Date: 09/02/2020

Number: 2

I have observed at least 2 non-male Ruby-throated hummingbirds daily at my feeders. Not being able to distinguish a juvenile from a female this is how I will describe them. I suspect that there may be more. They are competing for the feeders. This has been typical behaviour at my feeders for the entire year. In mid-summer they would come to feed and then leave. If they encountered another hummingbird there would be a quick joust. One would wait in the wings and when the more dominant one left the less dominant would feed. This is still the behaviour I am observing. However, I am also observing that after feeding the hummingbird will perch in the tree where the feeders hang only to return a short time later to feed again. I am assuming that when they were quickly feeding and leaving that they were on the nest or feeding young. I guess I could assume that they are fueling up to leave. Due to this competition I have located feeders in the front and back yard. As mentioned in an earlier report, we have Rose of Sharons in the front which attract the Ruby-throated hummingbirds. This affords the better opportunity for observation as they spend longer feeding here both at each blossom and going blossom to blossom. Occasionally, I observe feeding at the feeders in front but mostly they choose the blossoms. Curiously, I have a wind spinner with the image of a male Ruby-throated hanging from the edge of the porch roof. It has a bold red fringe which almost daily seems to attract at least one bird's attention. Today's weather was partly cloudy, humid and we had a high of 27C. The hummingbirds are regularly observed from shortly after sunrise until about one to two hours before sunset. Always a thrill to see them feed.

Lakeshore, ON

Latitude: 42.2 Longitude: -82.9

Observed by: Laura
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