Automated Serial Sampling in Hummingbirds Obviates Laborious Ecological Studies of Behaviourally Induced Rises in Departure Stores
Year: 2015
Type: dissertation
Abstract: I examined the feasibility of automating the collection of free-ranging hummingbird mass data facilitated by low-cost, low-power radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Wild hummingbirds were captured, subcutaneously implanted with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, and released. Detection of tagged hummingbirds perched on balances at feeder stations outfitted with RFID readers initiated the recording of masses at regular intervals, continuing for as long as the birds remained. Mass data showed consistent trends at multiple temporal scales: the individual feeder visit, single days, and whole seasons. Using these data, I modelled changes in foraging behaviour during the morning, mid-day and evening, and examined rates of overnight mass change to determine how wild hummingbirds achieve premigratory fattening. Premigratory hummingbirds increased the duration of visits and thus total time spent at the feeders during the mid-day only and exhibited greater use of overnight torpor, as evidenced by a reduced rate of overnight mass loss.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Lily Hou
Language: English
Topic: Avian ecology and behavior
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2524137658