Hummingbirds are territorial creatures that will defend their feeding areas aggressively. This can lead to frequent fighting, especially during migration seasons when large numbers of hummingbirds may converge in one area. While hummingbird battles are a natural occurrence, excessive fighting can be dangerous and even fatal for the tiny birds. There are a few techniques hummingbird owners can use to reduce fighting and allow the birds to coexist peacefully.
Why Do Hummingbirds Fight?
Hummingbirds are highly territorial. They will defend their preferred feeding areas, plants, and nesting spots from other hummingbirds. This helps ensure they have enough food and resources to survive. The two main triggers for hummingbird fights are:
- Food sources – Hummingbirds will fight to protect nectar feeders, flower patches, and other food sources. Limited food availability increases competition.
- Migration – When large numbers of hummingbirds migrate through an area, they compete for food and habitat. This leads to aggressive behavior as they try to stake their claim.
During migration, hundreds of hummingbirds may pass through a backyard. This suddenly floods an environment with competitors. The resident hummingbirds become extremely defensive. Males are particularly aggressive as they try to attract females to their territory. Fights typically consist of quick aerial attacks and chase sequences. The hummingbirds will peck, claw, and even pierce each other with their sharp beaks.
Dangers of Fighting
While fighting is a natural survival instinct, excessive fighting poses risks for hummingbirds. The main dangers include:
- Injury or death – Hummingbird fights can turn vicious. Their beaks are powerful enough to spear through soft tissue and bone. Serious injuries can be fatal.
- Stress – Constant aggressive displays and attacking are physically and mentally stressful for hummingbirds. This may cause health issues.
- Energy expenditure – Chasing and attacking other birds burns huge amounts of energy. This may lead to starvation and exhaustion during migration.
- Interrupted feeding – Hummingbirds that are defending a food source may disrupt other birds from eating. Lack of food can be deadly.
Hummingbird fighting is most intense in late summer when territorial behavior overlaps with migration. This is when action must be taken to reduce fatalities. Creating a safe environment will limit fighting and allow hummingbirds to refuel peacefully.
Reducing Aggression and Conflict
There are several tactics hummingbird owners can use to decrease fighting and aggression in hummingbird populations:
Provide Multiple Feeding Stations
Hummingbirds fight over food sources because they view each feeder as a distinct territory. Providing multiple feeding stations spreads the birds out and offers more access to food.
Follow these tips for establishing multi-station feeding:
- Place 2-3 feeders around your yard 10-15 feet apart. Do not cluster them.
- Use different styles and heights of feeders to create separate territories.
- Offer a mix of food in each feeder – some with just nectar, others with fruit.
- Refill when nectar gets low to discourage guarding of empty feeders.
Having numerous feeding zones prevents a single dominant bird from monopolizing one feeder. It allows hummingbirds to distribute themselves and reduces competition at crowded food sources.
Provide Ample Natural Food Sources
In addition to feeders, make sure your yard offers plenty of natural food flowers. Patchy or limited flower availability creates conflict over prime nectar sources.
Some excellent hummingbird flowers include:
- Fuchsia
- Salvia
- Petunias
- Columbine
- Trumpet Vine
- Bee Balm
Plant these prolifically in borders, beds, and hanging baskets. Choose a mix of flower colors and types that bloom in succession to provide constant food. Also make sure there are flowers on both high and low levels – hummingbirds feed at all heights. Having abundant natural food reduces reliance on contested feeders.
Provide Adequate Nesting Sites
Hummingbirds also fight over preferred nesting spots and nesting materials. You can minimize this by providing plenty of optimal nesting habitat.
Tips include:
- Leave dead trees or put up nesting boxes
- Plant shrubs and dense bushes that offer concealment
- Add twine, fabric scraps, feathers and hair for nest materials
- Avoid pruning and landscaping when nests are active
Make sure to provide a diversity of nesting sites to prevent guarding behavior.
Use Feeders That Prevent Guarding
Specialized feeder designs make it harder for hummingbirds to monopolize the food source. These include:
- Saucer-style feeders accessed by multiple ports
- Circular feeders with feeding ports all around
- Feeders on a pulley system that move when hit
- Feeders enclosed in a cage that prevents perching on top
Using one of these makes it impossible for a single bird to control the feeder. However, still provide standard tube feeders as well to allow choice.
Place Feeders Near Cover
Hummingbirds are more likely to get trapped out in the open during a fight. Place feeders near bushes, trees, awnings or other cover.
The birds can quickly escape attacks and chases without being exposed. Nearby cover also provides a place for waiting birds to perch until the feeder is free.
Use Feeder Moats
Often a dominant hummingbird will perch on or near a feeder and chase off newcomers. Placing feeders over a water moat creates a barrier the birds are reluctant to cross.
The moats can be created with:
- A suspended toilet bowl with water
- A tray of water on a pedestal
- Filling hanging baskets with water beneath feeders
The moat should be 2-3 feet wide. This prevents perching nearby while still allowing easy access to feed.
Timing and Location Strategies
Making a few adjustments to when and where feeders are placed can reduce fights:
- Only hang feeders during peak migration times
- Remove feeders at night when hummingbirds roost
- Hang feeders in the shade to avoid temperature related aggression
- Isolate feeders in different sections of the yard
- Periodically relocate feeders to change territories
These tips prevent large congregations at one spot and discourage all-day guarding.
Stopping Ongoing Battles
Despite preventative measures, you may witness battles at your feeders. Here are some tips to swiftly stop a hummingbird fight in progress:
- Spray birds with a hose or water gun – they’ll separate quickly
- Hang a pinwheel or reflective ribbon near the feeder
- Tap on the window to startle them
- Use an ultrasonic deterrent device designed for pets
You want to discourage the behavior without harming the birds. Remove any dead or severely injured hummingbirds immediately and sanitize feeders to prevent spread of disease.
When to Call a Rehabilitator
In most cases, the hummingbirds will recover quickly after a brief skirmish. However, call a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian if:
- A bird is injured and unable to fly
- You see signs of trauma like wounds or broken bones
- A bird is severely weakened or unresponsive
The hummingbird’s best chance of survival is in the care of an expert. With appropriate treatment, even severely harmed hummingbirds can often be rehabilitated and released.
Preventing Window Collisions
Windows are another major threat to hummingbirds during territorial disputes. Birds chasing an opponent often smash into glass they do not see. To prevent collisions:
- Hang ribbons, beads, or decorations on the outside of windows
- Keep indoor blinds closed so birds don’t fly toward reflections
- Apply anti-collision decals on glass to alert birds
- Install interior screens as an extra barrier
These modifications make glass visible to hummingbirds and prevent deadly impact injuries. Be extra vigilant about windows that overlook feeders and flower gardens.
When to Stop Feeding Hummingbirds
In extreme cases, it may be best to stop backyard hummingbird feeding entirely if fighting becomes relentless. Consider removing feeders if:
- Aggression escalates despite all efforts to reduce it
- You find multiple dead or injured hummingbirds
- Fights are disrupting other backyard wildlife
You can resume feeding after migration slows and populations stabilize. It is better for some birds to go hungry than sustain casualties. Consider reintroducing feeders slowly to see if aggression persists.
Conclusion
Hummingbird fighting is a natural behavior but can turn hazardous in densely populated feeder sites. With some planning, you can minimize dangerous territorial disputes and create an environment where hummingbirds peacefully coexist. Strategically spreading resources, reducing guarding opportunities, and stopping fights swiftly allows hummingbirds to refuel without violence. Maintaining a safe yard will help sustain migrating hummingbirds on their incredible journey.
| Technique | How it Helps |
|---|---|
| Multiple feeders | Spreads birds out, prevents guarding of one food source |
| Diverse natural flowers | Provides abundant natural food sources so feeders are less contested |
| Adequate nesting habitat | Reduces competition for preferred nesting spots |
| Specialized feeder designs | Prevents hummingbirds from monopolizing the feeder |
| Water moats | Creates a barrier to chasing birds away from the feeder |
| Altering feeder timing/placement | Avoids congregations and 24/7 guarding |
| Deterring ongoing fights | Rapidly splits up battles to prevent injuries |
| Window modifications | Reduces deadly collisions during chases |
