Hummingbirds are territorial creatures that will aggressively defend their feeding areas from other hummingbirds. This can lead to birds chasing, diving, and even contact fighting with each other. While this behavior is natural, it can be annoying and even dangerous for hummingbirds that visit your yard. Luckily, there are some tips and tricks you can use to minimize fighting and keep your hummingbirds happy and healthy.
In the opening paragraphs, it’s important to explain why hummingbird aggression occurs and how it can impact the birds. Hummingbirds require a lot of energy and need to eat frequently throughout the day. They rely heavily on nectar from flowers and sugar water from feeders. When food sources are limited, they become protective of their feeding grounds. Additionally, males will defend territory where they hope to attract females during breeding season. Understanding their motivation helps explain their behavior.
Some quick answers to common questions:
– Why do hummingbirds fight with each other? They are territorial and protective of food sources and breeding areas.
– When do they tend to be most aggressive? During spring and summer breeding seasons when food is more scarce.
– Are the fights dangerous? Yes, fights can lead to injury and even death in rare cases.
– How can I discourage fights? Provide plenty of food sources, use feeders that allow multiple birds to feed, and place feeders far apart.
Preventing Aggression at Feeders
Hummingbird feeders are essential for providing supplemental nutrition and enabling you to enjoy watching hummingbirds up close. However, competition at feeders is one of the most common triggers for hummingbird conflicts. Here are some tips to prevent aggression at your hummingbird feeders:
Use multiple feeders
The most basic solution is to simply provide more feeding stations. Having several feeders spaced widely apart allows more birds to feed simultaneously. Use at least one feeder per 2-3 hummingbirds visiting your yard. Separate feeders by at least 10-15 feet. This makes it less likely a dominant bird will try to monopolize them all.
Choose feeder styles that prevent chasing
Saucer or disk-shaped feeders with multiple feeding ports allow several hummingbirds to drink at once. Longer tray feeders also work well. Avoid using narrow tube feeders, which only provide access to one bird at a time.
Use feeding shelves or poles
Installing feeders on poles or shelves above ground level creates more space for multiple hummingbirds to feed simultaneously while remaining out of physical contact. Feeders at different heights can further reduce competition.
Provide adequate sugar nectar
Making sure your feeders are cleaned and refilled regularly with fresh nectar reduces food scarcity. Change nectar every 2-3 days, or daily in hot weather when nectar spoils faster. Don’t let feeders run dry, as this heightens territorial behavior.
Consider using feeder moats
Specialty feeders with a water-filled moat surrounding the nectar basin prevent chasing by physically separating the birds. Dominant hummingbirds can’t sit and guard the feeder.
Landscaping Tips to Minimize Aggression
In addition to feeders, providing natural food sources through flowers and gardens can minimize aggression by ensuring there are plenty of feeding spots. Here are some landscaping tips:
Plant a variety of nectar flowers
Include tubular, red flowers that appeal to hummingbirds like fuchsia, bee balm, cardinal flower, trumpet vine, and native columbine. Plant in drifts or clusters for impact.
Focus on continuous blooming
Stagger bloom times so that new flowers are always coming into peak, and deadhead spent blooms to extend flowering. This ensures a steady nectar supply.
Include safe perches
Add plants with stiff branches or install sticks near flowers so hummingbirds have a place to perch safely as they feed.
Provide water
A birdbath, mister, or fountain provides drinking and bathing water to supplement nectar. Use a dripper or mister to attract birds.
Separate clumps by 15-20 feet
Give each cluster of flowers ample space to prevent crowding and allow multiple hummingbirds to feed simultaneously.
| Plant Name | Type | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Bee balm | Perennial | Red |
| Fuchsia | Shrub | Pink/purple |
| Trumpet vine | Vine | Orange/red |
| Cardinal flower | Perennial | Red |
| Columbine | Perennial | Red/yellow |
Discouraging Nesting Near Feeders
Hummingbirds can become very aggressive while nesting as they work to protect eggs and baby birds. Here are some ways to discourage them from nesting right next to your feeders and reduce related aggression:
Don’t hang feeders directly above vegetation
Feeders hung high in open space are less likely to be seen as nesting spots. Avoid areas overgrown with trees and shrubs.
Move feeders periodically
Switch up feeder placement every 2-3 weeks during nesting season so they don’t get too attached to one spot.
Provide alternative nesting materials
Offer other natural nesting materials like pet hair, dryer lint, or shredded paper in a mesh bag. Hang in trees away from feeders.
Discourage nesting on the feeder
Gently slide a rubber bottle brush inside feeder tubes and ports daily to remove any nest starts. Don’t let them nest on dish feeders.
Wait to fill new feeders
When adding new feeders, install empty for a few weeks so they aren’t seen as a nest spot right away before filling.
| Method | How It Deters Nesting |
|---|---|
| Moving feeder location | Prevents attachment to one site |
| Leaving new feeders empty | Allows adjustment before attracting birds |
| Using bottle brushes | Removes early nesting attempts |
| Hanging in open areas | Not seen as sheltered nest spot |
| Offering alternative materials | Encourages nesting farther away |
Solutions for Dominant or Aggressive Birds
If you have a hummingbird that seems intent on chasing all other birds from your yard, don’t despair. There are solutions for dealing with overly aggressive individuals.
Employ feeder tactics
Use feeder placements, styles, and supplies as already outlined to make the space more accommodating for multiple birds. The aggressive bird can’t guard all feeders.
Provide abundant natural food sources
Increasing overall food availability through diverse nectar flowers and plants makes it harder for one bird to dominate them all.
Use decoy feeders
Set up “dummy” feeders with colored water away from main feeding areas. The aggressor may expend energy guarding these unused feeders.
Try using a feeder guard
Plastic guards like the “Bully Blocker” can be placed over feeder ports to keep larger aggressive birds away while allowing smaller ones to access nectar.
Take a break from feeding
Temporarily removing feeders for a few days or weeks causes territorial birds to disperse and seek food elsewhere so you can restart feeding with others present.
| Method | How It Discourages Aggression |
|---|---|
| More feeders and flowers | Too much territory for one bird to guard |
| Decoy feeders | Distracts aggressive bird away from other birds |
| Feeder guards | Limits access of larger aggressive birds |
| Stopping feeding temporarily | Causes aggressive bird to leave yard |
When to Get Help
In most cases, the above tips will prevent serious hummingbird aggression in your yard. However, if you witness persistent fighting resulting in injuries or death, it may be necessary to contact a wildlife rehabilitator or local hummingbird expert for advice. Likewise, if you observe a hummingbird that seems unable to feed itself or has sustained an injury, seek help immediately. With prompt care, an injured hummingbird can often fully recover.
Here are signs that indicate it’s time to reach out for rehabilitation assistance:
– Excessive attacks that don’t respond to deterrents
– Observable injuries like broken wings or legs
– Evidence of bleeding from the beak or nostrils
– Damaged or missing feathers
– An inability to fly or perch properly
– Little to no interest in feeding
– Unusual lethargy or weakness
Don’t delay in getting an injured hummingbird medical care. These tiny birds need quick nutrition and treatment to survive. With professional assistance, problem aggression can also be addressed so your yard remains a healthy, happy haven for hummingbirds.
Conclusion
Hummingbird aggression is a natural behavior but can disrupt your enjoyment of these special birds. By making your yard more hummingbird friendly with abundant feeders and flowers properly spaced, you can minimize territorial disputes. Discourage nesting on feeders, stop feeding temporarily if needed, and be ready to seek help for any injured birds. With some extra planning, your yard will be a welcoming oasis for hummingbirds rather than a battleground. The fluttering and buzzing of hummingbird wings should be a joyful summer sound, not the backdrop for fierce aerial fights.
