Hummingbirds are some of the smallest birds found in nature. Their tiny size makes them vulnerable to predators and other threats. One thing that concerns hummingbird owners is whether larger birds scare hummingbirds away from feeders and flowering plants.
Do crows and jays scare hummingbirds?
Crows, jays, and other larger bird species sometimes chase hummingbirds away from food sources. This is especially true if the food source is limited. However, having these birds around does not mean hummingbirds will abandon an area completely.
Hummingbirds may avoid visiting feeders or flowers when bigger birds are present. But they will return once the bullies leave the area. Providing multiple feeders spread apart allows hummingbirds to access food while minimizing conflicts.
Why crows and jays bully hummingbirds
Crows and jays tend to be aggressive, bold birds. They will chase smaller birds away from food sources. This protects resources for themselves and their offspring. It also removes competition for the food source.
These large birds do not actually prey on hummingbirds. They simply want to hog flower nectar, sugar water, and other available food in the habitat.
Tips for minimizing bullying at feeders
- Place feeders in open spaces away from trees and perches where bigger birds can wait to ambush
- Use feeder styles that accommodate hummingbird beaks but discourage larger birds
- Add more feeders to increase feeding opportunities
- Use tray feeders which allow hummingbirds to feed among flowers
- Scatter flower plantings to spread the food source
With some adjustments, crows, jays, and hummingbirds can peacefully coexist in an area.
Do woodpeckers attack hummingbird feeders?
Woodpeckers are also known to bully hummingbirds away from feeders. They will perch nearby and chase hummingbirds if they try to approach. Their powerful beaks can also puncture plastic feeders.
Woodpeckers harass hummingbirds to keep the food source to themselves. Like crows, they are not usually interested in preying on the tiny birds.
To prevent woodpeckers from scaring hummingbirds away from your feeders:
- Use metal rather than plastic feeders
- Install a baffle above or below feeders to block perching
- Place feeders in open areas away from woodpecker perches
- Scare off bold woodpeckers with loud noises
- Offer suet feeders to divert woodpeckers away from hummingbird feeders
With some deterrents, woodpeckers and hummingbirds can live in harmony in the same habitat.
Do hawks and falcons hunt hummingbirds?
Larger birds of prey, including falcons, hawks, and kestrels, do sometimes hunt hummingbirds. These specialist predators catch birds on the wing. Some key raptors that prey on hummingbirds include:
- Peregrine falcons
- Merlins
- Sharp-shinned hawks
- Cooper’s hawks
- American kestrels
These birds are fast and agile flyers. They use surprise ambush attacks to grab hummingbirds in midair. Thankfully raptor attacks are infrequent. But they can frighten hummingbirds away from an area if a nest is nearby.
Protecting hummingbirds from raptors
Here are some tips to minimize raptor attacks on hummingbirds:
- Look for nearby raptor nests that may indicate a hunting ground
- Place feeders in covered areas to provide hiding spots
- Deter raptors by hanging visual repellents like CDs near feeders
- Plant shrubs and trees to give hummingbirds escape routes
- Set up a water mister to startle incoming raptors
With caution, hungry raptors and hummingbirds can share the same habitat safely.
Do chickens and roosters attack hummingbirds?
Backyard chickens are generally not a threat to hummingbirds. Chickens do not fly or perch high enough to access feeders. They also do not eat the sugary liquid in hummingbird feeders.
However, roosters may attack hummingbirds if they fly into the chicken coop area. Roosters are territorial and view hummingbirds as intruders. They cannot devour hummingbirds but can kill them with their beak or spurs.
To avoid rooster attacks, keep feeders well away from the coop and pen area. Also provide shrubs or trees so hummingbirds have escape cover.
Do cats hunt hummingbirds?
House cats and feral cats do sometimes catch and kill hummingbirds. Cats are stealthy hunters and can snag birds from midair, trees, and feeders.
Cat attacks are most likely in spring and fall when fledgling hummingbirds leave the nest. Youngsters are especially vulnerable as they learn to fly and feed.
To protect hummingbirds from cats:
- Use feeders with protective domes
- Install feeders well off the ground
- Place feeders away from potential cat lurking spots
- Scare off cats with sprinklers and ultrasonic devices
- Keep pet cats indoors
With some safeguards, hummingbird feeders can be kept safe from feline predators.
Do squirrels and chipmunks scare hummingbirds?
Tree squirrels like eastern gray squirrels are notorious feeder thieves. They will scare hummingbirds off to access the sugary food.
Squirrels do not actually eat hummingbirds. But they are brazen feeder bullies. Their constant presence makes it hard for hummingbirds to access food.
Chipmunks are also known to take over feeders. They chase hummingbirds away and drain sugar water with their cheek pouches.
To prevent squirrels and chipmunks from dominating feeders:
- Use specialized squirrel-deterrent feeders
- Install feeders on long poles away from jumps and climbs
- Use feeder styles too small for bulky squirrels
- Scare off squirrels with sprinklers and noise deterrents
- Offer separate corn feeders to distract squirrels
With clever deterrents, squirrels and hummingbirds can be dissuaded from competing at feeders.
Do ants and bees overrun hummingbird feeders?
Tiny pests like ants and bees can also scare hummingbirds away from feeders. When feeders are swarming with these insects, hummingbirds will avoid them.
Ants and bees do not harm hummingbirds directly. But they contaminate the nectar and make feeders undesirable.
Here are some tips to prevent ants and bees at feeders:
- Use ant moats or vegetable oil to block ants
- Clean feeders every few days to eliminate insect buildup
- Store unused feed indoors
- Use feeders with bee guards
- Eliminate other sweet sources like fallen fruit that attract pests
With some adjustments, hummingbird feeders can be kept free of ants, bees, and other tiny invaders.
Conclusion
Many birds can potentially scare hummingbirds away from feeders and flowers. Crows, jays, woodpeckers, hawks, chickens, cats, squirrels and other creatures may bully or even attack hummingbirds.
However, simple deterrents like feeder placements and modifications can usually prevent competition. In most cases, all bird species can live in harmony in the same habitat.
With extra care, hummingbird enthusiasts can provide a safe, Stress-free environment. This allows hummingbirds to feed and thrive without fear of larger bullies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do blue jays eat hummingbirds?
Blue jays do not actually eat adult hummingbirds. They may occasionally eat eggs or nestlings if they find a vulnerable nest. But they do not hunt mature hummingbirds as prey.
Do owls eat hummingbirds?
Owls like eastern screech owls and northern saw-whet owls do prey on hummingbirds. As nocturnal hunters, they grab resting hummingbirds at night. But owl attacks are uncommon in most areas.
Do hummingbirds scare other birds away?
Hummingbirds are aggressive by nature and very territorial. They will chase away other hummingbirds from feeders and flowers. But they do not usually intimidate larger bird species.
Do hummingbirds bite or attack people?
Male hummingbirds may dive bomb people that approach a nest or feeder. But their tiny beaks cannot do any real damage. They are simply being defensive of their territory.
What’s the best way to deter crows from hummingbird feeders?
Using feeder styles made for hummingbird beaks, placing feeders in open areas, having multiple spread out feeders, and scaring off crows are good deterrents. Avoid using corn feeders which can actually attract crows.
Additional Facts and Data
Common North American hummingbird species
There are over 300 hummingbird species worldwide. Some common species in North America include:
| Hummingbird Species | Range |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated hummingbird | Eastern to central North America |
| Rufous hummingbird | Pacific Northwest to Alaska |
| Allen’s hummingbird | California coastal regions |
| Anna’s hummingbird | Pacific coast to Arizona |
| Broad-tailed hummingbird | Rocky Mountains area |
| Calliope hummingbird | Western North America |
| Black-chinned hummingbird | Western and southwestern states |
Average lifespan of common backyard hummingbirds
The average lifespan for hummingbirds is highly variable based on species. Some common backyard hummingbirds can live:
| Hummingbird | Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated hummingbird | 5 years |
| Anna’s hummingbird | 12 years |
| Rufous hummingbird | 3-4 years |
| Black-chinned hummingbird | 7-11 years |
Proper habitat and reduced threats can help backyard hummingbirds achieve maximum lifespan.
Daily nectar consumption
Hummingbirds have a very fast metabolism. Here is how much nectar they require daily:
| Hummingbird | Nectar per Day |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated hummingbird | 2-3 fluid ounces |
| Rufous hummingbird | Over 1 fluid ounce |
| Allen’s hummingbird | 1.5-2 fluid ounces |
| Anna’s hummingbird | Over 1 fluid ounce |
Providing adequate feeders and flowers helps hummingbirds fuel up. In cold periods they may consume up to triple these amounts.
Summary of Key Points
- Crows, jays, woodpeckers and other bullies may chase hummingbirds from feeders but will not usually kill them
- Hawks, falcons, owls, and cats do prey on hummingbirds occasionally
- Roosters may attack hummingbirds that enter the chicken coop area as intruders
- Squirrels and chipmunks compete for feeders but do not directly harm hummingbirds
- Simple deterrents like feeder placement and pest barriers can reduce competition
- Ensuring abundant food sources allows all species to peacefully coexist
