It is a common sight to see hummingbirds hovering at feeders or flowers, which leads many to assume their diet consists solely of sugar-rich nectar. This sweet liquid, whether from natural sources or a backyard feeder, provides the carbohydrates necessary to fuel their incredibly fast metabolism and maintain their signature hovering flight. However, a diet of sugar water alone is nutritionally incomplete, lacking the necessary materials to build and repair the body. To meet these needs, hummingbirds must supplement their diet with small insects and spiders. Arthropods provide the proteins, fats, and minerals that are absent in nectar.
The Crucial Nutritional Role of Insects
Nectar serves as the primary energy source for hummingbirds, sustaining their high-speed daily activities. However, the complex biological processes of growth, feather production, and muscle maintenance require specific building blocks that only arthropods can provide. Insects are rich sources of amino acids, along with fats and various micronutrients that are unavailable in sugary liquids alone. Without these protein sources, a hummingbird cannot maintain its physical structure or replace worn-out feathers.
The demand for protein increases dramatically during certain life stages, particularly for females and their young. A female hummingbird needs significantly more protein to produce eggs and then to feed her nestlings, who are rapidly growing and developing muscle and bone structure. Nestlings are fed an almost exclusively protein-rich diet of partially digested insects, which is necessary for their rapid development from hatchling to fledgling in just a few weeks. Even adult males consume scores of invertebrates daily.
Specific Types of Arthropods Consumed
Hummingbirds are surprisingly indiscriminate eaters of small, soft-bodied arthropods. Their small bills and lack of specialized insect-catching adaptations mean they must focus on prey that is easily manageable and can be swallowed whole. Common insect targets belong to groups like Diptera (flies and gnats) and Hymenoptera (small wasps and flying ants) which are frequently found hovering near flowers. They regularly consume minute flying insects such as gnats, mosquitoes, and fruit flies, which are often found around blooming plants and ripe fruit.
They also show a preference for small, stationary pests like midges and various small aphids. These insects are often found clustered on the undersides of leaves or within the complex structures of flowers, providing a convenient, immobile meal. Spiders, which are arachnids rather than insects, are also a food source for their concentrated protein and fat content. Hummingbirds will actively seek out small spiders.
Hunting Techniques and Acquisition
Hummingbirds employ several hunting techniques to acquire the thousands of small arthropods they need each day. One primary method is called aerial hawking, where a hummingbird darts out from a perch to catch a passing insect in mid-air. This technique relies on their agility and speed, allowing them to snap up a flying target and immediately return to a resting spot.
Another common behavior is gleaning, which involves plucking stationary insects or spiders directly from surfaces like leaves, bark, or flowers. Hummingbirds will hover in front of a plant, meticulously scanning the foliage for any small, immobile prey to snatch.
They are also known to raid spider webs, not just to consume the spider itself, but also to eat any small insects trapped in the silk. This requires great dexterity as the bird carefully extracts the protein-rich meal without becoming entangled in the sticky strands.