Hummingbirds are some of the most charming little visitors to any garden, but did you know they face quite a few sneaky threats? Spotting these predators early can help keep your tiny friends safe and buzzing happily around your flowers.
Some of these critters might surprise you with their unexpected hunting skills. I’ve seen my own backyard become a mini wildlife drama with these players lurking about.
Let’s get to know who’s causing trouble and how to keep your hummingbirds out of harm’s way.
1. Domestic Cats
Those sweet house cats lounging in sunny windows are actually skilled ambush hunters when outdoors. They’ll patiently wait beneath feeders or near flowers, timing their pounce perfectly to catch hummingbirds during feeding.
Keep cats indoors or supervise outdoor time. Position feeders at least 6 feet high and away from jumping points. Consider adding a cat-deterrent collar with a bell to give birds fair warning when your feline friend is on the prowl.
2. Sharp-shinned Hawks
These small woodland raptors specialize in hunting birds in flight. With lightning-quick reflexes and remarkable agility, sharp-shinned hawks can navigate through tight spaces to pursue hummingbirds, even around feeders.
Place feeders near dense shrubs offering quick escape routes. Don’t panic if you spot one occasionally – hawks are natural predators and typically move on. If they become regular visitors, temporarily remove feeders for a week to encourage them to hunt elsewhere.
3. Praying Mantises
Masters of disguise, these remarkable insects blend perfectly with foliage near hummingbird feeders. They’ll grab unsuspecting hummingbirds with their powerful front legs when the birds come to feed, sometimes causing fatal injuries.
Check your feeders and surrounding plants regularly for these ambush predators. Remove any mantises you find near feeding areas. Avoid using pesticides that might harm beneficial insects – simply relocate mantises to garden areas away from your hummingbird stations.
4. Bullfrogs
Believe it or not, these pond-dwelling amphibians can snatch hummingbirds that fly too close to water surfaces. With lightning-fast tongues and powerful leaps, bullfrogs occasionally add hummingbirds to their varied diet of insects and small vertebrates.
Position feeders and bird-friendly plants at least 10 feet away from ponds or water features. If you have water gardens, create physical barriers like decorative fencing that allows hummingbirds to fly over safely while keeping them from swooping too close to the water’s surface.
5. Roadrunners
Not just cartoon characters chasing coyotes, real roadrunners are swift, opportunistic predators that will snatch hummingbirds from feeders or flowers. Their incredible speed and jumping ability make them formidable hunters in southwestern regions.
Hang feeders higher than roadrunners can jump – at least 7 feet off the ground. Create a protective zone around feeders using hanging baskets or decorative elements that make direct flight paths difficult for larger birds while still allowing hummingbirds easy access.
6. Large Spiders
Garden spiders build elaborate webs that occasionally trap unsuspecting hummingbirds. While not actively hunting the birds, their sticky silk can entangle these tiny flyers, especially in areas with high hummingbird traffic near feeders and flowering plants.
Regularly check for and remove large webs near feeding areas. Don’t harm the spiders – they’re beneficial predators of garden pests. Simply relocate them to areas away from main hummingbird flight paths, preserving both your spider allies and your hummingbird visitors.
7. Blue Jays
These intelligent, bold birds are opportunistic hunters that occasionally prey on smaller birds, including hummingbirds. Blue jays are particularly threatening during nesting season when they may raid nests for eggs or young.
Create separate feeding stations for jays away from hummingbird areas. Provide peanuts or sunflower seeds to keep jays occupied elsewhere in your yard. Install dome baffles above hummingbird feeders to prevent larger birds from perching directly over feeding ports.
8. Snakes
Arboreal snakes like rat snakes can climb poles and trees to reach hummingbird nests. They primarily target eggs and nestlings rather than adult birds, making nesting season particularly dangerous for hummingbird families.
Install snake guards on feeder poles – simple cone-shaped baffles work well. Keep tree branches trimmed away from houses and feeding areas to limit access routes. Remove brush piles near feeding stations that might provide hiding spots for these slithering predators.
9. Dragonflies
Surprisingly aggressive hunters, larger dragonfly species occasionally target juvenile hummingbirds. Their incredible aerial maneuverability allows them to intercept young, inexperienced hummingbirds in mid-flight, particularly during summer months when young birds are learning to fly.
Don’t worry too much – this predation is rare and part of nature’s balance. Maintain multiple feeding stations to reduce competition and give young birds more options. Provide nearby shelter plants where young hummingbirds can quickly retreat if threatened.
10. Crows and Ravens
These highly intelligent corvids opportunistically prey on hummingbird nests rather than adult birds. Their problem-solving abilities make them adept at finding and raiding nests hidden in trees and shrubs during breeding season.
Avoid placing bird feeders that attract crows near known hummingbird nesting sites. Create visual barriers with hanging plants or garden flags near nesting areas. These clever birds often learn patterns, so varying your yard routine during nesting season can help prevent them from identifying nest locations.
11. Squirrels
While primarily interested in the sweet nectar, squirrels can damage feeders and disrupt hummingbird territories. They occasionally raid nests for eggs, making them indirect predators that create unsafe feeding environments.
Use squirrel baffles on feeder poles and hanging wires. Position feeders away from jumping points like tree branches or railings. Consider offering squirrel-specific feeding stations with nuts or corn in a different area to keep them occupied away from your hummingbird sanctuary.
12. Kestrels
North America’s smallest falcon possesses incredible vision and hunting skills perfect for spotting tiny prey like hummingbirds. These beautiful raptors hover before diving with precision to catch birds in mid-air, making them effective hummingbird hunters.
Install several small shelters near feeding stations – decorative branches or small roosting pockets work well. These provide quick hiding spots when predators appear overhead. If kestrels become regular visitors, temporarily relocate feeders to less exposed locations until the hunters move on.
13. Shrikes
Known as “butcher birds,” shrikes have a macabre hunting style – they impale prey on thorns or barbed wire. Despite their small size, these songbirds are fierce predators that occasionally target hummingbirds, especially during migration when territories overlap.
Provide dense, thorny shrubs near feeders as emergency retreats. Hummingbirds can navigate these easily while shrikes find them more challenging. Monitor your yard for shrike activity, particularly if you notice small prey impaled on thorns – a clear sign these hunters have claimed territory nearby.
14. Owls
Nocturnal hunters like screech owls and saw-whet owls occasionally catch hummingbirds roosting overnight. Their silent flight and excellent night vision make them effective predators when hummingbirds are most vulnerable – at rest during darkness.
Provide safe roosting spots under eaves or dense foliage where hummingbirds can sleep protected from aerial predators. Bring feeders in at night or position them under protective overhangs. Motion-activated lights can sometimes deter owl hunting in areas where hummingbirds frequently roost.
15. Frogs
Tree frogs and other arboreal amphibians occasionally ambush hummingbirds at feeders or flowers. Their sticky tongues and powerful jumping ability allow them to catch birds that hover too close, particularly in humid, tropical-like garden settings.
Check feeders regularly for hitchhiking frogs that might be waiting in ambush. Position feeders away from branches or structures where frogs might perch. While this predation is relatively rare, being vigilant helps protect your tiny visitors from these surprising predators.
16. Bald-faced Hornets
These aggressive insects compete fiercely for sweet nectar sources and occasionally attack hummingbirds at feeders. Their painful stings can injure or even kill hummingbirds that don’t retreat quickly enough from contested feeding ports.
Use feeders with bee guards over feeding ports. Clean up spilled nectar promptly to avoid attracting insects. If hornets establish nests near feeding areas, have them professionally removed for both bird and human safety – never attempt removal yourself.
17. Raccoons
More interested in the sweet nectar than the birds themselves, raccoons nonetheless disturb and destroy hummingbird habitats. Their dexterous paws easily dismantle feeders, and they occasionally raid nests when opportunity presents.
Bring feeders in at night when raccoons are most active. Use hanging wires that are thin and difficult for raccoons to navigate. Install raccoon baffles on poles – these cone-shaped barriers prevent climbing and protect both your feeders and the birds that depend on them.