Hummingbirds come in contact with many dangers, whether it is in the migration season or in their daily lives.   Many of these dangers are the weather, predators or even man-made.

    One of the dangers to a hummingbird is the weather.   Some hummingbirds have been known to over stay in an area with light snow.   They may survive the snow, but a very heavy frost or freeze can kill them.   Excessive drought or extremely hot weather can cause dehydration in hummingbirds and also kill them.   In the Gulf of Mexico very heavy rains can push hummingbirds into the water and drown them.    Hummingbirds have been blown by the wind into obstacles like thorn and thistle bushes causing injury to the birds.

    Predators are one of the greatest problem hummingbirds have to face.   Animals such as cats pose the biggest danger to the hummingbirds.   Cats love to chase hummingbirds, because they make sudden quick and rapid movements at high speeds.   Cats will usually will not eat a hummingbird, but they can cause damage or kill them.

    Other birds such as Crows, Blue Jays and Hawks have been known to pray on these little birds.   Blue Jays and Crows love hummingbird eggs and will eat them any chance they get.    Hawks, if they can catch them will make a quick meal out of hummingbirds.

    Squirrels are will known for invading a hummingbird nest to eat baby hummingbirds or the eggs.   Snakes, frogs and lizards also like to catch hummingbird that fly to low for a quick snack.

    Praying Mantises, Robber Flies and Dragonflies are large insects that stalk and strike at hummingbirds.   Spiders can catch hummingbirds by trapping them in their webs for a nice meal.   Ants will also invade and attack hummingbird babies in the nest and  eat them.

    Another danger to hummingbirds are man-made.   Hummingbirds are sometimes not the best of fliers, they are  notorious for flying into things all the time.   They have been know to fly into windows, walls, and cars.   Most of the time a hummingbird flys away without a problem.   On the other hand, some hummingbirds may be dazed or instantaneously killed.

     As we all know, hummingbirds are attracted to the color red.   Many people use electric fences in their yards to keep out or in animals.   Many of the insulators used on these fences are red or orange.   Hummingbirds can be electrocuted by the insulators because of their color.   Paint them another color to keep this from happening.

    Hummingbirds, often times will fly into open doors and become trapped in buildings or fly into window screens trapping themselves by their beaks.   If they are not removed quickly and carefully, they can starve to death.

    Here is a web site that will give you some tips on protecting this wonderful little creature: http://www.birdfeeders.com/advice/protecting-birds/insects

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