Hummingbirds do not eat fruit, as their bills are not equipped to pierce or ingest solid matter. They are highly specialized feeders driven by an extremely high metabolic rate that demands a constant supply of fuel. While they are occasionally observed sipping sugary juice from damaged or overripe fruit like oranges or figs, this is an incidental food source, not a primary component of their diet. Their physical adaptations and energy requirements dictate that their diet must be composed of liquids and very small, soft prey.
Energy Source The Importance of Nectar
The hummingbird’s hovering flight and rapid wingbeats require an immense amount of energy, which they obtain from sugar. This liquid fuel comes from flower nectar, a complex solution that is approximately 80% water and 20% sugar by weight. The natural nectar preferred by these birds is rich in sucrose, though it also contains smaller amounts of glucose and fructose, which are rapidly digested for immediate energy.
For backyard feeders, a solution of one part refined white sugar to four parts water is the accepted mixture. Natural nectar is clear, so adding artificial color, such as red dye, is unnecessary and may be harmful to the birds. Natural nectar also contains trace amounts of amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants, which contribute to a more balanced diet than a plain sugar-water solution.
The sugar concentration is directly tied to energy output, and a bird may consume up to half its body weight in nectar daily. The birds must find reliable nectar sources throughout the day, as their digestive system processes the sugar quickly to sustain their active state. This need for energy drives their territorial behavior and relentless foraging habits.
Protein Source Hunting for Insects
While nectar provides the necessary carbohydrates, it lacks the protein, fats, and essential nutrients required for growth, feather development, and reproduction. Hummingbirds are active insectivores, consuming hundreds of small arthropods daily. This protein-rich prey includes small gnats, aphids, fruit flies, mosquitoes, and spiders, which provide the amino acids and fats critical for muscle maintenance and egg production.
A common hunting method is “hawking,” where the bird darts out from a perch to catch flying insects mid-air. They also “glean” by picking tiny insects and spiders directly from leaves, bark, and spiderwebs. Females especially increase their insect intake to provide high-protein meals for their developing nestlings.
Tools for the Job Specialized Feeding Anatomy
The hummingbird’s specialized feeding anatomy determines what kind of food it can consume. The long, needle-like bill is designed to probe deep into tubular flowers to reach the nectar reservoir. While the bill protects the tongue, its tip is blunt and cannot pierce the tough skin of fruit or the exoskeleton of larger insects.
Liquid uptake relies on the unique, forked tongue, which can extend far beyond the bill’s tip. The bird does not suck nectar like a straw; instead, it laps the liquid using rapid, piston-like movements, extending and retracting its tongue up to 20 times per second. The forked tips feature tiny, hair-like fringes called lamellae that unfurl when submerged to efficiently collect the liquid.