Violet crowned hummingbirds are small, colorful birds that live in western North America. They get their name from the brilliant violet color on the crown of the male’s head. Like all hummingbirds, violet crowned hummingbirds have some unique adaptations that allow them to hover in midair and sip nectar from flowers. Their diet is highly specialized and consists mainly of nectar, tree sap, and small insects.
Nectar
Nectar makes up the majority of a violet crowned hummingbird’s diet. They use their long, slender beak and tongue to lap up the sugary nectar from tubular flowers. Some of their favorite nectar sources include:
- Columbines
- Penstemons
- Paintbrush
- Larkspur
- Lupine
- Monkey flower
- Salvia
- Wild ginger
- Thistles
Hummingbirds prefer flowers that are red, orange, or purple, as these colors attract the most nectar-feeding insects which in turn pollinate the flowers. They use their keen vision and color perception to seek out these blossoms. A violet crowned hummingbird will visit hundreds of flowers each day to get their fill of sugary nectar fuel.
Tree Sap
In addition to flower nectar, violet crowned hummingbirds will sip nutritious tree sap from recent wounds on trees. They use their thin beaks to lap up sap oozing from bore holes drilled by sapsuckers. Favorite sap sources include:
- Fir trees
- Pines
- Birches
- Maples
- Willows
Tree sap provides an important food source, especially in winter when flower nectar is less available. The sap contains sugars as well as beneficial proteins, minerals, fats, and amino acids.
Small Insects and Spiders
While nectar and sap make up the bulk of their diet, violet crowned hummingbirds also eat small insects for essential protein. They have excellent aerial acrobatic skills and pluck tiny insects out of the air in flight. Some of the bugs they capture and eat include:
- Fruit flies
- Mosquitoes
- Aphids
- Thrips
- Spiders
- Caterpillars
Insects provide an important source of protein and fat for hummingbirds. The males in particular increase their insect intake in spring to boost energy levels for breeding displays and nest building.
How Much Food Do They Eat?
Hummingbirds have very fast metabolisms and must consume enormous quantities of nectar and insects to meet their energy needs. Here’s how much a violet crowned hummingbird eats per day on average:
- Nectar – Up to 5-8 times their body weight
- Insects – Hundreds of tiny insects
To put that in perspective, if a violet crowned hummingbird weighs 3 grams, it would need to drink 15-24 grams (over half an ounce) of nectar daily. That’s equivalent to lapping up 150-240 flower blossoms per day!
This huge food requirement is due to their extreme metabolic rate. Hummingbirds have the fastest metabolism of any bird or mammal. At rest, their heart rate can be over 500 beats per minute. In flight, it can reach as high as 1200 beats per minute.
How Do They Feed?
Hummingbirds have several unique adaptations that allow them to extract nectar from flowers:
- Long, slender beak – Their beaks are perfectly shaped to reach deep into tubular flowers.
- Splits at tip of tongue – The tip of the tongue splits into two tines which soak up nectar.
- Grooved tongue – The tongue has tiny grooves on the surface to help lap up liquid.
- Swift lapping – A hummingbird can lick nectar up to 13-17 times per second.
As they feed on nectar, some pollen sticks to their beak and head. When they move from flower to flower, this pollen rubs off which leads to pollination. This symbiotic relationship benefits both the flowers and the hummingbirds.
Hummingbirds don’t suck down nectar through their slender beaks like drinking through a straw. They extend their forked tongues in and out rapidly to lap up nectar. The grooves on the tongue help collect the liquid, which is then squeezed down their throat.
They also use their dexterous tongues to snare tiny insects out of the air. The tip of their tongue enlarges when an insect touches it, instantly adhering to trap the protein-packed bug.
How Do They Drink?
In addition to consuming nectar and bugs, hummingbirds need plain water to avoid dehydration from their sugary diet. However, their long tongues aren’t designed for lapping up water from ponds or puddles.
So how do hummingbirds drink?
Hummingbirds sip water by skimming the surface of it with the tip of their beak. As they move their beak back and forth over the water, tiny droplets adhere and roll back into their mouth.
Some of their favorite water sources include:
- Raindrops
- Water spray from lawn sprinklers
- Water droplets on leaves
- Backyard water features like fountains or bird baths
Providing a clean hummingbird feeder or bird bath is a great way to supply water for these thirsty birds in your backyard.
Do They Drink From Bird Feeders?
Yes, hummingbirds will readily drink nectar from specialized feeders designed just for them. These feeders have a cluster of fake red flowers with small feeding ports that provide access to the nectar reservoir. Here are some tips for using feeders to supplement their diet:
- Use a nectar solution of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Do not use honey, artificial sweeteners, or food coloring.
- Avoid putting out moldy or fermented nectar which can make them sick.
- Clean feeders thoroughly every few days with hot water and vinegar.
- Place feeders in light shade to prevent nectar from spoiling rapidly in sunlight.
- Supplement feeders with natural flowers and water sources for a balanced diet.
Hummingbird feeders provide an excellent source of supplemental nutrition, especially during migration or in winter when flower nectar is in short supply. Just be sure to maintain cleanliness and also provide insects, sap, and plain water too.
Do They Eat Bird Seed?
No, hummingbirds do not eat conventional bird seed mixes containing sunflower seeds, millet, cracked corn, etc. Their specialized diet requires nectar and live insects, not seeds or grains.
However, they may feed on minute tidbits in thistle mesh feeders containing niger thistle seed. These tiny black seeds attract small insects which the hummers gleefully pluck out of the feeder.
They also cannot perch on platform feeders meant for songbirds. Hummingbirds must feed while hovering. The only specialized bird feeder they can use is a nectar feeder designed specifically for hummingbirds.
Do They Visit Birdbaths?
Yes, hummingbirds appreciate and will use birdbaths to drink and bathe. The moving water of a birdbath fountain or mister provides an enticing source of hydration. Here are some tips to attract hummingbirds to your birdbath:
- Add a few perches at different heights for easy access.
- Make sure the water level is no more than an inch or two deep.
- Keep the water clean and fresh by changing it regularly.
- Spray the water high so it droplets down which appeals to hummers.
- Place it near flowering plants, trees, or feeders to increase visits.
In addition to drinking, hummingbirds will briefly bathe in birdbath spray to keep their feathers in optimal condition. Providing a clean, hummingbird-friendly birdbath is a great way to supplement their water intake.
What Plants Should Be In Their Habitat?
Hummingbirds thrive best when provided a diverse habitat filled with their favorite nectar plants. Here are some of the best flowers and trees to attract hummers:
- Native wildflowers – penstemon, lupine, paintbrush, fireweed, Indian paintbrush
- Native shrubs – manzanita, ceanothus, salmonberry
- Nectar-rich exotics – fuchsia, impatiens, petunias
- Trees – pines, firs, maples, willows
- Plants with red tubular flowers
Aim for a variety of flower shapes, types, and colors. Plants with tubular red, orange, or purple blossoms tend to attract the most hummingbirds. By landscaping your yard with hummingbird favorites, you can provide natural nectar sources all season long.
What Flowers Do They Like?
Hummingbirds are strongly attracted to flowers matching their favorite colors and shapes. Some specific flowers hummers love include:
| Flowers | Colors | Flower Type |
|---|---|---|
| Bee balm | Red | Tubular |
| Cardinal flower | Red | Tubular |
| Columbine | Orange, red | Spur shaped |
| Coral bells | Pink, red | Tubular |
| Fuchsia | Purple, red | Tubular |
| Larkspur | Blue, purple | Spur shaped |
| Penstemon | Red, purple, pink | Tubular |
| Petunia | Purple, pink | Trumpet |
| Salvia | Red | Tubular |
As seen above, hummingbirds gravitate to red, orange, pink, or purple flowers with a tubular or trumpet-like shape. These flowers hold abundant nectar to fuel the hummingbird’s metabolically demanding lifestyle.
Do They Eat Fruit?
Hummingbirds occasionally supplement their diet with fruit, particularly small wild berries. They like the following fruits:
- Elderberries
- Currants
- Gooseberries
- Huckleberries
- Raspberries
- Wild cherries
These fruits provide an extra source of natural sugar to fuel their rapid metabolism. Hummingbirds perch and delicately pluck off small ripe berries one at a time. They do not eat larger fruit slices or citrus fruits.
Do They Visit Feeders at Night?
No, hummingbirds do not feed at night. They enter a hibernation-like state called torpor at night to conserve energy. Their metabolic rate slows down dramatically and body temperature drops. They become lethargic and inactive after dark.
Hummingbirds will roost in a protected tree cavity, nest, or hidden perch overnight. Leaving nectar feeders out overnight is not recommended since it can attract nocturnal insects, bats, and other animals.
However, hummers will readily return to feeders first thing in the morning. So make sure to have their feeders cleaned and freshly filled by sunrise so they can refuel after fasting all night.
Conclusion
In summary, violet crowned hummingbirds are specialized nectarivores feeding mainly on sugary flower nectar and tree sap to fuel their unique high-speed lifestyle. They also consume large quantities of tiny insects for essential proteins. Providing a habitat rich in their preferred flowers, trees, and insects will help attract these energetic pollinators.
Understanding what hummingbirds eat and how they feed enables people to support and care for these delightful birds. A few simple actions like planting flowers, supplying clean feeders and bird baths, and limiting pesticide use can go a long way towards sustaining hummingbird populations.
