Since it has been slow with birding reports...

Does anyone know about the following Hummer behavior?  I have been wondering but never wanted to bother anyone.

Three times I have seen hummers go up to a spiderweb and peck at it.  I thought it was going to take it down and use it for its nest.  BUT...

It only barely touched the web.  It was a very deliberate quick "touch" with its bill.

I thought it was strange and wondered that it must use really tiny pieces since it didn't even look like it ripped the web at all.  Then I saw it (or a buddy) do the same thing, 3 times in all.  NOW...

I just read in an article in the RGJ that Hummers do eat insects.  I never wondered, just thought they only ate nectar.  SO...

Two theories about its (their?) behavior?

1) It was picking an insect out of the web.
2) It was "testing" the web for nest suitability.
3) It was using really tiny pieces for its nest.

Anyone know or have other theories?



:-)
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