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Humming Blog

One Brave Girl

3/6/2019

2 Comments

 
Picture


​     When you go all out for the Spring migration, and prepare your garden with more food options than any other garden within miles, what you get is a male dominated territory.  When you provide more than anyone else has, numerous males will fight for the territory.  Even though one male will reign supreme over the others, those others still find it hard to resist the overwhelming temptations you provide.  
     There's only one disadvantage to this situation - the females are far less likely to stick around your garden while the males are showing off, or extremely combatant.  You'll still see the female sightings, but they'll find it far too intimidating to just stick around and relax.
     Last Spring gave me just a few opportunities to capture one brave girl.  After dipping into the nectar, she sat around for perhaps just one last opportunity before nesting would occupy all her time.  A piece of evidence remained on her bill of what consumed her time over the previous days. Aspen fluff and perhaps some sticky spider webbing has clumped near the tip of her bill. This was evidence that she was in the process of building her nest. 
     The more male domination you have around your garden, the less likely you'll have a female nesting close by.  The females may choose a nesting ground a few miles away to avoid any intimidation or chaos caused by the males, but your abundant offerings of rich nectar and flower choices will remain in the back of her mind. When the desires reach their peak, she's sure to travel the great distance to fulfill that craving of rich endless nectar. 
     June of 2018. N.E. of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

2 Comments
Peggy Bojalad
3/6/2019 02:12:06 pm

I love my Hummingbirds and over the years i have noticed i didnt see my females as often anymore as my family here grew over the years, it did cross my mind to what exactly was going on and why....never gave this a thought,but now i know thanks to your great knowledge of our babies we love so much....,the only time i see my girls the most was around mating time then it becomes a war zone here the males are buzzing everywich way they possibly can its like 4th of july around here with bottle rockets firing all over the place...lol but their dance they do for the ladies is such a remarkable thing to watch,its hpw i always know there is a female near after not being seen for awhile,but they do bring their young here later on,and its an experience i love and cherish so much....thank you Michael for being so informative

Reply
Mike Wiens
3/6/2019 02:16:10 pm

Thank you Peggy!

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