Male Rufous Hummingbirds are territorial 24-7.

Male do not participate in any of the nesting process
and most of their territorial displays are in defense
of feeding territories not breeding sites.

This is actually part of the difficulty in establishing
genuine breeding ranges, since displaying males can be
found anywhere after they start their post-copulatory
dispersals (which begin in late May and early June).

B Kildow wrote:
>
> Could someone tell me if Rufous Hummingbirds would be nesting now or if
> they're always territorial? We have one visiting our hummingbird feeder
> and he's always patrolling his territory on that side of the house. A
> few minutes ago, I was watering some plants far on the other side of the
> house. Kneeling next to one pot with a hose, I heard what sounded like
> the world's biggest yellow jacket coming for me. I kind of sucked down
> and it passed. I looked up and there was "our" hummingbird, hovering up
> above me and to my left. Then he made pass number two. This time, he
> was close enough that I could feel the breeze from his wings. He
> hovered again, apparently with the greatest satisfaction at the response
> he'd engendered and then took off. If they're nesting now, I'd like to
> move the pots if possible so that I don't cause any stress. If he's
> being normally territorial, I guess he'll eventually figure out that I
> mean him no harm. Help!!?!
>
> Bryn Kildow
> Olympia, WA
> tracker99 at foxinternet.net

--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
celata at pacifier.com

http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html