On The Menu: Hummingbirds' Shocking Bird Predators

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I watched a hawk fly over my backyard the other day, searching for prey to capture and eat.

I wondered if it would attack my hummingbirds, and thinking about it further, I wondered how many other birds were predators of my hummingbirds, so I decided to do some research. The list is long.

This article lists twenty predator birds that will eat hummingbirds and provides additional information on nine of the most common hummingbird predators.

What Birds Eat Hummingbirds?

Birds that eat hummingbirds include:

Cooper’s Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Loggerhead Shrike
American Kestrel
Merlin
Prairie Falcons
Red-tailed hawks
Blue Jays
American Crow
Roadrunner
Black Phoebe
Common Grackle
House Sparrow
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Screech Owl
Western Tanager
Gila Woodpecker
Cassin’s Kingbird
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Do Cooper’s Hawk Eat Hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds and their eggs are occasionally prey to Cooper’s Hawks, however, they generally favor larger quarry-like rodents.

Cooper’s hawks are medium-sized carnivorous raptors. As skilled hunters, they primarily feed on smaller species of birds including the hummingbird and other birds such as sparrows, finches, songbirds, pigeons, doves, quail, and pheasants. They also will prey upon larger mammals such as squirrels and rabbits.

Cooper’s hawks frequently ambush their prey with a quick burst of speed after discretely perching in trees or shrubbery. They frequently chase after and catch their prey in midair due to their agility and quick flight.

While hummingbird eggs are not their primary source of food, if a Cooper’s hawk comes across a hummingbird’s nest, it will take the opportunity to raid either the eggs or the young hatchlings.

Coopers Hawk Adult RickInTheWild — Photo By: IntheWildwithRick
Adult Cooper’s Hawk

Coopers Hawk Juvenille cropped Rick In The Wild — Photo By: IntheWildwithRick
Juvenile Cooper’s Hawk

Even though Cooper’s hawks can eat hummingbirds and their eggs as they are opportunistic predators, they prefer prey with more substance and will search for larger birds or mammals to consume.

If you are concerned about the safety of hummingbirds in your area, consider creating safe spaces for them, such as placing feeders in locations with natural cover nearby to hide from potential predators.

To provide the hummingbird the best chance to escape an attack, plant their favorite flowering bushes with foliage and furnish a strategic sheltering area in which they can hide making it difficult for the larger bird of prey to navigate.

Do Sharp-Shinned Hawks Eat Hummingbirds?

Sharp-shinned Hawks are opportunistic predators that occasionally target and eat adult hummingbirds, their eggs, and hatchlings. However, they favor and prey on larger birds.

Sharp-shinned Hawks are skilled, agile, and adapted carnivorous predators. Their diet primarily consists of surprising and snatching small birds in mid-air along with birds visiting feeders, including hummingbirds.

They are equipped with sharp talons as their name implies. They also have a strong beak which facilitates their efficiency in capturing and consuming their prey.

Sharp-Shinned hawks are also skilled at locating nests and can be a threat to the reproductive success of many small bird species, including hummingbirds.

While they do feed on a variety of small birds, they are not exclusively dependent on hummingbirds for their diet.

Do Loggerhead Shrikes Eat Hummingbirds?

Loggerhead Shrikes are carnivorous songbirds that also eat small birds, including hummingbirds.

Loggerhead Shrikes are carnivorous songbirds known for their raptor-like predatory behavior and hunting strategies. They eat small birds, including hummingbirds.

Their diet consists of insects, small vertebrates, amphibians, and reptiles. Loggerhead Shrikes are scavengers. They feed on dead animals they find further adding to their dietary versatility.

Loggerhead Shrikes carry smaller victims in their beaks, while larger prey is carried in its feet.

Since they lack the talons of a raptor, Loggerhead Shrikes skewer their prey on thorns or barbed wire for easier swallowing before eating.

During cold mornings, Loggerhead Shrikes take the opportunity to hunt for insects that are paralyzed by the frigid temperatures.

The diet of a Loggerhead Shrikes varies depending on geographical location, habitat, and seasonal availability of prey. Their ability to adapt their diet to local conditions contributes to their success as opportunistic predators.

Do American Kestrels Eat Hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds fall prey and are eaten by American Kestrel hawks, although these hawks are not a primary predator of hummingbirds.

The American Kestrel, due to its agility and opportunistic behavior, while not a primary predator of hummingbirds, catches and eats hummingbirds exemplifying versatile hunting.

They are small predatory birds where insects make up a significant portion of their diet, however they also consume small birds, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals.

The hunting style of the American Kestrel involves perching from a high vantage point, hovering in the air, or scanning the ground while in flight to locate potential prey. Once they spot a suitable target, they use their keen eyesight and quick flight to capture it.

American Kestrels possess the agility and speed to momentarily intercept hummingbirds in mid-flight. This underscores the opportunistic and versatile nature of their hunting behavior.

The specific diet of American Kestrels varies based on their geographic location, seasonal changes, and local prey availability. These birds are highly adaptable and can adjust their feeding habits based on the resources present in their environment.

Do Merlin Falcons Eat Hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds are hunted and eaten by Merlin falcons along with other small, and even large avian species, however, hummingbirds are not their primary source of food.

Merlin falcons prey and eat hummingbirds. The Merlin is not much larger in size than the American Kestrel, however, it is heavier giving off the impression that it is bigger.

Their primary diet consists of small-sized birds such as sparrows, finches, and other songbirds available in their habitat. They are opportunistic predators that will target and eat hummingbirds.

Merlins are fast and agile hunters. During high-speed chases, they are capable of capturing birds, including hummingbirds, in mid-air. They often take advantage of surprise attacks and rapid dives to catch their prey. They are also known to hunt from perches, scanning for potential prey before an ambush.

They may survive in a variety of locations including open woodlands, grasslands, and even urban areas because of their capacity to adapt to different prey species and hunting techniques.

Merlin falcons are prone to hunt small to larger avian species; hummingbirds are not their main source of food.

Do Prairie Falcons Eat Hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds are hunted and eaten by Prairie falcons, however, hummingbirds are not their primary source of food.

The Prairie Falcon with its keen eyesight, excellent aerial maneuverability, and strong talons gravitates towards hunting large avian species such as sparrows, larks, and larger birds along with rodents and other small mammals, but there are records of Prairie Falcons capturing and eating hummingbirds.

They prefer the larger prey since their return in value for the energy expended is greater on the larger bird. When food is scarce and they are hungry, the Prairie Falcon uses its hunting skills to take advantage of any opportunity that is presented. If a hummingbird arrives in his hunting terrain, he will attack and eat it.

Like other birds of prey, the Prairie Falcon has keen eyesight, excellent aerial maneuverability, and strong talons, all of which contribute to its success in capturing and eating a variety of prey, including hummingbirds.

Do Red-Tailed Hawks Eat Hummingbirds?

Adult hummingbirds, eggs, and fledglings are preyed upon and eaten by Red-tailed hawks, however, hummingbirds are not a significant source of food for them.

The main diet of Red-tailed hawks does not usually include hummingbirds, but they will hunt and eat adult hummingbirds, eggs, and fledglings when necessary.

Red-tailed hawks prefer rodents, mice, voles, rats, squirrels, and rabbits as their main diet since the larger prey provide a greater return on their energy investment.

However, the Red-tailed hawk uses its hunting prowess to seize every opening that arises when food is in short supply. In these circumstances, if a hummingbird enters the Red-tailed hawk’s hunting territory, it will attack and eat adult hummingbirds, including their eggs, hatchlings, or fledglings.

Red Tailed Hawk sitting on fence post cropped Rick In The Wild — Photo By: IntheWildwithRick
Red-tailed Hawk

Biologist Harold Greeney and his team during their research in 2007, discovered an intriguing dichotomy between Red-tailed hawks eating hummingbirds while also keeping them safe and protecting the nests from other predatory birds.
Mother hummingbirds cleverly position their nests in proximity, usually under the Red-tailed hawk’s nests, to get the safety and protection of the hawk.

For hummingbirds, hawks act as protectors against pesky aerial predators who are known for raiding hummingbird nests and causing trouble.

These aerial predators forage near Red-tailed hawk nests, but they keep their distance by staying at higher altitudes.

This strategic partnership highlights nature’s dichotomy between the intricate multi-species dynamic balance in avian ecosystems and the survival strategies of smaller animals seeking the protection of larger aggressive species.

Do Blue Jays Eat Hummingbirds?

Adult hummingbirds, hatchlings, and eggs are preyed upon and eaten by Blue Jays, although they primarily target hummingbird nests for eggs and hatchlings. Hummingbirds are not the primary diet of Blue Jays.

Hummingbird nests are the primary target of Blue Jays, attacking and eating the eggs and hatchlings.
Attacks on adult hummingbirds are less frequent and usually happen around the feeders where they are an easier target.

Blue Jays are omnivores eating both plants and animals. Their main diet consists of, nuts, fruits, insects, and small vertebrates. They are opportunistic feeders and prey mostly on hummingbird eggs and hatchlings but will eat even adults.

The diminutive size and camouflage materials used and woven into the hummingbird’s nests help blend them into their surroundings and contribute to their concealment. However, if their location is exposed Blue Jays cause trouble.

Blue Jays will raid hummingbird nests for eggs and hatchlings, however, hummingbird nests can be blocked and shielded from these predators by the presence and nests of Red-tailed hawks.

Hummingbirds are agile and are capable of defending themselves against potential predators but will take advantage of the assistance of Red-tailed hawks by building their nests beneath the nest of the Red-tailed hawk to keep the Blue Jays at bay.

These predation events are relatively rare and occur when Blue Jays are faced with limited food resources or other unusual circumstances.

Do Crows Eat Hummingbirds?

Adult hummingbirds, hatchlings, and eggs are preyed upon and eaten by Crows, however, they are not a primary source of a Crow’s diet.

Crows are opportunistic and omnivorous with a diverse diet. Their diet ranges from insects to small vertebrates, including hummingbirds.

The hummingbirds’ agility and small size make them less preferred prey for crow predators, therefore they are not as likely to fall victim as a potential meal.

If a crow spots a hummingbird in a vulnerable situation or comes across an injured or dead hummingbird, their scavenger behaviors will take advantage of the situation and consume it.

The intelligence, memory, and problem-solving skills of crows are well known. Crows utilize tools to open containers of food that would otherwise be difficult to access and remove the food within.

The presence of large birds of prey, such as hawks, indirectly deters and discourages smaller predators like crows, providing safety for a hummingbird.

Check out my other posts on Hummingbird Questions

Happy Hummingbird Watching!

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On the Menu: Hummingbirds’ Shocking Bird Predators