Hummingbird feeders are a popular way to attract hummingbirds to a backyard or garden. The feeders provide a sugar water solution that mimics the nectar found in flowers that hummingbirds feed on. Hummingbirds have specially adapted long, slender beaks and tongues that allow them to access the nectar in flowers, unlike many other birds. This leads many people to wonder – will other birds try to use hummingbird feeders?
The quick answer is yes, sometimes other birds will explore a hummingbird feeder in search of a free meal. However, the design of most hummingbird feeders with their specialized ports do tend to limit use to hummingbirds only. Understanding which other birds may show interest, and certain tips to avoid attracting them, can help ensure your hummingbird feeder does its job – feeding hummingbirds.
What types of birds may be attracted to a hummingbird feeder?
While hummingbird feeders are optimized for hummingbirds, other bird species sometimes take interest as well. Some examples of birds that may try to access nectar from a hummingbird feeder include:
- Orioles
- Woodpeckers
- Honeycreepers
- Swifts
- Nuthatches
- Warblers
- Chickadees
- Tanagers
Many of these bird species have somewhat slender, pointed bills that allow them to poke into flowers for nectar in a somewhat similar manner as hummingbirds. Orioles in particular are a common visitor to hummingbird feeders in many backyards.
Other larger bird species with stouter bills are less likely to show interest in specialized hummingbird feeders. Birds such as sparrows, finches, doves, and pigeons do not have the right bill shape and length to access the nectar. Squirrels also often investigate new bird feeders but have difficulty getting into hummingbird feeders.
How can other birds access hummingbird feeders?
Most hummingbird feeders are designed in a way that only allows access by long slender bills that can fit into the port or feeding tubes. However, some other adaptive bird species have found ways to get nectar from hummingbird feeders:
Orioles
Orioles are able to use their pointed bills to puncture the feeding ports at the base of many hummingbird feeders. This allows them to access the nectar reward inside, often to the frustration of hummingbird enthusiasts!
Woodpeckers
The sharp, chisel-like bill of woodpeckers allows them to drill into plastic and even metal feeders. They can poke their own feeding holes into the sides, reservoir base, or other areas of the feeder.
Nuthatches
Agile nuthatches are able to hang upside-down from feeders and poke their long bills up into feeding ports for some sips of nectar. Their maneuvering ability lets them access the nectar reward.
Chickadees
Clever chickadees sometimes perch on feeder bases, reach up, and poke their bill tips into feeding ports for some nectar. They don’t gain deep access but can get a taste.
Do other birds cause problems at hummingbird feeders?
In addition to drinking some of the nectar meant for hummingbirds, other bird species can cause additional issues, such as:
- Damage or holes poked in feeders from woodpecker drilling and oriole puncturing
- Fouling of nectar from perching on ports
- Scaring hummingbirds away from feeders
- Monopolizing feeders and preventing hummingbird access
This occasional pilfering and damage usually does not add up to significant lost calories for visiting hummingbirds. However, some enthusiasts prefer to offer separate oriole feeders stocked with a fruit jelly/sugar mixture that entices birds like orioles away from the hummingbird setup. Separate bird feeding stations in general can reduce unwanted guest activity at the hummingbird feeders.
Tips to deter other birds from hummingbird feeders
Here are some useful tips to minimize use by unwanted birds at your hummingbird feeders:
- Use feeders with well-designed ports that only allow slender, hummingbird bills
- Select sturdy metal or thick glass feeders to prevent drill damage
- Clean ports daily to prevent fouling from other birds
- Use feeders with bee guards that prevent larger birds from perching
- Employ feeders that close off when inverted to stop dripping/access
- Install feeders in open spaces away from vegetation and cover
- Hang feeders using wire systems that deter other birds
- Consider offering separate fruit/jelly feeders for birds like orioles
With smart design choices and creative setups, you can maximize the appeal of your hummingbird feeding station for hummingbirds over other species. This ensures ample fuel reserves for migrating and territorial hummingbirds.
Do hummingbirds keep other birds away from their feeders?
Hummingbirds are very territorial and assertive at feeders, aggressively chasing away other hummingbirds. Does this feistiness extend to deterring other bird species as well?
Research shows mixed results when it comes to hummingbirds defending feeders. Some studies have found hummingbirds being chased away from feeders by larger orioles. However, other observations indicate hummingbirds sometimes directly attack and chase woodpeckers, chickadees, and titmice that attempt to access their nectar supplies.
The aggressiveness and success of hummingbirds in chasing other birds seems to depend on:
- The hummingbird species
- Size of the invading bird
- Age/sex of the hummingbird
- Time of year (nesting season often makes hummers more aggressive)
While hummers may harass intruders occasionally, they do a poor job at directly guarding feeders from determined Oriole raids or woodpecker drilling. This makes deterrents like location, design, and cleaning key for restricting feeder access.
Do hummingbird feeders attract more birds to an area?
In addition to providing for visiting hummingbirds, do hummingbird feeders also attract other local and migrating birds to an area? Research looking at this question has found:
- Areas with more flowers and natural food supplies attracted more birds than feeders
- Feeders did not significantly alter total bird populations and communities
- Feeders may redistribute birds within a local habitat
- Some migrant species did appear briefly at feeder locations
The studies suggest hummingbird feeders do not necessarily attract and concentrate birds from a wide area. For common resident birds, the feeders seem to provide supplemental food access without increasing populations. They may temporarily attract migrating hummers passing through. But plants providing natural nectar sources appear much more important for establishing bird communities in habitats.
Conclusion
While hummingbird feeders are designed for hummingbirds, other nimble bird species like orioles, woodpeckers and nuthatches sometimes find ways to access the sweet nectar reward inside. Careful feeder selection and setup can help minimize this unwanted activity and ensure the food resource reaches intended hummer targets. With a well-managed feeding station, issues from other birds pilfering can be avoided and hummingbirds supported as desired.