Hummingbirds are unique and fascinating birds that capture the imagination with their small size, incredible speed, and ability to hover in midair. A common question many backyard bird enthusiasts have is whether these tiny birds will eat the bird seed they put out for other species. The short answer is that hummingbirds do not typically eat bird seed, but they have unique dietary requirements centered around nectar.
The Diet of Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds subsist almost entirely on sugary fluids for energy. Their diet consists of:
- Flower nectar
- Tree sap
- Insects
- Pollen
- The occasional fruit
Nectar and sap make up the bulk of a hummingbird’s nutritional needs. These provide the quick bursts of energy that allow hummingbirds to sustain their supercharged lifestyle. The nectar of certain tubular flowers, like trumpet vines, provides an ideal food source.
Hummingbirds have bills and tongues that are specifically adapted to slurping up nectar. Their long, slender beaks allow them to access nectar deep inside flowers. Their forked tongues have tube-like tips to efficiently lap up liquid.
While nectar offers vital carbohydrates, hummingbirds get their protein, vitamins, minerals, and fats from eating small insects and spiders. They capture bugs right out of the air or pick them off leaves and branches. Occasionally a hummingbird may eat bits of pollen or fruit for extra nutrients.
Why Hummingbirds Don’t Eat Bird Seed
There are several key reasons why hummingbirds do not eat standard bird seed:
- Their small size and short legs make it difficult for hummingbirds to perch on feeders and grab seeds.
- Their slender, specialized beaks are not designed for cracking open seeds and nuts.
- Bird seed and nuts do not offer the energy-rich sugars that hummingbirds need.
Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms and must consume roughly half their weight in nectar per day. They can starve in as little as a few hours if they do not have constant access to energy from sugary nectar or sap.
While lacking the physical attributes to eat seeds, hummingbirds also have no biological imperative to seek out foods high in fat or protein. They evolved to derive their nutrition from flower nectar and tree sap.
Exceptions Where Hummingbirds May Sample Seeds
While bird seed is not a normal part of a hummingbird’s diet, there are a couple exceptions where they may sample seeds on rare occasions:
- Sugar water mixes – Some commercial nectar mixes aimed at hummingbirds contain added nutrients and vitamins. These may have bits of seeds or nuts suspended in the nectar for extra protein. Hummingbirds could incidentally ingest a few bits of seed when drinking these nectars.
- Fruit – When occasionally eating small fruits such as berries, a hummingbird may accidentally swallow a few tiny seeds though their main interest would be the pulp and juice.
There are also rare cases where hummingbirds have been observed eating at sap wells drilled by sapsuckers. Woodpeckers will drill holes in trees and feed on the running sap. They also eat insects attracted to these sap wells. A hummingbird may sample some remnants of insects or bark trapped in the sticky sap.
Misconceptions About Hummingbirds and Bird Seed
Despite their lack of interest in bird seed, some misconceptions remain about hummingbirds and seeds:
- Eating grit or sand – Hummingbirds do not purposefully eat sand or grit. The notion that they ingest sand to help digest seeds is false since seeds are not a normal part of their diet.
- Eating crumbs from seed mix – Some people claim hummingbirds will pick out tiny crumbs or granules from spots where seed mixes have been scattered. But these incidents are likely coincidental and not a deliberate feeding effort.
- Small seeds – While hummingbird beaks are not adapted for most bird seeds, some speculate they may be able to manage tiny canary seeds. However, there is no evidence that hummingbirds actively seek out or gain any benefit from eating millet or canary seeds.
In all cases, bird seed is an incidental food source that does not provide any notable nutrition or energy for hummingbirds. They tolerate it, at best, but their physiology and feeding behaviors are not geared for a seed diet.
How to Feed Hummingbirds Instead of Bird Seed
While bird seed doesn’t appeal to hummingbirds, here are some ideal ways to provide food they will appreciate:
- Nectar feeders – Use a specialized hummingbird feeder with nectar ports suited to the shape of hummingbird beaks and tongues. Fill with a 4:1 mixture of boiled white sugar and water.
- Landscape with nectar flowers – Plant tubular blooms like trumpet vine, bee balm, and columbine which provide live nectar sources.
- Fruit feeders – Try halved oranges, grape jellies, or even overripe bananas to occasionally offer some extra nutrients.
- Water misters – Hummingbirds bathe and collect water by flying through water mists and droplets.
With a good nectar and water source, along with some flowers and small fruits, you can successfully feed hummingbirds without any bird seed required.
