Two male hummingbirds have staked out their claims to a particular yellow-flowering berberis in the Winter Garden. See the photos and read the story of their competition and potential reproductive activities. On:
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
Anita bowers says
Larry, I have a hummingbird feeder that I keep clean and full. It is always in use but is it wrong of me to do that?
Larry Hubbell says
Anita,
I think keeping it clean and full is wonderful so the birds can depend on your food supply and not transmit illnesses to each other. In general i think we – humanity – are causing enough problems for nature that a little extra safe food kind of helps balance things out. The challenge with the Anna’s is that they have been moving north, out of California, and may be taking the place of the native Rufous Hummingbird. However, it is seems likely that our – human – developments are pushing the Rufous out and the Anna’s could be just filling the vacuum. We still have a ways to go to figure out how to live in harmony with nature, but helping wild creatures survive sure seems like a step in the right direction. Thank you!
Larry