Research Paper On Calliope Hummingbird

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,

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

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