Hummingbirds are known for their aerial acrobatics, dazzling speeds, and fierce territoriality. While their grace in midair can seem serene, male hummingbirds can become quite aggressive when defending their territory and food sources, especially during mating season.
What is dive bombing behavior in hummingbirds?
Dive bombing refers to when a hummingbird sharply dives toward another bird that has entered its territory. The diving hummingbird may vocalize with chirps or squeaks as it speeds in a direct path toward the intruder. The objective is to startle and drive the other bird away rather than make physical contact.
This behavior is exhibited between birds of the same species, particularly males defending nesting and feeding areas. Some common scenarios that can trigger dive bombing are:
- A rival male hummingbird entering an established territory
- A female hummingbird investigating potential nesting spots in an occupied area
- Juveniles approaching adult hummingbird feeders
The diving bird aims to deter the intruder by displaying its speed, agility, and willingness to defend its domain. While intimidating, the intention is not to injure through an actual collision. Still, the disrupted and distressed intruder usually flees after being dive bombed one or more times.
Why do hummingbirds dive bomb each other?
Here are the main reasons hummingbirds exhibit this aggressive diving behavior:
Defending feeding territories
Flowers, nectar feeders, and other prolific food sources are precious resources that hummingbirds vigorously protect. Dive bombing serves to drive away competitors to reserve the food supply for themselves and their offspring. Adults can consume up to half their body weight in nectar each day, so their feeding territory is critical.
Protecting nesting areas
Hummingbirds are highly territorial when nesting and breeding. The males select nesting sites and defend them fiercely. If an intruding hummingbird discovers a hidden nest, dive bombing is a swift response to send it away and protect eggs or fledglings.
Establishing dominance
Younger male hummingbirds may be dive bombed to reinforce the hierarchy of mature, dominant males in the habitat. Females also dive bomb other females encroaching on their zone. The aggressive action establishes boundaries and sends a warning to potential challengers.
Competition for mates
When seeking a mate, male hummingbirds do not want rivals interfering. Dive bombing is one tactic used to drive off other suiters and keep their attention focused on courtship displays intended to attract females.
In general, dive bombing aims to stress to an intruder that they are not welcome. The territorial hummingbird hopes the aggressive maneuver makes the trespasser less likely to return in the future after such an alarming experience.
When are hummingbirds most aggressive?
While hummingbirds can be territorial through much of the year, dive bombing behavior peaks during two periods:
Spring breeding season
As males return from migration and establish mating territories in the springtime, they become very protective. They will dive bomb any male competitor that approaches a prime nesting area or tries to court a female.
Late summer/fall before migration
In late summer and fall, food becomes especially critical as hummingbirds prepare for migration. They will aggressively defend plentiful nectar sources to fuel up. Males also continue displaying mating behaviors, leading to conflicts.
Other factors like population density, habitat loss, and availability of food, water, and shelter can stress hummingbirds and make them more prone to fighting.
Signs that hummingbirds are dive bombing
Here are signs that hummingbirds in your area are dive bombing:
- Seeing one hummingbird rapidly chase and dive at another
- Hearing hummingbird squeaks and chirps as they dive bomb
- Watching them make sharp, direct flights toward a target
- Noticing they nearly collide but veer off at the last moment
- Seeing them fluttering wings and spreading tail feathers during displays
- Observing hovering, rising and plummeting in repeated patterns
- Witnessing an intruding bird fleeing after being dive bombed
How to stop hummingbirds from dive bombing each other
To reduce hummingbird conflicts and dive bombing in your yard, try these tactics:
Provide multiple feeders
Having several hummingbird feeders spread 10-15 feet apart allows more birds to feed. This distributes the food resource and minimizes squabbles.
Use feeder guards
Caging or screening feeders can block access except at the feeding ports. This allows hummingbirds to get nectar but deters chasing at the feeder.
Employ decoy feeders
Set out one or more bee-proof feeders filled with colored water near your main feeders. They will distract territorial birds from guarding the active feeders.
Supply abundant natural nectar
Planting native flowers and shrubs that hummingbirds favor provides more feeding areas so birds don’t concentrate in one spot.
Use rain guards
Overhangs above feeders prevent nectar dilution on rainy days that especially attract hummingbirds to feed. Less crowding means less competition.
Provide water sprayers
Misting fountains for birds to bathe and drink helps distract them from feeders and reduces time spent there. More baths can calm aggressive behavior.
Select feeder locations carefully
Situate feeders in open spots with clear sightlines so birds can see each other coming and avoid surprise encroachments on their territory.
Let dominant birds establish pecking order
Interfering with natural hierarchies can increase confusion and aggression. Allow dynamics to settle so boundaries become clear.
Clean feeders regularly
Promptly replacing nectar keeps feeders working optimally so hummingbirds don’t cluster at under-performing feeders and fight.
When to be concerned about hummingbird conflicts
In most cases, the diving antics are harmless displays that resolve naturally. However, contact with humans and windows can happen, so seek advice if you witness:
- Excessive fighting with feathers being pulled out
- Injured or grounded hummingbirds after colliding with each other, windows, walls, etc.
- Repeated targeting of people as they approach feeders or flowers
- Dangerous chases into traffic or unsafe areas
- Nest destruction or killing of eggs or young
- Disruption of normal feeding and pollination habits
Consult an avian expert, rehabilitator, or government wildlife agency if aggression creates hazardous conditions requiring intervention.
Conclusion
Dive bombing is a natural behavior hummingbirds use to defend resources critical to their survival. While startling for humans, it rarely results in actual collisions between the birds. Providing adequate feeding spaces, nesting sites, water, and shelter can help reduce conflicts. With some adjustments, you can still enjoy watching hummingbirds safely display their spectacular flying talents in your yard.