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Should I take down my hummingbird feeder?

11 years ago

I am freaking out a little here. The beautiful little buggers are highly territorial and belligerent. Sometimes there will be a dominant bird that guards the feeder and swoops in to intercept any other bird who tries to feed. The intercepted bird will either fly away - be chased off. Or turn toward the guarder for a faceoff and skirmish.

In the last couple of years I've picked up about three dead birds and had a couple of birds stunned on my deck from doing battle.

The feeder is right outside my dining area large window, so I can hear and see the dog-fights, and it is starting to bother me.

I just witnessed two birds literally wrestling around on my deck before they flew off.

I'm wondering if I should keep the feeder up or not. Whether the little terrors will do the same level of fighting over the salvias and other hummingbird-friendly plants in my garden, or is it specifically the feeder that is making them so deadly.

A friend of mine has over a dozen feeders up in his garden and says the birds don't fight. But I don't know how many feeders I would have to put up until the warring buggers don't fight and kill each other anymore.

Any thoughts?

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Comments (8)

dedtired
11 years ago
I'd add another feeder first. Put it away from the first feeder. It's so much fun to watch them when they aren't fighting with each other. I watched a battle royal on my patio once. The one bird had the other in a full nelson! They both survived, though.
lpinkmountain
11 years ago
My friend is an avid hummingbird feeder. She got me a set when I got my new house and yard. Notice I said SET. She warned me that you need two feeders to avoid the fighting. That's all that she has, just two. Give it a try.
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lindac
11 years ago
I have 3 and they fight.....but they fight over petunias....that's just the way they are.....
Definitly you need more feeders......
kathleenca
11 years ago
Yes, more feeders. Hbirds ARE territorial & will chase each other no matter the sex. I'm in southern California so most are here year-round, & I have 5 feeders out all the time.

I don't think your HBirds will stop jousting, but at least put up one more a few feet from the first feeder - that should help. Please don't worry too much about it - it's not you, it's that they think they are mighty warriors.
Lars
11 years ago
I took down all of my hummingbird feeders temporarily because there are so many flowers right now, including an especially prolific bromeliad that the birds like. I only have the feeders up when there are not enough flowers, but since I have them hanging in the apple tree, it helps when there are fewer leaves on the tree.

During the winter, I keep four feeders in the apple tree, and I have not noticed them being belligerent to the point of killing or even maiming each other.

I took down feeders this spring because they were not being used that much and were getting mold. In the winter I had to refill them often, but in the spring, the birds went to the flowers instead. I have a lot of aloes and succulents that bloom in the winter, but I guess they do not supply enough food for the birds - at least not compared to the other flowers I have blooming now.

Lars
compumom
11 years ago
Sharing this thread with DH. He thinks the hummers hate our new feeder. I think they're enjoying the many agapanthus blooms instead!
Gina_W
Original Author
11 years ago
Ellen, if they haven't discovered it, maybe they will soon. Why would they hate it? Is it weird-looking? LOL.

I'm going to add a second feeder - my girlfriend is going to give me hers as she always forgets to fill it and is not home much. I'll see if that cuts down on the fighting.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Now, what to do about the non-hummingbird birds who occasionally come perch on the feeder to check it out, causing it to swing and drip solution onto the deck!

BTW, speaking of birds, now I know what happens to fruit no one picks. Crows have picked my neighbors loquat tree clean, and dropped lots of seeds and detritus all over my yard.

I love birds ;P
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
11 years ago
Seems like I read that a male hummingbird needs about an acre of territory. I don't have feeders but have many multiples of favorite plants over our acre or so of yard.
(big gardener here)
Each year for the past 12 years, we have had one hummingbird who vigorously defends the area from others. We might have two or three birds but I only see one peacefully existing. He will rest on a curly willow branch I have stuck in a container outside my kitchen window.

Favorite plant by far, light pink salvia greggi. I have one in front of the window and it is easier than a feeder....

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