I was getting abit complacent about watching the hummer feeders recently - the two "Macho" males just
haven' t been coming to feed, and only a couple of second year birds that are just now getting their adult
plumage and couple of females are all we have seen for days.

But as I was watching other birds, a hummer came in low and fast and hid in a low rhododendron plant
about 5 feet from the feeder. Ah, hah, I think - an interloper trying to hide.
sure enough, here comes one of the Alpha males and he is going to display his goods! He actually landed
on the ground near the shrub and turned on the Electric Raspberry show. Now, I am thinking, is it a female
demurely watching from a perch hidden to me?
Well, the action that followed was so fast , that I am still not sure if it was a male or female, but the Macho
attacked the other bird. He actually grabbed the chest feathers of the other bird and they strugled with
every bit of their strength, but he didn't let go. They circled, they fell on the ground, and then up and down
and all around, in a locked position until , as a "couple", they flew off out of sight
so if it was a was male, he was being driven off. If it was a female, is this a sign of "I like you"?Clarice Clark
Puyallup, WA. 98371
mailto:jbroadus at seanet.com