He doesn't look like a bully, but ...

this guy is guarding the feeders like a mad man! Does anyone have any suggestions, I have three feeders in the backyard in hopes of feeding the female Anna's (they stay over winter here). This guy is seriously protecting the whole backyard. I have another feeder in the front that another male is guarding as well. Not that I don't enjoy them, he's fantastic - divebombing the other hummers and squeaking/chirping at us constatly, no wonder he needs to eat so often!

They share during the summer, when I have alot of their flowers in bloom, but when it gets cold, I tend to get one that stays in the yard, sitting, watching and waiting for another to try and take a sip of their "feeder".

This message was edited Nov 20, 2007 1:09 PM

here's another shot, it's not super clear, but you can see how his head glows magenta when he's in the sun - how gorgeous!

Red-
I think you're doing all you can. I've read articles about that behavior and all they said was to have multiple feeders...you're doing that. I feel your "pain" though. I worry too!

Adrienne

Wow, Red, what a BEAUTIFUL hummer!!!! Bless you for worrying about them! Our hummers seem gone for good now. They'd left about a month ago, then one guy came back for a little while, and now he's gone. I'll miss them until they return!

Red - How exciting to have not one but TWO beautiful hummers! Are these birds Rubythroats or Annas or what species? I understand why you are worried. Is it only the males that are territorial or the females, too?

I have a group of Anna's Hummingbirds this Fall. I didn't pay much attention to the kinds of hummingbirds that overwintered here last winter. I just remember that there were hummers overwintering here last winter. The boss (dominant male) watched over the two feeders in my backyard but now he allows these birds to feed. That is, all day long the boss protects the feeders. Then just before dusk, four or five hummers (Anna's) go to the two feeders and eat to their heart's content. I have seen males, hens and immatures at the feeders.

Your photos are fantastic. They really catch the beauty of Anna's Humminngbirds.

Thanks for sharing,

Chuck

Oh Wow - thanks for the responses. They are Anna's hummers, we are not lucky enough to get the ruby throats here. This Boss in the back is truly the brightest colored we've ever had here. Chuck, when did your Boss start sharing? Yesterday afternoon he must have been chasing other hummers away every 4-5 minutes for hours (how tiring!) I did notice later tho, that a female must have been waiting in the wings, because when he chased a hummer away, she swooped in for a good drink. I like her strategy!

I did notice a female on our weigela out front that has just a couple of blooms barely hanging on, so I may try another couple of feeders there (it's going to look like hummingbird Christmas !! - I'm sure the neighbors think I'm a wacko!)

Becky, as I'm typing he's dipping in the bird fountain (the same one you have!!)

Thanks for all the input, I really appreciate it!

Put feeders out of the line of sight of each other. Your Boss can't 'protect' what he can't see. I put them around corners, and with shrubbery in between my feeders. It won't solve the territorial problem, but it will cut down on the constant harassment.

Thanks Melody, I'm trying to creatively hide them, - he tends to sit on the eucalyptus tree, but does dart to the other side of the yard to check out the other feeders, lol.

Tracy, mine do the same thing. I had one feeder in the back and one in the front and the bullies would fly back and forth over the roof to patrol. I think they all have a Napoleon Complex LOL


Great pics!

Napoleon complex - lol, you are so right on !

I ordered 3 more feeders today (they were less expensive online that at my local Fred Meyer) - so I'm going to just flood the area, he can't possibly guard all of them every second. I have 3 in the back and 1 in the front.

He is quite beautiful, I can see why he feels like the King.

That is so funny, I'd love to see a photo of your yard, with all the feeders you're going to being hanging to outsmart little Napolean!!!
This little guy IS so beautiful!

Okay, I thought I would update this old thread since I saw chuck ask a similar question to mine.

I have 4 feeders in back now, and 3 in front. But the good news is I have 3 hummers who "live" here co-existing. PEACE!!! They each guard 2 feeders for themselves (so selfish!) but with so many feeders, I see alot of visitors getting drinks, which was what I wanted.

Here's my original guy (he's my fav, the most friendly and I can walk within a foot of him.
It's overcast today, so this picture doesn't show his magenta.

Heres backyard hummer #2 - they sit on opposite sides, but definitely know the other exists... I'm very proud of both of them! He was chirping at me like crazy to get this picture, he's not so sure I'm not trying to grab a quick drink.

The little brute in the front yard is impossible, when my DH was taking the xmas lights down he said "I swear he's trying to take one of my eyes out" tee hee. He divebombs me when I fill his feeders.

Our house is very open (lots of windows) to the backyard, so those two see us walking around all the time, they are just more used to us.

I guess hummingbirds are like butterflies here...it is feast or famine...LOL!

Probably after the storm settles there will be lots of hummingbirds!!

Thanks,

Chuck

I saw something yesterday that also happened today that really boogled my mind. I saw The Boss (dominant Anna's Hummingbird male) chasing a House Sparrow that was trying to keep the feeder to himself. Actually I think the House Sparrow just wanted a drink of water from the ant moat as well as eating a couple of the ants that drowned there. Anyway, The Boss wasn't taking any guff off of that House Sparrow. Now that I have situated the four hummer feeders, we had four or five hummingbirds in our backyard today.

This year I am going to try something new. I just joined Audubon Society about eight months ago. I just received the January/February 2008 issue of MeadowLark from the local San Bernardino chapter. Among many pertinent things, they were writing about the Great Backyard Bird Count this February 15-18, 2008. The article said that anyone old enough to recognize a bird was invited to participate and it just had to be at least for fifteen minutes during a day or longer, including more than just one day. I hope everybody who likes birds will participate. It is so easy. They have a website on how to participate and identify over 500 species. The webiste is http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc.

Thanks, everyone,

Chuck

Sorry I messed up on the website... http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc.

Try this one. It is what is in the Newsletter. So if it doesn't work, I don't know what I am doing wrong. Try typing www.birdsource.org/gbbc That is how I accessed it.

Sorry again,

Chuck

This message was edited Jan 13, 2008 6:30 AM

Red - Your Hummers are adorable! Really, really adorable!!! I am hoping at some point I get more than one guarding a feeder. Right now I have one that tries to chase every bird away. And this fearless little bird chases the pigeons, finches, and crows out of the Oak tree. Apparently it has claimed that big old tree as it's own along with the feeders and blooms in the backyard. Kinda greedy if you ask me!

Chuck - Cool site! Thanks for posting it! :-)

Thanks Chuck - I will definitely check that out. Does anyone get Birds & Blooms? There were alot of hummers in this issue.

Becky, I'm so glad all your hard work & flowers paid off - I remember when you were so anxious to have one in your yard !!

I know my hummers aren't so bossy when the flowers are in bloom - they just "guard the yard" during the winter.... them seem to get along when there is plenty of nectar.

There are many hummingbirds in my backyard now...mostly Anna's Hummingbirds. They just fit in with all the other birds. The Boss (dominant male) has just ended up with one feeder and is looking very tired...LOL. What is exactly is Birds & Blooms? I have never seen this magazine before but it sounds like something I would be interested in.

Thanks,

Chuck

you know, it's not very large - and is mostly pictures & ideas different people have sent in... but I really do like it. Not a high quality production, but totally enjoyable none the less. I think it's $12 a year? Take a look @ www.birdsandblooms.com

Thanks, Red!! I just signed up for a free issue and the subscription price sounds reasonable if not just for the online website.

Thanks again for telling me about the magazine!!!

Chuck

Reading this thread makes me so envious of you! Our hummers all leave on the first day of autumn! At least, this year, they did. I'm not sure when they will be back, but it will be awhile, I'm sure!

I really love the hummingbirds. If any of the feeders get low, they complain at the windows for more.

.. it got down to 19 last night, but I checked the feeders, they aren't frozen (thank goodness) ... it's 29 now, so they'll be ok today.

beth, I have to say it is really fun to watch them over the winter (but they look cold in the bad weather!!)