PEAK TO PEAK - Peak summer is here, and the air is alight with wild energy! 

While most of the migratory animals arrive in the late spring and early summer, there are a few more just now showing up or passing through, and their arrivals signify some serious competition. 

A few weeks ago, we began to see our first arrivals of the notorious Rufous hummingbirds, and by now the air wars are in full swing.

I was recently asked if these fiery spirits were the “ones with social issues” and if they were extra feisty because of the sugary feeder syrup vs natural flower nectar. I am not a scientist in any way, so I can’t provide a definitive answer regarding sugar vs nectar and its physiological effects on behavior. 

My theory from observation, though, is that ultimately, no, the specific food type isn’t the root of the aggression as much as food sources in general, which are quite contentious in the natural world, no matter the source.

A major factor in the natural food vs feeder syrup question regarding behavior and dominance around a food source is the reality of scarcity. 

When it comes to flowers, nectar doesn’t come in an on-demand endless supply. Flowers become diminished by all manner of creatures enjoying the treat, and it takes time for a flower to “resupply” itself. 

Feeders, on the other hand, have a seemingly endless inventory as we humans make and refill the supply. The simple reality is that the birds don’t seem to understand this and guard the flower-like food source as though it will run out at any given minute.

Socially speaking, all hummingbird species are highly territorial. 

Broad-Tails are by far our most common species here in the Peak to Peak region. They begin to arrive in April and tend to stay until some time in September, establishing themselves well in their given food-based territories.

It bears noting that most hummingbirds return to the very same food source every year, so this establishment isn’t typically a new thing every year for them. By July, they are quite settled into a routine with set boundaries with other Broad-Tails. But then the whole game gets tossed on its head when the Rufous arrive.

Going back to general food scarcity as a reason for aggression, we must remember that we’re talking about creatures who are migrating great distances for their continued survival, and food sources are key to the success of that journey. 

While broad-tail migration is nothing to sniff at, typically traveling from winter homes in Mexico and Guatemala, the Rufous are covering a far greater distance.

These birds winter as far south as northern Brazil and begin their northerly trek in February or early March. The route takes them up the Pacific coast to their breeding grounds in British Columbia and southern Alaska. 

When we see them in July, they are already making their way south to the wintering grounds. Some of those that we see are just passing through, while others stay a little while, usually into mid-August or so.  

This extremely long distance requires a LOT of food to make the journey, so whether they are just passing through or settling in for a while, let’s just say they are a bit “hangry.” 

For those that stay a while, they seem to settle into a “routine” with the other species after a fashion, whether by bullying their way in, or coming to a sort of amiable agreement to share space. 

While it is common for a single rufous pair to barge in and take over a feeder, the other birds do still feed there, but utilize the area’s flowers more than the feeder. Due to its “natural” perches, the feeder provides an “on-location” spot on which to sit and guard ferociously.  

One factor that mitigates the bullying by Rufous is sheer numbers. During the summers, I enjoy “hosting” upwards of 500 hummingbirds a day. By the time the Rufous arrive, they never stand a chance at dominating the territory. 

That said, attracting those kinds of numbers can take years of frequent hummingbirds taking up summer residency.

Another simpler way to minimize aggression if one is using feeders, is to add additional food sources. Spread feeders far enough apart so that you are providing multiple territories which a bully might try to dominate. 

Ideally, they shouldn’t be close enough even to be seen by a bully, so that it comes down to simple “out of sight, out of mind” trickery.

At the end of the day, air wars will continue regardless of any one specific species. As seen in the example image of two Rufous squaring off, even if no other species are around, they will still fight among themselves over a food source. 

Outside of the solutions addressed, it’s best to just sit back and enjoy watching nature take its course, as these little living gems are still quite the entertaining acrobats to make up a major part of our summer pleasures.

For additional information about James DeWalt Photography, check out https://jamesdewaltphotography.com.