Mannerly Hummingbird

This morning, I was cussed out by a hummingbird.

Two weeks ago, I put out a hummingbird feeder.  It was an instant hit.  Within ten minutes, they were feeding.  Later, came the dive-bombing.  Turns out hummingbirds are highly territorial about their food sources and they do not like to share.

Naturally, I put up a second feeder.  The hummingbirds still chase each other and keep the cats amused,  But I’m pretty sure that a lot more hummingbirds are getting fed.

Oftentimes, I like to go outside and sit on the steps and watch the feeders.  But I let the hummingbird feeder get very low.  I was thinking about going inside and making more hummingbird food when one of them flew right in front of my face and stopped mid air.  He looked right at me, not two feet from my face.  Then he started to cuss me out.  I kid you not.  He was scolding me for letting the food supply get so low.  He was angry and he intended that I should know about it.

When hummingbirds swear, it is a little like having Tinkerbell yell at you.  You might not get the exact words, but there is no doubt she is upset.  Hummingbirds use different chirps, chips and squeees to get their points across.  And this one had a strong message: How dare you let this happen?   Get food NOW

Obediently, I turned around and went inside for more food.  After filling the feeder, a strange thing happened.  I sat down on the steps again, enjoying the early morning air and watching everyone eating, when the same little bird again flew right up to my face.  Again he chirped to me, but this time, I could swear he was saying ‘Thank You’.

Nice to have a mannerly hummingbird around.