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Behavioral adaptations of a hummingbird
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Calliope hummingbird Selasphorus calliope Species Description The Calliope hummingbird is the smallest bird in North America, north of Mexico [1]. For males, the average weight is about 2.5 grams, while females are a little larger, with an average weight around 2.83 grams [2]. Adult males and females share some common physical traits. They both have glossy green upper plumages, creamy white color on the under plumages and relatively short beaks and tails [2]. They also have distinctive, unique features. Males have a red wine or purple-streaked iridescent throat patch, and when erected, it shows a “whiskered” effect [3]. Also, males have green sides and dark tails [2]. Females have dull whitish throats, cinnamon-buff colored abdomens, …show more content…
Despite their tiny size, they are known to chase a variety of other bird species, from different species of hummingbirds, to larger birds, such as red-tailed hawks [4]. Male Calliope hummingbirds become highly territorial during the mating season and can mate with multiple females [4]. Males court females by flying in a u-shaped pattern in front of them, and then separate from the female immediately after copulation [2]. The males are only involved in the actual mating process- they do not participate in choosing the nest location, nor building the nest or raising the chicks [2]. The females are responsible for building the open, cup-shaped nest [2]. They construct the nest using soft plant fibers, animal hairs, and feathers [2]. They then strengthen the structure with spider webbing and other sticky material [2]. The nests usually are built on a low, thin, horizontal branch …show more content…
They get nectar from cup-shaped flowers or isolated tubular flowers [1]. They usually feed on lower flowers so they can stay away from aggressive competitors [2]. Most of the small insects they eat they catch in midair, but some are snatched off leaves or branches, or scavenged from spider webs [2]. A nesting female can capture up to 2,000 insects a day [2]. In addition, they like the sweet, sugar-water mixtures Homo sapiens put in their hummingbird feeders [3]. Conservation Although Calliope hummingbird populations appear to have experienced small declines between 1966 and 2015, they are not on the 2016 State of North America’s Bird Watch list [1]. In fact, recent winter records suggest a possible range expansion of the species in the southeastern portion of the United States [1]. Ecosystem and Economic Importance Calliope hummingbirds are crucial to the ecosystems they reside in, as they are important pollinators of many flowers, especially tubular-shaped flowers [1]. They share a mutualistic relationship with a variety of flowering plants- the hummingbirds receive food from the plants, and in return, they spread the seeds of the plant across the habitat [1]. Also, because of their unique features, birders, nature lovers, and researchers travel to see them, which brings in economic benefits to the areas in which they reside
The female reproductive system in birds is reduced in most species to a left ovary and oviduct. This unilateral reduction of the female reproductive system is thought to bear two benefits: it reduces the female’s body and it prevent the potential problem of simultaneously carrying two large fragile eggs within the abdominal cavity. It also balances the body with the liver on the right side adjacent to the left ovary.
A male ruby-throated hummingbird has a brilliant, fiery red throat, kaleidoscope green back, forked tail with a gray and white underside. The females don’t have such flashy colors, lacking the red throat and their tails are blunt, w...
The honey bee is not native to North America. In Notes on Virginia1 Thomas Jefferson stated: “The honey-bee is not a native of our continent. Marcgrove, indeed, mentions a species of the honey-bee in Brazil. But this has no sting, and is therefore different from the one we have, which resembles perfectly that of Europe. The Indians concur with us in the tradition that it was brought from Europe; but when, and by whom, we know not. The bees have generally extended themselves into the country, a little in advance of the white settlers. The Indians, therefore, call them the white man’s fly, and consider their approach as indicating the approach of the settlements of the whites.” Records show that colonies of honey bees were shipped from England and landed in the Colony of Virginia in early 1622.2 From that time on honey bees were apart of colonial life. Definitive information on how the bees were shipped was hard to come upon but it is reasonable to assume that they were kept and transported in straw skeps. In later years wood boxes and log gums3 would be used. Possibly during the many weeks at sea a light, airy cloth was pinned over a small opening in the shape of a bag allowing the bees to fly, get som...
If puffins are disturbed by humans they will leave their nests and will not come back. This has led to the extinction of puffin colonies in parts of the European coastline.
When visiting the southern part of Alabama, bird watchers and other nature lovers will enjoy a visit to the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. These two attractions feature exhibits that explain the unique coastal habitats that Alabama offers its wild birds and water creatures. With long handicap-accessible boardwalks and knowledgeable guides, these attractions are sure to provide a wonde...
Varricchio, David J., Frankie Jackson, and Clive N. Trueman. “A Nesting Trace with Eggs for
8. Taylor, Dan. 1998. Audubon Society Inspired to Action by Bird Die -offs . 17 Jan. 1998 . E-mail . Available bkus@sunstroke.sdsu.edu
Hummingbirds rely on plant nectar to supply the necessary energy for their highly energetically and expensive flying and feeding behaviors. Hummingbirds obtain energy from the nectar of flowers using their tongue and it is thought that up to half of the tongue is made up of cartilage making it easier to direct and control and in turn more efficiently eat. (Tamm, Gass 1986). Hummingbirds have the ability to drink their own weight in nectar only in a matter of hours (Tamm, Gass 1986) and in order to meet their daily energetic needs they must visit several thousand flowers a day (Tamm, Gass 1986).
"Honeybees' Decline Stirs Concern." Commercial Appeal. 02 Dec. 2013: p. 1. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 03 Apr. 2014.
American Crows have a number of features that make them identifiable, and to help keep them from being confused with another member of the Corvus genus, the Common Raven (Marzluff et al., 2013). American Crows can reach a length between 17 to 21 inches, with a wingspan of 39 inches, while the Common Raven is a larger bird that has an average length of 24 inches (Burton et al. 2010; Marzluff et al, 2013). Both the American Crow and the Common Raven have black coloration, but their feathers and beaks differ. Common Ravens have a larger, stronger beak, a wedge-shaped tale, and spikey feathers on their throat. American Crows, on the other hand, have a smaller and less bulky bill, smooth throat feathers, and they have tail feathers that fan out instead of forming a wedge (Marzluff et al, 2013). The two birds have different styles of flying. A Common Raven soars in flight, but C. brachyrhynchos usually keeps flapping its wings instead of gliding (Burton et al. 2010; Marzluff et al, 2013). Finally, American Crows also have a different call than their raven counterparts: their cry is a “caw, caw” that sets its voice apart from the croaking noises ravens make (Marzluff et al, 2013...
Pollinators are very important to the environment because many plant species rely on reproduction to be carried out by pollination1. Bees are dependent on plants for pollen and nectar and in return, are the most common pollinator of plant species and around 90 percent of plants require pollination by an animal7. Bees are used in farming, both for pollinating crops and for producing honey, and the estimated value of bees to the United Kingdom is £400 million per year9. Plants are the primary producers in many food webs and, as so many are dependent on pollination in order to reproduce, a decline in pollinators would have a detrimental effect on whole ecosystems. Therefore, the declining numbers of pollinators, particularly bees, are a cause of concern because of the environmental knock-on effects.
The Venus Fly Trap, Dionaea muscipula, is a carnivorous plant native to the bogs and swamplands of North and South Carolina. It is an interesting plant and this research paper will be covering the adaptive significance in the insectivtory of the Venus Flytrap and how this evolved into an adaptation for obtaining nutrients in their nutrient poor habitat. How their prey is captured, digestion, lifespan, and vulnerabilities will also be discussed. Including what happens if something other than a bug used for nutrients triggers their traps, and what the actions that take place are when this happens. There is also a reason to believe that this species is at risk for extinction due to fire suppression and poaching.
Extensive study of Blue jays' feeding habits has shown that only 1% have evidence of eggs in their stomachs. Most diets were composed of insects and nuts.
The relationships between plants and pollinators play a key role in our ecosystems. Pollinators are animals, such as bees, butterflies, moths, bats, flies, wasps, and birds, that transfer pollen from one flower to another. Pollination is the movement of pollen to the male or female part of the plant. This leads to fertilization and the production of seeds and flowers. They maintain and establish ecosystems. “Pollinators are an integral part of our environment and our agricultural systems; they are important in 35% of global crop production” (NCRS 2013). “Pollinator declines can result in loss of pollination services which have important negative ecological and economic impacts that could significantly affect the maintenance of wild plant diversity,