I'd add another feeder first. Put it away from the first feeder. It's so much fun to watch them when they aren't fighting with each other. I watched a battle royal on my patio once. The one bird had the other in a full nelson! They both survived, though.

My friend is an avid hummingbird feeder. She got me a set when I got my new house and yard. Notice I said SET. She warned me that you need two feeders to avoid the fighting. That's all that she has, just two. Give it a try.

I have 3 and they fight.....but they fight over petunias....that's just the way they are.....
Definitly you need more feeders......

Yes, more feeders. Hbirds ARE territorial & will chase each other no matter the sex. I'm in southern California so most are here year-round, & I have 5 feeders out all the time.

I don't think your HBirds will stop jousting, but at least put up one more a few feet from the first feeder - that should help. Please don't worry too much about it - it's not you, it's that they think they are mighty warriors.

I took down all of my hummingbird feeders temporarily because there are so many flowers right now, including an especially prolific bromeliad that the birds like. I only have the feeders up when there are not enough flowers, but since I have them hanging in the apple tree, it helps when there are fewer leaves on the tree.

During the winter, I keep four feeders in the apple tree, and I have not noticed them being belligerent to the point of killing or even maiming each other.

I took down feeders this spring because they were not being used that much and were getting mold. In the winter I had to refill them often, but in the spring, the birds went to the flowers instead. I have a lot of aloes and succulents that bloom in the winter, but I guess they do not supply enough food for the birds - at least not compared to the other flowers I have blooming now.

Lars

Sharing this thread with DH. He thinks the hummers hate our new feeder. I think they're enjoying the many agapanthus blooms instead!

Ellen, if they haven't discovered it, maybe they will soon. Why would they hate it? Is it weird-looking? LOL.

I'm going to add a second feeder - my girlfriend is going to give me hers as she always forgets to fill it and is not home much. I'll see if that cuts down on the fighting.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Now, what to do about the non-hummingbird birds who occasionally come perch on the feeder to check it out, causing it to swing and drip solution onto the deck!

BTW, speaking of birds, now I know what happens to fruit no one picks. Crows have picked my neighbors loquat tree clean, and dropped lots of seeds and detritus all over my yard.

I love birds ;P

Seems like I read that a male hummingbird needs about an acre of territory. I don't have feeders but have many multiples of favorite plants over our acre or so of yard.
(big gardener here)
Each year for the past 12 years, we have had one hummingbird who vigorously defends the area from others. We might have two or three birds but I only see one peacefully existing. He will rest on a curly willow branch I have stuck in a container outside my kitchen window.

Favorite plant by far, light pink salvia greggi. I have one in front of the window and it is easier than a feeder....