I live in California and the winter has been colder than usual. I have a feeder in front of my living room window and the hummers have been battling over the nectar even thought there is plenty to go around. I think the cold has made them even fiercer. Two females were battling this morning and this one weaker female simply would not give up even though she was being doggedly chased by a more aggressive female. They kept tousling and even fell to the ground and wrestled. It happened a second time and the more aggressive female ended up killing the other female right in front of my eyes. I am totally horrified by it; I have seen them brawl before but I never would have imagined it could get lethal.
So my question is should I now take down the feeder? Is it possible that I am creating hostility and territorial behavior by having this feeder? I feel like I want to take it down, but I am afraid the other birds will suffer suddenly not having whats been a steady food source in the middle of winter. In general is this a reason for people not to have hummingbird feeders? The feeder has given me joy for years, but now I feel like I am at least partially responsible for the death of one of the little birds I love.
Advice would be appreciated.
Steve
So my question is should I now take down the feeder? Is it possible that I am creating hostility and territorial behavior by having this feeder? I feel like I want to take it down, but I am afraid the other birds will suffer suddenly not having whats been a steady food source in the middle of winter. In general is this a reason for people not to have hummingbird feeders? The feeder has given me joy for years, but now I feel like I am at least partially responsible for the death of one of the little birds I love.
Advice would be appreciated.
Steve