NEST ATTENTIVENESS IN HUMMINGBIRDS

摘要

With few exceptions, nest building, incubation, and care of young are the responsibilities of the female in hummingbirds (Trochilidae). The time females spent on these tasks (collectively defined as attentiveness) was determined for three species of hummingbirds nesting in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico, i.e., the Broad-billed (Cynanthus latirostris), Violet-crowned (Amazilia violiceps), and Black-chinned (Ar-chilochus alexandri) hummingbirds. In addition to elucidating attentiveness, the data from my study also provide insights into the allocation of time for maintenance and other activities. This information, combined with that from other studies, shows a remarkable uniformity in attentiveness in the Trochilidae regardless of the taxa or geographic areas involved.