V. Lovebirds…Share, Kiss, Snuggle, PDA….

One of the most beautiful sights is when two birds sharing a spigot, with total concentration and seriousness.  Right up there is two birds snuggling and napping together on the shrub branch, even doing major PDA.  The trust has to be so profound for a jittery bird to be in such a vulnerable position of eating and sharing. See Section VIII on slow-motion video demonstrating that the birds also take turns to eat when sharing is too crowded.  The video shows how gentle and polite they are to each other. These images are contrary to our beliefs that hummingbirds are solitary and aggressive.  The images show comfort, safety, consideration with unspoken language between the birds, behaviors potentially carried over from the nesting time and through life. Yes, some birds are probably born more aggressive and sometimes a bird can turn aggressive, seemingly from nowhere, for a short period of time.  But aggression is not the norm. Further, the birds have a “friendship” kissing signal. That is, two beaks would gently touch while perched. This kissing posture often leads to, or precedes sharing food, snuggling and/or napping.  The PDA time can happen between two identical-looking birds (twins? BFF? love birds?), or between two dissimilar birds.

V-A. Share, Share and Share Some More…..
Sharing a spigot is a choice, but not by lacking available spigots

V-A1.  Kiss, Kiss and Kiss Some More…..
The gentle touch of the tips of two beaks is the universal sign of friendship.  The birds also use it to deter incoming birds that: “We are aligned, you cannot come”.  The concept of alliance is unmistakable – what smart birds.  Two images are from the stories of Twins and Greeting.

V-B.  Two Kissing and Sharing Love Birds
These two love birds shared, took turns to eat, and kissed for about 12 seconds.

V-C.  Three is not a Crowd
Sharing is not limited to two.  Hummingbirds are also known to snuggle.  The birds are often seen to pile up on top of each other, particularly at dinner time in the summer. These images show the remarkable rhythm of alternating eating at all permutations. The alternating eating and sharing lasted about 10 seconds.

V-D.  Cute Orange Twins Sharing and Enjoying Each Other
A baby orange bird waiting for its twin and then two enjoyed time together and sharing food.

V-E.  Share and Share….Kiss and Kiss….
The two love birds on the first four frames hanged together for nearly 1 minutes with other birds coming and going….totally undisturbed.  The last 4 frames were two baby birds on a raining day – kissing and sharing made everything better. 

V-F.  Shrub (Love Seat) Branch for Snuggle, Napping and PDA
Even though there is no food on the shrub, the birds find plenty ways to snuggle, napping together,  and show PDA.  These images also suggest the birds are engaged in a conversation.