Black Chin vs. Rufous hummingbirds

[Ponietz]

The black chin male who took over my hummingbird feeder early this year really displayed for the females. For eight weeks virtually every time I went outside he was at it. Mesmerizing high dives and lateral sachets early in morning until evening. He’d buzz dive me, too, screaming from behind and missing my head by only a few inches. Quite a prolific little fellow. His hatchlings fledged (will there be more?) and last week there were 5 or 6 sharing the nectar sociably, for hummingbirds I guess.

But occasionally after the solstice a rufous shows up and completely bullies the black chins. That happened this year about 4 days ago. He’s orange and fat and refuses to share. It figures. So I worry about the little black chins. This afternoon they joined forces and drove him back for a while. I was happy to see them feeding. But here comes rufous again. Quite a drama. Honestly, it’s difficult not to anthropomorphize him.

It has rained three times these past three months for a total of about ten minutes. The river is the lowest I’ve ever seen. Some communities are rationing water. We’re on the edge of apocalyptic drought I fear.

[Tom Dyer]

1. In more than two years in Panam

I have yet to see a single hummingbird share the feeder with any other bird. Any attempt is a challenge to go to WAR.
I’m guessing that I have 6 species that visit regularly, but there has never been more than one at a time.
But they still delight, and that purple/red/yellow/emerald - well who cares?

[Ponietz]

2. I care since we're at a breaking point

and the lack of rain means few flowering plants. The black chin male allows the female and fledglings to feed. The rufous is far more aggressive and prevents the black chins from feeding at all. And only rarely have the rufous appeared, until now. Frankly, most birds are disappearing. The orioles, evening grosbeaks. western tanagers, canyon towhees, goldfinches, kingbirds, Lewis woodpeckers, solitaires, and more, are gone. I need more feeders.

I’m trying to help a few birds stay alive and am invested in the success of the little guy's family. Six years ago I “adopted” a flock of piñon jays displaced by wildfires that destroyed several hundred thousand acres and they show up now whenever they need to. Sunflower seeds are available every morning. When the jays are gone so are piñon trees.