A study of nectar components and competition on the feeding behavior of Archilochus colubris, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Abstract

Competition over potentially limiting resources found in nectar may be equal in importance to the nutrients themselves. Even abundant resources are useless to any organism who is unable to successfully compete for them. Accordingly, in this study, we ask if and how competition affects the feeding behavior of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Specifically, we were interested in determining if competition between Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and with the Northern Oriole affected feeding rates. Additionally, we asked if the different protein concentrations found in nectar would effect the feeding behavior of hummingbirds. Our results strongly suggested that competition affected Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding behavior. We found intraspecific competition to be greater for Ruby-throats than interspecific competition. These results further illustrate the highly territorial and aggressive nature of hummingbirds as noted by Greenewalt (1960).