Last updated on June 12th, 2022 at 01:44 am
If you have a hummingbird feeder in your yard, then chances are that you’ve witnessed a fight at least once. Bully hummingbirds are a common occurrence, and they can stop hummingbirds that are shyer from accessing food or other resources. But why do they fight in the first place?
The main reason why hummingbirds fight over nectar is scarcity. There’s often nectar scarcity, either because the feeder doesn’t hold enough nectar or doesn’t have enough ports. However, they may also fight due to water scarcity or nesting space scarcity.
1. There’s Not Enough Nectar for Everyone
Perhaps the most common reason for hummingbird fights is that your feeder doesn’t have enough nectar in it.
If you consistently run out of nectar, hummingbirds may learn that your nectar supply is limited and fight over it each time you refill it.
It’s better to choose a large feeder with plenty of room for nectar or place multiple feeders around your property.
The LUJII Hummingbird Feeder (available on Amazon.com) can hold 36 fluid ounces of nectar, which is much more than the standard feeder.
That means that this feeder will support more hummingbirds for a longer period without running dry.
Just make sure that you don’t let nectar sit in the feeder unused for too long.
You should replace the nectar in the feeder at least twice a week in summer and once a week in winter. That way, the nectar won’t grow bacteria or otherwise become inedible.
2. Your Feeder Doesn’t Have Enough Ports
It’s also possible that your feeder has plenty of nectar, but it doesn’t have enough ports for the number of hummingbirds coming to feed.
The average feeder has anywhere from three to six ports, which may or may not be enough for the number of birds in your area.
Try installing a nectar feeder such as the Sewanta Hummingbird Feeder (available on Amazon.com).
This feeder comes as a set of two and has 20 ports in total, plenty for most backyards and gardens.
As a general rule, you can’t go wrong with having more ports.
You’re more likely to have too few than to have too many.
You can also set up multiple feeders to solve this problem, as each feeder will contribute several ports and perching places.
Just make sure that you keep all of the feeders full and that you place them far enough apart from each other that the bully hummingbirds can’t defend them all at once.
3. The Hummingbirds Have Become Territorial
Another possibility is that hummingbirds have plenty of nectar, but they’ve become territorial in general in response to another scarcity.
Common scarcities that may cause fighting include water and shelter scarcities.
To help hummingbirds coexist in peace, try installing nest boxes and a birdbath in your yard to ensure everyone has what they need to survive.
These GaoRuiA Hummingbird Houses (available on Amazon.com), are great outdoor decor specifically made for hummingbirds.
They provide hummingbirds with everything they need to build a nesting site.
The Wildlife World Ltd Shenstone Bird Bath (available on Amazon.com) is a great choice for hummingbirds.
This is because it has various levels of water depth and allows them to perch on the edge of the dish or a step in a shallow part of the water.
It also sits on the ground, resembling a natural water source and therefore attracting the attention of more birds.
How To Tell if Hummingbirds Are Fighting or Courting
Although hummingbirds are often aggressive birds, they also have courtship displays similar to fighting and can be misinterpreted.
Let’s take a quick look at how to tell the difference between these displays.
Fighting
When hummingbirds prepare for a fight, they’ll make distinctive vocalizations that sound like a fast-paced chirping or chattering.
These vocalizations increase in frequency and intensity if the intruder doesn’t go away.
Hummingbirds will also try to intimidate threatening visitors by spreading their wings while perched, flaring the throat.
If this approach doesn’t dissuade the intruder, hummingbirds will turn to chasing, followed by loud, angry chirps.
And finally, if this doesn’t work, they’ll physically fight.
You’ll notice that the hummingbirds display their beaks and talons during real fights.
They’ll crash into each other with beaks and talons out, sometimes killing their opponents.
Courting
Hummingbirds that are courting will puff their chests out, sometimes tossing their heads from side to side to show off their features.
They’ll chase each other affectionately during this time, usually initiated by the males.
They may also fly with their tails and feathers outstretched if they spot a perching female. Each of these actions is designed to attract attention.
You can learn to interpret two distinctive flight patterns as signs of courtship.
These are the dive display, during which the hummingbird nosedives from 60-130 feet in the air.
And the shuttle display, during which the male will fly back and forth in a shape like a letter U to attract attention, usually singing at the same time.
How To Keep Hummingbirds From Fighting Over Your Feeder
To keep hummingbirds from fighting over your nectar feeder, you can increase the number of feeders.
Place them evenly and making sure that there are plenty of perching locations.
Having extra feeders beyond just one will give less aggressive hummingbirds the chance to feed since bully hummingbirds won’t be able to defend all of them at once.
Choosing the Right Feeder
The LUJII Hummingbird Feeder (available on Amazon.com) is great because it has six different ports and a 25 fluid ounce storage capacity.
This is plenty for numerous hummingbirds to feed on simultaneously. This feeder is also made from hand-blown glass, making it a special and aesthetically pleasing choice.
Planting Native Vegetation
Planting native vegetation also plays a role in supporting more hummingbirds.
If you plant tubular, bright-colored flowers, you’ll likely see fewer hummingbirds fighting because there’ll be more food available for everyone.
This is also a great way to attract hummingbirds to a part of the yard or garden that has a feeder.
You might try this route if you’ve established multiple feeders and still see the hummingbirds all fighting over one.