Hummingbirds are tiny, agile birds known for their rapid wing beats and shimmering plumage. They often perform sudden, rapid downward flights, a behavior commonly called “dive-bombing.” This striking aerial display sparks curiosity about its purpose. These quick, controlled descents are a notable part of hummingbird behavior in various contexts.
Courtship Displays
Male hummingbirds engage in spectacular dive-bombing displays to attract females during breeding season. These aerial acrobatics combine speed, sound, and visual signals. Male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds fly up to 100 feet before descending rapidly towards a perched female, often in a “U”-shaped or “J”-shaped flight path. Anna’s hummingbirds can reach speeds of 50 miles per hour during these dives.
As the male plunges downward, he synchronizes his speed with loud noises produced by specialized tail feathers or wing movements. These sounds can be a “whistle” or “trill.” For species like the Anna’s hummingbird, outer tail feathers vibrate like a reed to produce a distinct chirp at the bottom of the dive. The male also positions himself to showcase his iridescent throat patch, known as a gorget, which can appear to change color from bright red to black due to his speed and orientation. This multi-sensory display, occurring in a mere 300 milliseconds, is performed by males to impress a potential mate.
Territorial Defense
Hummingbirds also employ dive-bombing as an aggressive tactic to defend their territories, which include valuable resources like nectar flowers, feeders, and nesting sites. This defensive behavior can be directed at various intruders, including other hummingbirds, larger birds, insects, or even perceived threats such as humans or pets. The Rufous hummingbird, for instance, is described as “pugnacious” due to its territorial attitude.
These defensive dives tend to have a more direct and repeated flight pattern compared to courtship displays. While courtship dives involve high speeds, defending hummingbirds may not always reach their maximum flight speeds. The trajectories of defending birds are aimed directly at the encroaching individual, serving as a clear warning for the intruder to leave the area. This behavior highlights the feisty nature of these small birds as they protect their food sources and breeding grounds.
Interpreting and Responding to Dive-Bombing
Distinguishing between a courtship display and a territorial defense dive depends on the context of the interaction. A courtship dive involves a male performing a “U” or “J” shaped pattern near a female, accompanied by specific sounds from his feathers and a display of his iridescent plumage. In contrast, a territorial dive is more direct, repeated, and aimed at an intruder near a food source or nest.
When a hummingbird dive-bombs a human, it is a warning rather than an actual attack. Hummingbirds are highly territorial and may perceive a human as a threat to their resources or nesting area. If you experience this behavior, maintaining your distance and avoiding swatting at the bird is advisable. Understanding that the bird is simply communicating a territorial boundary can help prevent perceived aggression and allow the hummingbird to continue its natural behavior.