Bird Habits

     Every day we repeat the same patterns in our lives. We get up and continue the same routines day in and day out. We find the easiest ways to simplify things, take the same route to work, and so on. They become habits whether good or bad, but we do this because we want to remain in our comfort zone. We feel safe and secure in doing this, just as all animals and birds do. 
     This young Ruby-throat would feed in its flower patch and then fly back to not only the same cluster of trees, or the same tree, or even the same branch, but would sit in exactly the same spot on that branch. Until they're threatened or disrupted from that flight pattern or safe spot, they will keep returning. It's not to say they won't use other branches as well, but they will remember all the safe perches and store them for later. 
     This young bird is sitting in its Willow tree watching over its patch of flowers because it found value in the Delphinium patch and has not discovered the value of feeders yet. It's even demonstrating at the very young age how to intimidate other hummingbirds away from its flower patch by flaring out the wings and tailfeathers and showing it's anger.
​2015, N.E. of Edmonton, Alberta. Juvenile Ruby-throated hummingbird

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