In collaboration with researchers from the Museum of Southwest Biology (MSB) at the University of New Mexico (UNM) and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, as well as the Center for Ornithology and Biodiversity in Peru, a team of scientists has made an important discovery about giant hummingbirds. The study, titled “Extreme elevation migration stimulates cryptic speciation in giant hummingbirds,” was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The research was led by Dr. Jessie Williamson from UNM, who had been studying migratory giant hummingbirds for eight years. The team set out to solve the mystery of why these birds disappeared after the breeding season along Pacific coasts in central Chile. By placing miniature tracking devices on the birds, they discovered that migratory giant hummingbirds ascend to altitudes over 13,000 feet and fly as far as the Andes Mountains in Peru, covering a distance of over 5,200 miles.
Dr. Williamson developed a method for attaching tracking devices small enough to not interfere with the birds’ hovering flight, which was published in the Journal of Avian Biology. The team also found that migratory and high-altitude resident giant hummingbirds have been evolving separately for around three million years, making them distinct species. They named a new species called Patagona chaski.
This international collaboration between institutions from the United States, Chile, and Peru allowed researchers to conduct fieldwork from sea level to high Andean peaks. This study sheds light on both migration patterns and evolutionary processes among giant hummingbirds and highlights how conservation efforts are crucial for their protection and preservation.
Dr. Williamson said: “Combining migration tracking with genomics has opened up research opportunities that could fill a lifetime.” The study not only provides fascinating insights into these incredible birds but also emphasizes the importance of continued conservation efforts to protect this unique species.
In conclusion, this study highlights how international collaborations can lead to important discoveries about wildlife populations and emphasizes the need for continued conservation efforts to protect these valuable species.
