Hummingbirds are amazing little birds that have captured the fascination of people for centuries. Their fast wings, iridescent feathers, and hover-in-midair feeding style make them a joy to watch. But what exactly do these tiny birds eat and drink? Do they really survive on nothing more than sugar water, or is there more to their diet?
Quick Answers
Hummingbirds need more than just sugar water to survive. Here are quick answers to some common questions about hummingbird diet and nutrition:
- Hummingbirds get most of their energy from flower nectar and tree sap, which are essentially liquid sugars.
- They also need protein and nutrients from small insects and spiders.
- Specialized feeders provide supplemental sucrose sugar water, but this should not be their only food source.
- White granulated sugar dissolved in water is the best recipe for hummingbird feeders.
- Do not add red dye, honey, or artificial sweeteners which can be harmful.
- Clean feeders regularly to prevent mold and bacterial growth.
- Also provide fresh water for drinking and bathing.
- Hummingbirds have very fast metabolisms and must eat every 10-15 minutes throughout the day to survive.
Sugar Sources from Flowers and Trees
In the wild, hummingbirds meet most of their nutritional needs from flower nectar and tree sap. Nectar is essentially a liquid sugar solution produced by flowering plants to attract pollinators. The main natural sugar found in nectar is sucrose. Many native plants have co-evolved with hummingbirds to create nectar perfectly suited to their dietary needs. Saps from certain trees, such as maples, are also an important energy source.
Because hummingbirds have such extremely high metabolisms and burn energy so rapidly, they rely on these quick sugars for fuel. The average hummingbird’s heart rate is over 500 beats per minute. To maintain their speedy lifestyle, hummingbirds go into a hibernation-like state called torpor each night to conserve energy. They must consume their body weight in nectar each day to avoid starvation.
Protein from Insects and Spiders
While sugars make up the majority of their diet, hummingbirds also need essential proteins and nutrients. They obtain these by eating small insects and spiders. Preferred prey includes fruit flies, aphids, mosquitoes, gnats, beetles, ants, moth eggs, spiders, centipedes, and others. These foods provide proteins, minerals, vitamins, fats, and amino acids hummingbirds need to survive.
Some interesting facts about hummingbirds catching insect prey:
- Young hummingbirds get all their nutrition from insects to fuel their growth and development.
- Adults also continue to eat insects for crucial nutrients missing from nectar.
- Hummingbirds can consume up to 1,000 fruit flies per day.
- Their excellent eyesight and maneuverability help them expertly pluck tiny insects out of the air.
- They often pick crawling and flying bugs directly off leaves and flowers.
- Skimming ponds and streams for aquatic insects is also common.
- Females boost protein intake before nesting to provide more nutrients in their eggs.
Sugar Water Feeders as Supplemental Food
Backyard bird lovers have long provided sugar water in specialized feeders to help supplement hummingbirds’ diets. The nectar-like liquid helps provide extra energy between flower feedings. However, experts caution that feeders should not be a hummingbird’s only food source. Even the best sugar water cannot completely replace the vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and antioxidants that real nectar and insects provide.
If you do decide to set up feeders, make sure to follow these guidelines:
- Use plain white table sugar only, no honey, artificial sweeteners, or red dye.
- Mix one part sugar to four parts hot water and let cool before filling.
- Change sugar water every 2-3 days, or daily in hot weather.
- Clean feeders thoroughly each week with a water-vinegar solution.
- Provide fresh, clean water in a shallow bowl or dripper for drinking and bathing.
- Supplement with fruit wedges skewered onto branches to attract more insects.
With proper care and cleaning, feeders can be a safe supplementary food source for hummingbirds through the seasons. But they should never be relied upon as the bird’s sole diet. A natural diversity of blossoms, trees, and insects will keep hummingbirds healthy and fuel their endless motion.
Fascinating Facts about Hummingbird Diet
Here are some interesting additional facts about the unique dietary adaptations of hummingbirds:
- Their long slender beaks and tongue allow them to reach deep inside certain flowers for nectar.
- They prefer red tubular flowers which were specifically evolved to attract hummingbirds.
- Their tongues have forked tips that lap up nectar at a rate of 13-17 licks per second.
- They can consume up to twice their body weight in nectar each day.
- They prefer sweeter concentrations around 25% sugar, similar to natural nectars.
- High-energy demands require visiting up to 1,000 flowers per day.
- Bright colors and patterns on feathers help coax certain flowers into producing more nectar.
- Some species steal nectar by piercing flowers at the base, avoiding pollination.
- Their kidneys are highly adapted to process large amounts of liquid sugars.
- They can taste sugar with receptors on both their tongue and beak.
Understanding what hummingbirds eat and drink in the wild helps bird lovers better provide for their needs. By landscaping with native plants and properly caring for feeders, we can help supplement their natural diets. But the best thing we can do is protect their sensitive habitats and cherish their role as vital pollinators in the ecosystem.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are amazing, delicate creatures with incredibly high-energy lifestyles. While they get most of their sustenance from flower nectar and tree sap for quick energy, they also rely on protein-rich insects and spiders to meet their nutritional needs. Backyard feeders with pure sucrose sugar water can be a safe supplementary food source, but should never replace the nutrition they gain from natural food sources. With an appreciation of their dietary habits and adaptations, we can better support these dazzling pollinators in our shared landscapes.
