Hummingbird Display Flights
by Bill Lindemann
I
t is that time of the
Carolyn was of the
year when love is in
opinion that while he
the air, and all birds
was away he was
are preparing for the
courting
another
breeding season. The
female on the other
survival of each species
side of her oasis. He
depends on the success
made three dives, and
of males and females
the show was over
in pairing off and rais-
that night. Why the
ing one or more fami-
courtship occurred
lies. And when it
late in the evening
comes to humming-
before sunset is not
birds, “love is in the
known, but it started
air” takes on a special
happening several
meaning.
The
days before I arrived,
courtship ritual of the
so it is not a onetime
male hummingbird
event. As the male
creates an extraordi-
was zigging and zag-
nary display of aero-
ging in front of the
nautical skills, as he
female he was flashing
his beautiful gorget to
tries to convince the
increase her attention.
female that he is the
best suited to be the
Photo by Carolyn Ohl The birds fly so fast
that it is hard to keep
father of her young.
I was out in the Big A pair of Lucifer hummingbirds courting in the yucca. track of them to be
sure whether one or
Bend area over the
more individuals are involved in this courtship.
weekend visiting one of my favorite oases in the
I have witnessed several other hummingbird
Chihuahuan Desert. My friend, Carolyn Ohl,
aerial displays before, and each male has his pre-
started 15 years ago with a dream to transform a
ferred flight pattern. Our black-chinned hum-
little piece of thorn scrub into a lush oasis for
mingbird makes a “U” flight above his intended
wildlife, particularly birds. After much blood,
sweat and tears, her oasis is functioning well, and
partner. The ruby-throated hummingbird males
make shallow dives back and forth in front of the
Lucifer hummingbirds have moved in to nest in
female. Several males, including the western
the area around the oasis. Lucifer hummingbirds
Anna’s hummingbird, make flight patterns in the
are the only species with a de-curved bill and a
form of a “J.” I have not seen but read that Rufus
spectacular lavender-purple gorget.
hummingbird males fly in vertical circle patterns
Carolyn was excited that the male Lucifers
in front of the females. All open their gorgets to
were courting the females around her oasis. She
flash their family color as they pass near a female.
noted that about 7:30 p.m. the female would take
up station in a yucca plant adjacent to her hum-
Regardless of the pattern they choose to fly to
mingbird feeders. The male would make a grand
impress the female, the message is the same: “Hey,
hey, look at me and what I can do.” In the bird
appearance out of nowhere with wings creating a
world there are hundreds, possibly thousands, of
buzzing sound as he zigzagged his way towards
courting rituals performed every breeding season
her position on a yucca leaf. When he got within
to pair up the mates. Some males use songs, oth-
a foot of her and his zigzags had narrowed to only
ers do dances, while still others use an extraordi-
a few inches in breadth, he suddenly turned on his
nary array of colors in their plumage to convince
afterburners and shot straight up to a height of
their mates that they are the best suitors. In rare
100 feet.
At this height, he turned into a dive straight at
occasions, among some species like the Wilson’s
phalarope, the female has the colors and does the
her. His dive speed was incredible. He became a
rituals to attract the male.
blur and very hard to follow as he transformed
It is the time of the year to be aware of the
into a bullet. Once he passed her position, he dis-
sideshows that may be taking place in your back-
appeared, presumably flying low in the brush
yard. Be aware that interesting events may be hap-
away from her. Five to 10 minutes passed – and no
pening all around you when love is in the air.
sight of the male. The female appeared to
become very impatient when he did not return.
Every two to three minutes she would fly out from
the yucca a few feet and return to her perch.
About 10 minutes later, Mr. Lucifer would make
another grand appearance and repeat the ritual.
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