{"id":9184,"date":"2021-07-19T10:34:28","date_gmt":"2021-07-19T10:34:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=9184"},"modified":"2022-04-25T14:19:51","modified_gmt":"2022-04-25T14:19:51","slug":"why-do-hummingbirds-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/why-do-hummingbirds-fight\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Hummingbirds Fight?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever witnessed hummingbirds chasing each other or fighting? Hummingbirds may be small<\/a>, but they can pack a serious punch if you get on their bad side. So why do hummingbirds fight – with each other and with other animals? What are the usual signs of aggressive behavior in hummingbirds, and how do you keep them from fighting over your feeders? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll answer all of these questions and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Are Hummingbirds So Mean to Each Other?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If you\u2019ve ever witnessed a group of hummingbirds squabbling over your backyard feeder, you know that these tiny birds can have serious attitude problems. But, as it turns out, they usually have pretty good reasons for fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hummingbirds are extremely territorial<\/strong>. The males are driven to fight for their food and any areas where they have \u201cstaked their claim.\u201d<\/em> Females may also fight for food, especially if there isn\u2019t much to go around, but they are especially protective of their nests and are sometimes known to chase away predators or other hummingbirds who get too close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason for these behaviors are simple enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hummingbirds fight for their food because they need a lot of it<\/strong>. They will eat as much as seven times per hour and will consume half their own body weight in a day. When they find a good food source, they aren\u2019t particularly inclined to share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mother animals are almost always protective, and female hummingbirds are no different in that way. They will chase away any animals they consider a threat to their babies, and that may sometimes include other hummingbirds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another reason some hummingbirds are mean to each other is that it may be a part of their courtship rituals.<\/strong> According to the Huffington Post<\/a>, the males of a hummingbird species called the long-billed hermit will engage in \u201cjousting\u201d <\/em>matches and compete over the females.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other species may also use aggression during mating season. The male hummingbirds of many species will actually attempt to attract females by chasing and fighting with them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hummingbird aggression is usually worst in the spring and summer months<\/strong>, when they are actively searching for new territories, building nests, and looking for food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hummingbirds show aggression in many ways, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n