Black Chin vs. Rufous hummingbirds

[Ponietz]

2. I care since we're at a breaking point

and the lack of rain means few flowering plants. The black chin male allows the female and fledglings to feed. The rufous is far more aggressive and prevents the black chins from feeding at all. And only rarely have the rufous appeared, until now. Frankly, most birds are disappearing. The orioles, evening grosbeaks. western tanagers, canyon towhees, goldfinches, kingbirds, Lewis woodpeckers, solitaires, and more, are gone. I need more feeders.

I’m trying to help a few birds stay alive and am invested in the success of the little guy's family. Six years ago I “adopted” a flock of piñon jays displaced by wildfires that destroyed several hundred thousand acres and they show up now whenever they need to. Sunflower seeds are available every morning. When the jays are gone so are piñon trees.