On 4/11/2020 10:06 AM, Terry Coombs wrote:
We've got 2 male ruby throated hummers having a dispute over whose
feeder it is . They seem to be pretty evenly matched , neither has
succeeded in running the other off . And we're thoroughly enjoying
watching them play their little games . Beats the hell out of the doom
and gloom news the MSM is pushing ...
Surprisingly, I haven't seen any of those aerial battles yet. They're
very slow in showing up this year. I don't know why. It was a very
mild Winter. I've only seen one male and one female, separately.
Hopefully it won't be long before there are more of them to watch as
they strive for territory. One thing I've noticed over the years is
while the males are busy fighting, the females have to sneak in to get a
quick sip. Often times when the female wants to sip they drive her away
due to the macho posturing over the feeder. Well hey, that's no way to
act! Don't you want her to be the mother of your children?
Hummingbirds are fascinating. :)
I try not to watch the depressing news. Watching birds is so much more
fun and and a great distraction. :) This morning alone I saw tufted
titmice, purple finches, house finches, Carolina wrens and Carolina
chickadees splish splashing in the small and only bird bath on the
patio. :) And then there were those two Mourning Doves sitting in my
tiny birdbath next to each other a few days ago. It's mating season.
Those doves parlayed with one other pair of doves for the opportunity to
get into that little bird bath first. That's the only reason I noticed.
I don't usually see Mourning doves all trying to get into the bath
together. Not even to drink, together. They usually take turns.
I turned my head and saw a ruckous. Four doves. It's ours! No, we got
here first! No, see? We're both sitting in it now so YOU go away. And
the other doves did. It was such a funny thing to watch! It was like a
bird negotiation. Or situation comedy. Heh.
This is a great time to be watching the birds. And for me to constantly
keep that little bird bath cleaned and filled because they keep showing
up. :)
I haven't seen either one of the hummers today. Maybe there are other
feeders out in the neighborhood. I do know a lot of people in this
community enjoy backyard birding.
This is a great time to do it, and not because of Covid-19. Because
birds are fascinating. And so pretty!
Jill <---in southern South Carolina
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