Hummingbird Behaviors

The hummingbird is one of the smallest members of the avian family, ranging in size from .07 to 0.7 oz. These tiny creatures are extremely agile in flight and, with the ability to hover, have been nicknamed the avian helicopter. Hummingbirds display a wide range of interesting behaviors from courtship dances to territorial displays of aggression.

  1. Flying

    • Humming birds are unique in their method of flight from other birds because they have the capability to hover. The hummingbird can flap its wings as much as 50 times per second -- a movement so fast that it looks like a blur to the human eye. Hummingbirds are capable of flying in almost any direction, including upside down and backwards, and the power of their flight derives as much from the downstroke of their wings as from the upstroke.

    Feeding

    • Because hummingbirds operate in almost constant motion, their metabolism is extremely high, and their bodies require almost constant feeding. A hummingbird may take in as much as two-thirds of its body weight in food during the day. Hummingbirds feed by inserting their long, probelike beaks into the center of tubular flowers to extract nectar. Though a hummingbird's diet consists mostly of sugar, they also require protein. Hummingbirds receive protein from small insects that are caught in the air and in plants with the grooves on the side of the hummingbird's tongue.

    Communication

    • Hummingbirds communicate with each other via visual display. Male hummingbirds might toss their heads and utter shrill cries while females spread their tail feathers while perched. Hummingbirds are capable of making sounds ranging from unmusical calls to shrill cries and chirps. When their territory is threatened, hummingbirds have been known to send up a loud chatter of chirps and squeals. Some species of hummingbird even emit a kind of song that is used by the male to declare and protect his territory.

    Courtship

    • When a male hummingbird desires a female, it engages in courtship behavior to lure the female. The shuttle dance is a type of courtship display performed by the male that involves flying quickly back and forth in front of the female. The width of this flight is usually about 10 inches and the gorget (a patch on the throat) of the male may be displayed. Male hummingbirds also engage in U-shaped dives which are usually accompanied by whistling, buzzing, and popping sounds to attract the attention of the female.

    Fighting

    • Hummingbirds can be fiercely territorial and they will defend their feeding grounds against intruders. The hummingbird guards its territory by perching high in a bush or tree to watch for predators. During a fight, hummingbirds use their beaks and claws as weapons, flapping their wings against their opponents and clawing at them with their feet. Though they are small, hummingbirds have been known to fight with larger birds like crows and hawks to defend their territory.