Seeing Hummingbirds puts a smile on every bird watcher's face. Hummingbirds do put on an amazing show, but usually we only see them visit the feeders where we have placed sugar water. However, the fleas inspire us, and the birds fly closer to show us their talents, often entertaining us moments before we see an amazing hummingbird show. So, how do we know these amazing moments are about to happen? What are the signals? Let's take a look.

1. Hummingbirds Form Male-Only Groups

An interesting phenomenon occurs when many male hummingbirds come together! The Cornell Lab of Ornithology describes how some males will come together during nesting season into \\"leks\\" or display grounds as they compete for the females. These infrequent collections usually lead to amazing acrobatic displays. The males will take up positions on carefully chosen branches and put up with each other for a short period of time before the competing displays begin.

2. Distinctive Flight Patterns Shaped like "U"

The Hummingbird Society found one of the most extreme and intense courtship displays is done by male hummingbirds during what is called a “dive display.” For these displays, the male hummingbird can reach an elevation of up to 50-150 feet before diving and making a U-shaped pattern. When you see a hummingbird flying up high and performing a steep dive, this type of behavior is one done during courtship. At the bottom of the dive, the male will perform a sharp pull up and make a sound with his tail feathers which is directed at a perched female.

3. Odd buzzing or whistling noises

Hummingbirds make very special sounds which are different from the sounds made by their wings that they usually have. Studies done by the Audubon Society describe that many species have specialized whistles and buzzes that are produced from rushing air through modified tails or wing feathers rather than by a vocal mechanism. Anna's Hummingbirds can be heard making a special explosive "chirp" at the bottom of their dive. Broad-tailed Hummingbirds also make a special sound during their flight display by making a high pitched trill.

4. Gorget Flashing in Sunlight

When a male hummingbird prepares for a display, he attempts to catch the light just right and make his throat feathers (also called a gorget) go from dull to bright and back again in a flashy way. Scientific research states that these specific feathers have microscopic platelets that, rather than scatter, actually reflect light like small prisms. The unique understanding hummingbirds have of the angles of light allows them to purposefully position themselves to maximize the visual effects of their feathers. Multiple flashes of the gorget are a call, or signal, to other hummingbirds and, in particular, females, that he is advertising his potential qualities as a mate.

5. Moving Displays Between Perches

Some species of hummingbirds do '''shuttle displays''' where the males display in front of a female in a pendulum-like manner. While performing these displays, males will hover and show off their gorgets while keeping their bodies positioned nearly vertical and fully widen their tail feathers. Known for their stamina and precise flying, Rufous Hummingbirds perform dramatic displays of these types.

6. Aerial Defense and Combat

Dogfights are courtship displays by male hummingbirds to win over females or gain territory. Research from The Royal Society details these competitions. Combat may involve amazing speeds, including mid-air bill locking. Combat involves flies foward, backward, and upwards, and is also capable of instant turns in different directions. These displays of combat prowess are also displays of dominance, which makes females find these displays attractive.

7. Hovering with Spread-Tail Feathers

As stated in courtship displays, when a male hovers with his tail feathers fanned out, he is showing off. Each species has their own unique patterns. While some create full semicircles, others have specialized feathers that are elongated. Courtship displays are shown by Broad-tailed Hummingbirds when males have fully expanded rusty red tails which are in contrast to their green bodies. This behavior is almost exclusively associated with courtship and rarely seen during feeding.

8. Pendulum or Swing Displays

Some species of hummingbirds, particularly those in the Calliope family, exhibit interesting behavior in what are called pendulum displays. Specifically, males will fly along wide arcs and trace a U-shaped pattern in front of some perched females. They fly back and forth about 10-15 feet and keep a constant height and distance demonstrating their flying precision. The Calliope Hummingbird, which is the smallest hummingbird species in North America, performs vertical dives in addition to the pendulum swings and adds even more complexity to the aerial display.

9. Presence of an Observer Female Perched

One study found that female hummingbirds who are about to display will sit still and scout the area. Males will do their best displays when there is a female audience. Females will find a good vantage point and sit there for a long time watching many males. Even if they seem indifferent, they are closely watching all of the displays to identify high quality genetic displays.

10. Helicopter Hovering Displays

The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences have recorded research pertaining to "helicopter displays." In these displays, males hover directly above females and hold still in that location. While performing this display, males hold their position and look down, flaring their gorget, which causes the display to reflect light in an iridescent manner. This performance involves an incredible amount of control and stamina, as they can remain hovering for as long as 10 seconds. Anna's Hummingbirds even incorporate this with flashing their gorget to produce spectacular aerial light displays.

11. Dawn or Dusk Timing

During studies on Animal Behaviour, researchers observed hummingbird display activity during the golden hours of early morning and late afternoon. Many animal species do elaborate displays during these times. This is because low-angle sunlight makes the iridescent plumage look better. The first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset is the best time for flashing gorgets. These times also have less wind which results in more precise aerial maneuvers and better sound for wing displays.

12. Timing of Seasons During the Breeding Season

The U.S. Forest Service acknowledges that these amazing displays vary by region and species with their specific breeding seasons. In southern states, displays for breeding season begin first with Anna's Hummingbirds starting as early as December. In more northern states, breeding displays for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are seen from April to June. During these seasons, increased displays of territorial behavior indicates the start of the displaying season. During peak breeding season, displays are at their most elaborate due to increasing competition.

13. Specific Perching Locations

The Auk (American Ornithological Society) reveals that male hummingbirds choose favorite show off perches that they defend during the breeding season. These perches are not chosen at random. Males exploit perches that have good visibility and will allow them to flash their gorget in the sun. Males that repeatedly return to the same exposed branch or wire are likely using it as a display perch. They vigorously defend these sites because they are good for display and territorial control.

14. Repeated Vertical Climbs

Nature’s journal explains that when some Hummingbirds begin to vertically climb straight up, they're likely showing off to potential mates. Male Hummingbirds climb 50 to 150 feet before diving. Rufous Hummingbirds can even climb over 200 feet before performing a dive display. This impressive climbing shows tremendous strength and stamina. Vertical flying takes significantly more energy than horizontal flying. Climbing and going straight up shows off their fitness to attract potential mates.

15. Unique Face-to-Face Hovering

The Hummingbird Society states that for a courtship display, a male may hover right in front of a female that is perched. While doing this, he will stay in position so that they are only a few inches apart. During this display, he fully extends his gorget feathers, and moves his head from side to side a lot. For Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, this is very common and gives the female a close look at the male’s color. He will hold this position for 5-10 seconds before moving back and possibly coming back again.

16. Dance-like Formation Flights

The University of Chicago conducted research on rare wondrous choreographed flying displays involving multiple individual birds. They court show synchronized aerial moves consisting of competing males, and less frequently, male/female pairs. The courtship display moves include loops, figure-eights, and spirals, which require the birds to be able to adjust, on the fly, to the positioning of other birds. These high level courtship displays are performed by Costa's Hummingbirds.

If you're watching for animal behavior, you're going to see one of natures extraordinary displays of aerial excitement!