Hummingbirds are delightful little creatures that bring joy to backyard bird watchers across the country. Their rapid wing beats and acrobatic flights make them a pleasure to observe. However, many people have concerns about how smoke from wildfires may impact hummingbirds.
How do hummingbirds react to smoke?
Hummingbirds have very fast metabolisms and must feed frequently to maintain their high energy levels. They eat nectar, tree sap, and small insects. When smoke fills the air, it can make finding food more difficult for hummingbirds. The smoke may mask the scent of nectar-producing flowers that hummingbirds rely on to locate food sources. Dense smoke may also decrease visibility and obscure the vibrant colors that attract hummingbirds to certain blooms. This can slow down their feeding rate.
In addition, hummingbirds breathe at high frequencies to meet their metabolic demands. Smoke irritation can damage their delicate lung air sacs and make breathing labored. Hummingbirds may flee smoke-filled areas in search of cleaner air and more plentiful food sources. If forced to remain in smoky areas, they may become weak and lethargic.
Do hummingbirds leave their habitats during fires?
Hummingbirds are very attached to their feeding territories. They are reluctant to abandon these familiar areas even when smoke moves in. However, major fires that destroy their habitat may eventually cause hummingbirds to migrate in search of new food sources. Their small size and agility allows hummingbirds to escape the immediate threat of flames. But dense smoke over a prolonged period can degrade their habitat and food supply until it is no longer tenable.
During a severe fire, hummingbirds may seek refuge in unburned forest patches, backyards, and gardens. Providing nectar feeders, fruit, and clean water can help sustain hummingbirds in transitory shelters. Once fires subside, hummingbirds gradually return to burned areas that still contain adequate flowers, trees, and nesting sites. However, it can take years for some habitats to fully recover. Without supplemental feeding and planting of native species, some burned areas may no longer support hummingbird populations.
How does smoke impact hummingbird nests and eggs?
Hummingbird nests are delicate structures typically built on tree branches. The female incubates the eggs and cares for the hatchlings. Smoke can affect hummingbird reproduction in several ways:
- Thick smoke may suffocate developing chicks in the nest or make them lethargic and unable to beg for food.
- Smoke irritation can prevent the female from adequately incubating eggs or reduce time spent gathering food.
- If smoke drives away insect populations, there may be insufficient food for the mother and chicks.
- Fires can burn or damage trees harboring nests and cause structural collapse.
- Post-fire habitat disruption may reduce nest materials and insect food sources.
Research on Anna’s hummingbirds found chick mortality increased in nests directly exposed to smoke. Even secondhand smoke drifting into nests was linked to higher parasite loads and fledgling mortality. This indicates hummingbird reproduction is quite sensitive to smoke pollution.
Do hummingbirds have special adaptations for dealing with smoke?
Hummingbirds do not have any special anatomical adaptations to cope with smoke. Their small size makes them vulnerable to air pollution. However, hummingbirds have a few behavioral adaptations that may help when smoke is present:
- High mobility allows hummingbirds to rapidly escape approaching fires.
- Metabolic flexibility lets them enter torpor to conserve energy when food is scarce due to smoke.
- Ability to obtain nectar from a variety of flower shapes gives more feeding options if some flowers disappear.
- Small territory sizes and lack of feeding territories in migration helps hummingbirds locate new food sources.
Despite their adaptability, hummingbirds suffer when exposed to heavy or prolonged smoke. Their energetic lifestyle cannot be sustained if smoke severely limits their ability to feed. Providing clean, smoke-free rest stops and supplemental food and water is recommended to help hummingbirds endure smoky periods.
Should I stop feeding hummingbirds during smoke events?
It’s best to keep hummingbird feeders up and filled even when smoke is in the air. Hummingbirds depend on these steady energy sources when their natural food flowers are scarce. Continuing supplemental feeding provides essential nectar substitutes that help hummingbirds avoid starvation.
Take precautions to give hummingbirds the cleanest food possible when smoke is present. Rinse feeders more frequently to reduce residue buildup. Use only refined white sugar instead of brown or raw sugar, which can contain more smoke particulates. Switch nectar out at least every 2-3 days. Keep feeders in filtered sunlight rather than direct sun to slow microbial growth. Moving feeders to the cleanest air space available helps hummingbirds get the most smoke-free food.
How can I reduce smoke risks to hummingbirds?
Here are some tips to minimize smoke impacts on hummingbirds near your home:
- Plant native flowers and trees that provide natural food and habitats.
- Supply multiple nectar feeders to give hummingbirds options.
- Install feeders in shady areas away from direct smoke.
- Provide fresh clean water for drinking and bathing.
- Let some fruit ripen on trees or offer cut fruit for food diversity.
- Mist vegetation to help settle particulates.
- Limit other sources of air pollution.
- Protect nesting sites in your yard from disturbance.
During active fires, be ready to provide emergency shelter and sustain supplemental food if hummingbirds’ native plants and habitats are damaged. Support efforts to preserve natural areas and limit pollutants that exacerbate smoke impacts on hummingbirds.
Conclusion
Smoke from wildfires can create significant challenges for hummingbirds. The toxins and particulates can irritate their respiratory systems, decrease flower nectar, and alter nesting behaviors. However, hummingbirds are resilient and can recover from smoke exposure with sufficient supplemental feeding and habitat support. Protecting clean air spaces, planting smoke-tolerant species, and maintaining nectar feeders can go a long way toward safeguarding hummingbird populations in fire-prone environments.
