Hummingbirds are among the smallest birds on Earth, maintaining an extremely high metabolic rate that demands almost constant fueling. They famously obtain carbohydrates from flower nectar. While known for their sugar consumption, these tiny aviators cannot survive on nectar alone. The non-nectar portion of their diet is a crucial source of structural nutrients necessary for life and flight.
Specific Arthropods Consumed
Hummingbirds pursue a wide array of small, soft-bodied invertebrates to supplement their high-energy nectar diet. Prey selection focuses on arthropods that can be swallowed whole, as their bills are not adapted for dismembering larger insects. Common flying prey includes minute insects such as gnats, fruit flies, and mosquitoes, which they catch in mid-air.
They also consume pests that frequent garden plants, including aphids, mites, and leafhoppers. Small beetles, weevils, and parasitic wasps are included in their diet. Spiders and harvestmen are frequently consumed resources, sometimes accounting for a significant percentage of their invertebrate intake. Hummingbirds actively patrol vegetation to locate these small animals, especially during periods of high nutritional need.
The Essential Role of Protein in the Hummingbird Diet
The necessity of consuming arthropods stems from the distinct nutritional roles of the two main food sources. Nectar provides immediate fuel in the form of simple sugars to power rapid wing beats and maintain body temperature. However, this sugary solution lacks the building blocks required for growth and repair.
Insects and spiders supply the protein, amino acids, essential fats, and minerals that nectar does not. This protein is necessary for repairing muscle tissue after strenuous activity and for the continuous growth of feathers. A high-protein diet influences the vibrancy and coloration of the males’ iridescent crown feathers.
The protein requirement is particularly acute for breeding females and their nestlings. Females need protein for egg production. Growing nestlings have a diet that is almost entirely composed of high-protein insects delivered by the parent. Without this constant supply of invertebrates, juveniles cannot develop the muscle mass and feathers needed for their first flight.
Hunting Techniques and Foraging Behavior
Hummingbirds employ several distinct methods to capture their minute prey. One primary technique is hawking, or flycatching, where the bird rapidly chases and snatches flying insects directly from the air. Their bills snap shut on a moving target, demonstrating rapid, controlled movement.
Another method is gleaning, which involves plucking stationary insects or spiders from the surfaces of leaves, bark, or flowers while hovering. This allows them to forage for hidden or immobile prey. Hummingbirds also forage around spiderwebs, raiding them for ensnared insects and sometimes the spider itself.
The silk from these webs is a valued resource, which hummingbirds use as a pliable material to construct their tiny, cup-shaped nests. These hunting behaviors are continuous throughout the day, ensuring the birds meet their daily quota of several hundred to over a thousand insects.