Quick answer
Yes, hummingbirds do eat trumpet vine. Trumpet vines produce tubular, nectar-rich flowers that attract hummingbirds. The red trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) and yellow trumpet vine (Campsis grandiflora) are two popular varieties that hummingbirds love. Hummingbirds not only drink the nectar from trumpet vine flowers with their long slender beaks, but they also feed on the small insects that are attracted to the vines. So both the nectar and the bugs in trumpet vines provide food for hummingbirds.
More about trumpet vines
Trumpet vines are deciduous woody vines that produce showy flowers in the summer. They are native to the eastern and southern United States. There are two main species:
Red trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)
– Also called trumpet creeper or cow itch vine
– Native to the eastern U.S.
– Produces bright red-orange tubular flowers
Yellow trumpet vine (Campsis grandiflora)
– Also called Chinese trumpet vine
– Native to China and eastern Asia
– Produces yellow tubular flowers
Both types of trumpet vines produce flowers that provide an excellent source of nectar for hummingbirds. The vines can grow quite large, climbing up to 40 feet high on trees, poles, and other structures. They spread easily and can become invasive if not properly controlled. But their fast growth makes them popular for covering arbors, trellises, and walls with beautiful flowers.
Do hummingbirds pollinate trumpet vines?
Yes, hummingbirds serve as the main pollinators for trumpet vines. When the hummingbirds insert their long beaks into the trumpet-shaped flowers to drink the nectar, their heads pick up pollen from the flower’s reproductive parts. As the hummingbirds fly from vine to vine feeding on the flowers, they transfer pollen from one trumpet vine flower to another. This cross-pollination allows the vines to produce their seed pods and reproduce.
So the relationship between hummingbirds and trumpet vines is mutually beneficial. The hummingbirds get food in the form of nectar and pollinate the vines in the process. And the trumpet vines get pollinated so they can set seed and produce more vines. It’s an excellent example of the symbiotic coevolution that occurs between some birds and flowering plants.
Best trumpet vines to attract hummingbirds
The following trumpet vine varieties are especially good for attracting hummingbirds to your yard:
Scarlet trumpet vine (Campsis x tagliabuana ‘Madame Galen’)
– Brilliant red blooms
– Blooms all summer
– Grows 10-15 feet tall
Orange trumpet vine (Campsis grandiflora ‘Morning Calm’)
– Bright orange flowers
– Blooms spring to fall
– Grows 15-25 feet tall
Yellow trumpet vine (Campsis radicans ‘Flava’)
– Bright yellow blooms
– Blooms summer to fall
– Grows 20-30 feet tall
| Trumpet vine variety | Flower color | Bloom time | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scarlet trumpet vine | Red | Summer | 10-15 feet |
| Orange trumpet vine | Orange | Spring to fall | 15-25 feet |
| Yellow trumpet vine | Yellow | Summer to fall | 20-30 feet |
As the table summarizes, all three varieties will attract hummingbirds with their tubular, nectar-filled blooms. Choose one that fits the space you have available and the flower color you prefer.
When and where do hummingbirds feed on trumpet vines?
Hummingbirds will feed on trumpet vine flowers whenever they are in bloom and providing nectar.
In most climates, trumpet vines bloom from spring through fall, which coincides with when hummingbirds are most actively feeding. The peak blooming times are early to mid summer. But you may see hummingbirds drinking nectar from trumpet vine flowers as early as April or May and as late as September or October.
Hummingbirds during migration will also stop to feed on trumpet vines to fuel up on their long journeys. The vines provide an important food source for the tiny birds both in their breeding range and along their migration routes.
Trumpet vines will grow in many different environments, which makes them accessible to hummingbirds across North America:
Gardens
Trumpet vines are popular additions to flower gardens, where hummingbirds can easily feed on the flowers. Plant them on arbors, trellises, or poles to add vertical interest to your garden. Choose a location with full sun to encourage maximum blooms.
Along fences
Let trumpet vines vine spread along fence lines. The fences provide support for the vines to climb upwards, producing abundant flowers.
Around decks
Trumpet vines grow beautifully when trained up posts and railings on decks, patios, and porches. Hummingbirds will love having these nectar-rich blooms easily accessible right around your outdoor living space.
In wild areas
Trumpet creeper is native to many natural areas. Hummingbirds rely on these native vines as a food source when they are blooming in meadows, on forest edges, along stream banks, and in other wild locations.
So provide trumpet vines in your own yard, and also be on the lookout for them in uncultivated spaces where hummingbirds may feed. The vines grow in diverse areas from backyard gardens to wild settings.
What time of day do hummingbirds feed on trumpet vines?
Hummingbirds will feed on trumpet vines throughout the daytime hours when the birds are normally active.
The busiest feeding times are in the early morning and late afternoon/evening. Hummingbird activity tends to be highest in the hour after dawn and before dusk. This corresponds to when nectar production in the trumpet vine flowers is often greatest.
You may notice somewhat less hummingbird activity in the heat of midday. The birds will rest and seek shade at this time. But they may still make quick visits to the vines for nectar snacks between periods of rest.
Here is an approximate schedule of when to observe hummingbirds feeding on trumpet vines:
Early morning
Hummingbird activity starts as early as dawn, once it is light enough for the birds to see the flowers. Watch for hummingbirds to zip in for a nourishing nectar breakfast first thing in the morning.
Late morning
Hummingbird visits may slow down a bit by late morning as the day heats up. But the birds will still stop by for nectar periodically.
Afternoon
In hot climates, hummingbird activity decreases toward midday. Look for them again feeding on the vines in the afternoon as temperatures start to cool.
Late afternoon to dusk
As evening approaches, hummingbird feeding activity picks up again. The birds tank up on nectar to sustain them overnight. Planting the vines near porch lights or other outdoor lighting extends the feeding time, since the flowers remain visible in low light.
So remember that first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening are prime times to watch hummingbirds drinking nectar from trumpet vines. But keep an eye out other times of day too, especially in cooler weather when the birds are active throughout the daytime.
Do hummingbirds nest and roost in trumpet vines?
Hummingbirds may occasionally rest inside dense trumpet vines, but they rarely build complete nests there.
Hummingbird nests are tiny, only around 1-2 inches wide. They are constructed out of soft plant down, spider silk, lichens, and moss. These delicate materials would not adhere well to the stems and bark of trumpet vines.
Hummingbirds prefer to build their nests in and on small trees, shrubs, and branches. The nest location provides more support and stability while still being somewhat sheltered and concealed.
However, thick trumpet vines do offer good hiding spots for hummingbirds to briefly rest and get out of the elements. If pursued by predators or caught in storms, hummingbirds may take temporary cover deep in the vines’ foliage.
And very small newly fledged chicks may occasionally roost in trumpet vines at night after leaving the nest. The dense leaves help conceal and protect the young birds after their mothers stop brooding them at night.
But overall, trumpet vines are used more for feeding than nesting or extensive roosting. Hummingbirds get food from the flowers and limited shelter from the foliage. Locating nests and long-term night roosts in the vines would be difficult due to their growth habit. So the relationship remains focused on accessing nectar from the abundant trumpet-shaped blooms that the vines produce.
Do hummingbirds eat trumpet vine seeds?
There is no evidence that hummingbirds eat the seeds from trumpet vines. The small round seeds found inside the vines’ seed pods don’t appear to offer any nutrition to attract the birds.
Hummingbirds have specialized diets consisting mainly of nectar, tree sap, pollen, and small insects. They are not seed-eating birds. Their narrow beaks are adapted for slurping up liquid nectar, not crushing hard seeds.
In fact, by pollinating the trumpet vines, hummingbirds help the vines successfully produce their seeds. The seeds are then dispersed by wind, allowing trumpet vines to spread to new areas.
So rather than eating the trumpet vine seeds, hummingbirds play an important ecological role in pollination and seed production. The vines repay the birds by providing abundant nectar from their brightly colored trumpet-shaped flowers. It’s a classic example of mutualism where both species benefit from their close relationship.
Do hummingbirds damage trumpet vines?
Hummingbirds do not cause any significant damage to trumpet vines as they feed on the flowers. Here are some reasons why trumpet vines remain healthy despite frequent hummingbird visits:
– Hummingbirds have specially adapted beaks that allow them to access nectar without damaging the overall flowers.
– Hummingbirds are small and lightweight, so their movement does not break vines or branches.
– The nectar produced by trumpet vines is plentiful enough to support both pollinators and the plant’s reproduction.
– Hummingbirds play a key role in pollination, which is beneficial rather than harmful to trumpet vines.
– There is no incentive for hummingbirds to purposefully damage the vines, since they rely on the flowers for food.
In some cases, other larger bird species like orioles may poke holes at the trumpet vine flowers to access nectar. But hummingbirds are perfectly adapted to feed from the front of the blossoms without inflicting damage.
In fact, the presence of hummingbirds may help deter other less efficient pollinators that could accidentally harm the flowers. Hummingbirds actively defending a good nectar source can ensure the trumpet vines remain intact.
So while the hummingbirds may seem to constantly crowd the vines while feeding, their delicate handling of the flowers and key pollination services do no harm to trumpet vines. Allowing the birds access to the nectar is mutually beneficial.
Do trumpet vines attract other birds and pollinators?
In addition to hummingbirds, trumpet vines also attract other bird species and pollinating insects with their flowers:
Orioles
The bright orange and red blooms of trumpet vines attract colorful orioles. Orioles do not have beaks adapted for reaching into tubular flowers, so they may puncture the sides to access nectar.
Bees
Bees collect pollen and nectar from trumpet vine blossoms. Large carpenter and bumble bees are especially effective pollinators.
Butterflies
Butterflies and moths drink nectar from the flowers. The vines provide food for common species like swallowtails, sulphurs, and monarchs.
Hummingbird moths
Hummingbird moth species like the sphinx moth have long proboscises to reach trumpet vine nectar. They hover at the flowers much like hummingbirds.
So consider planting extra trumpet vines to share the bounty. Hummingbirds will rapidly feed from the flowers they prefer, while bees, butterflies, and other birds pollinate the remaining blooms. Everyone gets to feast!
Tips for attracting hummingbirds to trumpet vines
Here are some tips to get the most hummingbird activity from trumpet vines in your yard:
Plant red varieties
Hummingbirds see red colors very well. Choose red trumpet vine varieties to catch their eye.
Locate near feeders
Put trumpet vines within sight of your hummingbird feeder to get more traffic. The vines provide natural foraging to supplement feeder nectar.
Avoid pesticides
Using insecticides and other chemicals near trumpet vines can reduce food sources for hummingbirds. Let the plants grow naturally.
Offer water
Hummingbirds bathe as well as drink. Place a mister, fountain, or bird bath nearby for them to use.
Deadhead spent blooms
Remove faded flowers to encourage new bloom production through the season to extend food availability.
Start new vines
Propagate trumpet vine offshoots to create more abundant flowering.
Following these tips will create a lush, welcoming habitat full of trumpet vine flowers that nourish hummingbirds through the seasons. Soon your yard may become a preferred hummingbird hangout!
Conclusion
Trumpet vines and hummingbirds share a special relationship. The tubular flowers provide an important natural food source, attracting hummingbirds across North America to feed on the nutrient-rich nectar. And in the process, the hummingbirds pollinate the vines, allowing them to spread and produce new seeds. This mutually beneficial partnership has evolved over many generations, leading trumpet vines to become a favorite nectar habitat that supports busy hummingbirds through the entire growing season. By planting trumpet vines in your own yard, you can directly participate in this classic example of coevolution between birds and flowers. Enjoy watching the hummingbirds flock to trumpet vine flowers to fill up on fresh nectar!
