I've laughed at the romanticized version of hummingbirds we've created while sitting on my porch dodging them as they tea through the air at each other. Thanks for this look at the dark side!
This made me laugh because of a friend who’s a birder. I wrote about her and hummingbirds in an article on my Substack: The 8% and Why Birds are Terrible (should you care to read it!). She eschews anything that’s difficult or possibly negative or dark or whatever—and so she insists that hummingbirds are “playing” when they fight.
Thanks for your comment, Martha! I can totally understand that bird lovers don't really want to hear about hummingbirds being aggressive creatures. 😅 But I believe that those other perspectives don't necessarily harm their image. After all, they evolved like this for a reason; I think it's fascinating and doesn't make them less wonderful birds. 🥰
Agreed! I personally have observed that birds tend to be more aggressive than mammals. I have had many birds in my care, from domestic fowl to rescued parrots. I adored them all. But they could all be quite feisty!
Brillant breakdown of sexual selection creating specialized weaponry. What catches my attention is how the research quantifies the energy savings in bill deformation (52.4% less), turning what seems like a small evolutionary tweak into a measurable combat advantge. I watched a territorial dispute at a feeder once and the precision of those bill stabs was legit scary. The counterexample with Purple-throated caribs is a smart addition, showing that not every sexual dimorphism in bill shape equals weaponization.
I've laughed at the romanticized version of hummingbirds we've created while sitting on my porch dodging them as they tea through the air at each other. Thanks for this look at the dark side!
This made me laugh because of a friend who’s a birder. I wrote about her and hummingbirds in an article on my Substack: The 8% and Why Birds are Terrible (should you care to read it!). She eschews anything that’s difficult or possibly negative or dark or whatever—and so she insists that hummingbirds are “playing” when they fight.
Thanks for your comment, Martha! I can totally understand that bird lovers don't really want to hear about hummingbirds being aggressive creatures. 😅 But I believe that those other perspectives don't necessarily harm their image. After all, they evolved like this for a reason; I think it's fascinating and doesn't make them less wonderful birds. 🥰
Agreed! I personally have observed that birds tend to be more aggressive than mammals. I have had many birds in my care, from domestic fowl to rescued parrots. I adored them all. But they could all be quite feisty!
Oh! Loved this. @samantha705901 would love this.
Brillant breakdown of sexual selection creating specialized weaponry. What catches my attention is how the research quantifies the energy savings in bill deformation (52.4% less), turning what seems like a small evolutionary tweak into a measurable combat advantge. I watched a territorial dispute at a feeder once and the precision of those bill stabs was legit scary. The counterexample with Purple-throated caribs is a smart addition, showing that not every sexual dimorphism in bill shape equals weaponization.
Thank you so much for reading and for your kind comment!