Hummıngbırds IN THE SPOTLIGHT
“I had never seen a hummingbird in real life prior to this project, since I hail from a country where they are unfortunately not found. Getting to know these avian jewels through my art process has been incredibly insightful. It’s shocking to hear about how dead hummingbird specimens are becoming victims and ingredients of ridiculous human beliefs like love potions. The hummingbird trade needs to stop and their habitats need to be preserved. I really hope that through these paintings I have captured the essence of the hummingbirds within their wild habitats, and that these artworks could further influence a sense of pride and appreciation for these living treasures, rather than the illusioned value for dead, dried and lifeless hummingbirds on the black market.” -Sangeetha Kadur
Why Are Hummingbirds Important?
Hummingbirds are the exquisite flying jewels of our skies. Their dazzling kaleidoscope of colours, sheer panache of movements, and elegance sets them apart from any other bird. They are the only birds that can fly forward, backward, sideways, maintain a sustained hovering flight and split into an acrobatic upside down maneuver when required. In spite of their tiny size, they are packed with energy and have record breaking lifestyles, more than any other bird!
Hummingbirds are the second largest group of birds in the world, with about 361 species. Extraordinarily, all these species are found only in the Americas. Despite their restrictive range, these birds are known world-over.
The special hummingbird-flower relationship has co-evolved through millennia and hummingbirds play a very important role as pollinators, thereby maintaining a balance in our ecosystem functioning.
what are the challenges facing Hummingbirds?
Alterations to existing landscapes and habitat destruction are proceeding at a furious pace. The impact of which will most likely change the distribution and viability of hummingbird communities. This is of serious concern especially for species with specialized habitats and small ranges.
Agriculture, mining, and human population growth all negatively impact hummingbird habitats. As the human population peaks, so does the demand for agriculture and mining. Forests are constantly being consumed by the encroaching demands of farming and residential developments: Cloud forests are taken over by coffee plantations and oak, fir and pine trees are felled for timber and fuelwood.
Some species of hummingbirds have an exclusive pollinator relationship with certain plant species. Such interdependence could come at a severe cost. If the key nectar plant disappears, the bird would starve; if the bird becomes rare, the plant would fail to set seed.
The effect of changing climates on flowering phenology also threatens hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are pollinators and depend almost completely on nectar for their energy supply, so any minor change in climate can alter nectar availability and blooming dates. This may disconnect the mutualism between hummingbirds and the plants they pollinate.
Until recently it was assumed that attitudes had changed towards the hummingbird trade; however, the internet seems to have opened up the market for illegal trade. Dead hummingbirds called “chuparosas” are typically sold as good luck charms, often used in love potions, or as a treatment for epilepsy or cardiac illness.
Hummingbird’s natural enemies include hawks, kestrels and owls. Nest predation by snakes and predatory birds are common, and occasionally, these tiny little hummers get caught in big spider webs orby the large praying mantids. Feral cats also pose a threat to hummingbirds.
Introduced and invasive species of plants pose another conservation problem. Invasive plants are often chosen for ornamental value in landscaping but can quickly crowd native nectar-producing plants. These new plants are unfamiliar to hummingbirds and do not provide the nectar that's required.
Excessive pesticide application in farm lands and plantations will not only eliminate the insects that are an essential food source for hummingbirds but can directly poison the hummingbirds as well.
what can WE do to help?
STUDY Hummingbirds
Educate yourself about Hummingbirds: There is a treasure trove of Hummingbird content online, and plenty of web pages that talk about why these hummingbirds are so cool. Any of the links below are a good starting point for getting to know your little winged neighbours.
There are also several documentaries that provide insight into the fascinating lives of Hummingbirds.
Hummingbirds: Jewelled Messengers - By Sir David Attenborough
Magic in the Air - By Murray Abraham
Citizen Science projects are helping scientists amass information from all corners of the world. Your contribution to citizen science is indispensable. Step outdoors, observe them directly and help gather data to understand these magnificent creatures better. Here are some of the very interesting citizen-science platforms:
Hummingbirds at Home - Community science project that logs hummingbird sightings through the year.
Hummingbird Journey North – Track hummingbird migration each fall and spring.
FeederWatch: winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in the US and Canada.
Operation RubyThroat: A project studying one of the most widely distributed hummingbirds.
eBird One of the most powerful and popular online databases for global birdwatchers and researchers.
Grow a hummingbird garden. USDA in collaboration with Pollinator partnership has put together a region specific document of native plants. Audobon also has a guide to Planting a Hummingbird garden.
Consider setting up hummingbird feeders so that you can attract hummingbirds to your yard. The feeders also provide helpful energy to migrating birds.
celebrate Hummingbirds
National Hummingbird Day is celebrated on the 1st Saturday of September every year. Keep a look out for events dedicated to Hummingbirds near you. You can plan a trip with your friends and families to attend these events and festivals. OR Conduct community activities such as hummingbird walks, documentary screenings, art events, and installing hummingbird feeders to celebrate hummingbirds in your own neighborhood.
Art and storytelling are powerful tools to unravel the mysteries and lives of these birds through unique perspectives and voices. Create your own Hummingbird art and use #CreatureConserve to share it with the world to spread more awareness about these winged jewels.
Support hummingbird research by buying the coffee-table book - Hummingbirds: Volume 1. Funds from the sale of this book will help us work on the second volume of the hummingbirds of South America.
To buy in the US - https://www.sabalpalmsanctuary.org/attractions/hummingbirds-volume-i/
To buy in India - http://www.felis.in/hummingbirdBookVol1
protect Hummingbirds
Take steps to protect hummingbird habitats, big and small. From home gardens to local parks, and larger nature preserves, all spaces need your support.
Support the Hummingbird Conservation Network, an organization working to maintain hummingbird diversity and abundance throughout the Americas. -.
Choose native plants for landscaping, as they are most recognizable to birds, and they will have the best plant-pollinator synergy.
Consider donating financially to conservation initiatives. Many small donations can be amassed and put towards safeguarding large critical habitats or even help fund much-needed research about species that are endangered and on the brink of extinction.
Volunteer your time, effort, and expertise to a local conservation initiative. These efforts will protect local habitats, introduce visitors to nature, and otherwise protect the spaces birds need.