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7 Surprising Hummingbird Predators in Your Backyard

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🦅 7 Surprising Hummingbird Predators in Your Backyard

We see hummingbirds as fast, agile pilots. But to a predator, they are just a slow, calorie-rich moth.

You probably know about cats, but there are silent killers lurking in your flower beds that you might be inviting in.

Here are the 7 predators you need to watch out for.

1. Praying Mantises

This is the most shocking one. Large (invasive) Chinese Mantises will sit on a feeder or flower and wait. When a bird comes close, they strike. They are strong enough to catch and eat a hummingbird.

  • The Fix: Inspect your feeders daily. If you see a large mantis (4+ inches), relocate it far away from the bird garden.

2. Outdoor Cats

Cats are the #1 killer of birds worldwide. They hide in bushes near feeders and pounce when the bird is hovering (and distracted).

  • The Fix: Keep cats indoors. If that’s not possible, place feeders 6 feet high and away from low shrubbery where cats can hide.

3. Bullfrogs

If your feeder is over a pond, beware. Large American Bullfrogs will jump out of the water to snag a low-flying bird.

  • The Fix: Keep feeders away from the water’s edge.

4. Spiders (Orb Weavers)

Large garden spiders spin webs strong enough to trap a hummingbird. The bird gets tangled and dies of exhaustion or is eaten.

  • The Fix: Use a broom to gently clear large webs near your feeders.

5. Other Birds (Hawks & Jays)

Sharp-shinned Hawks, Kestrels, and even Blue Jays will snatch a hummingbird mid-air.

  • The Fix: Provide Shelter. Ensure there is a dense bush nearby where the hummingbird can dive for cover.

6. Dragonflies

Large dragonflies (like the Dragonhunter) can tackle young or weak hummingbirds in flight.

  • The Fix: Hard to prevent, but a balanced ecosystem helps.

7. Snakes

Arboreal snakes will climb feeder poles or lie in hanging baskets waiting for a meal.

  • The Fix: Use a Metal Baffle on the pole to stop snakes from climbing up.

🛡️ How to Build a “Safe Zone”

  1. Height: Hang feeders at least 5-6 feet up.
  2. Clearance: Keep a 10-foot “clear circle” around the feeder so predators can’t hide, but keep a “safety bush” just beyond that circle.
  3. Vigilance: Check your feeders for mantises and webs every time you refill.

Nature is wild, but you can tip the odds in your birds’ favor.

Safe Birding!