Effects of resource partitioning on the behavior and foraging activity of the Coppery headed emerald and the purple throated mountain gem hummingbirds (Trochilidae), May 2010

Alternative Title

Los efectos de reparto de recursos en el comportamiento y la actividad de forrajeo de los colibríes

Creator

Nicholas J. Buffin

Files

Publication Date

May 2010

Abstract

Organisms specialize in order to decrease the energy required to do certain activities, such as forage and feed. This study was done to see whether altering the flower size affected the specialization of species in terms of abundance and aggression. The abundance increased for the Coppery Headed Emerald (CHE)(from 91-118) individuals as it became more specialized, and decreased for all other species being studied. The Purple Throated Mountain Gem (PTMG) (255-196) was also looked at, as it was present in the greatest abundance both before and after the straws were added. The manipulation also altered the hummingbird’s aggressive behavior. The CHE became less aggressive interspecifically (45-15 total number) (0.49-0.13 per individual), and stayed about the same intraspecifically (38-49 total number) (0.42-0.42 per individual). The PTMG became less aggressive interspecifically (170-89 total number) (0.3-0.17 per individual), and more so intraspecifically (153-143 total number) (0.41-0.65 per individual). The results showed that forced resource partitioning does cause changes in the abundance and behavior of these species of hummingbirds.

Resumen

Los organismos se especializan con el fin de disminuir la energía requerida para realizar sus actividades, como forrajear y alimentarse. Este estudio fue realizado con el fin de ver si al alterar el tamaño de la flor afecta la especialización de las especies en términos de abundancia y agresión. La abundancia aumentó para Elvira cupreiceps (de 91 -118 individuos), y disminuyó para todas las demás. La abundancia de Lampornis calolaemus disminuyó considerablemente (255-196), antes del tratamiento era la especie más abundante. Las manipulaciones también afectaron el comportamiento agresivo de los colibríes. La agresión interspecífica disminuyó para Elvira cupreiceps (45-15 total) (0.49-0.13 por individual) y se mantuvo constante intraespecificamente (153-143 total) (0.41-0.65). Para Lampornis calolaemus la agresión interspecífica disminuyo (170-89 total) (0.3-0.17 por individuo), también lo hizo la intraespecífica (153-143 total) (0.41-0.65 por individual). Los resultados demuestran que la partición de nicho forzada causa cambios en la abundancia y comportamiento agresivo de las especies.

Keywords

Hummingbirds--Food, Birds--Behavior, CIEE Spring 2010

Palabras claves

Colibríes--Alimento, Aves--Comportamiento, CIEE Primavera 2010

Geographic Location

Monteverde (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute

Format

Digital Only

Notes

For more information or full text, please contact the partners at the Monteverde Institute.

Identifier

M39-00579

Type

Book

Recommended Citation

Buffin, Nicholas J., "Effects of resource partitioning on the behavior and foraging activity of the Coppery headed emerald and the purple throated mountain gem hummingbirds (Trochilidae), May 2010" (2010). Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation. 361.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/361