Photo by John Richardson. source Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society org

the photo is by Ryan Sanderson

When you think of a hummingbird you probably think of a small sweet bird.

But, hummingbirds are also very aggressive, especially males.

According to a new study, some female hummingbirds are evolving to look like males to avoid aggression.

Male White-necked Jacobin hummingbirds have a flashy bright blue head, iridescent green back, and a white stomach and tail.

In comparison, their female counterparts are muted in color. They have a speckled front and the iridescent olive green back. The drab colors make it easier for the females to hide with their young, from predators or other aggressive hummingbirds.

Jay Falk, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington, says females are trying to deceive other aggressive hummingbirds by adopting the bright colors.

“That coloration is a signal to say to other hummingbirds, 'You better watch out. I'm a bully; if you attack me, I'm going to fight back,'" Falk said.

This results in other animals leaving the evolved female hummingbird alone.

According to Falk, only about 20% of female White-necked Jacobins engage in this behavior. It’s likely they will continue to be a minority. That’s because, if less aggressive females adopt the brighter colors, which typically signals aggressive behavior, the meaning of the colors change. Once the meaning changes, there is no benefit in the females changing to the flashy colors. It puts them at risk, as it is easier to spot them hiding with their young.

You may be wondering, "If a female hummingbird looks like a male, won't it make finding a male to mate with difficult?"

Falk says the undercover male-looking female hummingbird will likely still find a male mate.

“The males are willing to mate with pretty much anything," Falk said. "There's videos of males trying to mate with a lump in a tree. So, I don't personally think that these females that look like males have any trouble getting mates.”

ANTIGO (WQOW) - Bird experts are raising the alarm that a common practice done to attract some birds is actually killing hummingbirds.

Raptor Education Group, Inc. said just this week they had three adult ruby-throated hummingbirds brought in covered in grape jelly. One had already died. The others are alive, but struggling.

The central Wisconsin nonprofit shared photos to raise awareness that grape jelly is a sticky danger for the delicate birds. They said it has become common practice for people to put out jelly for orioles. However, when it is this warm, the jelly melts and sticks in other bird's feathers and feet.

If you want to feed birds at home, the group recommends buying bird-safer jelly from a specialty store like Wild Birds Unlimited.

This website is a good resource if you think a hummingbird needs your help.

So relaxing and pleasant to watch!

All I need are 4 oz hummingbird feeders. I change the nectar often, and typically have one dominate reside male that constantly chases off other hummingbirds, so I don't have swarms of birds visiting me.

It has a perch which is nice for both the bird and me to view the bird. It is the best design for cleaning - I no longer have to use mascara wands, bottle brushes, or soak my feeders in vinegar or a bleach solution. It's plastic so if I drop it - it doesn't shatter. It is more pricey than some other feeders, but IMO the best choice. I feel like many people only need a 4 oz feeder. but ASPECTS offer bigger feeders with a similar design.

I did color in the flowers with a sharpie because the birds were struggling to find the holes. - That's the only issue I had with these feeders. Still the best feeder and only feeder that I will use for my hummies.

I don't make a commission from these links. I am just a fan of the product, and do not know the vendors.

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What hummingbird feeder do you use? Do you think your feeders design is the best?

TL;DW : 1/4 cup white sugar for every 1 cup water. Don't use powdered sugar, brown sugar, honey, or red dye. Don't buy premade nectar.

This lady made the best videos relating to hummingbirds.