Hummingbirds make small, exquisite nests, and lay tiny eggs! Like other birds, they also have to find mates and raise their babies.
How do hummingbirds find the right mate? Do they stay with that same mate for the rest of their life?
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The Art of Courtship
Hummingbird males attract females in one of two ways. Yes, they sing like other birds do, even though it’s hard to imagine that most male hummingbirds, if not all of them, do so.
Many hummingbird songs are simple chip notes and insect-like noises. Some tropical species do, however, have loud, intricate songs that sometimes even mimic the calls of other bird species!
The Scaly-breasted Hummingbird of Central America sings like this. Interestingly, this species of hummingbird is also among the duller ones. Rather than using vivid colors to draw attention from women, it seems to sing a fancy song.
Speaking of vivid and lovely hues, most male hummingbirds entice females in the same way. Males of many species, such as the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Costa’s Hummingbird, and others, have far more vivid colors than females.
In addition to drawing attention from females, their brilliant, iridescent colors highlight the male bird’s good health. The brighter the males plumage, the healthier he is.
What do hummingbird displays look like?
Hummingbird males must dance in order to find a mate, even though their beautiful song and colorful plumage may draw in females. Although hummingbirds’ tiny feet are unsuitable for shuffles or fast steps, their wings are incredibly powerful!
Some of the world’s most spectacular avian courtship displays are those of hummingbirds. In spring, if you observe male hummingbirds, you will most likely witness them in action. Most of the time, the male birds hover and dart in front of the females.
They take care to fly at a height and angle that highlights their glowing throats and body colors. Male hummingbirds may also extend and move their throat patch, or “gorget,” to better display it.
Small hummingbird species perform diving displays in North America and other countries, using their wings and tails to produce high-pitched buzzy or whiny noises. They have the ability to dive from 90 feet above to quickly surface close to the ground, usually next to the female.
Additionally, different species have different dive displays. For example, the Anna’s Hummingbird makes a J-shaped dive, while the Ruby-throated Hummingbird makes a U-shaped dive.
Male hummingbird displays in tropical areas can also feature long, flowing tails and other fancy plumage!
FAQ
Do hummingbird families stay together?
What’s the life expectancy of a hummingbird?
Do hummingbirds recognize humans?
Do hummingbirds come back to the same place every year?