So whats going on with my hummers? (2 Viewers)

[NJbirdnerd]

Over the past week or two, its like they have become possessed. The season started out slow, with mostly males and a random female here or there hitting my flowers and feeders throughout the day. Now suddenly there are a couple hand-fulls buzzing around at any given time and they are quite aggressive towards each other. Its fantastic action but some of them are quite the bully! I am assuming many of these are newly fledged trying to establish or protect areas such as my feeders and gardens to prepare for the upcoming migration south. But its so interesting to see how their attitudes have switched over recent days. Ive put out a few extra feeders, and spread them out as much as possible but it doesnt seem to matter much. There are some males that will perch all the way across the property on a wire or limb, and just wait to dive bomb any unsuspecting hummers. They are like little missiles! If I recall they will only have a single brood per summer, so I am guessing this is how its going to be the rest of the season. Quite a show. Any thoughts on what else I can do to help keep them separated and battling so much?

 

[Lisa W]

Hi, Ryan. I think your hummers are starting to fatten up to head on that long journey south, and the males usually start before the females and juveniles. When I lived in AZ mine were always more aggressive in the late summer and early fall. They are such little bully birds, and so fun to watch.

 

[KC Foggin]

I’m with Lisa on this one NJ .,

 

[NJbirdnerd]

They are still battling out there. I thought they would have calmed down a bit by now but they are as active as ever. There are clearly some newcomers in the area and things get pretty heated. One is is amazingly chatty as well. He clicks and squeaks constantly. A few first year males even starting to get their ruby feathers. They get more bold by the day as well and will land on the feeder as Im still holding it. It is great to see so many of them out there at all hours of the day and be able to get so close to them. Some pics for fun!

 

[Lisa W]

I don’t miss living in AZ much. But I do miss the number and variety of hummingbirds I had at my house. Just put my feeder up here on the Oregon coast this week, and have had a few Anna’s find it.

 

[NJbirdnerd]

They are back at it! Same time as last year. This season started slow, but its been an exciting couple of weeks watching these guys go crazy. There have been some serious battles with audible collisions mid-air. One time I was shocked there wasnt an injury, I couldnt believe the sound of the collision. These guys weigh nothing and to hear them make heavy contact was startling. I havent seen a mature male in a couple weeks, assuming they have already started moving south, and most of the ones I have seen are either female or new males. Sad they will all leave here soon but still a few more weeks left to enjoy them. Safe travels little buddies!

 

[Montereyman]

I have had to put feeders 30 feet apart to avoid the aggression of some. In general though if I put out 3 feeders with 6 foot spacing that is often good enough.

 

[NJbirdnerd]

Yeah I tried a few different things last year and didn't matter. I have three feeders and they are spaced out at different corners of my yard over 30 to 50 yards apart and they just dive bomb each other constantly. I've literally never seen more than one bird sitting at a feeder at one time. There aren't typically a ton of hummingbirds around here so I'm guessing they might be pretty territorial in this area. I will see them perching at nearby trees or even branches near the feeders just waiting to attack lol. I'm guessing these guys are pretty well prepared for the battles they will face on the journey south through. They are battle tested!