Hummingbirds are known for their small size, incredible flying abilities, and propensity to aggressively defend food sources. While all hummingbird species exhibit some level of aggressiveness, especially when defending territory and food supplies, some species are renowned for their fierce behavior.
Most Aggressive Hummingbird Species
The following hummingbird species are considered to be the most aggressive:
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
- Allen’s Hummingbird
These hummingbirds are known to aggressively defend feeding territories from intruders, even chasing away larger birds. They may utilize intimidation displays, vocalizations, and physical contact when defending resources.
Anna’s Hummingbird
The Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna) is a medium-sized hummingbird found along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to Baja California. Males have iridescent magenta throats and crowns, with gray undersides and green backs. Females have green backs and gray undersides with small magenta spots on their throats.
Anna’s hummingbirds are extremely territorial, especially during breeding season. They will aggressively defend flowering plants and feeders from intruders through vocalizations, display dives, and physical contact. Their sharp beaks can inflict significant pain. Anna’s hummingbirds have been known to stand their ground against larger birds including jays and crows when defending territory.
Rufous Hummingbird
The rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a small hummingbird with an extensive range from Alaska to Mexico. Males have bright orange throats and crowns, green backs, and white undersides. Females lack the bright orange and are green on top with white undersides.
Rufous hummingbirds are aggressive defenders of flowering plants and nectar feeders. They will confront other hummingbirds with loud chirping, display flights, and physical aggression. Their sharp beaks and claws can do damage during conflicts over food sources. Rufous hummingbirds are bold defenders of territory and have been known to dive-bomb larger birds, mammals, and even humans who get too close to their claimed feeding areas.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
The black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is a small hummingbird found across western North America. Males have a black chin and throat, purple crown, emerald green back, and gray underparts. Females lack the dark chin and have green backs with grayish white undersides.
Black-chinned hummingbirds are pugnacious defenders of their feeding territories. They will utilize intimidating display dives along with vocalizations and physical aggression to drive away intruders. Their sharp beaks are an effective weapon during conflicts over food resources. They have been known to attack birds up to 10 times their size when defending prime flower patches or feeders.
Calliope Hummingbird
The calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is the smallest breeding bird in North America. Males have colorful magenta throats, white undersides, and green backs. Females lack the magenta throat patch and are more uniformly gray-green in color.
Despite their very small size, calliope hummingbirds can be surprisingly aggressive, especially when defending feeding sites. They will vocalize loudly and perform display dives to deter intruders. During conflicts they will inflict painful stabs with their needle-sharp beaks. Calliope hummingbirds have been observed bravely driving away birds many times their size from prized nectar sources.
Allen’s Hummingbird
The Allen’s hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is a small green-backed hummingbird with an orange throat, rufous tail, and white underside. It is found along the Pacific Coast from southern Oregon to Baja California.
Allen’s hummingbirds aggressively defend their feeding territories, despite their tiny size. They will vocalize warnings, perform display dives, and directly attack intruders with their slender beaks. Allen’s hummingbirds have been observed driving away all other hummingbirds from their claimed patches of flowers and feeders. During conflicts they aim for the head and eyes when stabbing other birds.
Aggressive Behavior of Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds exhibit specific behaviors when defending resources:
- Guarding favored flowers, shrubs, and feeders by perching nearby
- Flying directly at intruders entering their territory
- Vocalizing loud chirps and whistles
- Performing display dives and flights to intimidate
- Stabbing with their needle-sharp beaks
- Poking with feet and claws
- Grabbing at feathers and eyes
- Continued fighting, sometimes resulting in injury or death
This extreme territorial behavior is due to the high metabolic needs of hummingbirds. They must consume a lot of nectar to power their rapid heart rate and wing-flapping. Hummingbirds will defend prime feeding areas vigorously in order to get enough calories.
Why Hummingbirds Are Aggressive
There are several key reasons why hummingbirds exhibit aggressive territorial behavior:
- High energy needs – Hummingbirds have very fast metabolisms and must consume a lot of nectar daily to maintain their energy levels. Defending prime feeding areas helps ensure they get enough calories.
- Limited food supplies – Favorite flowers and feeders may provide a concentrated source of food in one area. Hummingbirds will aggressively guard these limited resources.
- Breeding and mating – Male hummingbirds are territorial during breeding season to attract females. Females must defend nesting sites and food sources for their offspring.
- Migration pit stops – Hummingbirds must build up critical fat reserves during migration. They will aggressively defend feeders and flowers at migratory stopover points.
- Survival adaptation – Aggressive defense of food helps hummingbirds conserve energy and survive in sometimes harsh or competitive conditions.
Due to these factors, aggression has become an advantageous adaptation for hummingbirds despite their small size. Their fierce behavior helps them survive and thrive.
Aggressive Behavior by Season
Hummingbird aggression levels fluctuate throughout the year:
- Spring – High aggression. Males returning from migration are establishing breeding territories. Females are defending nesting areas.
- Summer – High aggression. Females defending nests and feeding young. Males still competing for mates.
- Fall – Moderate to high aggression during fall migration. Hummingbirds fueling up on nectar for long journeys.
- Winter – Lower aggression in tropical wintering grounds. Hummingbirds not breeding or migrating.
Due to breeding, migrating, and rearing young, spring and summer are peak times for aggressive displays by hummingbirds across North America as they compete for limited resources.
Ways to Reduce Hummingbird Aggression
While aggression is part of hummingbird biology, there are some tips for reducing fights at feeders:
- Provide multiple feeders spaced far apart to dissipate competition.
- Use feeder models designed to accommodate multiple birds.
- Avoid crowded clusters of feeders that foster territorial disputes.
- Provide plenty of nectar so birds don’t have to aggressively guard the feeder.
- Use feeders with perches that allow hummingbirds to survey the area for intruders.
- Locate feeders in open spaces away from territories of other birds.
- Remove wasp nests nearby that spark collisions between hummingbirds and wasps.
With an abundance of food resources and space, hummingbirds can minimize aggressive interactions, even during peak competition times. Careful feeder placement and maintenance can reduce friction between hummingbirds in the backyard.
Not All Hummingbirds Are Aggressive
While certain hummingbird species are renowned for aggression, not all individuals display this behavior. Here are some examples of hummingbirds that tend to be less territorial:
- Female and juvenile birds are generally less aggressive than adult males.
- Older, dominant males who have held a territory for many years tend to be less aggressive once they have established dominance.
- Hummingbirds in non-breeding season may be less aggressive if not competing for mates or food.
- Injured birds or those in poor health tend to be less aggressive and may give up territory.
- Species like Costa’s hummingbirds and bumblebee hummingbirds are known for being more tolerant at feeders.
While food and breeding resources provoke aggression in most hummingbirds, individual temperaments can vary. With plenty of food, even notoriously feisty Anna’s hummingbirds may coexist peacefully.
The Most Docile Hummingbird Species
While no hummingbird species could be described as truly docile due to their small size and high metabolism, some are known for being less aggressive at feeders and in the wild. These include:
- Costa’s Hummingbird – small green and purple hummingbird of the desert southwest. Less territorial than other desert hummingbirds.
- Calliope Hummingbird – tiny hummingbird that shows occasional aggression but cannot exclude larger birds.
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird – common in the Rocky Mountains. Defends some flowers but allows sharing at feeders.
- Buff-bellied Hummingbird – one of the smallest and most timid tropical species. Forages peacefully alongside other hummingbirds.
- Violet-crowned Hummingbird – small Mexico hummer. Known for being less aggressive and more tolerant of crowding.
While they may defend immediate nesting areas, these hummingbirds are less likely to bicker over feeders and flower patches compared to feistier species.
Summary
Territorial aggression is an essential adaptation for hummingbirds due to their high metabolic needs. Species like Anna’s, Rufous, and Allen’s hummingbirds display the most intense aggression, especially when defending prime feeding territories. However, certain hummingbirds like Costas are known to be more peaceful and docile at feeders when sufficient food is available. Careful feeder placement, avoiding crowding, and providing abundant nectar can help reduce hummingbird conflicts for a more relaxing backyard experience.
