Perch usage by hummingbirds in a fragment of Atlantic Forest in Brazil.
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Date
2016
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Abstract
We investigated if there are aspects of
perches that are more attractive for hummingbirds, such as
perch height, diameter, and distance from a food patch. The
study was conducted in a fragment of Atlantic Forest of the
Itacolomi State Park, in Minas Gerais, Brazil, with artificial
feeders simulating a rich food patch. Characteristics of
perches used by the recorded hummingbirds, such as height,
diameter and distance from the food patch, were measured.
From the six hummingbird species recorded visiting the
artificial feeders, two preferentially used perches with
certain characteristics: Thalurania glaucopis used more
perches at a height of 0.51–1.0 m (intermediary high), and
Leucochloris albicollis used more perches located 1.1–2.0
m distance from the food patch. T. glaucopis was territorial
and defended the food patch; L. albicollis was subordinate
and did not defend the food patch. The other species
seemed to use perches randomly. Our results suggest that
hummingbirds used perches according to their social status.
Territorial species use perches primarily as platforms for
defense and observation of the territory, as well as places of
rest between feeding events; subordinate species use
perches mainly as resting places during feeding bouts in
the absence of the dominant species.
Description
Keywords
Perch diameter, Perch distance, Perch height, Trochilidae
Citation
LANNA, L. et al. Perch usage by hummingbirds in a fragment of Atlantic forest in Brazil. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, v. 128, n. 2, p. 453-459, 2016. Disponível em: <https://bioone.org/journals/the-wilson-journal-of-ornithology/volume-128/issue-2/1559-4491-128.2.453/Perch-Usage-by-Hummingbirds-in-a-Fragment-of-Atlantic-Forest/10.1676/1559-4491-128.2.453.full>. Acesso em: 10 jul. 2017.