As promised in my last post, here are photos of hummingbirds fighting over access to our feeders.
This first series is between a Cinnamon (perched) and a Rufous-tailed that is trying to drive it off. And then comes a Green-Breasted Mango to get in on the action. The Cinnamon just hunkers down and stays put, after giving the Green-Breasted Mango a word or two!
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| Looks like the Cinnamon senses the Green-Breasted Mango off to the left. |
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| "Hey! I was here first. Wait your turn!" |
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| "That's right. You had better back off!" |
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| "Just get on out of here." |
Now the fight is between a Rufous-tailed and a Green-Breasted Mango. Lots of displaying and posturing.
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| 'Round and 'round they go until the Green-Breasted Mango goes for the nectar. |
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| This calls for reinforcements! |
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| "The big guy won't have a chance with both of us Rufous-tails here." |
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| "Where'd he go?" |
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| Time out for a quick drink on both sides. |
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| "Go away. I'm not finished yet." |
Now the 2 Rufous-tails fight each other once the Green-Breasted Mango has gone.
My favorite ones to watch are the little Ruby-throated hummingbirds. They are small but fiesty!
They must have watched Stars Wars and The Matrix too many times...
Dedicated on this Mothers' Day to my Mother, who loved hummingbirds and never tired of watching them.
Wilma, you are so lucky to have such jewels visiting your feeder. Good effort with the action shots as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mun. They are great fun to watch. My new camera has decent video and I was thinking the hummers would be good subjects. These shots were all taken with my old camera before it got too bad.
DeleteFantastic action series of shots Wilma.
ReplyDeleteSuch little beauties.
Fierce beauties, Keith! Thanks for visiting.
DeleteWhat a privilege to see these amazing little birds. Nice shooting Wilma.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roy. It is wonderful have them around full time.
DeleteSome more great Hummingbird action Wilma. I imagine they're not the easiest subjects at the best of times!
ReplyDeleteIt is actually fairly easy to get them once you know their feeding schedule! But even then they do move quickly.
DeleteWilma, that's a super action series. I never knew these little birds were so aggressive towards one another.
ReplyDeleteThey are relentless. Intra- and inter-species competition to be king or queen of the feeder! Thanks for visiting, Frank.
DeleteI had expected that hummers were calm, cool and collected little birds. Now I know different. No wonder they need so much energy food!
ReplyDeleteThey wouldn't need half as much nectar if they didn't fight. But I suppose in the real world of foraging for wild flowers, they have to protect their turf or face possible starvation.
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