What Do Hummingbirds Eat Besides Nectar?

Hummingbirds are famous for sipping nectar, but nectar is only part of the story. If you really want to help them thrive, especially during nesting season or migration, it helps to know what else they eat, how they get it, and what you can safely provide in your yard.

The Big Surprise: Protein Matters

Nectar is essentially quick fuel. It is mostly sugar and water. Hummingbirds burn that energy fast, but they also need protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals to maintain muscles, grow new feathers, and raise healthy chicks.

That is why hummingbirds regularly hunt tiny prey throughout the day. In many habitats, insects and spiders are not a “bonus” food. They are essential.

What Hummingbirds Eat Besides Nectar

1) Small insects (their main non-nectar food)

Hummingbirds catch and eat very small insects for protein and nutrients. Common targets include:

• Gnats and midges
• Fruit flies
• Small flying insects, including mosquitoes
• Tiny beetles
• Aphids
• Small wasps and ants (very small individuals)

They often “hawk” insects in mid-air, pluck them from leaves, or grab them from spider webs. They may also take other tiny insects when available, including small insects near water.

2) Spiders and spider eggs

Spiders can be an important source of protein. Hummingbirds also steal spider silk to help build nests. You may see a hummingbird visit the same corner of a porch or shrub where there are light webs, not because they want trouble, but because it is a convenient pantry and hardware store.

If you can do so safely, consider leaving a few small, out-of-the-way webs in place. They can provide both prey and nesting material.

3) Tree sap (especially when flowers are scarce)

In some regions and seasons, hummingbirds will sip tree sap from holes created by sapsuckers (a type of woodpecker). Sap provides sugar and water, and it also attracts insects, creating a two-for-one feeding spot.

4) Pollen (incidental but useful)

When hummingbirds feed at flowers, pollen can stick to their beaks and feathers. They may ingest small amounts while preening. Pollen is not their primary food, but it can contribute trace nutrients.

What This Means for Backyard Care

Plant a “bug-friendly” garden on purpose

If hummingbirds need insects, the most natural way to help is to provide a healthy mini-ecosystem:

• Grow native flowering plants that bloom in sequence from spring through fall.
• Include shrubs and small trees. They provide perches, shelter, and places where insects live.
• Allow a small, tidy “wild corner” with leaf litter or groundcover to support beneficial insects.

Avoid pesticides and insecticides

This is a big one. Pesticides can reduce the insects hummingbirds rely on, and some chemicals can harm birds directly or indirectly through contaminated prey. If you must treat a serious infestation, use the least-toxic method possible and avoid spraying flowering plants.

Add water for bathing

Many hummingbirds love to bathe in fine sprays or drips. A gentle mister, a drip fountain, or a shallow moving-water feature can be a simple, helpful addition, especially in hot, dry weather.

Offer safe nectar the right way

Even though this article is about foods besides nectar, nectar support still helps hummingbirds conserve energy while they forage for protein. Wildlife rehabilitators and many bird organizations recommend a simple, consistent recipe.

• Use a simple recipe: 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water.
• Boiling is optional. It can help dissolve sugar and reduce impurities, then cool completely before filling.
• Never use honey, brown sugar, or artificial sweeteners.
• Do not add red dye. Most feeders already have red parts to attract birds.

How to Keep Feeders Helpful

Feeders can grow mold or ferment quickly, especially in hot, humid weather. A clean feeder is one of the kindest things you can do for hummingbirds.

• Change nectar every 1 to 2 days in hot weather (above about 90°F), and every 3 to 5 days in cooler weather.
• If the nectar looks cloudy, smells sour, or has strings or specks, dump it and clean the feeder right away, even if it has not been long.
• Wash with hot water and a bottle brush. If you need extra help, use a small amount of vinegar and rinse very well.
• Skip harsh detergents when possible. Residue is not what you want in a feeder.

Prevent common feeder problems

• Place feeders in bright shade when possible. Direct sun can overheat nectar and speed spoilage.
• Watch for ants and bees. Use built-in ant moats or physical barriers designed for feeders, not oils, pesticides, or household chemicals near the ports.
• Fix or replace leaking feeders. Sticky drips invite insects and can mat feathers.

Common “Extra Food” Myths

“Can I feed hummingbirds fruit or juice?”

It is best not to. Fruit juice spoils quickly and can ferment. Whole fruit can attract pests and does not match their natural feeding style the way insects and flower nectar do.

“Should I put out protein powders or commercial mixes?”

Generally, no. Hummingbirds evolved to eat live, tiny prey and nectar. Your best “protein supplement” is a pesticide-free yard that supports insects.

“Can I feed them sugar water year-round?”

In many areas, yes, feeders can be left up as long as they are kept clean. Feeders do not usually stop migration. Day length and genetics drive migration far more than a reliable snack. In a few situations, consistent winter food may support overwintering birds, but it does not prevent normal migratory behavior for most hummingbirds. If you get rare winter hummingbirds, a clean feeder can be life-saving during cold snaps.

Signs Your Yard Helps

• You see hummingbirds using perches between feedings. Rest is normal and healthy.
• You notice them making short “catching flights” for tiny bugs.
• There are blooms across seasons, not just one big flush.
• You see fewer chemical products used on the lawn and more natural diversity in plants.

Think of nectar as the gasoline. Insects and spiders are the building blocks that keep a hummingbird’s body strong.

When to Get Help

If you find a hummingbird that is injured, stuck, or unable to fly, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator right away. Hummingbirds have extremely high energy needs and can decline fast without proper care.

If the bird simply looks “sleepy” at dusk, it may be normal torpor, a temporary energy-saving state. When in doubt, observe from a distance and call a local rehabber for guidance before attempting to handle the bird.

Bottom Line

Hummingbirds eat more than nectar. They rely on tiny insects, spiders, and sometimes tree sap to meet their nutritional needs. If you want to truly support them, keep feeders clean, skip dyes and additives, and build a yard that is rich in safe flowers, clean water, and the small bugs hummingbirds were designed to eat.