Did you know that the mortality rate in some hummingbirds is higher because they are very aggressive during the breeding season? This behavior wastes much of their energy and equipped with the upcoming migration, the two take a toll on a hummingbird’s body.
So why are these birds so territorial and aggressive? Can’t they just happily coexist? Not really!
Hummingbirds are highly territorial because they’re trying to ensure a rich food supply for their needs. Males are territorial during the breeding season, while females become more aggressive during the nesting season to protect their young. Hummingbirds may become more territorial before migration.
Keep reading to discover more details about the reason behind these tiny creatures’ territoriality and aggression!
Why Are Hummingbirds So Territorial?
Hummingbirds are not social creatures, so one would naturally expect a certain degree of territoriality between them. However, although tiny and charming, these birds are infamous for being highly aggressive toward other hummingbirds intruding on their territory.
In this article, we’ll discuss some reasons standing behind this behavior.
1. Claiming Feeding Grounds
Once they return from their wintering grounds (if they’re migratory), male hummingbirds will start looking for a territory to claim. Although they do so primarily to establish their breeding grounds (which we’ll discuss below), they’re also trying to secure a place that provides enough food.
Since hummingbirds rely much on flower nectar, and many flowers are in bloom for a very short time, male hummingbirds are just playing it safe while chasing away their peers trying to steal the food.
Additionally, males will also bully females into claiming territories with more sparsely populated flowers. This comes from their instinct to limit flying periods. Since many male hummingbirds have shorter wings than females, they require more energy to fly around looking for other plants.
They will do so with nectar feeders as well, even though there’s enough for all. Since their instincts tell them that in the wild, food usually isn’t enough, they’ll protect the feeder at all costs. The only solution to have multiple male hummingbirds coming to your backyard feeders is to place them far away from each other.
2. Courtship Displays
Besides food, male hummingbirds have to ensure they have enough mates, don’t they?! After all, they mate with more than one female!
Even before the breeding season starts, males start preparing to mate by establishing their territories. Other male birds are obviously not allowed because they’ll steal potential mates.
As such, when the breeding season starts, the male starts performing courtship displays and calling for females, which, in turn, will arrive on its territory.
3. Nest Protection
While male hummingbirds defend their territories to ensure they find a mate while engaging in courtship displays, females become highly territorial after fertilization.
Females do not care if it’s a male’s territory – they’ll chase it away if they feel that the eggs and hatchlings will be safer without their father around. Apparently, the male’s bright breeding plumage can attract predators, and females cannot afford this risk.
Not that the male would actually participate in caring for the young if the mother allows it, as it’s on its way to finding another mate.
4. Migration
Migrating hummingbirds may become highly territorial right before starting their journey. To ensure a successful migration, hummingbirds engage in a feeding frenzy scientists call hyperphagia.
In short, they start acting a little crazy about food to prepare for the upcoming journey. Scientists calculated that, during this period, hummingbirds can eat a daily portion of nectar or sugar water that equals their body weight.
Additionally, they’ll catch and feed on 2,000 insects a day. During this period, hummingbirds usually double their weight.
FAQs
Why Do Hummingbirds Fly So Close to Your Face?
Hummingbirds are highly attentive creatures – this is mandatory for their survival. As such, they may fly close to you to investigate and understand whether you’re a threat.
Besides this, they may be attracted to you if your clothes feature bright colors.
And let’s not forget the most important reason – do you have any food to spare?! If you have backyard hummingbird feeders, they’ll get accustomed to you and ask for more if there’s nothing left!
How Many Hummingbirds Will Share a Feeder?
If we’re discussing male hummingbirds, there’s no way for your feeder to serve as food for more than one – that is, without them fighting for it. Females, on the other hand, can be friendlier when it comes to food, but we cannot guarantee how many will actually like sharing their food.
How to Stop Hummingbirds from Fighting?
The best way to stop hummingbirds from fighting each other is to prevent any fights altogether. You can do so by installing multiple bird feeders, placing them strategically in hidden locations, and observing the birds’ behavior.
Do Hummingbirds Fight to the Death?
Although hummingbirds usually try to scare others off by flapping their wings and producing aggressive sounds, some may fight each other. However, these confrontations rarely end up with one of the birds getting killed.
Are Hummingbirds Aggressive to Other Birds?
Hummingbirds can be aggressive toward other bird species as well, especially if they compete for the same food sources.