Honors Theses

Date of Award

4-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Dr. Lucia Carreon Martinez

Second Advisor

Dr. Karl Berg

Abstract

With the rise of urbanization, comes a rise in urban-like activities—most notable is birdfeeding. Given the increasing popularity of bird-feeding, especially in hummingbird feeding, concern for implications, if any, has mounted. There is reason to believe that artificial feeders can impact the surrounding environment; that is, it is possible that feeders could attract pollinators away from flowering plants, which, in turn, could bring repercussions for pollination and all associated with it. However, literature, on the matter, is rather limited. To add to this, past studies provide two opposing arguments. This study aims to explore the nectar source preferences of hummingbirds to remedy this lack of consensus.

To test the hypothesis that hummingbirds would prefer a natural source of nectar over an artificial source, I assessed the number of visits by Archilochus colubris (ruby-throated hummingbird) and Amazilia yucatanensis (buff-bellied hummingbird), two species that reside in South Texas, to each of three sites: a Malvaviscus arboreus shrub, a Campsis radicans shrub, and a mounted artificial feeder.

The results showed that hummingbirds preferred a natural source of nectar at a greater rate, specifically the M. arboreus—as hypothesized.

This study concludes that hummingbirds prefer a natural source of nectar over an artificial source. Thus, there is no evidence that artificial feeders would pose a risk to the surrounding plants nor pollination.

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Copyright 2022 Jasmine Benavidez. All Rights Reserved.

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