News

Hummingbird ingestion of low-concentration ethanol within artificial nectar

Posted by Douglas douglas@hummingbirdmarket.com on

Abstract Both frugivores and nectarivores are potentially exposed to dietary ethanol produced by fermentative yeasts which metabolize sugars. Some nectarivorous mammals exhibit a preference for low-concentration ethanol solutions compared to controls of comparable caloric content, but behavioural responses to ethanol by nectar-feeding birds are unknown. We investigated dietary preference by Anna's Hummingbirds (Calypte anna) for ethanol-enhanced sucrose solutions. Via repeated binary-choice experiments, three adult male hummingbirds were exposed to sucrose solutions containing 0%, 1% or 2% ethanol; rates of volitional nectar consumption were measured over a 3 h interval. Hummingbirds did not discriminate between 0% and 1% ethanol solutions, but...

Read more →

Bats at Hummingbird Feeders

Posted by Douglas Everett on

Are your hummingbird feeders being drained at night? Great, you are indeed helping endangered species. Most of Arizona's 28 bat species eat insects, but the federally endangered Lesser long-nosed bats (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae), and the Arizona species of concern Mexican long-tongued bats (Choeronycteris mexicana), drink nectar from hummingbird feeders, and also eat pollen and fruits from plants such as the saguaro and agave. The bats migrate north from Mexico and arrive in southern Arizona as the Saguaro cactus and agave begin to bloom, traveling throughout southern Arizona and then they return south in the fall. In the fall I usually remove...

Read more →

Flower Robbers

Posted by Douglas douglas@hummingbirdmarket.com on

Short beaks and and big feet https://www.science.org/content/article/some-hummingbirds-are-flower-robbers-here-s-how-spot-them

Read more →

Where have all the hummingbirds gone?

Posted by Douglas douglas@hummingbirdmarket.com on

From San Diego Union Tribute https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/columnists/story/2023-05-13/column-many-asking-where-have-all-the-orioles-and-hummingbirds-gone

Read more →

Hummingbird Banding Training Workshop

Posted by Douglas douglas@hummingbirdmarket.com on

The Hummingbird Conservation Network is offering a 2023 Hummingbird Banding Training Workshop Location: AMNH Southwestern Research Station, Portal, Arizona When: August 19-29, 2023 Activity Level: Practical/ hands-on Accommodations: Lodging and three meals a day included. Price: $1,900 Deadline To Apply: June 2nd North America Banding Council 2019 North American Banding Councils Hummingbird Banders Manual Hummingbird Appendices Bird Banding Laboratory

Read more →