The notion of a hawk preying on a hummingbird seems improbable, given the vast difference in size and the hummingbird’s agility. A Ruby-throated Hummingbird weighs only about three grams, making it a difficult target for a bird of prey that can weigh over a hundred times more. Yet, these interactions do happen, and certain hawk species are specialized to successfully hunt even the smallest avian prey. This predation is an opportunistic, though rare, event.
Identifying the Predatory Hawk Species
The primary culprits in hummingbird predation are hawks belonging to the Accipiter genus, particularly the Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus). These raptors are built for speed and high maneuverability within dense cover, unlike broad-winged hawks that hunt in open skies. The Sharp-shinned Hawk is the smallest North American bird-hunting raptor, suited for pursuing small songbirds. These hawks possess short, rounded wings and a long tail, which functions like a rudder for navigating complex environments. While Cooper’s Hawks (Astur cooperii) are also Accipiters and prey on smaller birds, the Sharp-shinned Hawk is known to specifically take hummingbirds, such as the Anna’s and Ruby-throated species.
Hunting Tactics and Hummingbird Vulnerability
The success of Accipiter hawks relies on the element of surprise, employing ambush hunting. The hawk perches silently and concealed within dense foliage, patiently waiting for a target before launching a sudden attack. This technique minimizes the hummingbird’s chance to use its speed and erratic flight patterns for escape.
Hummingbirds are vulnerable because their high metabolism necessitates a constant search for high-calorie fuel. This need for nectar and sugar water often draws them to predictable resources like backyard feeders. A hawk can stake out a single feeder location, knowing the birds must return, turning the reliable food source into a dangerous trap.
Capture is often a swift burst from the concealed perch, with the hawk snatching the prey mid-flight or right at the feeder. Although hummingbirds are fast, reaching speeds up to 30 miles per hour, the hawk’s initial acceleration and short pursuit time overcome the distance. The long, slender toes and sharp talons of the Accipiter species are adapted to impale and hold moving prey, securing the fragile body upon contact.
Protecting Hummingbirds in Residential Areas
Homeowners can implement measures to reduce the risk of hawk predation around feeding stations. Strategic placement of feeders is the most effective method, as it disrupts the hawk’s ambush hunting strategy. Feeders should be placed either close to dense cover, such as shrubs or trees, or directly underneath a protective overhang.
Placing a feeder within eight to ten feet of a dense bush allows the hummingbird to instantly dart into cover once a predator is detected. Conversely, hanging a feeder under an awning, porch roof, or low tree branch prevents the hawk from swooping down, forcing it to approach from the side and giving the hummingbird an advantage for escape.
If a hawk is observed regularly staking out a feeder, the most effective action is to temporarily remove all feeders for one to two weeks. This removes the concentrated food source, causing the hawk to abandon the hunting spot and search for a more reliable location. The smaller birds will quickly return once the feeders are put back up.