Hi everyone! Wow! Did we have an exciting day last week. On Tuesday, May 19th a pair of male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds waged a fierce all day battle for the rights to our backyard. I noticed them first thing in the morning when I took the dogs out for their bathroom duties.
Throughout the day I would glance out the window and see them still going at it.
Occasionally they would both land on the feeder and both would take some sips from the feeder.
But that wouldn’t last long and they would be at it again.
They were so consumed by their turf battle that I was able to get within about 8 feet to take these pictures. I also took some video of the action that you can see below. The video is a bit long but that was after I cut it down from the 20 clips I took of them. I apologize that the birds aren’t always in the best focus but I wanted to demonstrate how fierce some of the action was. The camera had difficulty focusing on the small birds and instead would focus on the background. If you listen closely you can hear when they hit each other. You can also see that they seem to take turns being the one on the feeder and the one trying to knock the other off.
[vimeo https://vimeo.com/129004352]If you can’t see the video you can go here to view it.
At times one of the birds would be on the feeder.
While the other was on top of the hook holding the feeder. It seemed that the one on top would not see when the other flew onto the feeder.
There were brief periods of rest between skirmishes. I caught this picture of them both preening while sitting on the trellis in the perennial garden.
I was getting exhausted watching this battle going on. It continued all day long until after sundown. (Yes, I turned off the lights in the kitchen and looked out at about 8:30 pm to see them still going at it) The next day only one male hummingbird remained. I would like to think the loser of the battle flew on to find his own territory.
I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Wild Bird Wednesday and will take some time to stop by the blog hop host too.
It wasn’t until I started actively feeding them and paying attention that I realized just how vicious these tiny little birds can be! They really fight hard. Mine are in a snit right now because I think I have another traditional feeder too close for their liking. I need to do some rearranging of the feeding stations. Sam
Oh my HBs. Mom’s mouth hit the floor at the photos…when she saw the video…she grabbed her car keys! Walter and Millie I think mom will spending the summer w you all. A M A Z I N G, wonderful footage of the warriors!
They do not seem to realize THER is enough food!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻‼️‼️‼️
Hugs Madi your bffff
Oh wow, you had your own wildlife programme right there in your garden!!!!
What pretty birdies and how kind of them to put on such a great display fur you, magical!
Loves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
Oh what beautiful little birds, I wish they had them here.
Lynne x
Amazing shots, thanks for sharing.
The hummers are such amazing little birdies!
Love ya lots♥
Mitch and Molly
Turf Wars……..so did Walter and Millie watch get to enjoy the action?
The Mad Scots
Hummers are the LIONS of the Bird world fur SURE….
Wow, that was fascinating to watch. Bet those two little hummers slept well that night:0
Woos – Ciara and Lightning
I hope the same thing, that the loser has found a nice feeder that is all his own! I’ve read that they actually stab each other with their beaks in battles like that. I always wonder why they don’t think that they can share 🙂
How cool!! Hummingbirds are so very interesting to watch….great video!!
Hummingbirds are super tough! When we go up to northern Wisconsin in the summer we always seem them – and yes they really duel it out over the feeder.
OMD, we have battles goin’ on all day over the fountain! All the burdies like drinkin’ and bathin’ in the fountain, so they all fight overs it. Right nows we have MORE hummer babies in our nest! Ma took all kinds of pics, and is gonna post them soon. One nest last month was invaded by a crow, and the eggs were stolen…:(
Anyhu, FABulous pics!!!
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
Absolutely wonderful captures of all this action! Great photos and I love the video too…these too little guys are inexhaustible! 🙂
Gosh – fantastic photos and videos! We cant even get one photo of ours,,
They are such fast little buggers!
You caught some good ones!! Good job!
love
tweedles
That is so interesting. Never thought of the little fellows fighting, but suppose it makes sense….They are birds…and male. Thanks, that was enjoyable.
I so wish I could see Hummers. Great birds and super pictures.
that’s just wonderful to see this little guys… I wish we had them here too, I would sit and watch them the whole day…. :o)
We have those little wars here also, but yours was better, my moms sister has like 50-60 of them everyday she goes through a lot of food.
stella rose
My parents had hummingbird feeders in their yard. Yes, hummers are very territorial! They make adorable little nests for their babies, too 🙂
wow! I didn’t know they were so territorial! We’ve been reading along at school but can’t comment there!
Those hummers make us tired just looking at them. Beautiful
Lily & Edward
Love your photos of the epic Hummer battle! It’s interesting to note that the territoriality doesn’t seem to vary too much no matter which Hummer species is involved. You’ve got Ruby Throats and I’ve got daily battles between some Anna’s and Allen’s in my yard. There’s one Anna’s female that likes to spend most of the day sitting on a branch in a bush near the feeder – she’s hidden from immediate view of any other Hummer coming into the yard, but she has a straight shot to the feeder. If anyone else comes in and tries to get a drink – she is out there like a shot to chase them off.
Those hummingbirds sure are pretty…and kudos to you for getting such great pictures of them for us to see! Mom says she used to have hummingbird feeders out, but never got many birdies. Seeing these pictures and that video she kinda wants to try again now!
They are such pretty little birds and so much fun to watch!
Loveys Sasha
Oh birds can be so vicious at times. I can’t believe they pent all day having a go at each other.
silly birdies …why can’t they just share ….
Fierce little things, aren’t’ they ? I haven’t seen any ruby throats yet, and only a handful of black-chinned hummingbirds, which are our native hummer here in TX. I have the same set up as last year, and even more flowers, so I’m not sure why, unless it’s due to all the bad storms we’ve had. Thanks for the action footage! Have a great weekend.
hello millie and walter its dennis the vizsla dog hay wow those birds ar like littel fighter jets having a dogfight!!! hay how come they call it a dogfight ennyway dogs do not fly in the air and we do not fight like that!!! ennyway they ar verry pritty littel birds wen they ar not beeing meen and best of all they do not chirp like parakeets!!! ok bye
Very cool!! Hummingbirds are so very interesting to see. They are pretty little birds!