[Tweeters] Peaceful coexistence among Annas

[Ann Kramer via Tweeters]

Jon and Diane,

I agree with Dennis.  I learned this at a workshop years ago in California,
that they will be seen in temporary "truce" at the first drink in the
morning and then just before dusk, for the reasons Dennis pointed out.  It
is interesting that it also occurs in the crack of morning, but I suspect
that is because they are refueling after a night without nectar in torpor.



I found this information on AI.

Hummingbirds *don't* usually call a truce; they are intensely territorial,
but in early mornings and late evenings, their behavior shifts because they
need to focus on intense feeding (loading up on calories for the night/day)
and conserve energy, sometimes leading to a temporary "standoff" or less
aggressive sharing if they're too tired or realizing another feeder is
nearby, though guarding usually continues until they must rest. It's about
survival—maximizing energy intake when light is low and resting to avoid
depleting vital reserves, making them prioritize feeding over constant
fighting, though a tough defender might still chase rivals.
*Why the Change in Behavior?*

   - *Energy Conservation:* Hummingbirds have incredibly high metabolisms,
   needing constant fuel. During dawn and dusk, they must rapidly refuel but
   can't afford the energy cost of constant, high-speed chases, so they focus
   on quick sips.
   - *Nighttime Survival:* They enter a state of torpor
   <https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&channel=entpr&q=torpor&mstk=AUtExfAJ7QYHJCFp0Pc-wfKCcLSQEd3omPJAIy3O6w2B_ffjPCtE0f_p3qeFeCfZIkVPfirlcsqlcouDb4JXN59nc4XKxp1fl1F_sbn-dAtVHLeF9WKuGtXhD8TD5KrgGTk9s4WojdXSeSyjP0nLajJgjS73STyRTUV7DC7qPgj3rE6pZg0&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwj5xOLy-uORAxXtAjQIHcppLWcQgK4QegQIAxAC>
   (a mini-hibernation) overnight, requiring a full "tank" of nectar to
   survive the cold hours, so evening feeding is crucial.
   - *Daylight Start:* Similarly, they need immediate energy upon waking to
   power their rapid metabolisms for the day, making morning feeding a
   priority.
   - *Territory Management:* While they defend feeders fiercely as
   "flowers," the sheer volume of birds in late summer (when many feeders are
   busy) can overwhelm a single bird's ability to guard everything, leading to
   shared usage or less intense guarding.


   -

*It's Not Always a Truce:*

   - *Temporary Lulls:* You might see multiple birds at a feeder for a few
   minutes, but often, a dominant bird will start chasing others away again as
   they finish feeding.
   - *Increased Numbers:* With more hummingbirds around, they sometimes
   form loose aggregations, but this doesn't negate their innate
   territoriality, according to this Reddit thread
   <https://www.reddit.com/r/hummingbirds/comments/13coq89/when_hummingbirds_call_a_truce/>
   .


   -

Essentially, it's less a polite truce and more a strategic shift in focus
to essential energy acquisition before rest or the start of a busy day,
notes this YouTube video <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7X8G_ejvM4>

On Mon, Dec 29, 2025 at 2:44 PM Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <
tweeters at u.washington.edu> wrote:


> Jon and Diane,

>

> I suspect it is because there is no further point in defending a food

> source when it is almost dark, and you won’t be feeding there again on this

> day. Flowers make new nectar during the night, so probably that’s why they

> are so programmed to relax aggression at that time. And hummingbird feeders

> almost always have nectar in them the next morning.

>

> We have seen this many times at our feeders toward the end of the day.

>

> Dennis Paulson

> Seattle

>

> On Dec 29, 2025, at 2:39 PM, Cooper PhD, Jonathan A via Tweeters <

> tweeters at u.washington.edu> wrote:

>

> Hi Tweeters - Our hummingbird feeder is normally the scene of hot

> disputes, with a competitive male wasting no time to chase off other

> visitors. The other evening, in the half light, we were surprised to see

> not one but three, then four, Annas perched around the rim, one at each of

> the drinking holes. They took it in turns for one to drink while the other

> three watched, bills up. This went on for several minutes until it got too

> dark for us to see. Why such peaceful co-existence?

> Jon Cooper and Diane Doles

> Madrona

> jcooper at fredhutch.org

>

>

> _______________________________________________

> Tweeters mailing list

> Tweeters at u.washington.edu

> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters

>

>

> _______________________________________________

> Tweeters mailing list

> Tweeters at u.washington.edu

> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters

>

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/pipermail/tweeters/attachments/20251229/83511497/attachment.html>