Neighborhood bully

[smweaver]

These are not the best pictures, but in my humble defense, capturing one of these little birds is like photographing a fighter plane. I'm not certain what species she is, but I'm fairly certain that she is, in fact, a she due to the rather drab colors (a visiting male, by contrast, was a striking metallic lime green color that practically glowed with an almost neon vibrancy). Although she tolerates me while I'm on the back deck, I've seen her see off several other members of her own kind--even though I'm sure, based on her greedy feeding habits, that she's not terribly hungry.

[Jayfar]

Your bully hummingbird might one day meet its match in the form of a vicious praying mantis.

I had posted the following on another forum a while back.

Praying Mantis Makes Meal of a Hummingbird | Bird Watcher's Digest

Also, youtube has numerous mantis versus hummingbird videos:

praying mantis hummingbird - YouTube

But still I love mantises. There was one a few years ago at my job who was hanging out in one spot on a seldom-used loading dock door. He stayed within inches of the same spot for many days. I went on vacation and came back and he was still there. Another time I found one indoors in the hallway, so I scooped him up on a sheet of paper and took him out to a grassy area across the parking lot.

[Bud]

its merely territorial ownership....even humans guard their water wells in the olden times and fight to the death and even up to the present we still pay for water ....you better provide more for the others

[smweaver]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

Your bully hummingbird might one day meet its match in the form of a vicious praying mantis.

I like the mantids also. But around here they really don't get big enough to tackle hummingbirds. And they've also got to watch their backs. I have lots of tree frogs that absolutely adore mantids and spiders.

[WhiteRabbit]

Nice photos!

Hummingbirds are extremely territorial. I have quite the aerial dog fights at one of my feeders, especially in the evening. It "seats" two, but there will be 7 or so birds battling for a spot.

In Indiana, I would expect it to be a Ruby Throated or a Rufous hummingbird.

[Orchidgirl83]

Those little hummers certainly can be little brats, but they are so pretty and it is so funny to listen to them fuss at each other.

[smweaver]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

In Indiana, I would expect it to be a Ruby Throated or a Rufous hummingbird.

Thank you, Sonya. I appreciate the help with identifying her (or him, as the case may be).

Steve

[Picotee]

Cool pictorial sequence. Wish we had visiting humming birds. We have a family of bluejays who are bullied by an intimidating pigeon. It's a fight every morning over which of them gets the most unsalted peanuts. One poor little bluejay has a bad leg and it breaks my heart to see it bravely trying to perch on its one good leg, flapping its wings to keep its balance. I put nuts close to the edge of the wall so it can fly by and quickly grab one.

[smweaver]

A group of bluejays are intimidated by a pigeon? That would be something to see (although yeah, I would feel terrible to watch the lame bluejay doing its best to get its share of food). Around here the bluejays are very good at holding their own; in fact, they tend to be the only birds that will stand up to the raiding squirrels at the bird feeder in my back yard. One good peck should teach that pigeon a lesson. :-)

[tuvoc]

I love these little guys. Many years ago, when I had more patience, I got one to perch on my finger while it fed. Nowadays, the yellow jackets are getting downright nasty keeping my hummer away from the feeder.

Kim