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From: rcb33483@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Kehaar)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: Hummers: What is it they are doing?!!!
Message-ID: <1990Mar1.221051.29369@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Date: 1 Mar 90 22:10:51 GMT
References: <2562@ncr-sd.SanDiego.NCR.COM>
Sender: news@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (News)
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Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
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In article <2562@ncr-sd.SanDiego.NCR.COM> donnam@palomar.SanDiego.NCR.COM (Donna Mitchell) writes:
>Well, the little jewels of the sky are in abundance once again!  Annas
>never leave, but the Allens are back.  Rufous should be here any day (they
>show up about the same time as Orioles).
>
>But, a question:  Over the years I have noticed this aerobatic trick that
>the hummers do:  They fly straight up in the air...very high.  Then, drop
>straight back to earth (wings tucked in), and at the last moment swoop
>back upwards and make a wistle-pop sound.  (It's like making a big "J")
>They continue this for about 20 minutes at a time, or until another
>hummer drives them off.  I think all of these aerobatic daredevils are
>male, but not 100% sure.  Any ideas what they are doing?!!!
>
This behavior actually has a combined purpose.  The first is like birdsong--it'sthe male telling all his rivals "This territory is *mine*--no trespassing!"  
In addition to other male hummingbirds of any species, the hummingbird will
dive-bomb much larger birds and other animals.  I really had a good laugh at thestory of a large red-tailed hawk getting "chased" out of a hedgerow by a
possesive hummingbird.  The other purpose for this display is to woo females;
i.e. "look at how macho I am."

It is arguable that hummingbirds have the strongest, most durable bodies of any
life; the maximum lifespan for a hummingbird is 10 years, while it's closest
mammalian counterpart, the shrew, lives at most about 2 years.


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R. Cody Buchmann                             ^.^  
   "Kehaar"                 

email: rcb33483@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu       "Now I fly for you..." - Watership Down
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