Unveiling the Secrets of Giant Hummingbirds: A Study on Extreme Elevation Migration and Speciation

A recent study conducted by researchers from the Museum of Southwest Biology (MSB) at the University of New Mexico (UNM), in collaboration with the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and the Center for Ornithology and Biodiversity in Peru, has uncovered fascinating information about giant hummingbirds. The study titled “Extreme elevation migration stimulates cryptic speciation in giant hummingbirds” was published in the magazine Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2022, after eight years of hard work led by Jessie Williamson, Ph.D. from UNM.

The research team aimed to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of migratory giant hummingbirds after the breeding season along the Pacific coasts of central Chile. Using miniature tracking devices placed on the hummingbirds, they discovered that these birds ascend to more than 13,000 feet in altitude, flying as far as the Andes Mountains in Peru. This round-trip migration covers a distance of more than 5,200 miles.

Williamson developed a method of attaching small and light tracking devices to hummingbirds without interfering with their flight, which was published in the Journal of Avian Biology in 2021. The team found that migratory and high-altitude resident giant hummingbirds have been evolving separately for about three million years, making them distinct species. A new species of giant hummingbird was identified and named Patagona chaski.

The study was made possible through international collaborations between institutions from the United States, Chile, and Peru, with the support of landowners and rural communities. The team conducted field work from sea level to high Andean peaks for weeks at a time under challenging conditions.

The research sheds light on the migration and evolution of giant hummingbirds, emphasizing the importance of conservation and biodiversity preservation efforts. Williamson stated “Combining migration tracking with genomics has opened up research opportunities that could fill a lifetime.” The study provides valuable insights into these incredible birds and their habitat that can aid conservation efforts.

Overall, this discovery highlights how studying biodiversity can lead to new knowledge about nature’s complexities and underscores how important it is to protect these precious natural resources for future generations to enjoy.