TERRITORIAL FORAGING BEHAVIOR OF THE SMALL HUMMINGBIRD (SEPHANOIDES SEPHANIODES) IN ALOE ARBORESCENS, ON THE SANTA LUCIA HILL

Abstract

The small hummingbird (Sephanoides sephaniodes), is the southernmost hummingbird of the American continent and is characterized by being an aggressive species when it comes to defending its food sources. During the winter months of 2018, territorial behaviors associated with the foraging of two males of the species were monitored, in Aloe arborescens plants on Santa Lucia Hill, Santiago, Chile. During twelve explorations in the morning and afternoon sessions, the quantification of four territorial behaviors showed that one of the males developed a more aggressive behavior towards their conspecifics, due to the constant competition for access to the nectar within their territory, a situation that It was increased in the post noon day. The other male studied, although he showed less aggressive behavior, also his territorialism was more active in the afternoon. Such differences would respond to higher density and quality of food sources in one of the sites, as well as the cost / benefit balance associated with food and territorial defense activities. Plants like Aloe arborescens would be sources of food subsidies in urban areas.