Battle for territory

       Within the first few days of a young hummingbird leaving the nest, they start to realize that if they want food and territory, they will have to compete fiercely for it. Here are two young Ruby Throated Hummingbirds in a unique battle for territory. They continuously rise up and down trying to outlast the other. Sometimes they reach heights of 500-800 ft before one tires out and heads for the ground. Neither gives up easily as they each know as soon as they dive towards the ground, the other one will be right on its tail trying to seriously hurt it. They can dive at speeds exceeding 100km(60mph), and in doing so their wings and tail feathers can create a high pitched screech, sounding like a mini jet as they approach the ground. The one that outlasts the other obviously wins territory and sticks close by until it has another challenger. I call this a jousting battle, and is usually done between the males. Aug. 2015, N.E. of Edmonton, AB.

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