What causes hummingbirds to be aggressive?
Hummingbirds are highly territorial creatures and can become aggressive when defending their territory or food sources. Here are some of the main reasons hummingbirds exhibit aggressive behavior:
Protecting feeders
Hummingbirds are very protective of their food sources. If you have multiple feeders in your yard, a dominant hummingbird may claim one as its own and chase away other hummers that attempt to feed there. They see the feeder as their territory.
Defending nests
Male hummingbirds in particular will become very aggressive in defending their nesting area. Females generally build nests in trees or shrubs, and the male hummingbird will defend that area fiercely, even chasing away larger birds that get too close. This behavior is especially pronounced during breeding season.
Establishing dominance
Hummingbirds have a social hierarchy, with dominant males maintaining prime feeding areas. Less dominant males may be chased out of a territory by aggression from the dominant hummer. Females may also display aggression, but males tend to be more aggressive due to their territorial nature.
Limited food resources
If food sources are limited, especially during migration or winter months, hummingbirds can become more aggressive towards each other in defending a feeder or food source. The scarcity of food triggers their territorial instincts.
Mistaking their reflection for an invader
Hummingbirds are very territorial, and a male may aggressively defend what it perceives as its territory. Sometimes hummingbirds will mistake their own reflection in a window, mirror or other shiny surface for another bird invading its territory. This can cause them to repeatedly attack their own reflection.
How can you discourage aggressive behavior from hummingbirds?
If a hummingbird in your yard is displaying aggressive behavior like diving, chirping loudly or chasing other birds, here are some tips to discourage the behavior:
Use multiple feeders
Put out several feeders around your yard spaced well apart from each other. This allows more hummingbirds to feed at once without crowding. Having multiple feeders reducescompetition.
Use feeder guards
You can purchase plastic guards that attach to your feeder to block the hummingbird from having a direct line of sight. This prevents aggressive dive-bombing behavior.
Provide adequate nectar
Make sure your feeders are cleaned and filled regularly with fresh nectar so food scarcity is not triggering aggression. Use a proper ratio of 4 parts water to 1 part white sugar.
Use feeders that prevent guarding
Try a feeder with multiple ports in a circular pattern. This makes it harder for one hummingbird to guard the feeder. Saucer-style feeders also help.
Provide natural food sources
Supplement feeders by planting plenty of nectar-rich flowers in your yard. This gives hummingbirds alternate food sources. Good choices include bee balm, trumpet vine, petunias and columbine.
Don’t encourage territorial behavior
Avoid hand feeding hummingbirds, which can encourage aggression as they seek to protect you as a food source. Also avoid using red feeders, as red is perceived as a threat by hummers.
Use rain guards or move feeders
Rain guards prevent nectar from diluting in wet weather, eliminating a food source scarcity issue. Or simply move feeders regularly to disrupt territorial behavior.
Provide a water source
A mister, drippers or bird baths draws hummingbirds away from the feeders for needed water, reducing feeder aggression. Use a dripper or mister near the feeder.
Wait it out
Often aggression is temporary as a dominant male seeks to establish dominance. If possible, simply wait it out a few days and the behavior may subside on its own.
What methods can safely scare away aggressive hummingbirds?
Here are some safe, effective deterrents to discourage an excessively aggressive hummingbird without harming them:
Install a hawk decoy
The silhouette of a hawk predator may scare away a problematic hummingbird. Attach a hawk decoy in a visible area on poles or fences near the feeder.
Use reflective tape
Reflective tape or strips placed near your feeders can startle territorial hummers and make them less likely to dive bomb. The reflection serves as a deterrent.
Attach wind chimes or pie pans
Wind chimes, metal pie pans, or similar noisemakers can startle aggressive birds when the items move and make unexpected sounds. hummingbirds avoid areas with erratic noises.
Install a hummingbird feeder tent
This specialized product fits over or around your feeder with a mesh covering that allows feeding while limiting aggressive dives at other birds.
Use a handheld water sprayer
For extreme aggression, spray the bird with a harmless mist of water when it dives to disrupt the behavior. They will learn to associate diving with the unpleasant sensation.
Try using a feeder mover
This product automatically moves your feeder in various directions, preventing dominant birds from establishing a single territory. Movement deters aggression.
Apply temporary sticky substance
Applying a non-toxic temporary sticky substance on a feeder can deter hummingbirds while not harming them. They avoid the unpleasant sticky sensation.
Hang ribbons or streamers
Wind catching ribbons or streamers near the feeder serve as visual deterrents that make the hummingbird too wary to dive. The ribbons startle and distract them.
Use scent repellents
Hummingbird scent repellents made with mint, cinnamon or cloves can deter aggressive birds when applied around feeding areas. The strong scents irritate their senses.
Tips for preventing aggressive behavior when hand-feeding hummingbirds
Hand-feeding is not recommended, but if you do, here are some tips for a safe, positive experience:
Allow birds to voluntarily approach
Never force interaction or chase birds. Let them make the choice to fly to your hand so they don’t feel threatened.
Keep sessions brief
Limit hand feeding sessions to 5 minutes max. This prevents territorial behavior as with a feeder.
Feed multiple hummingbirds
Feed several hummers during a session so one doesn’t monopolize you as a food source. Share the experience.
Stop if you see signs of aggression
If a bird starts displaying aggressive body language like fluttering, chirping or diving, stop the session.
Only one feeder per bird
Each hummingbird should have their own feeder used just for that individual to prevent resource guarding.
Use a feeder wand
Attaching the feeder to a long wand gives you more distance from the bird for safety and reduces territorial behavior.
Avoid leaking nectar
Prevent aggressive behavior triggered by nectar dripping on yourself by sealing leaks. Carry wipes to quickly clean up.
Keep sessions away from nests
Hummingbirds will defend a nest aggressively, so don’t hand feed near one. Feed as far from the nest as possible.
Wear bright colors
Avoid wearing red during hand feeding, since hummingbirds may view that as a sign of aggression from another bird. Wear bright yellow.
How do you treat a hummingbird injury caused by aggressive behavior?
If a hummingbird is injured from territorial aggression or flying into a window, here is how to safely intervene and provide care:
Assess the injury
Carefully observe the bird to determine if there are any visible wounds, blood or broken bones. If the injury is life threatening, seek expert wildlife rehabilitator help immediately.
Capture the hummingbird safely
Use a lightweight towel and gentle swooping motion to safely capture the hummingbird without causing further injury if possible. Avoid grasping the body.
Check for signs of shock
A bird going into shock may shiver, breathe rapidly, close its eyes or become unresponsive. Keep the bird in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space.
Stop bleeding
Use a clean cloth or gauze to gently apply pressure to any bleeding wounds if the bird allows handling. This helps the blood clot naturally.
Provide hydration
A dropper can be used to carefully provide the bird with water, electrolyte solution or dilute sugar water to prevent dehydration. Never force it.
Stabilize fractures
Immobilize any suspected broken bones with a makeshift splint made from cardboard, tape or popsicle sticks if needed to prevent further injury.
Monitor closely
Check on the hummingbird every 10-15 minutes until it recovers from the shock, becomes alert and shows interest in food/water.
Release the hummingbird
Once the bird has fully recovered, release it in the same area you found it. Healthy hummingbirds should not be kept in captivity.
Seek rehabilitator help if needed
For extensive injuries, contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately. They have the proper training and resources to provide professional care.
How can you make your yard safer for hummingbirds?
Here are some tips to create a safe, welcoming environment for hummingbirds in your yard:
Apply decals to windows
Apply decals with patterns or images to windows and doors that hummingbirds may fly into. This helps prevent collisions.
Keep feeders away from windows
Avoid placing feeders right next to windows, sliding doors or other reflective surfaces. Have a minimum 3 feet distance.
Deter predators
Use decoys, noisemakers or scent deterrents to scare away cats, hawks and other predators that may harm hummingbirds.
Provide shelter options
Have trees, shrubs and flowering plants that offer protection, shelter and perches for hummingbirds as needed.
Supplement feeder nectar
Ensure natural food sources by planting plenty of native nectar-producing flowers and plants alongside feeders.
Keep feeders clean
Dirty feeders can spread disease. Clean and sterilize feeders properly at least once every 2-3 days. Rinse thoroughly.
Choose safer feeder styles
Select feeder styles with perches, guards and protective bee guards that offer greater safety. Avoid types that prone to leaking.
Provide a water source
Have a mister, birdbath or drippers available so hummingbirds have a fresh water source for bathing and drinking daily.
Know common predators
Familiarize yourself with potential hummingbird predators. Be especially cautious of house cats that should be kept indoors.
Conclusion
Aggressive hummingbird behavior is generally a sign that the birds feel their territory or food sources are threatened. There are many effective deterrents that can discourage aggression without harming the birds. Providing plenty of feeders, food sources and habitat can help minimize conflicts. With some adjustments to your yard and a little patience, you can enjoy observing hummingbirds safely. Always opt for gentler solutions before considering extreme exclusion methods for overly aggressive birds. Creating an inviting habitat goes a long way towards peaceful coexistence.
| Common Hummingbird Predators |
|---|
| Cats |
| Hawks |
| Crows |
| Squirrels |
| Jays |
| Safe Hummingbird Deterrents |
|---|
| Hawk kites or decoys |
| Reflective tape or objects |
| Wind chimes |
| Feeder movers |
| Water sprayers |
| Scent repellents |
| Aggressive Hummingbird Behaviors | Likely Cause |
|---|---|
| Dive bombing | Protecting territory |
| Loud chirping | Communicating a threat |
| Fighting other birds | Establishing dominance |
| Guarding feeders | Resource protection |
| Chasing humans | Defending nest |
