Yellow jackets are known for their aggressive behavior, especially when defending their nests. They will fiercely chase away any intruders, including hummingbirds that get too close. However, yellow jackets don’t specifically target hummingbirds – they will go after any animal or human that poses a threat.
Why yellow jackets might chase hummingbirds
There are a few reasons why yellow jackets might chase after hummingbirds:
- Hummingbirds can get too close to a yellow jacket nest while feeding on flowers, triggering an attack.
- Hummingbirds sometimes try to steal food resources like sugary drinks, fruit, or tree sap that yellow jackets are also feeding on.
- Yellow jackets may misidentify fast-moving hummingbirds as potential predators and give chase.
Yellow jackets are very protective of their nest and food sources. They will perceive any animal getting too close as a threat. The fast darting movements of hummingbirds can easily trigger an aggressive reaction from nearby yellow jackets.
How yellow jackets attack hummingbirds
When a yellow jacket does go after a hummingbird, the attack can be quite relentless. Yellow jackets will use their mandibles to bite and sting repeatedly. Some of the common attack behaviors include:
- Chasing after a hummingbird in fast zig-zag motions trying to land on the bird.
- Wrapping their legs around the hummingbird to hold on while stinging.
- Biting the feathers, feet, head, and other body parts of the hummingbird.
- Stinging the hummingbird multiple times which is very painful and introduces venom.
- Harassing the hummingbird to drive it away from the nest or food source.
Yellow jackets can be very persistent once they start chasing a hummingbird. They do not give up easily, continuing the attack until the intruder has fled the area. The stings can be quite painful and dangerous for the small bird.
Do the hummingbirds get hurt?
When attacked by yellow jackets, hummingbirds can suffer a number of injuries:
- Painful stings – Yellow jacket stings are very painful to hummingbirds and can continue to cause discomfort and irritation.
- Allergic reactions – The venom in a yellow jacket sting can potentially trigger a life-threatening allergic reaction in hummingbirds.
- Infection – Bites or stings that break the skin can become infected.
- Exhaustion – Trying to escape from persistent yellow jackets can lead to exhaustion in hummingbirds.
- Stress – The chase and attack causes tremendous stress for a hummingbird which takes a physical toll.
- Interrupted feeding – Attacks at flowers can prevent a hummingbird from getting adequate nutrition.
- Loss of flight control – Bites or stings to the wings can hinder a hummingbird’s ability to fly and evade attackers.
If a hummingbird does not manage to escape quickly from an attack, the cumulative effects can be debilitating or even fatal in some cases. Quickly getting to safety is imperative when yellow jackets are in chase.
Do hummingbirds learn to avoid yellow jackets?
Hummingbirds have some capacity to learn and modify their behavior based on negative experiences. When continually harassed by yellow jackets in a particular place, hummingbirds may adapt by:
- Avoiding areas where they were previously attacked.
- Increasing vigilance and watching for yellow jackets when feeding.
- Fleeing rapidly at the first sign of nearby yellow jackets.
- Feeding at different times of day when yellow jackets are less active.
- Hovering more cautiously and briefly when approaching flowers.
- Selecting safer feeding sites where yellow jackets are not present.
Hummingbirds have a strong self-preservation instinct. While they may not completely avoid yellow jackets at all times, they can modify behaviors to reduce their risk of being stung. Their adaptability and learning abilities are important survival skills when dealing with aggressive insects.
How to protect hummingbirds from yellow jackets
When yellow jackets and hummingbirds are frequently in conflict in your yard, there are some steps you can take to protect the birds:
- Keep a watch for early signs of yellow jacket nests forming and have them removed.
- Place hummingbird feeders in shady or covered spots away from locations favored by yellow jackets.
- Use traps or attractants to lure yellow jackets away from hummingbird feeding areas.
- Supplement natural food sources with additional hummingbird friendly flowers to minimize competition.
- Avoid using fragrant products, foods, or drinking outside that could attract both yellow jackets and hummingbirds.
- Keep the ground surrounding your home clear of rotting fruit or debris that attracts scavenging yellow jackets.
- Set out yellow jackets traps around your property to reduce the overall population.
- Have a safe indoor area with a hummingbird feeder where birds can escape from yellow jacket attacks.
Taking some proactive measures can help prevent encounters between hummingbirds and yellow jackets in your yard. But it is impossible to eliminate all risk. Educating yourself on yellow jacket behaviors and nest locations will enable you to better protect hummingbirds in your area.
Conclusion
Yellow jackets can pose a significant threat to hummingbirds due to their aggressive defense of nests and food resources. The persistent stinging and biting attacks are painful and dangerous for hummingbirds. However, hummingbirds are resilient and can learn behaviors to help avoid yellow jacket encounters. Using traps, modifying feeder locations, and limiting attractants can also reduce unwanted run-ins in your yard. While yellow jackets will continue to chase off intruders, some cautionary steps can help keep hummingbirds safely enjoying flowers and feeders in your garden.
