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Re: Hummingbird behaviour



While not relating directly to James's observation, I do have a question
regarding hummingbird behavior.

I always see pictures in birding magazines & catalogs of many hummers
blissfully feeding at the same feeder.  I have two multiple port feeders and
have NEVER seen more than one hummer at the feeder at a time.  That's
because they're constantly dive-bombing each other to chase the one feeding
away.  Earlier in the season, it seemed as though the males would be more
aggressive and chase the females away, but now it's the opposite.  Is the
behavior normal?

Regards,

Randy Dunson
Hillsborough  NC

----- Original Message -----
From: "James Bloor" <j.bloor@cellbio.duke.edu>
To: <carolinabirds@duke.edu>
Sent: Monday, August 07, 2000 11:04 AM
Subject: Hummingbird behaviour


> A couple of cool Hummingbird observations recently. The first was an
immature
> gleaning insects off the tree branches right outside our bedroom window. I
know
> that you all know that hummingbirds eat insects but it was wonderful to
actually
> see the proof that that is true for myself. Second we have a very clever
> immature coming to use our feeder. Rather than hover whilst drinking the
nectar
> like the other hummers do, it perches and takes long, leasurely drinks.
>
> Jim Bloor, Ph.D
> Department of Cell Biology,
> Duke University Medical Center,
> DUMC Box 3709,
> 307 Nanaline Duke Building,
> Research Drive,
> Durham, NC 27710-7599.
>
> tel.   (919) 681-8080
> fax.   (919) 684-5481
> email  j.bloor@cellbio.duke.edu
>