Hummers are very territorial

[jigsawyer]

I never reported this before (because I just discovered this forum) and Y'all may be familiar with this theme already, but just in case . . .

Everyone, at one time or another, has seen a Crow being chased off by a Mockingbird. The poor Crow will do just about anything to evade the relentless pursuit.

About 5 years ago, in Westminster, CA I saw a Mocker performing similar Crow-style maneuvers. As I got closer, I observed that a Hummingbird was after it, with a fury! I had never before realized that such a beautiful, LITTLE thing could be so profoundly aggressive.

[humminbird]

Jigsawyer:
Oh yeah! Hummingbirds can be very aggressive when protecting a food source. I have personally seen them run off Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels!

Mark
Bastrop, TX

[Katy Penland]

Boy, are they ever! I'm sure I'm not the only one who calls the Rufous species "ruthless" hummers! :bounce:

[humminbird]

Boy, are they ever! I'm sure I'm not the only one who calls the Rufous species "ruthless" hummers! :bounce:
Well Katy, like I say when I am giving talks on the little jewels, in the case of "ruthless" hummingbirds I think they are justified. By the time they get down to our part of the country they have travelled a couple of thousand miles in a little over a couple of weeks. I dare say that if any of us had walked a couple of thousand miles in a couple of weeks we would protect our food sources too!

Mark
Bastrop, TX

[Katy Penland]

I'd be crabby after just a [i]couple[i/] miles! ;) They sure are a delight to watch, though, and I miss them when they're gone.

[humminbird]

I'd be crabby after just a [i]couple[i/] miles! ;) They sure are a delight to watch, though, and I miss them when they're gone.
I've still got a bully hanging around. Haven't seen him this week but heard him yesterday.
Over in Louisianna they are all excited about a Magnificent showing up, and Houston has a Broad-billed. The joys of winter hummingbirds!

[Katy Penland]

Seeing a Magnificent would be great any time of year. That'd be a lifer! I need to get to the SE corner of the state this spring and catch some of the lowland species that we just don't see this high.

Ours all left by the first week of October this year, and I never did get a Calliope this season, either. Still crossing fingers that one of these years we'll get a Costa's. They've been reported elsewhere up here on the Rim but infrequently. Wouldn't be a lifer, though, since we saw them all the time in southern California, but it would be a first for the yard.

[humminbird]

Seeing a Magnificent would be great any time of year. That'd be a lifer! I need to get to the SE corner of the state this spring and catch some of the lowland species that we just don't see this high.

Ours all left by the first week of October this year, and I never did get a Calliope this season, either. Still crossing fingers that one of these years we'll get a Costa's. They've been reported elsewhere up here on the Rim but infrequently. Wouldn't be a lifer, though, since we saw them all the time in southern California, but it would be a first for the yard.
I can almost guarantee a Mag during late August at the Davis Mountain Hummingbird Festival. Also Calliope is there every year. Costas was seen three years ago.

Mark
Bastrop, TX

[wings]

Their migration is all the more amazing when you stop to think that they have a very high metabolic rate and must have a lot of nourishment. To conserve energy their metabolic rate drops down to the point of near hibernation when they are asleep.

[humminbird]

Their migration is all the more amazing when you stop to think that they have a very high metabolic rate and must have a lot of nourishment. To conserve energy their metabolic rate drops down to the point of near hibernation when they are asleep.

Not always - only under very specific conditions to preserve their life do they go into torpor.

Mark
Bastrop, TX

[Chris D]

Rufous harass the scrubjays at my place. I just can't wait for them to show in the spring (late winter on the calendar). Just want to share something........ A few years ago my wife and I went to Ecuador. I read up on all the "Blossom nomads" and "Trapliners" and such. We visited Highlands and lowlands. All kinds of habitats. Feeders at homes and lodges. The wildest wilds. I know it's just anecdotal, and perhaps a bit odd of me.............but I was looking for a hummer that seemed more "Violent" than a rufous. The closest was a Violet Tailed Sylph male at a feeder. It paled in aggression to our rufous friend though. I know this isn't exactly science, but I thought of my orange and red friends every time I experienced another of it's kind in Ecuador. They take things to another level......