I had heard that a praying mantis was a ruthless predator, but it still surprised me when I found one sitting in an ambush mode on my hummingbird feeder this week. Would he really attack a prey that much larger than himself? I had to Google it and find out. I found several online videos of praying mantis attacks on hummingbirds, and some are so vicious they should be preceded with a warning of impending violence. I learned the praying mantis will actually eat the hummingbird over several days.
I didn’t want to hurt the praying mantis because he is a friendly garden predator who will devour aphids, fruit flies, spiders, moths and other pests, but I had to protect my pretty hummingbirds. I got a stick and coaxed him to grab onto it, then transported him to a distant part of my garden. Hopefully he will find other nourishment and will not make his way back to the hummingbirds. I’ll keep an eye out for him just in case. He is permanently assigned to the relocation program.
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That was a cute post, Anita, and it made me smile at the "relocation department"!
Hi Anita,
I didn't have a clue about the Praying Mantis, I will certainly have a "relocation area" and will watch out for them around our hummers. Thanks for sharing that information.
Miz Helen
I knew they were mean little boogers but didn't know they would eat a hummingbird. Wow, I'm glad you posted this.
Well isn't that interesting! Glad you shared so we can have a part in protecting our special feathered friends.
Well isn't that interesting! Glad you shared so we can have a part in protecting our special feathered friends.
Well isn't that interesting! Glad you shared so we can have a part in protecting our special feathered friends.
Well isn't that interesting! Glad you shared so we can have a part in protecting our special feathered friends.
Anita,
Thanks for the info on the Praying Mantis. Will watch our Hummer's feeder for those insects. thabk you for stopping by my blog, and your kind words.
Hmmm, interesting. We will have to watch out for "Dash". My girls affectionately named the hummingbird that visits our abelia bush Dash after the kid with super speed on "The Incredibles" movie.