Usurper at the Feeder

Posted on August 5, 2003 in Creatures

The top hummingbird met his match today. A female hooded oriole discovered the feeder and took to drinking out of it. Our little warrior backed off until she was finished.

The feathers of the usurper look as if an olive green bird were rinsed with yellow. She grabs the cord by which I raise and lower the feeder to tip her beak into the fake yellow flowers. All the hummingbirds stand off while she feeds. When she finishes, there’s a rush to be the first bird at the spot so that territoriality can be established again.