[Tweeters] Rufous Hummingbird decline

[Louise via Tweeters]

I think it's too early to assume cause and effect. I've lived in this house
now for twenty years and I have Anna's at my feeders all year and Rufous
every summer between late March/early April and late July/early August.
What I see when the two species interact is that the Rufous, although
smaller, are more aggressive. I consistently see them chasing Anna's away
from the feeders. That's not an obvious parallel for the barred owl and
spotted owl situation or grey squirrel and red squirrel situation in the
UK.

Louise Rutter
Kirkland

On Mon, Nov 11, 2024 at 6:53 AM Tom Benedict via Tweeters <
tweeters at u.washington.edu> wrote:


>

> > On Nov 10, 2024, at 22:20, Robert O'Brien via Tweeters <

> tweeters at u.washington.edu> wrote:

> >

> > 3.  As for native birds, sadly, enter Rufous Hummingbird.  You will not

> like what you see.  But it is completely consistent with what I have seen

> at my rural place 20 mi SE of Portland.  50 years ago,Rufous (only) were a

> common breeder and present at my feeders seasonally as is well known.  Then

> Anna's finally made it here say 40 years ago and both were common for the

> mid 20-30 years.  But in the last 5 years Rufous have been virtually absent

> here.

>

> Same experience here. Given the obvious cause and effect, are there any

> plans to hire sharpshooters to cull the Anna’s population so that Rufous

> can regain their numbers?

>

> Tom Benedict

> Seahurst, WA

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