Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2010
Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that foraging for arthropods may be a viable source of energy when hummingbirds are competitively excluded from sources of nectar. We hypothesized that the Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) relies more upon arthropods than the Blue-throated Hummingbird (Lampornis clemenciae) or Blackchinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) in southeastern Arizona. We were unable to quantify arthropod foraging by A. alexandri, but measured frequent arthropod foraging by both E. fulgens and L. clemenciae. E. fulgens engaged in more aerial flycatching than L. clemenciae, and their rate of flycatching attempts was higher than by L. clemenciae. Analysis of gut contents showed that E. fulgens consumes the greatest diversity of arthropods. Respiratory quotient measurements indicated E. fulgens catabolized a greater amount of fat/protein than the other species. Gut morphology of E. fulgens does not appear to differ from other hummingbirds suggesting hummingbirds in general may have the ability to use arthropods as an alternative energy source when access to floral energy is restricted. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that the diet of E. fulgens includes more arthropods than other species with which they compete. Received 10 November 2009. Accepted 3 February 2010.
Recommended Citation
Powers, Don; Van Hook, Jessamyn A.; Sandlin, Elizabeth A.; and McWhorter, Todd J., "Arthropod Foraging by a Southeastern Arizona Hummingbird Guild" (2010). Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science. 107.
https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/bio_fac/107
Comments
Originally published in the Wilson Journal of Ornithology.
Powers, D. R., J. A. Van Hook, E. A. Sandlin, and T. J. McWhorter. 2010. An examination of arthropod foraging in a southeastern Arizona hummingbird guild. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 122:494-502.