Date: 07/23/2023

Number: 14

No mating display swoops observed since July 16th. Second clutches are in nests. Feeder nectar consumption trended upward again this week to levels unseen here even during the past three seasons' pre-migration hyperphagia, with a high of 160ml today on Sunday. It appears to have been a very successful first clutch. I was able to account for at least fourteen individual ruby-throated hummingbirds, at least three of which are adult males. Competition around the feeder also steadily increased by this weekend and the dominant male became increasingly violent. On Sunday, he perched directly above the feeder, couldn't keep others off it but he dove, jabbed, grabbed, and kicked all day tirelessly in a juggling-like motion of hummingbirds. He had feathers taken off victims in his beak and even grabbed and rode a few of them to the ground and around the yard like a hummingbird bullride, which was hilarious to watch but there were a lot of ruffled feathers and shabby looking plumage. A few times, others from the crowd took shots at the dominant male as well. He was observed scratching a lot the past couple days, so the molt has likely begun.

Nectar consumption per day: 80ml low, 160ml high, 141ml average

Pictured is a very beautiful mature female (based upon long beak, large body, wings, and clear white throat) running off another, and holding her own against an adult male.

Gulliver, MI

Latitude: 46.1 Longitude: -86.1

Observed by: James
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