Hummingbirds are highly territorial creatures. They actively defend specific areas or resources, often against other hummingbirds, and sometimes larger birds or insects. This instinct persists even when resources, such as artificial feeders, are abundant.
Manifestations of Territoriality
Their territorial nature manifests through observable behaviors. Common displays involve chasing other hummingbirds, and occasionally larger birds or insects, away from prime feeding spots like flowers or feeders. These chases are high-speed aerial pursuits, sometimes involving impressive acrobatics as the defending bird drives away rivals.
Frequent aggressive aerial displays include dive-bombing, where hummingbirds hover above an intruder before darting straight down, often accompanied by sharp chirps or chattering vocalizations. They also use body language to assert dominance, such as fanning tails, puffing feathers, or flaring iridescent gorgets (throat feathers) to appear larger and more threatening. Dominant hummingbirds often perch prominently, surveying claimed territory to quickly spot and intercept rivals.
Driving Forces Behind Territorial Behavior
Territoriality stems from the defense of resources. Their high metabolism requires a constant intake of energy-rich nectar, making reliable food sources paramount for survival. Defending a patch of nectar-rich flowers or a feeder ensures an uninterrupted supply of this fuel, which is more energetically efficient than searching for new sources.
Beyond food, male hummingbirds defend territories to attract mates during breeding season, signaling dominance and resource security. Females also exhibit territoriality around their nests, ensuring adequate food for themselves and their offspring. Their solitary nature further contributes to defending individual spaces.
Managing Territorial Hummingbirds
Managing territorial hummingbirds, especially around feeders, reduces conflict and allows more birds to access resources. One effective strategy involves placing multiple feeders out of sight from each other, such as around corners of a house or separated by dense foliage. This prevents a single dominant bird from monopolizing all feeding stations.
Using feeder types that offer multiple perches or smaller, individual feeding ports distributes birds. Strategically planting nectar-rich flowers in distinct patches throughout the yard further disperses feeding activity. Placing feeders near natural cover, like shrubs or trees, offers birds a quick escape route if they feel threatened. Regular maintenance of feeders, ensuring they are clean and filled with fresh nectar, reduces stress on the birds and promotes a healthier environment.