Hummingbird Dogfights on my Back Porch

Two of my great pleasures in life are playing the didgeridoo on my back porch swing–a dual-hammock-chair  loveseaty thing–and the numerous hummingbirds that come to the feeder that hangs nearby.

Four species of hummingbird are regular visitors. Speedy Black-Chinned hummers zoom in, flashing bright purple in the twilight. Delicate Calliopes perch and look about nervously as they steal rapid sips. On occasion, a Rufous hummer will pay a visit. And with trilling wingbeats, the Broad-taileds come in.

The last of these, the Broad-tailed hummers, are aggressors among all the others. On seeing any other bird arrive, one male among them comes whirring in from the huge serviceberry bush to confront and give chase to any interlopers.

The Broad-tailed hummers perform aerial combat stunts. When a male challenges the resident who dominates the feeder, they face off for a split second in mid-air, hovering with their tails fanning at each other. Then the resident lunges in. Wingtips buzz against each other for a moment until one relents and is pursued by the other.

When this happens, several others come to the feeder from all directions, enjoying a few moments of peace. They feed. Minor squabbles occur, and they jockey for positions. Soon the dominant Broad-tailed returns and, one by one, clears out each of the trespassers.