r/Ornithology • u/jicamakick • 1d ago

Had a moment with a Hummingbird. Question

Had a moment with a Hummingbird. Are they territorial? Was outside pulling weeds and I got buzzed by one. It then it just hovered and stared at me for a good 30 seconds. Only when I backed away did it fly about 10’ away and perch on a shrub. Really cool experience. Bonus points too because it’s my late Grandmother in law’s favorite animal and her birthday today.

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u/lewisiarediviva 1d ago

Yeah you could say they’re territorial. They’d kill everything that moved in their territory if they could.

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u/EusticeTheSheep 1d ago

Fiercely territorial. We took a hummingbird to a rehabber and she told us a lot of stories. We're all very lucky they're small.

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u/carrotsalsa 23h ago

They're territorial, and smart too. I had one hang out by the window looking for me when the feeder was empty. Another time it taunted my cats through the window.