Hummingbirds are small, captivating birds known for rapid wingbeats that create a distinctive humming sound. These agile fliers can hover in place, allowing them to access nectar from various flowers. Beyond their mesmerizing flight, hummingbirds play an important role in ecosystems as efficient pollinators, transferring pollen as they move from bloom to bloom.
The Hummingbird Diet
The primary natural food source for hummingbirds is nectar, a sugary liquid found in flowers. This nectar provides the high-energy carbohydrates necessary to fuel their exceptionally fast metabolism and demanding flight. Hummingbirds burn energy at an astonishing rate, sometimes consuming half to three times their body weight in nectar daily.
While nectar provides energy, hummingbirds also require protein for muscle development and overall health. They obtain these essential components by consuming small insects and spiders. These tiny invertebrates supply amino acids, fats, and minerals that are absent in nectar. Hummingbirds actively hunt these insects, either catching them mid-flight or gleaning them from leaves and spiderwebs. Tree sap can also serve as an opportunistic food source, especially when floral nectar is scarce.
Do Hummingbirds Eat Oranges?
Despite common misconceptions, hummingbirds do not typically eat oranges or other fruit as a staple of their diet. While they could consume fruit juice, oranges do not offer the specific nutritional profile hummingbirds require. Oranges lack the essential protein found in insects.
The high acidity in citrus fruits like oranges can be problematic for a hummingbird’s sensitive digestive system. The tough pulp of oranges also makes them unsuitable for these birds, whose beaks are adapted for probing flowers. If hummingbirds are observed near oranges, they are likely attracted to the vibrant color, which they associate with nectar-rich flowers, or they may be seeking the small fruit flies and other insects that oranges attract. Offering fruit juices in feeders is not recommended, as they differ in sugar composition from natural nectar and can ferment rapidly, becoming harmful.
Attracting Hummingbirds Safely
For those wishing to attract hummingbirds, providing an appropriate food source is straightforward. A solution of one part refined white sugar dissolved in four parts water closely mimics natural flower nectar and serves as an excellent energy source. It is important to avoid adding red dye to this solution, as it is unnecessary and potentially harmful to the birds. This sugar water should be changed frequently, ideally every one to three days, especially during warm weather, to prevent spoilage and mold growth.
Alongside feeders, planting nectar-rich flowers is an effective way to attract hummingbirds. They are particularly drawn to native, tubular-shaped flowers, especially those in shades of red, orange, or pink. Examples include Bee Balm, Salvia, Coral Honeysuckle, and Cardinal Flower. Grouping similar plants and selecting species with varying bloom times ensures a continuous supply of nectar throughout the season. Providing shallow water sources, such as misters or drippers, also offers hummingbirds a place to drink and bathe. Lastly, minimizing or eliminating the use of pesticides in your yard helps protect the insect populations that hummingbirds rely on for protein.