that hummingbird feeding behavior changes when ants have infested their nectar feeders. One study found that hummingbird visitation rates decreased by over 50% when ants were present in the feeders compared to ant-free periods. The hummingbirds were still seen approaching the feeder initially but would often abandon their feeding attempts due to the high ant densities. Another study that filmed hummingbird activity at ant-infested feeders noted the hummingbirds appeared agitated and had difficulty accessing clean spots on the feeder to insert their bills and feed. Both studies indicate the hummingbirds are motivated to avoid feeding from ant-contaminated sources if possible.
How do ants get into hummingbird feeders?
To understand how to limit ants on feeders, we first need to know how they gain access in the first place. Ants are expert climbers and can scale surfaces like glass, plastic, and metal with specialized sticky pads on their feet. If a feeder is hung close enough to a tree branch, roof, or pole, ants can simply climb up and reach the feeding ports. Ants are also notorious for following established scent trails. Once they find a rewarding food source like hummingbird nectar, they lay down pheromone trails that lead nestmates back to the feeder. These trails can form extensive ant highways stretching from nest to feeder. Another entry point is through the hanging wire or chain used to suspend the feeder. Ants will crawl along wires and chains to reach hanging feeders.
Tips to limit ants on hummingbird feeders
Here are some tips that may help deter ants from hummingbird feeders:
- Isolate the feeder – Hang it well away from trees, walls, fences, or other surfaces ants could use as launch points. Water barriers can also block their ground access.
- Use an ant guard – Get a feeder with a built-in moat-like water reservoir or add a guard that keeps ants from crossing to the nectar.
- Apply grease – Coat hanging wires and other surfaces with sticky grease as a barrier.
- Change orientation – Hang feeder upside down if possible so ants have to work against gravity.
- Clean regularly – Don’t let old nectar accumulate. This attracts ants.
- Try different nectar – Some artificial nectars have less appeal to ants.
- Eliminate trails – Disrupt pheromone trails laid by ants to your feeder.
Implementing one or more of these strategies may convince ants your feeder is not worth the effort. Discouraging ants helps provide hummingbirds unimpeded access to the nectar they rely on.
Do hummingbirds abandon ant-infested feeders?
Hummingbirds may temporarily avoid using a feeder covered in ants but they tend not to abandon ant-infested feeders entirely as long as ants haven’t completely taken over. In most cases, hummingbirds will still make occasional feeding visits to ant-infested feeders when the ants are not active or clustered in more limited densities. However, the quality of their feeding experience is likely reduced due to the presence of formic acid and the difficulty maneuvering around masses of ants. Birds may also limit feeding time to avoid greater ant exposure. While hummingbirds prefer ant free feeders, they don’t categorically refuse to use feeders just because some ants are present. But sustained ant infestations with very high densities may deter hummingbirds from returning at all until the ant situation is resolved.
Impact of ants on hummingbird territorial behavior
Hummingbirds are highly territorial around feeders, aggressively chasing away other hummers that attempt to feed in their claimed space. Ants marching on a feeder generally don’t trigger the same aggressive territorial reactions from hummers though. Territory defense is reserved for conspecific threats – other hummingbirds. Since ants are an entirely different species, hummers seem to ignore territorial behavior and focus more on just avoiding the unfamiliar insects. There are no reports of hummingbirds attacking or attempting to chase ants off their feeders. This highlights the difference in perceived threat from rival hummingbirds vs. insect pests to their food sources.
Do ants pose greater problems for some hummingbird species?
All hummingbird species appear to avoid feeding from ant-infested nectar sources. However, smaller hummingbird species with lower body mass like the Calliope Hummingbird or Rufous Hummingbird may be at greater risk from reduced feeding opportunities when ants take over a feeder. Larger species like the Blue-throated Hummingbird can go for longer periods without nectar, subsisting on fat stores. Smaller hummingbirds need more frequent feeding bouts to maintain energy and are more likely to experience health impacts if ants continually limit their nectar intake. Providing multiple ant-free feeding zones helps ensure smaller species have unimpeded access.
Impact of ants versus other feeder pests on hummingbirds
Ants are certainly not the only insect visitors that can pester hummingbirds at feeders. Wasps, hornets, and bees often look for sugar resources and all have more formidable stinging arsenals to drive away hummers. These stinging insects elicit stronger aversion and territorial attacks from hummingbirds attempting to defend favored feeders. Studies of hummingbird behavior show they will aggressively swoop at wasps or dive-bomb bees near feeders. This is riskier behavior compared to essentially just avoiding contact with ants. The level of perceived threat determines whether hummers intensify territorial actions or simply avoid feeder use altogether.
Conclusion
The consensus from observational research and hummingbird behavioral patterns indicates that ants pose a nuisance and potential hazard when they infest nectar feeders. While ants themselves don’t directly harm hummingbirds, large numbers can deter feeding and their contamination of the nectar reduces the feeder quality. Implementing ant deterrent strategies allows hummingbirds safe, reliable access to supplemental energy sources they depend on. A successful hummingbird feeding station minimizes ants and other pests that could disrupt hummingbird access. This supports the health and productivity of local hummingbird populations seeking the nectar they need to power their incredible hovering lifestyles. When it comes to the ideal hummingbird feeding experience, ants on feeders are clearly an undesirable element. Deterring ants helps create an optimal nectar resource that hummingbirds can utilize freely and fully.
