Despite the hot temperatures that scorched yards and fields
up until a few days ago, autumn is in the air. One reason for that involves
behaviors of birds and insects.
While more bees hover over late-blooming plants to gather
end of season nectar, cicadas sing louder each evening, trying to squeeze last
notes out of their noisy carcasses. Cricket choruses are also more evident
inside and outside the house. Vultures gather in ever-larger groups to prepare
for autumn journeys south. Birds we normally don’t see in this region wing
through. One of those migrating species is the humming bird. Those with feeders
out are seeing action for the first time.
While mountain residents enjoy hummers all summer long, Western
Kansans enjoy a short visit sometimes in the spring and often in the fall as
the tiny birds make their way to and from nesting territory. I’ve maintained a
feeder all season in hopes I’d see these little migrants. Changing that sugar
nectar finally paid off. Two or three iridescent green tornadoes have drained the
feeder fluid levels the past few days.
The first day I saw my flitting visitors, I also noted a
praying mantis. It posed solemnly along the edge of the clear container full of
sweetened water that I offered to lure in long awaited guests. If I hadn’t seen
a photo on the internet showing how these large, Martian-looking bugs kill and
eat hummingbirds, I wouldn’t have given its presence a second thought. However,
I’d read the headlines even though I hadn’t viewed the gruesome photos. I also
observed the tiny calliope hummingbird hesitating before it approached the
plastic flowers at the base of the bottle.
Time for Grandma to intervene. A thunk of a broom handle
sent that brown, 5-inch long predator tumbling to the ground, scurrying for
cover. I added a few whacks with the bristle end of my weapon to make sure he
didn’t want to set up c amp again on my hummingbird feeder.
Normally, I encourage these garden sentries who protect my
veggies from damaging insects. Just looking at that triangular head with those
strong jaws lets you know this guy means business when it comes to devouring
prey. A close look at its legs to see how the mantis uses them to spear or
confine its dinner reveals sophisticated abilities to disable victims. This is
one powerful insect. It’s understandable why a tribe in Africa deified such a
critter.
According to the internet site where I first saw these
common garden protectors threatening hummingbirds, the mantis waits patiently
for the hummer to come close. The insect then spears the small bird with a
powerful foreleg. After killing the hummer, it dines on its soft belly side. Someone
videotaped this predator vs. prey incident and posted it on YouTube. I couldn’t
bear to watch the entire video, but I saw enough to know I wanted that big,
ol’, ugly bug back in the cabbage patch.
Over decades, I’ve learned autumn is the time of year when I’ll
see insects, birds, and animals most focused on their own survival. They don’t have
long to store ample reserves to make it through winter’s dark, cold months.
Despite knowing this, I say hummingbirds are off limits. Their visits are too
infrequent to allow a predator make a meal of one.
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