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The Dangerous Reason You Don't Want This Fly On Hummingbird Feeders
By PAMELA SIEGEL
Aggressive and carnivorous, robber flies have been known to nibble on hummingbirds if given the chance, so seeing them on your feeder is a bad sign for the birds’ safety.
When a robber fly feeds, it injects its prey with paralyzing toxins that turn the victim’s internal tissues into liquid. Then, it feeds until all that’s left is an empty carcass.
They usually feast on insects but won’t say no to a hummingbird meal. Luckily, the birds can fend off most robber fly attacks with their sword-like beaks and rapidly beating wings.
Nevertheless, you may want to keep them away from your hummingbird feeder. To do so, try moving it to a new location or switching to a saucer-shaped dish that leaks less often.