There are more than 300 species of hummingbirds across the Americas, though most are found in balmy regions of Central and South America. In North America, two of the most familiar are Anna’s hummingbird and the ruby-throated hummingbird. And, during the growing season, both of these are backyard regulars, darting about, flittering from perch to flower and back again during long summer days.
And, while these two species – or whatever species you have in your region – are an impressive sight, you might have noticed they don’t always play nicely. Hummingbirds can be surprisingly combative when it comes to territory. To us gardeners, it can look like petty squabbling, but in truth, it’s a matter of survival.
