Hummingbirds are known for their ability to hover and fly backwards, making them one of the most agile bird species. Their small size and speed allow them to dart quickly from flower to flower in search of nectar. But sometimes, these tiny birds can seem downright aggressive, dive bombing toward humans who get too close to their nests or food sources. So why do hummingbirds attack, and what should you do if a hummingbird dives at you?
Why do hummingbirds dive bomb?
Hummingbirds are very territorial. They are fiercely protective of their nests and food sources. A hummingbird will perceive any large animal (including humans) as a potential threat if it gets too close to their babies or nectar supply. Dive bombing is their way of warning intruders away. Here are some common reasons a hummingbird might dive bomb:
- Defending the nest – Hummingbirds build tiny, cup-shaped nests out of plant fibers, spider webs, and lichen. They are only around 1-2 inches across. If a human comes near the nest, the mama hummingbird will aggressively defend her eggs/babies.
- Guarding a food source – Hummingbirds feed on the nectar of flowers. If they have staked claim to a particular flower or feeder, they will not want to share with other hummingbirds or animals. A dive bomb is a warning to back off their food supply.
- Mistaken identity – The hummingbird might perceive you as a competing hummingbird. Since they are solitary creatures, they will try driving off any intruders to their territory. Cases of mistaken identity often happen near feeders or flowering plants.
So in most cases, it’s simply a matter of being too close to a hummingbird nest or feeding area. The hummingbird is just trying to protect its young or food source from what it sees as a big, scary intruder (you!).
Do male or female hummingbirds dive bomb?
Male hummingbirds are more likely to dive bomb than females. Here’s why:
- Males are more aggressive – Male hummingbirds are extremely territorial. They stake out a feeding territory and will defend it vigorously from other males or predators.
- Females are busy nesting – Female hummingbirds are busy with nesting duties like incubating eggs and feeding hatchlings. They will defend the immediate nest area but less likely to stray far from the nest.
- Males don’t participate in child rearing – Male hummingbirds do not help care for the young. Their sole focus is defending territory to ensure access to food, and not attracting predators near the nest.
However, female hummingbirds will certainly dive bomb if they perceive a threat near their nest. Protecting eggs and chicks is their top priority. But the majority of random dive bombing occurrences away from the nest are by males.
How close do you need to be to get dive bombed?
Hummingbirds can be quite particular about their space. Here are the general distances that may provoke an attack:
- Within 2-3 feet of a nest
- Hovering very close to a feeder they have claimed
- Standing directly in front of a preferred nectar source
- Within 5-10 feet of a hummingbird if you appear to be encroaching on its territory
Of course, each bird has its own tolerance level. But a good rule of thumb is to stay at least 5 feet away from any hummingbird activity to avoid dive bombs.
Nesting and breeding season
Hummingbirds are most aggressive about defending territory during nesting and breeding season. This usually falls between February and August, depending on your location:
| Region | Nesting Season |
|---|---|
| Southern states (AZ, CA, TX, LA, FL) | February – June |
| Central and Mountain states | May – July |
| Northern states | June – August |
During this peak season, you’ll want to be extra cautious around hummingbird activity. Expect males to be patrolling their territory and females to be 100% focused on incubating eggs and raising hatchlings.
Food sources
Hummingbirds get very territorial around favorite food sources. These areas will likely provoke attacks:
- Hummingbird feeders
- Flower gardens
- Nectar-producing flowers and trees
- Fruit trees
Avoid approaching too closely or standing directly in front of food sources claimed by a hummingbird. Give them a wide berth.
Do hummingbird attacks hurt?
Getting dive bombed by a tiny hummingbird sounds harmless, right? But it can be downright scary when an aggressive bird zips right at your head!
Rest assured, their attacks are not very painful. Here’s why:
- Tiny size – Hummingbirds weigh only 2-6 grams. They don’t have enough bulk to inflict injury.
- Soft feathers – The feathers covering their bodies are very pliable. The worst a dive bomb might feel is a slight brush.
- No talons – Unlike hawks and eagles, hummingbirds do not have strong talons for grasping. Their feet are primarily for perching.
- Flexible beaks – While their beaks are long and pointy for drinking nectar, they are not rigid enough to stab.
At most, a hummingbird dive bomb might feel like a light poke. The real harm is mostly in being startled or frightened by their sudden, rapid approach. But they will not cut or seriously injure you.
How to deter hummingbird attacks
When faced with an irate hummingbird, here are some tips to discourage attacks and avoid future dive bombs:
1. Slowly back away
If you notice a hummingbird acting territorial or agitated, carefully back away from the area. This shows the bird you are not a threat. Moving away calmly is more effective than flailing your arms or swatting at it.
2. Avoid nesting areas
Give any obvious nests a wide berth, at least several yards. Mother hummingbirds will only dive bomb if you encroach on the immediate nest space.
3. Don’t block food sources
Stand well away from feeders and flowering plants that attract hummingbirds. Don’t stand directly in front of a food source.
4. Use a feeder guard
You can buy plastic “guard” disks to place above feeders that will prevent hummingbirds from dive bombing the feeder area. This allows them to access the feeder but deters attacks.
5. Provide multiple feeders/flowers
Hummingbirds are less territorial when there are abundant food sources available. Having several feeders spread wide apart or plenty of flowering plants helps minimize fights.
6. Hang ribbons
Strategically placing ribbons on branches, poles, or fences near food sources will discourage hummingbirds from dive bombing those areas. The ribbons disrupt their flight path.
7. Use decoys/scare tape
Plastic hummingbird decoys or iridescent scare tape placed around your yard may intimidate aggressive birds. Visually these deterrents mimic competitors in their territory.
8. Wait it out
With persistence, hummingbirds will eventually learn you are not a true threat. Over time they may accept your routine presence. But expect dive bombs during nesting season.
Should you remove hummingbird nests?
It’s best not to remove hummingbird nests, even if they are dive bombing your entryway. Here’s why:
- It’s illegal – Hummingbirds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Removing active nests is prohibited.
- Mother won’t abandon – Hummingbirds have a strong nesting drive. If you remove a nest, the mother will likely rebuild in the same spot.
- Nestling mortality – Removal could cause hatchlings to die. Hummingbird chicks are very vulnerable and need constant care.
- Deters return – Without a nest, the hummingbirds may not return to that area in future years.
The best solution is to wait out the 3-4 weeks of the nesting period. Then carefully remove the empty nest in the fall or winter. You can prune branches or relocate feeders to encourage hummingbirds to nest elsewhere next year.
When to seek help
While hummingbird attacks are mostly harmless, it makes sense to seek assistance if:
- You are swarmed repeatedly in your own yard
- A nest is in an inconvenient or unsafe spot (ex. front doorway)
- Attacks persist for over a month with no decrease
- You have health concerns about potential collisions (ex. vision issues, balance problems, etc)
In some cases, contacting a local hummingbird rehabilitator, wildlife center, or government wildlife office can provide guidance to resolve persistent attacking. They can assess the situation and may be permitted to relocate nests in certain circumstances.
Conclusion
Hummingbird dive bombing is an impressive behavior by these energetic, mini-sized birds. While aggressive, they do not pose a true health hazard. A few precautions like maintaining distance and not disturbing nests can allow appreciation of these feisty pollinators. With some patience, humans and hummingbirds can coexist peacefully in shared environments through nesting season and beyond.
