Hummingbirds are amazing animals for so many reasons. Their quick speed and beautiful appearance make them a favorite among bird watchers. However, have you ever seen a hummingbird’s courtship display? These birds have unique and beautiful displays to attract mates that are unlike any others in the animal kingdom. This Instagram post by @foto_sintesiss_ shows one of these dances, recorded in slow motion, though it may be difficult to tell. Read on to learn more about hummingbirds’ courtship displays!
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Hummingbird Courtship Display
Male hummingbirds are the ones who perform the beautiful displays, while the female sits and watches. In these displays, the male has a simple goal: to show off its strength, agility, and overall fitness. The female will choose her mate based on how skillful he is at flying and how brightly his feathers flash. Flashy and bright feathers are important because they indicate the male’s nutrition, genetics, and health to the female. While each species uses different styles of display, every male shows off these attributes in some way.
U-Shaped Dive
One of the most famous courtship displays is the U-shaped dive. This dive is performed by species such as Calliope, Broad-tailed, Black-chinned, and Anna’s hummingbirds. In this display, the male soars roughly 50 to 100 feet into the air before dropping into a steep downward dive. The dives can reach up to 60 miles per hour! At the lowest point, right around the female’s head, it pulls up into a U shape. Here, the male will flash its iridescent feathers in the sunlight to show off to the female. This is one of the most amazing displays in nature to see!
Shuttle Dance
The shuttle dance is most likely the display seen in the video above. In this display, the male has the same goals of showing off its fitness and bright feathers, but in a more subtle way. This display is performed by the species mentioned above, as well as the Ruby-throated hummingbird. In this display, the male hovers in front of the female while zipping side to side and up and down. With each movement and turn, the bird angles itself to catch the sunlight, displaying its metallic feathers to attract the female’s attention. As seen in the video, the male is constantly changing its orientation and spreading its tail feathers, resulting in a beautiful display!
