In response to Inga's inquire about dusk hummingbird behavior, last summer I
had up three feeders, two on the east and one on the west side of the house.
After sunset and just before full darkness I would have up to 7 hummers
feeding at the east feeders. After a few minutes of displaying, chasing and
tail fanning they would all settle down to fill up. At times there would be
two birds sitting side by side at each feeder tube and sometimes another
hoovering just above their heads. At one time there was one literally
standing on another's head to get to the food. This was during the warm
month of August and there were both males, females and juveniles all feeding
together.

Even these cool spring nights I now have up to seven (5males and 2 females)
on the two feeders I presently have out. After a bout of chasing about they
all settle down for a fill just before full darkness sets in and it is too
dangerous to fly any longer.

I think they get to a point they realize they all have to fuel up for the
long night hours and their aggressive behaviour turns off with the on-coming
darkness. Dawn brings back the territorial behavior and displays.

Perhaps it is a self-survival mechanism that kicks in at sunset, who knows..

Mary Hrudkaj
hrudkajm at hotmail.com
Tahuya/Belfair
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