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From: benefiel@wyse.wyse.com (Daniel Benefiel xtmp x2531 dept234)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Another Bird Behavior
Message-ID: <3209@wyse.wyse.com>
Date: 27 Jun 91 21:13:39 GMT
Organization: Wyse Technology, San Jose
Lines: 12


I've been noticing a certain behavior in the hummers at my feeder, and
it reminded me of past discussions such as "Why Doves & Pigeons bob their
heads when they walk" and "Why Robins tilt their heads when worming."

When I'm close to the feeder, the hummingbirds sometimes prefer to
keep an eye on me, and so they sit on the opposite perch facing me.
Then, they feed by taking a sip, raising their head, and looking at me,
first with one eye and then the other.  It seems they can't see me
by looking straight on, and that it helps to use both eyes, even if not
at the same time.  But, if they can't see straight on, how do they get
their beaks in the feeder, or, better yet, catch insects?