Getting these little terrors to stop for more than a brief instant is pretty difficult. They are notoriously aggressive and will defend their territory, or a hummingbird feeder, against all others.
When camping in Medicine Bow National Forest last month, one or two rufous’ staked out their claim to our feeder, chasing off all others. That lasted for about a day then word got out about the feeder and at times there were 20 or more vying for a meal.
The rufous’ had no choice but to largely give up their defense amid the onslaught and as a result, I was able to get some nice pics of them just sitting. These males really are quite handsome with that orange plumage and iridescent throat.
