Hummingbird abundance and flowers use in a template forest from Southeast Mexico

• Published in: Revista de biología tropical Vol. 60; no. 4; p. 1621
• Main Authors: Partida Lara, Ruth, Enríquez, Paula L, Rangel-Salazar, José Luis, Lara, Carlos, Martínez Ico, Miguel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Costa Rica 01.12.2012
• Subjects: Animals; Birds - classification; Birds - physiology; Ecosystem; Feeding Behavior - physiology; Flowers - classification; Mexico; Population Density; Population Dynamics; Seasons; Mexico
• ISSN: 0034-7744

Hummingbird abundance varies with plant bloom phenology used for feeding. However, the information on hummingbird-flower interaction is limited for tropical mountain environments. We evaluated hummingbird abundance using mist nest and estimated monthly flowering phenology visited by hummingbirds in three different habitats (oak forest, cloud forest and bush) from January to August 2010 in Huitepec Ecological Reserve. We recorded four hummingbird species (Hylocharis leucotis, Lampornis amethystinus, Lamprolaima rhami and Eugenes fulgens), and their abundance varied among habitats (H3.8=14.8, p=0.001). Seven plant species were visited for hummingbirds and showed the highest number of flower species during dry season. Bush had the highest blossom. Fuchsia paniculata had the highest blossom period but only was visited by H. leucotis. Passiflora membranacea was the only species visited for all hummingbird species. The only positive association was E. fulgens abundance with P.a membranacea bloom (r(S)=0.93, p=0.02). Hummingbird abundance fluctuations in this study are determined for interactions with floral resources and their habitat distribution.