These full sized hummer displays are more properly called territorial
displays. They are routinely used to denote feeding territories and
need not be associated with the breeding season. Most hummingbirds
(Anna's included) have much more intimate displays; whisking and
figure-eights that are almost entirely used for courtship.

There's been a lot of comment about Sibley's new book, but one things
that he's absolutely correct on is the shape of hummingbird territorial
displays. Finally, a general use source that correctly describes
Rufous displays properly.

narendra bhagwat wrote:
>
> Hi Tweets,
> Today (10/22/00) I saw this male Anna's courtship display at montlake fill.
> I knew that this 'J' shaped display is fast, but never imagined that it's so
> fast that I can't even see it clearly. He was doing it right above my head.
> He was going very high up, hovering for few seconds and then diving very
> fast in a 'J' shape. It was so fast that I was able to see him only at the
> end. He repeated that at least 10 times. As he completes the dive there was
> a very high pitch buzz also. There was one more hummingbird, but I'm not
> sure weather female or not! This male was there from 11.00 am to 4.00pm.
>


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Mike Patterson Alas, to wear the mantle of Galileo,
Astoria, OR it is not enough to be persecuted
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you must also be right.
---Robert Park
http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html