I noticed that my resident male this winter first allowed a female (or any hummingbird) to share my feeder in early-mid December, which is when I assumed that they were pairing up. Then came the cold snap and all the snow, and he seemed less willing to share his nectar, chasing her off the feeder most days, but ever-so-once in a while, he allowed her. It seemed odd, so I wasn't sure if it was a different female, or if the weather forced him to reassess his available food resources. He seemed a lot more tolerant when the snow disappeared and starting in early January I noticed that they were alternating using and defending the feeder. One would stay near the feeder for a while and then they would switch, but occasionally both were on, or near, the same perch. I assumed that they were probably nest building. Recently another female began to try and use the feeder, and if the male was there, it was shooed off immediately, but the if the female was "in charge" she tried to shoo the unwelcome competition but with less aggression and often success (usually the second female was able to sneak in a quick feed). The females usually performed an elaborate 'dance' around the feeder before the 'dominant' female chased off the other. It often lasted about a minute. Occasionally, all three were chasing each other around. Now the length of time between the pair alternating the protection of the feeder seems to get longer, and I haven't seen them together in the same vicinity together for several days now, so I assume that they must have already laid? The Birder's Handbook says that only the female incubates the eggs, but I was wondering whether they might take turns when insect populations are scarce? The earliest nesting mentioned in Birds of Oregon was Jan 28th, so this seemed a little early for a higher latitude, but I guess not out of the question. Has anyone else noticed similar behavior?

Rod Gilbert
Olympia