Getting a Little Bored Ziggy?

     As the mating opportunities start to dwindle, male hummingbirds start to leave their primary territory in search of opportunities elsewhere. They don't forget about favorites, but they start to get a bit bored with the lack of females showing up. Ziggy, our dominant male Ruby-throat has done 2 or 3 hour trips away from home, only to return and find out other males have been intruding. Boredom sneaks in and forces males to search elsewhere, chase other species of birds, and test out their intimidation tactics on other birds as well. As evening approached, Ziggy sat deep in the trees and frequently flashed the red throat as the sun neared the horizon. He still hasn't given up on the mating opportunities, but still has a job to do as he sits high above his garden and watches out for intruding hummingbirds. This yard remains his while he waits for his offspring to arrive in about 20 to 50 days. Not sure he'll be too happy about the number of young that show up and try and take away his feeders, but in the mean time, he waits and watches and protects.
June 29, 2018. N.E. of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Adult male Ruby-throat hummingbird.

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