It is not uncommon for hummingbirds to exhibit territorial behavior around feeders, especially during nesting season. Here are some quick answers to questions about hummingbirds guarding feeders:
Do hummingbirds guard feeders?
Yes, it is normal for hummingbirds to guard feeders. They are extremely territorial, especially males during breeding season. A dominant hummingbird will perch nearby and chase away any other hummers that attempt to feed.
Why do hummingbirds guard feeders?
Hummingbirds are highly territorial. They will aggressively defend feeding areas to ensure access to adequate nectar resources. This behavior is driven by:
- Access to food – By controlling a feeder, a hummingbird can ensure it gets enough calories
- Mating opportunities – Females are attracted to territories with plentiful food
- Nesting sites – Feeders are often near favorable nest locations
When are hummingbirds most territorial?
Hummingbird territory defense is most common during breeding season, which begins in late winter and runs through summer in most areas. Males arrive first and establish nesting sites. When females arrive, the males will aggressively defend feeders to court visiting females.
How long will a hummingbird guard a feeder?
A dominant male hummingbird will continue to guard a feeder throughout nesting season as long as food availability remains constant. This may last several months until the young fledge from the nest. Outside of breeding season, hummingbirds are less territorial and will share feeders.
Do female hummingbirds also guard feeders?
Female hummingbirds are less territorial than males, but they may also defend feeders, especially if nesting nearby. Females need adequate nutrition while incubating eggs and raising young. If other birds threaten this food source, females may chase intruders away.
How close to a nest will a hummingbird guard?
Hummingbirds will aggressively defend the area immediately surrounding their nest, typically a radius of 30-60 feet. If a feeder is placed within this territory, the nesting hummingbird will likely guard the feeder.
How do hummingbirds guard feeders?
To guard a feeder, hummingbirds use intimidating display behaviors like:
- Hovering in front of other birds
- Spreading tail feathers to appear larger
- Making loud chirping sounds
- Diving and chasing intruders
Do hummingbirds keep other species away from feeders?
Yes, hummingbirds will aggressively defend feeders from other nectar-feeding birds like orioles, woodpeckers, and honeybees. They cannot physically keep larger birds away, but they will attempt to intimidate them.
Do hummingbirds ever share feeders?
Hummingbirds may occasionally share feeders, especially in areas where food sources are limited. However, a dominant male will typically monopolize a feeder during peak breeding season, chasing away intruders.
Should I be concerned about an aggressive hummingbird?
Guarding behavior is perfectly normal for hummingbirds. They are not normally aggressive towards humans. As long as the bird has adequate food and nesting resources, it is not a cause for concern.
How can I discourage hummingbirds from guarding a feeder?
To discourage hummingbird guarding behavior:
- Provide multiple feeders spread widely apart
- Use feeders that allow access from multiple ports
- Site feeders well away from nests and prime perching spots
- Take feeders down at night when hummingbird metabolism slows
However, some degree of guarding is inevitable, especially during breeding season when territoriality peaks.
Conclusion
Guarding feeders is a natural behavior for hummingbirds, particularly dominant males seeking to attract mates and protect nesting sites. While inconvenient at times for us, it is an essential part of their breeding ecology. Providing adequate food resources in multiple locations can help reduce unwanted squabbling at feeders.
Hummingbird Territory Size
The size of a hummingbird’s territory varies depending on habitat, food availability, time of year, and species characteristics. Here are some typical territory sizes:
| Species | Breeding Territory Size | Non-breeding Territory Size |
|---|---|---|
| Anna’s Hummingbird | 1/4 – 1 acre | 1-5 acres |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | 1/10 – 1/2 acre | 2-20 acres |
| Rufous Hummingbird | 1/8 – 1/2 acre | 2-10 acres |
| Calliope Hummingbird | 1/20 – 1/8 acre | 1-4 acres |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | 1/4 – 1 acre | 2-15 acres |
As shown, breeding territories are typically very small – as little as 1/20 acre for the smallest Calliope Hummingbird. This ensures the male has enough food close to the nest.
In non-breeding season, food is more dispersed and hummingbirds will cover larger areas. But even then, territories are remarkably small for a bird.
The different species have evolved with different territorial needs based on food competition in their native habitats.
Tips for Providing Enough Hummingbird Food
When hummingbirds are aggressively guarding feeders, it usually indicates that more feeding areas are needed. Here are some tips:
Use multiple feeders
Rather than one large feeder, use several smaller ones spread widely apart – at least 10-20 feet is ideal. This allows more birds to feed at once.
Try different feeder styles
Select feeder styles that limit guarding behavior. Good options include:
– Saucer feeders accessible from all sides
– Multiple port feeders
– Feeders with perches all around
– Long trough-style feeders
Offer a water source
Hummingbirds also need water in addition to nectar. Misters, drippers, bird baths or shallow ponds attract them away from feeders.
Supplement with flowers
Planting nectar-rich flowers provides more feeding areas. Salvias, petunias, trumpet vines, and fuchsias are excellent choices.
Hang feeders creatively
Varying feeder height and location makes more spaces available. Try hanging some feeders on shepherd’s hooks in open areas.
Take down feeders at night
Hummingbirds digest food very quickly. Taking down feeders for 2-3 hours before dusk helps prevent guarding late in the day when food competition decreases.
How Hummingbirds Feed
Here are some key facts about how hummingbirds eat:
- Hummingbirds eat mostly liquid nectar from flowers and feeders. They cannot swallow solids.
- Their long, specialized beaks and tongues are perfectly adapted for accessing nectar.
- Hummingbirds drink nectar by lapping or licking up to 13 times per second.
- They consume about half their weight in nectar daily and visit hundreds of flowers per day.
- Hummingbirds also eat small insects for protein, catching them in midair or gleaning them from plants.
- They have very fast metabolisms, so they digest food quickly and must eat frequently throughout the day to maintain energy.
- In cold weather when flowers are not available, feeders provide essential food sources.
Hummingbird Diet by the Numbers
| Measurement | Amount |
|---|---|
| Nectar consumed daily | 2-3 times body weight |
| Laps per second while feeding | 13 |
| Visits to flowers per day | Hundreds |
| Calories burned per hour at rest | 60-100 |
| Breaths per minute at rest | 250 |
| Heartbeats per minute while feeding | 1200 |
As these figures illustrate, hummingbirds have extremely high metabolisms and energy needs. Adequate nectar sources are critical for their survival.
Hummingbird Feeding Behavior
Hummingbirds exhibit specialized feeding behaviors and adaptations to collect enough calories from nectar sources:
- Aggressive guarding of flowers and feeders – They will aggressively defend favorite food sources to ensure reliable access.
- Seeking out red tubular flowers – Their vision and beak shape are suited for feeding on bright red tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds specifically.
- Perching to feed – They use nearby perches to conveniently rest between feeding bouts.
- Hover feeding – Hummingbirds can hover in place to feed on flowers not suitable for perching.
- Lapping nectar rapidly – Their specialized tongues lap up nectar at high speeds.
- Consuming many small meals – Hummingbirds eat roughly every 10-15 minutes rather than three large meals.
- Chasing flying insects – They expertly catch insects on the wing to supplement diet with protein.
Understanding these adaptations provides insight into the best way to feed hummingbirds. Key factors include providing enough energy dense nectar and establishing feeders near convenient perches.
Do Hummingbirds Drink Water?
Yes, hummingbirds do drink water in addition to consuming nectar. Here are some key facts about hummingbird water needs:
- Water provides essential hydration and electrolytes to balance their sugar-heavy nectar diet.
- Hummingbirds will drink fresh water from bird baths, misters, dripping fountains, or other shallow sources.
- They prefer moving water sources like drippers or fountains over still water.
- Providing water attracts hummingbirds and helps prevent dehydration.
- Water sources should be located away from feeders to reduce territorial behavior.
- Special hummingbird fountains add moving water without deep pools where hummingbirds could drown.
Supplying a clean water source in addition to nectar feeders provides important support for hummingbird health and hydration needs.
Do Hummingbirds Drink Rainwater?
Hummingbirds have been observed drinking freshly fallen rainwater in addition to nectar and other water sources. Here are some ways rainwater may benefit hummingbirds:
- It provides a readily available pure water source to supplement their diet.
- Rainwater collects on leaves, branches and in puddles, allowing easy access.
- The movement of falling raindrops may be appealing to hummingbirds.
- Rain rinses dust from feathers and helps maintain plumage.
- It supplies needed hydration, electrolytes, and micro-nutrients.
- After hot dry periods, rain restores vital moisture to flowers and vegetation.
Drinking rainwater likely provides both direct hydration benefits and improved habitat quality for hummingbirds. Providing clean rainwater catchment systems or small ponds offers accessible drinking spots.
Conclusion
Guarding feeders is a natural territorial behavior that helps hummingbirds access the calories they need. While mildly annoying to us, it is an important part of their breeding ecology. Ensuring adequate food resources in multiple dispersed locations can help reduce unwanted squabbling at feeders. Understanding hummingbird nutritional requirements, feeding behaviors, and food sources like nectar, insects and water allows us to better provide for these remarkable birds.
