Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are very small birds that can be very competitive when it comes to food sources. The male birds do not allow any other bird, even females, to be at the nectar feeder. The King dines alone!
However, I haven’t seen him for several weeks now. Only female birds come to enjoy the sweet nectar I put out for them. Sometime, two females do share the feeder, but most of the time only one female is there.
Lately I have seen more of these hummingbirds at the feeder, including young ones who just fledged this summer. An older bird rarely allows a younger one to perch at the feeder. Usually, the young birds are unceremoniously chased away.
Once in a while, the food fight is more prolonged.