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Conservation
ON CATALINA ISLAND
Hummingbird Migration
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atalina Island is home to several hummingbird species, including the resident Channel Islands Allen’s hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin sedentarius) and the Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna). In other parts of California, the Allen’s hummingbird is considered a migratory bird, but the ones breeding on the Channel Islands have decided to call it home all year round. That is what sparked the interest of researchers David and Erin Rankin of the University of California, Riverside. They traveled to Catalina to study hummingbird diets to try to determine what these birds are eating and see if that gives clues to why they don’t leave the Island.
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Their research, funded in part by the National Science Foundation, has been
2002225 OCDM.pdf
underway for four years, primarily focusing on Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds and observing foraging behavior. The Rankins catch these birds using a special trap that surrounds a hummingbird feeder. Once caught, samples are collected while the birds are measured and banded. According to David, standard measurements include the length of the bird’s wings, bill and tail, as well as how much they weigh. For their research in particular, the Rankins also need to collect hummingbird feces samples for genetic sampling. “We keep filter paper underneath the bird, then they do magical things in the lab,” David said. Erin added that the technology was adapted
March 3, 2020, 15:23:43
