BACKYARD SECRET – HUMMINGBIRDS RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUAL FACES

Oct12

      If you have been feeding hummingbirds for many seasons, you probably feel that hummingbirds can recognize you. The findings of research conducted by scientists at the University of California, Davis, seem to suggest that this may be true.

FEMALE RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD; PHOTO CREDIT: Terry W Johnson

       In this study, researchers trained hummingbirds to associate a certain human face with food. The birds learned that only this individual would provide them with food.  When the birds learned this was the case, they would fly up to a person wearing a mask depicting the person they had been feeding them even when researchers wearing different masks were close by.

3 thoughts on “BACKYARD SECRET – HUMMINGBIRDS RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUAL FACES”

  1. This summer I thought one particular humming bird could recognize me.
    She looked at me through the screen, hovering for several seconds. She did this on several occasions. I just thought I was imagining it- wanting her to recognize me.
    Thank you!

    Reply

  2. Thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds like a hummingbird did indeed recognize you. They are truly amazing birds!

    Terry

    Reply

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