I have seen those kinds of battles too, but only when it is really cold and
the little warriors are trying very hard to defend their food source during
a freeze. I don't know how they can expend that level of energy for so long.
My solution: out as many feeders out as I can so that each is out of
line-of-sight from the others...a tough thing to do since one male can
position himself at a corner perch and see up both sides of the house. They
have to be on opposite sides of the house, and even then they often run
patrols around the perimeter of the house. What a hoot to watch!
Dianna Moore
Ocean Shores, Wa.
dlmoor2 at coastaccess.com