Return of the Rufous

We have been watching closely for the return of the Rufous Hummingbirds from their wintering grounds in the tropics. All winter long we have daily had a female Anna’s Hummingbird at out juice feeder. Occasionally we would see a male, and since moving the feeder closer to the window we are able to see the male many times a day.  Yesterday, the long anticipated conflict between the Anna’s and the recently returned Rufous Hummingbirds ramped up into full blown warfare. The male Rufous has staked out a watch point in the neighbors alder tree, and from there can make a dive bomb to our feeder to attack any other users. You can see from the two photos he definitely has an “attitude”, and though smaller than the Anna’s is indeed a fierce competitor. It’s going to be an interesting battle for the territory.  In Elkton it was always won by the Rufous, and the Anna's went elsewhere, here in Salemtowne I hope we can all get along.