In a message dated 98-04-05 23:30:55 EDT, whall at silverlink.net writes:

<< I have been witnessing for several weeks an all out war between an adult
male Rufous and an immature male Rufous at my feeders. It is not a normal
territorial battle that you might expect. It seems that on most occasions
one will wait for the other to go to the feeder. Then will make an all out
charge to drive to other away. Sometimes the attack will come as one
approaches the feeder. They always fly off into the neighbors yard, but
one is usually back within minutes to feed undisturbed. My theory is that
the immature is the son of the adult and is challenging dad for the
territory and mom. Any ideas out there? >>

I don't have any ideas, but I do have a story to add. My grandmother had two
little "perky pet" sugar water feeders out when I was growing up in Florida.
She lived out in the "boondocks" as she called em. Very close to the
Withlacoochee State Forest. She had numerous "resident" Rubythroat families
that would put on quite the show that would make the Blue Angels jealous of
their expertise. Males would chase males, females would chase females. But
the most intense would be the males. They would spend 10 minutes divebombing
each other while trying to feed. The chase would be on....both would land in
separate trees mocking each other and then appear to race to the feeder again.
The one chased off would attempt the other feeder on the south side of house,
no sooner would he start to feed then the chase was on again. I'll never
forget the way they would zzzzippp around the corners of the house. I don't
know how you describe their chatter but that's exactly what it would sound
like as they zzzzippped all over and around the house. I was always wondering
what it would feel like if they ran in to me. They would tolerate you sitting
on the deck 5 feet away from the feeder. Now that I'm here in Washington, I
always wonder if I'll get visitors like those here...oh well..

Ivory
Ivoryblld at aol.com
Seattle, Wa (nuthin like floreeda)