The Rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a small, fast-flying bird native to western North America. Despite its diminutive size, averaging just 8-9 cm in length, the Rufous hummingbird faces predation from a variety of animals. As with all prey species, Rufous hummingbirds employ strategies to avoid predation, but they still frequently succumb to predators. This article will explore what animals prey on Rufous hummingbirds and how hummingbirds try to evade them.
Mammalian Predators
Several mammalian species prey on Rufous hummingbirds. These include:
Cats
Domestic and feral cats are a significant predator of hummingbirds. Cats are stealth hunters and can ambush hummingbirds at feeders. Free-roaming outdoor cats kill billions of birds in the U.S. every year, including hummingbirds. Keeping pet cats indoors helps protect hummingbirds.
Chipmunks
While investigating food sources, chipmunks may raid hummingbird nests and eat eggs or nestlings. They are opportunistic foragers and will consume protein sources when available.
Shrews
The small insectivorous mammals sometimes eat hummingbird eggs or nestlings if they come across an accessible nest. Their extremely high metabolisms require frequent feeding.
Squirrels
Tree squirrels are primarily herbivorous, but can opportunistically prey on bird eggs and nestlings, including hummingbirds. When nest raiding, they typically destroy the entire nest to eat the eggs and/or young.
Raccoons
Raccoons are omnivorous scavengers. Using their dexterous front paws, they can access hummingbird nests, destroying them for the protein source of eggs or chicks.
Opossums
The Virginia opossum is North America’s only marsupial. They are omnivores and climb trees to raid nests of eggs, nestlings, and occasionally adult hummingbirds.
Foxes
Foxes prey on small birds, including hummingbirds. Larger fox species like red foxes may eat adult hummingbirds, while smaller species like kit foxes are more likely to prey on eggs and chicks. Foxes have excellent night vision and sense of hearing to locate nests.
Coyotes
As opportunistic predators, coyotes sometimes prey on hummingbirds. More often, they raid nests for the eggs and chicks as sources of protein. In residential areas, coyotes can prey on hummingbirds attracted to feeders.
Reptilian Predators
Hummingbirds face threats from certain reptiles as well:
Snakes
Some snakes prey on hummingbirds, in particular species that climb trees to access nests, like rat snakes and racers. These colubrids eat eggs and nestlings. Smaller species may only consume eggs, while larger snakes can swallow nestlings and even adult hummingbirds.
Lizards
Lizards rarely catch adult hummingbirds, but some larger species will eat eggs and nestlings. This includes iguanas and monitor lizards. With their sharp vision, they can spot nests in vegetation and access them.
Avian Predators
Hummingbirds face predation from a diverse array of bird species:
Falcons
Peregrine falcons and other falcons prey on hummingbirds. With speeds over 200 mph in a stoop, peregrines can catch these agile birds in mid-air. Other falcons like merlins and American kestrels also snatch hummingbirds, typically juveniles and females that are slower flyers.
Hawks
Sharp-shinned hawks and Cooper’s hawks are small woodland hawks adept at catching smaller bird species, including hummingbirds. Larger hawks like red-tails also opportunistically prey on hummingbirds. Hawks use cover to launch ambush attacks.
Crows
Intelligent and opportunistic, crows raid hummingbird nests for protein-rich eggs and chicks. Species like American crows eat hummingbirds, while larger common ravens can tackle adults. Crows remember productive nesting sites.
Jays
While primarily seed and nut eaters, jays opportunistically raid nests of small birds, including hummingbirds. Jays have strong bills for cracking open seeds that can also break eggshells.
Orioles
Some oriole species like orchard orioles consume hummingbird eggs and nestlings. As opportunistic foragers and nest raiders, they seek out concentrated protein when available.
Flycatchers
Certain medium-sized flycatchers like western kingbirds sometimes prey on hummingbirds. They can employ wing attacks to knock hummingbirds down before consumption.
Avoiding Predation
Rufous hummingbirds have some behavioral adaptations to avoid predation:
- Camouflage – females and juveniles are colored in greys and greens that blend into vegetation
- Swift flight – excellent maneuverability and acceleration helps escape predators
- Unpredictable flying patterns – irregular flying makes them hard targets
- Perching out of sight – they perch in hidden sites when resting
- Habitat selection – prefer thicker vegetation that provides cover
- Aggregation while migrating – large groups help provide protection
Despite anti-predator strategies, Rufous hummingbirds suffer heavy predation pressure, especially during vulnerable life stages like as eggs and nestlings. However, their high reproductive rates help maintain stable populations. The wide range of predators demonstrates the hummingbird’s role as prey for both terrestrial and avian predators.
Conclusion
Rufous hummingbirds face predation from a diverse array of species due to their small size and nesting strategies. Mammals including cats, chipmunks, shrews, and raccoons prey on hummingbirds, as do reptiles like snakes and lizards. Birds of prey including falcons, hawks, crows, jays, and orioles also opportunistically prey on hummingbirds. However, hummingbirds have some behavioral adaptations to avoid predation like swift flight and hiding in dense vegetation. While individual Rufous hummingbirds suffer high mortality from predation, especially as nestlings, populations remain stable due to their high reproduction rates. The wide range of predators that eat Rufous hummingbirds demonstrates their important role as prey for many species across multiple habitats.
Predator | Primary Life Stage Preyed Upon |
---|---|
Cats | Adults, juveniles |
Chipmunks | Eggs, nestlings |
Shrews | Eggs, nestlings |
Squirrels | Eggs, nestlings |
Raccoons | Eggs, nestlings, adults |
Opossums | Eggs, nestlings, adults |
Foxes | Eggs, nestlings, adults |
Coyotes | Eggs, nestlings, adults |
Snakes | Eggs, nestlings |
Lizards | Eggs, nestlings |
Falcons | Adults, juveniles |
Hawks | Adults, juveniles |
Crows | Eggs, nestlings, adults |
Jays | Eggs, nestlings |
Orioles | Eggs, nestlings |
Flycatchers | Adults |