Experiments in feeding behavior of the Anna hummingbird
-
Published source details
Wheeler T.G. (1980) Experiments in feeding behavior of the Anna hummingbird. The Wilson Bulletin, 92, 53-62.
Published source details Wheeler T.G. (1980) Experiments in feeding behavior of the Anna hummingbird. The Wilson Bulletin, 92, 53-62.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
| Action | Category | |
|---|---|---|
|
Provide supplementary food for hummingbirds to increase adult survival Action Link |
 |
-
Provide supplementary food for hummingbirds to increase adult survival
A controlled study in mountainous pine forests in California, USA, in July 1976 (Wheeler 1980) found that Anna’s hummingbirds Calypte anna fed more on red-dyed sugar solutions than solutions on other colours (17 visits/hour for red solution vs. 13 for yellow, eight for green, four for blue and five for uncoloured). However, birds did not show a preference when solutions were presented one after another. A separate experiment found that, after 40 minutes, approximately 80% of hummingbirds visiting a feeding area went to a feeder containing sugar solution, rather than a control feeder containing water. Solutions consisted of saturated solutions of cane sugar in water and were supplied from a 250 ml feeder with small holes near the base. The feeder had been used for several years before the experiment.
)_2023 - Compressed.JPG)
