The Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) is a small, fast-flying bird found in the mountainous regions of western North America. Like all hummingbirds, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird has evolved specialized adaptations that allow it to hover in midair as it feeds on flower nectar. The Broad-tailed Hummingbird’s unique ecosystem encompasses the various biotic and abiotic factors that support its survival and reproduction. Understanding the components of the Broad-tailed Hummingbird’s ecosystem provides insight into the interconnections between the bird, its habitat, food sources, predators, and more.
What are the main habitat requirements of Broad-tailed Hummingbirds?
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds thrive in high elevation mountain meadows, pine-oak forests, aspen groves, and riparian areas. They prefer open forests and woodland edges that provide adequate flowering plants. Key habitat features include:
– Elevation between 6,000-10,500 feet
– Availability of nectar-producing flowers
– Water sources like streams and lakes
– Sheltered perches like dead snags and treetops
During migration, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds can be found in lower elevation areas. But for breeding, they rely on mountain habitats that support their nutritional and nesting requirements.
What plants and flowers do Broad-tailed Hummingbirds rely on?
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds have adapted to take advantage of a variety of flowering plants that provide the nectar that makes up the bulk of these birds’ diet. Some key nectar sources include:
– Indian paintbrush
– Larkspur
– Columbine
– Penstemon
– Trumpet vine
– Fireweed
The availability of flowers blooming throughout spring, summer and fall is critical to sustain hummingbirds. Some species adapted to higher elevations have coordinated blooming periods to align with hummingbird migration patterns.
Ideal flower characteristics
Ideal hummingbird flowers have some key characteristics:
– Tubular or bell shape – allows bird to access nectar
– Bright red color – attracts the birds
– Abundant nectar – provides high-energy food source
By evolving to attract hummingbird pollinators, many flowers ensure their own reproductive success along with providing for the birds’ needs.
What other food sources are important?
In addition to nectar, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds supplement their diet by catching small insects such as gnats, aphids, spiders, and fruit flies. They obtain essential protein and nutrients from these insect sources. Some key insect prey include:
Insect | Importance |
---|---|
Gnats | Abundant especially near water; provide essential protein |
Aphids | Common on vegetation; important source when flowers scarce |
Spiders | Larger species can provide substantial nutrition |
Fruit flies | Breed rapidly in ripe fruit; offer vital proteins |
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds hunt for insects by hawking through swarms and plucking them out of webs. This supplements the diet and provides key nutrients not found in nectar.
Where does nesting and breeding occur?
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds nest in protected micro-sites within their mountain habitat. Specific nesting locations include:
– Horizontal branches of trees/shrubs up to 25 feet high
– Forked branches shelter nests from above
– Nests built on structures like signs or utility poles
The female alone builds the nest out of soft plant down, spider webs, and lichens. Nest construction takes 6-10 days, followed by egg laying and incubation. Ideal nest sites protect the eggs and chicks from harsh weather while allowing the female to come and go easily.
Breeding habits
– Males attract females with aerial displays
– No long-term pair bonds formed
– Female solely responsible for nest building, egg incubation and rearing chicks
– Typical clutch size is 2 white eggs
– Chicks hatch after 16-17 days and fledge in 25-26 days
Broad-tailed Hummingbird breeding is timed to coincide with peak flower blooming in their mountain habitat. This ensures ample food as the female incubates eggs and feeds nestlings.
What are the common predators and how do hummingbirds avoid them?
Despite their small size, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds have evolved strategies to evade predators in their environment, including:
Predator | Avoidance Strategy |
---|---|
Hawks | Rapid aerial maneuvering and diving to evade attacks |
Jays | Camouflaged nests high up in trees help avoid detection |
Chipmunks | Aggressive dive-bombing drives predators away from nests |
Key adaptations like camouflage, aerial agility, and nest placement help parent hummingbirds keep eggs and chicks safe. Broad-tailed Hummingbirds also migrate in response to seasonal food availability, escaping areas with depleted resources.
How do hummingbirds interact with and contribute to plant pollination?
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds play a vital role as pollinators for many high elevation flowering plant species. Specific pollination adaptations include:
– Long bills and tongues allow hummingbirds to access nectar at base of long tubular flowers
– Rapid wing-beat enables hover pollination as birds drink nectar
– Heads and bills contact reproductive parts of flowers and transfer pollen
– Traplining behavior results in pollination between different plants
This mutualism benefits both birds and plants – the hummingbirds gain food while plants are pollinated. Declines in hummingbird populations can reduce pollination and seed production for certain plant communities.
Keystone species
Due to their specialized role as pollinators, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds act as a keystone species in their mountain ecosystem. Their services maintain plant diversity and abundance which benefits other interdependent wildlife in the community.
How do climate and seasonal changes impact Broad-tailed Hummingbirds?
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds have adapted to the seasonal rhythms of their mountain habitats. Key effects of climate and seasonal change include:
– Cold winters and sudden storms threaten survival, causing migration and torpor
– Flower and insect food supplies decline, driving migration and competition
– Nesting is timed for maximum food availability to raise chicks successfully
– Warming trends may alter plant communities and food sources long-term
– More droughts can desiccate flowers and reduce nectar
– Increased fires degrade essential breeding areas
Hummingbirds are sensitive indicators of their environment. Tracking Broad-tailed Hummingbird populations and breeding success provides important data on the health of their montane ecosystem.
Why is the Broad-tailed Hummingbird ecosystem important to preserve?
Protecting intact Broad-tailed Hummingbird habitat confers many ecosystem benefits:
– Maintains essential stopover habitat for migrating birds
– Supports diverse plant pollination and seed dispersal
– Provides stable food web dynamics and energy flow to support wildlife
– Contributes to carbon sequestration and improved water and air quality
– Limits erosion and maintains alpine meadows through pollination
– Enhances aesthetic value and nature tourism opportunities
As a vital keystone species, Broad-tailed Hummingbird conservation inherently protects many elements of interdependent mountain ecosystems. Managing for healthy Broad-tailed Hummingbird populations ensures good ecosystem function.
Conclusion
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird has specialized adaptations enabling it to occupy a unique high elevation niche in western North America. As a keystone pollinator, this tiny bird supports the diverse plant and animal communities found in montane forests, meadows, and riparian areas. Maintaining intact ecosystem features including nesting habitat, food plants, water sources, and migration corridors allows Broad-tailed Hummingbird populations to thrive. In turn, the presence of Broad-tailed Hummingbirds enhances pollination, food web dynamics, and overall ecosystem health. Understanding the critical interactions within the Broad-tailed Hummingbird’s habitat provides insights into balanced management of their mountain ecosystems.