Fighting Hummingbirds: Solving Territorial Problems At Your Feeders
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ค. 2024
- Many people ask me why their hummingbirds fight and chase each other at the feeders. Why are their hummingbirds so aggressive and mine are so peaceful? I hope to help you resolve those territorial problems with this video.
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#hummingbirds
My Ruby throat's here in Indiana are super aggressive. I have two feeders and typically about 10 or so Hummingbirds. This year, I had one male and he pretty much dominated both feeders the entire season. He would chase away all the females. It was kind of funny to watch because the females started getting smart. One would distract him while a couple would swoop down and feed. They would repeat that method all day.
Same from indiana
Same here in South Jersey 😎
Fillmore is adorable--and what an absolutely gorgeous balcony! Ivy found the link to this video for me, and I really appreciate it because it gives me a much-better idea of what's going on behind the live cam. I also learned a lot about why your multitudes of birds get along as well as they do--and even though you say that they do fight, I see much less of that sort of behavior at your feeders than anywhere else. Thank you!
Our hummers stick around all year long - mild winters for the most part. Love watching them.
Thank you I love the relationship you have with your bird
I needed this! Thank you, Carole! I've had an influx of migrating hummers and trying to place the feeders at different areas but but sure they will see them. I bought a perch they love it! I need more perches! They've been running me ragged the last few days but I want to make sure they enjoy their accommodations and I want to make sure everyone gets fed. Rubies here in SE VA and yes they do fight!
Fantastic! People don't realize how important it is to provide perches.
New subscriber here. Great channel! Do the feeders have to have perches on them?
@@HummingbirdSpot the bully hummingbirds are always guarding one in front and one in back. They sit on nearby branches. What do you mean provide perch? Should I buy a hummingbird perch and Planck it right by the feeder? Sorry I didn't understand. They have built in perches all over the yard.
Thank you so much, dearly beloved!
Thank you for all your advices
I moved to Kentucky this year ..2 feeders in the front... two on the back....30 ft apart..then early summer came. Pow! Atheist 30 birds..maybe babies .added the large feeder fairly close together ..an endless parade!
I've noticed the females are A LOT more aggressive - they have no problem diving and pecking on a male trying to feed on my feeder.
Tyvm for the info! First time hummingbird feeder. Shortly thereafter, a few hummingbirds came, and started fighting! I was like oh no lol. Now, I can and will fix the issue!
Omg!! Thank you…1 sweet girl has been feeding and now there is a male who won’t let her eat! I have 3 feeders but they both want the same one. 🙏🏽💕💫
Rufus's are very ornery that is so true, they stand guard in trees on look out and go ham on any other guys who come near. They chase each other all over the place non-stop.
You can always tell when you have Rufous around, haha!
Yess so very true
Same here....we've got one named "Dick Bird" who runs the rest off, chittering & chattering like crazy!
Ruby throats are pretty bad, too.😂😂😂
Absolutely! Mine do that very same thing. I put multiple feeders out, but they still do their chasing. Yet they'll come right up to my face within 2ft to say hello, lol.
Thanks for all the info. We have two feeders in a bare area about 12 feet apart and the males will often fight rather than share. They will share with females. They often have a dogfight with other males where they lock bills and spiral to the ground in a match of 'chicken'. One that files away first loses. I'll have to separate the feeders and plant some periwinkle vines, which they love.
Simply amazing! What a balcony!
We love it - it is our living room!
Thank you, Dr. Carol. Great information!
Thank you!
I have an African Grey Parrot. Super smart. Love the hummingbirds.
Carole, your live stream is AMAZING!
Here in San Luis Obispo, I've kept a single 4-spot "flying saucer" feeder active for ten years. I have one bird who stays all year long, including winter. There will be periods were multiple hummers appear, perhaps travelers, and they take turns chasing each other off but are still able to feed. The resident hummer may intervene, but he's outnumbered anyway. They sort of work it out. On occasion, I will look outside and see four birds calmly feeding simultaneously! These are smaller, and mostly green without bright coloration. It's funny too, just when you thought that sharing isn't in their program.
These little jewels constantly surprise you!
They make any day better!
I'm not far from you in Silverado and also use the saucers with a hook. I figured out if I slip an envelope over the hook I create a visual barrier and two will often feed at a time. Or, at least one will feel safe enough to sit for awhile. The green ones here are Anna's hummingbirds. You might also get the smaller but bossier Allen's. They have reddish rumps and under the wings. Enjoy! We are truly blessed to have these entertaining creatures.
Thank you that explains a lot
Thanks for watching!
I want to thank you so much for everything you do for humming birds God bless have a great day 👍🤝🍀💒
Thank you! I love them so much
Wonderfully stated
So much great information! Such a beautiful balcony!
I am going to make sure the ruby throats that come to my yard watch this video. 😂👍 Seriously, well done. You are spot on - I have both feeders and plants in the backyard and front yard for the hummers - really helps attract and feed the hummers in migration and cuts down on the fighting.
LOL, Michael. Thank you.
I started feeding my little hummers when i moved here to my home at 8200 feet in the Rockies few years ago. I have a similar set up to yours. A long deck. I now have 20 feeders out at the peak of season and replace about 6 feeders each day. It is overwhelming but the experience is worth it. We have mostly broad tailed hummers. We use to get roufus but they disappeared recently. The bird books say we shouldn’t have had them at all but we use to have tons. Anyway, i love your live feed! Its fun to see someone else with a similar set up!
I'm glad to find someone with my similar situation. It is certainly a lot of work but it is so rewarding. Hummingbirds are such beautiful creatures, I would love to have you contact me by email: hummigbirdspot@gmail.com
@@HummingbirdSpot Hi ladies,
I’m so glad I came across this channel, Carol! I moved to a home on the other side of the Rockies (SLC) last winter. That summer I put out 1 feeder, and I think I had 2 competing female black-chins. This year, I put a feeder in the front and one in the back. I’ve probably seen a dozen different birds this year…on many occasions U-shaped diving displays around nearby trees. Do you think this is territorial behavior or males showing off for the ladies?
I love this video! Thank you. I have a bully bird in my yard. It’s painful to watch him chase away the littler ones. I believe your advice will help. It’s worth a try.
Excellent! Thank you!
This is a very informative video. We live in the Southeast, and our Ruby-throats are very territorial for sure! I can testify to the fact that a series of well spread out feeders is the key to ensuring there are separate territories and allows for more birds in the area.
Thanks for this excellent video Carole!! I have been searching for ways to attract more hummers and received some excellent advice from you on your live stream (which I have incorporated). I can tell you that IMHO this is by far the best video on you tube on how to deal with hummingbird aggression. Thanks for all your efforts. It’s fun to watch those little suckers. I get so excited when I get more than one hummer feeding at a time. Well done!!
Thank you, D H.
Good information, thank you!
I think Fillmore made a fancy crow or raven click click. He must have learned that! 👍😊🌹
I knew nothing about hummingbirds you have taught me so much about them and thank you so much for the very interesting and beautiful videos
Thank you so much for your kind words. I just love them and want to share my knowledge with everyone who wants to listen!
Love it! ❤️🦜❤️ Thank you! ❤️
This was very helpful, thank you!
Glad I could help!
You have a lovely gray parrot !
Fillmore has been with me for 30 years!
Thanks for info 👍🏾
I've been watching your live can on and off all week and loving it! I'm eagerly awaiting hummingbird season here in the Midwest. I have been feeding hummingbirds for 5 years now, and I eagerly await your thoughts about red dye in hummingbird food. It upsets me to see it in feeders in my neighborhood. You keep your feeders so nice and clean, I hope this inspires others to do the same. I'm a fanatic about keeping the feeders clean and fresh 😊. So glad I found you on TH-cam! Just liked and subscribed 😁
Thank you so much, Sunny. Glad you found us.
Haha! Found this video. Answers my question from live feed. Thx Carol!
Eventually I will cover everything in these videos!
This is a very interesting informational video! Without knowing what I was really doing, I ended up creating 3 hummingbird "territories" because I was trying to hide some feeders from an incredibly territorial hummingbird (an Allen's hummingbird). I live in Southern California, along the coast in a property that is two-level (the front and side yards are one story above the back yard) and is fairly big feeder off the upstairs porch that has a huge Torrey Pine tree overhanging it as well as an extremely tall lodgepole pine, another leafy tree and a giant palm tree surrounding the roof adjacent to the porch. With one feeder, the Allen's easily defended it. Then I hung another feeder out of view in the yard below and on the side of the house. The Allen then sat up in his look-out post in the Torrey Pine and regularly went on patrol across the flat upstairs roofs and dropping down below to chase off hummingbirds down below, back and forth between the two areas all day long. So then I hung up 6 small individual (one hole) feeders on the other side of the downstairs yard... all in amongst very leafy loquat trees. This area (my "hummingbird grotto territory") is not visible from the upstairs area nor is it easy to see from the other downstairs feeder. Wouldn't you know it, that Allen's came and checked that area too on his frequent patrols! This property is full of trees and he has lookout posts on two levels and on two sides of the house now and he has to do "the rounds" regularly to check on all of them! It's true that other hummingbirds can sneak in to one area when he's off on patrol but you can see that they are quickly sneaking in and then getting out quickly (he does let one use the upstairs feeder) and he often shows up before they manage to get out. He even comes to look at me in various places outdoors as well as coming to windows to look in. I'm just about to hang a few more in the upstairs yard in front of the house to see what happens but I think he'll just expand his patrols to include that area too. I'm wondering if this is fairly common or unusual. At first I thought the bird was a Rufous but am now am pretty certain it's an Allen's.
Great video. Very interesting. I have 3 and yes they are very territorial. I’m looking forward to watch all your other video to learn more about these beautiful little angels.
Great strategy!!!
I have to begin spreading my feeders out...
This year I am noticing more and more hummingbirds flying in from the south and west of my place....
I am getting videos, but they are short and fleeting....
My new Coral Fountain plant is reaping benefits already, after a week!! I am so glad and super giddy when they come around to check for nectar....
Cheers Carole
I'm so happy for you! Good luck!
Thank you for this very helpful video! Also, I absolutely absolutely love your sofa!!!
I have another one downstairs in storage. Want it?
I’m in Northern California near the gold country and my black throated and red rufous just left. I have about 25 Anna’s now
chinese honeysuckle here along with the 1 feeder.
we have as many as 5-6 at a time zipping around
Thanks for your knowledge have a great day
Glad I can help!
thank you! this has been helpful.
Good luck with your hummingbirds!
I love your videos thanks
My hummingbirds are Anna’s and I have3 feeders, but they still fight over the feeders. I live in CA, northern Central Valley.
Thank you, Carol! We're in the Southeast and definitely have a territorial little fella. The dive-bombing was a surprise! Can't wait to try all your suggestions! God bless~
The Ruby Throats I have are so aggressive, I once made the mistake of bringing all my feeders in at the same time to clean & refill. Being new to the joy of Hummingbirds, it didn’t occur to me I should’ve done that one at a time. I knew their feeding cycles were roughly every 17mins. So I figured I could get away with it if I hurried. I was wrong.
As I opened my door with two fresh feeders in hand 3 or 4 were waiting for me. They darted back & forth towards me chirping loudly. I knew they recognized me because they’d become accustomed to me watching them and knew I was “the food dude”. Anyway, I’m sure they were fussing at me. I felt terrible and never made that mistake again. I literally voiced my apologies. When I came back in, my wife asked “who are you talking to and what did you do?” When I told her what just happened, she laughed at me and said “dummy, you should’ve known better!” I replied “oh, you too? You’re supposed to be on my side!” I love my new hobby!
Yes, you learned!
Yes, I did. This is just my 3rd season. I enjoy learning through observation and thinking it through as opposed to to reading everything. It’s amazing to me that they recognize who I am and I believe I’m getting the same birds and/or their offspring each season.
Your couch is Dope !! 🥰
That's fly. 🐦 oh, and thanks for the tips.
I have 2 hummers i recorded fighting.
Now I seperated the feeders. Kept one in the back and put the other in front.
Thank you so much. Will try these
i wonder why 5 people downvoted this video.. but it's okay youtubes algorithm likes every vote
Thanks for video, I just found your channel and super excited. Ive hung out feeder and within min , had a hummingbird. But one came along and scared off the other 2. I will try and do advise in video. Thanks again from Texas.
Very interesting! Enjoyed this video and the info. I ended up having to put 1 feeder in the back of the house and 1 in front. Had 1 little hummer that wouldn’t let anyone near the feeders when they were side by side in the front. He actually guarded them all day long for 3 days until I moved one. I also have an AG so enjoyed seeing yours. Just bought a new camera with a long lens so will enjoy your photos.
Thanks
Love your name!
Thank you SO much for the info. I’ve got 5 feeders in the back yard and a few stop by each day. 👍🏻😊 There was a big brouhaha yesterday with lots of name-calling, taking trash to each other, etc. Now I know I need about 5 more AND with your advice, I know to place them in a straight line. Who knew??? Also, I’m trying to find some great flowers for them because I’d rather have them get their nectar from a natural source. Just bought 2 more hibiscus and 2 trumpet vines. The problem with where I live (just a few miles south of Oakland, Ca) is that it can be challenging getting enough sun in my backyard. I have LOTS of partial shade, not quite as much full sun as I need for the flowers. And, the marine layer each day can be challenging too. Not complaining at all, I LOVE our weather, but it’s very challenging to get the right plants for these cuties.
Your advice has been so very helpful and you have another new subscriber. Many thanks again! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🌺🌺🌺
That explains everything. At first there were 4 hummingbirds feeding off the same feeder. But one of them simply landed on top of the feeder and won’t let any of the other hummingbirds come even close to it. I guess I’ll have to get a couple more feeders hehehe. Love this video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Same thing here! Can't wait to try her tips. It's been 10 months since your post; did you have any luck, Marina?
Where I live we have resident as well as migrating humming birds. In the winter I take in the feeders in after dark and put them out again in the morning so they don't freeze. One night I found the little guy who had been guarding the feeder still sitting on it in torpor. I felt that would leave him too exposed in case we had freezing rain over night, so I put him and the feeder in a large box so he would have plenty of air. In the morning he was still in the same spot. My husband took him on the feeder outside and he woke up, took several long drinks and went on his way.
Good video Carole, and very interesting! You gave some good pointers on placing the feeders, I plan on having 3 across my front porch. Hope I can get some at my house! I look forward to your next videos! Very informative. Thank you
Thanks, Debbie. It certainly worked for me!
I’m in college station Tx and get my Ruby crew in the fall.. I had to learn about feeder placement by trial & error. One in front. Window jewel boxes on the north & south sides of house. Four in the back.. had to be super clever using my pergolas to break up the ability of one to triangulate the feeders.. btw. They like hanging out around the pergolas and zipping around & through them.. i was able to get video of three mature ruby males sippin & chillin at one of my feeders 😳
MY FAVORITE birds
I live in northern WV , and I have 2 nice size trees, bushes whatever they me be in my yard ,and these yellow flowers that bloom at night , I call them moon lights ,but bloom all summer long when the sun goes down ,and the hummingbirds, and humming bird moths love them .I had butterfly bushes at one time ,and we had smaller hummingbird moths that would show up during the day , but we have a bigger species of the hummingbird moths that only fly at might ,and if you put a light on them at night it blinds them so we just let them do there thing and wait for a bright moon to watch them. What is crazy we get hummingbirds at night ,and never knew that hummingbirds feed at night
This is a hot topic here, too. Angry Bird roosts across the yard in the tall shrubs. Swoops in and “sanitizes” the feeder regularly. We hung a second one across and down in some wisteria so they can’t see it. The hummers prefer the one hanging on the house, which is guarded. It is actually fun seeing how they try to sneak in for a drink to thwart AB’s attacks. Also, what goes in goes out. You may get a Seal Rock below the feeder.
You're such a bad ass!
very good information - but i must say 1200 square foot balcony - omg! - and it is beautifully full of the little imps! thanks!
I am a parrot owner and humming bird feeder too :-) . Right now only 5 or 6 feeders going but I see around 10 flying around to get them. 1 is always guarding the feeder that hangs from the wire trellis arched over a bed of green beans. I have another green bean trellis with two feeders on that.
Thanks for the information! I’ll try putting up one in the front yard again. I had one in the front and one in the back for awhile, but I had a sentry that managed to guard both 🙄🙄 Anyway, she’s gone now. So, I’ll give it another shot.
Let me know what happens!
my hummers are territorial against wasps, dragonflies, and ANYTHING that flies too close. LOL.
I had a green anole hanging out on the pvc pipe that was right next to one of the feeders. The hummer just hovered over him looking at him like what are you? Better not get near my feeder .
This was a great video Thank you so much! I am new to hummingbird feeding. Just yesterday I realized I had a Bully Bird guarding my feeder, and guarding the flowers in my backyard! It was amusing at first... Until he began to actually attack other birds that weren't even hummingbirds! A poor little house finch accidentally sat next to him on "his perch" And the wee beastie chased him away! So, I took my hummingbird feeder inside for a day hoping that it would make him move on. A couple of times tonight I saw him buzz the flowers and then hover in front of my porch looking inside at the hummingbird feeder sitting on the table... Smarty pants! I really didn't want to get into hanging a whole bunch of feeders around my yard. I've had this particular feeder up for a month or two and have not had this problem until now. I read somewhere that after July 4th you should increase the number of feeders because of the number of birds flying through. I wouldn't mind if he wanted to keep the feeder to himself I just hate seeing him attack all the other birds. Think He will go away and just be replaced by another bully? Should I wait until after the peak of the season is over and just catch the stragglers flying through? I nicknamed him Teeny Meanie. Lol!
Yes, hummingbirds are really aggressive. Their very lives depend on protecting their food source, since they require so much nectar as fuel. I wouldn't worry about him chasing the other birds. He is not going to hurt them - he's just trying to show them he is KING. If it were my house, I would just let him have the feeder and enjoy his antics. When more birds migrate through, teeny meanie will be overwhelmed and others will undoubtedly get to drink.
I had 4 humingbird feeders. 3 of them were taken over by 3 other male humingbirds but the one in my patio was the comunity one for all. Until 2 days ago a very agresive male humingbird decided to take over it. I then went and bought more feeders. I now have 6. 4 in the patio but that darn male will stand right above one of the feeders and now doesnt let any other hummers drink out of the 4 in my patio. I then got mad and got a sprayer and i would chase him away with water but of course he is to fast. He also doesnt seem to fear me as he will still come down and chase hummers even when I'm standing there with the water sprayer. I dont now what else to do. I hope many more humingbirds come in so it gets overwhelmed and stops chasing them.
@@gervas4935 I finally just decided that he was going to be a pet. If he was going to be a pest and be the only hummingbird that that feeder, then he was going to have to become a pet. So now he's sort of a pet until he leaves of course. He's still a teeny meanie though!
@@gervas4935 Mom
@@gervas4935 He probably enjoyed the free shower from the sprayer.
;-)
I have them across the road at a large patch of wild flowers. Books tell you there are only 2 or 3 types of hummingbirds in Pennsylvania, but I see some I can't identify now and then. This year I had a very large (Almost twice the size of the little green ones) come and chase the green ones off the flowers. It was too fast to get a good look at it. My Buddy said they have one with a red head that chases the green ones off the flowers. He said it sits in a nearby tree and guards the flowers.
Hi Carole, 👉 QUESTION: while I just moved here in the EAST, CENTRAL MARYLAND, will the Ruby Throats ever “break bread” together on any of the feeders? 😁 I have 7 feeders, 30-50ft apart, a beautiful hummingbird-friendly garden, numerous females (ALL FEMALES actually), & lots of aerial combat and defense.
I’ve already, unwittingly began to create “territories” in the main backyard garden and I’ve had separate females simultaneously use say 3 feeders respectively.
I just wonder, as time goes by, will any groups or families sit down together? Thanks Carol!
ps. I recommend you get a lavalier microphone... not too expensive. Your videos are so good and worthy of this relativity cheap upgrade. Even without an upgraded mic, they’re awesome. THANK YOU! 🙏
This helped. I was thinking like a human. I’ll put the (2) feeders I purchased from Amazon 3’ apart near my viewing window. And you can guess what I kept thinking to myself: ‘Why is he so selfish?’ Now I realize I’d put two feeders in a single territory. I wish I could have a feeder upstairs outside my bedroom window. How did you get your feeders on/off the gutters. My gutters are 20’-25’ high.
FILLMORE IS SO CUTEEE AHHHH
We have two large bushes of purple sage in the back yard and the flowers are developing now where the hummingbirds can feed on the nectar. Yesterday I got buzzed by a hummer as I was examining the flowers. I've been buzzed by the birds for years when I approach the sage and I always thought I was being greeted by them. Now I am wondering if the hummers are protecting their food source. I hope they are being friendly as I enjoy their close company at the sage.
Before I knew we had hummingbirds I got buzzed by one and thought it was a bee. I swatted at it not realizing it was a hummingbird and thought I killed it. I looked at it and sadly realized it was a hummer. I went to get something to pick it up with, but when I returned it got up and flew away. Thank God it was only stunned.
I also inadvertently created territories I started with two feeders with two birds three year’s ago then brought in more and placed them in different areas now I have 13 feeders spread about my yard and in peak season I have over 30 hummingbirds
I love theis video or movie, are amazing.
I love you and the your hummingbirds, one hundreds birds and don't fight.
I have one feeder om my window at 7• floor
I can see one hummingbird and other bird yellow , thay drink nectar.
Thay are the cambacica, bananaquit I love too.
The Bananaquits will eat plain sugar if you put it in a dish. Cute little birds.
Thank you for sharing this! This is why I decided not to get one. There are so many flowers here that is really unnecessary. I live in Mexico now. But years ago in California, I learned how awful these fights get.
Hi! Love your blog! Give us so much informations, precious ones. In Montreal, Canada 🇨🇦, thr ruby troat do come up here in may until september. They realy are territorial, i found one, wing injured, got to take it to a special shelter in Hudson (called Le Nichoir),where they take care of injured birds. Still, i have one feeder but also many plants (sage, the black night and other species) in pots and many in the ground in our huge garden. Still, a female was chassing another one... Any suggestions?
Very informative as I've always wondered why there was a aggressive Hummingbird chasing away all the other birds from my feeder. In retrospect, I've accepted this behavior as natural. I still have Hummingbirds come around, may not be 10 or 12, but thank God because Hummingbirds are "PIGS" and will suck the feeder dry in 2-3 days. That is over $60 a month to re-supply the feeder! With the "aggressor" in the hood, I figure it cost only $20 per month and everyone is happy. Just my experience.
Imagine what I go through - 90 lbs. of sugar a week during the high season. People say they wish they had as many birds as I do. I tell them to be careful what they wish for!
@@HummingbirdSpot Glad you answered my question before I asked! 90 lbs is very generous of you.
We have a large swath of Honeysuckle on our fence, that the Hummingbirds mob when it blooms.
In Alabama. They are migrating now. I have 15 feeders up and they are going through them every couple of days. Ruby’s are a mess.
My experience on the northwest coast differs a bit. We have annas here year round and a few migrating rufous, which I love. But the rufous birds get chased away, and its the female annas who are far more agressive than the males. They are incredibly fearless. I have multiple feeders and plants that attract them.
Hi Carole, I was in my kitchen watching the hummingbirds on my deck when one of them looked like it was attacking another. It pinned the other on the deck floor and held it there. I ran out to get them separated. And both flew off. Can you tell me if one was being attacked or were they just playing? Thank you, all your information is always so helpful.
They were not playing. Hummingbirds are fierce little warriors.
Thanks for your input..I am a wisconite and have 7 feeders scattered throughout front and back side, and yet one hummingbird literally exhausts itself chasing the others. At least 3 others.??
Thank you. I only see ruby throated hummers. Puzzled seeing swarms/flocks of hummingbirds. Are the southern CA hummingbirds less territorial? I will never see more than one at a feeder. I've had feeders out for over 20 years. I change my feeders daily in hot weather. Are ruby throated less likely to flock?
I live in Yorktown VA. and this hummingbird feeding is all knew to me, but fascinating. I bought one feeder which was dominated by a male ruby throat within a week. He took one bird all the way down to the ground! So, I took the advice online and bought a second one, and placed it in the front of the house, out of his line of sight. I knew exactly where he sat to guard the first one, so I knew he couldn't see the second one. Now I don't know if he accidentally found the second one, but in a day or two there was a ruby throat feeding from the one in the front although I was still seeing the other in the back. Could the same ruby throat be dominating both feeders? Suddenly, just in the past two days, I am seeing several smaller green and brown hummers coming in. The ruby throat (throats?) are GONE. How can that be? The little green and brown ones still fight, but there are more of them, and it's not as intense. I would appreciate any words of advice.
The little green and white ones are female Ruby-throats. They will also protect the feeders. Actually my females are little warriors!
What if I live in an apartment with no yard and no balcony? I've got one feeder hanging from the front porch overhang, and two feeders held with suction cups to my workroom window. The two on the window was starting to develope a nice congregation until this tiny Rufous showed up and claimed both feeders. I really can't spread them any further apart. Should I just accept him as the lord and master of my view to the outside, or would more feeders on the window help? The window is 3ft by 3ft.
How high off the ground should the feeders be placed?
Hello carol, I know this is an older video but Im going to move my feeders it might be to late for me cause I started out with 4 now there’s only two. I have a small yard so it’s hard to put feeders where they can’t see each other and we will see what happens. I have three feeders up now only had two up before but the one female claimed them. Thanks for the information.
I have a juvenile male Ruby (I call him Junior) who is bullying and physically injuring the females - he is super aggressive, scratching them and has even injured 2 of the females' beaks - and he drove off the male that was the bully before he arrived! I have 2 feeders and putting up 2 more. I did have 2 in the backyard that were 25' apart and he dominated both. I moved one to the front yard and he's now flying back and forth. He's so territorial that when I go outside, he gets aggressive with me - he even landed on my head! I'm at wit's end with this little dude.
Thank you for the descriptive video, I recently started hanging feeders and before I knew it, I now have up to a dozen or more. I plan on getting more feeders than just my two, just this morning I've noticed a "bully". However, I was wondering if my "bully" hummingbird will act dominant and so aggressive towards my hooded oriole that likes to visit? (I am going to put up an oriole feeder nevertheless)
Thank you! I need to get more feeders. Hahaha. I have 2 at the moment. They happen to be approx a football field away from each other. And one has just a couple of hummers. And the other is swarming with them. A problem I have had this year is, big hornets, very aggressively, chasing the hummers away from the feeder that has bee guards. They are aggressive toward me when I need to refill and clean the feeder. And I have been stung once. We have a lot of nonagressive wasps and bees that are no problem. And dont bother me when I need to take the feeder down to clean and refill it. I bought a new feeder with bigger bee guards. And moved the one with smaller bee guards, about 10 feet away. But the hornets quickly found it, and made life miserable for the chickadees. Any suggestions?
We have ruby throated humming birds on the west coast aswell. Let me know of you would like video as I am in the process of starting a HB sanctuary aswell. Love your videos!
A west coast Ruby Throat would be reportable. I would love to see a video. Sure it's not a Broad-tailed?
@@HummingbirdSpot I have not much of a clue. Lol. But a video I will send. And the tail I will check. Thanks in part to you I have a male and a female so far. There's also a very loud brownish tan whos very loud and skiddish, not sur what type that is. Perhaps a broad tail?
Ok. I have videos of both. Up close too. Let me know how I can get those to you
Hi Carol! What is it about the feeders being in a straight line that reduces aggression?
It just puts them further apart and harder for one bird to dominate all of them. If you put three feeders out not in a straight line, the distance is shorter between the ones on the end and easier for one bird to protect all of them.
What nesting material do you hang/provide for the hummers?
Hi Carol, how do you travel to Peru to see #1? Using any particular tour company? Thanks!
I find out they like to group raid a feeder. If one visits, s/he gets chased away by another. If they came in group, while one got chased away, others would start feeding.
How far apart should you put feeders?
Is organic sugar cane good food?
Thank you! I'm in Oakland and have a ruby-throated hummingbird. Is that unusual here in CA? I put out TWO feeders and he dominated BOTH. He chases away the one other hummingbird I've seen.I think I'll add a third feeder to the back yard to give the others a chance.
If you have a Ruby-throat in Oakland, it is reportable. They don't come to the west coast. It is more likely your bird is an Anna's, which also has a red throat and the top of the head is red also. And yes, they are very territorial! Put the third feeder in a place where he can't see it from the other two!
QUESTION: You mentioned “they tolerate each other at feeding time”. From the live video, it seems feeding time is all day long. Is there any designated time where you don’t put feeders “out”? Thank you, Greg (sorry to bug you. 🙃)
The feeders are out there all the time. I guess I should have said "They tolerate each other at the feeders."
Greetings from Madoc, Ontario I just received a hummingbird feeder as a gift. I found the recipe for the nectar. Hung it up buy, only ants found it. Any tips?
You need an ant moat to keep the ants out. A little up that hangs above the feeder filled with water. The ants can't cross and an added bonus is that little songbirds will drink water from it.