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Tiny tracking backpacks helped researchers discover that giant hummingbirds long treated as one species include both migratory birds and resident high-Andean birds. The trackers revealed the birds’ different movements; genome sequencing, including DNA from museum specimens, helped distinguish the two forms.
The eight-year study followed migratory birds from central Chile toward the high Andes and Peru. The University of New Mexico reports that the forms had been evolving separately for about three million years and that researchers proposed the name Patagona chaski for the resident form.
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Are there two species of giant hummingbird?
The study found evidence for two distinct forms: a migratory giant hummingbird and a high-elevation resident. The birds look almost identical, so their different movements and genetic evidence were important to recognizing the distinction. The University of New Mexico account says the migratory form retains the name Patagona gigas and that the researchers proposed Patagona chaski for the resident form.
| Feature | Migratory form | Resident form |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | Migrates from central Chile toward the high Andes and Peru | Lives year-round in the high Andes |
| Appearance | Looks almost identical to the resident form | Looks almost identical to the migratory form |
| Name reported by UNM | Patagona gigas | Patagona chaski, proposed by the researchers |
| Evidence distinguishing the forms | Tracking and genome sequencing | Genome sequencing, including museum specimens |
Where do giant hummingbirds migrate?
The migratory birds travel from their breeding area along central Chile’s Pacific coast toward the high Andes and north to Peru. The University of New Mexico reports that their route reaches above 13,000 feet and exceeds 5,200 miles round trip.
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How did scientists track hummingbirds with tiny backpacks?
Researchers used miniaturized tracking devices attached with a backpack-style harness developed by study leader Jessie Williamson. The University of New Mexico reports that the design was intended not to interfere with the birds’ ability to hover.
Developing a suitable harness took trial and error. Hummingbirds are difficult to equip because they are lightweight, with long wings and short legs, as Williamson explained in the University of New Mexico account.
Why were the two forms mistaken for one species?
The migratory and resident birds look almost identical. Without movement data, migratory individuals could be overlooked among resident giant hummingbirds, as Christopher Witt of the University of New Mexico put it: “Nobody had figured out where migratory giant hummingbirds go because they were hiding among the non-migratory giant hummingbirds.”
Tracking was only part of the discovery. Researchers also used genome sequencing, including DNA from historic museum specimens. The University of New Mexico reports that DNA from 154-year-old type specimens was important to solving the evolutionary puzzle.
Fieldwork was challenging, too. The same university account reports that researchers captured a giant hummingbird in Chile only once every 146 net hours. The combination of difficult fieldwork, tracking, and museum collections helped reveal a difference that appearance alone had concealed.
What is the northern giant hummingbird?
In the University of New Mexico account of the study, the northern, high-Andean resident form is the bird for which researchers proposed the name Patagona chaski. That account identifies the migratory form as Patagona gigas. These are the names reported in the study coverage; the birds’ similar appearance means they should not be treated as easy to distinguish by sight alone.
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How far do giant hummingbirds migrate?
The University of New Mexico reports a round trip exceeding 5,200 miles, from central Chile toward the high Andes and Peru.
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How high do migratory giant hummingbirds travel?
The University of New Mexico account says the route reaches above 13,000 feet.
How do hummingbirds adapt to high altitude during migration?
The account says the migrating birds pause for periods of days during their ascent, giving blood and lungs time to acclimate.
Why did researchers use museum specimens?
Genome sequencing of museum specimens helped distinguish the migratory and resident forms. The University of New Mexico reports that DNA from 154-year-old type specimens was key to the work.
The bottom line
Miniature backpacks revealed where migratory giant hummingbirds travel, while genomic evidence—including DNA from museum specimens—helped show that the migrants and high-Andean residents are distinct forms. The University of New Mexico reports a journey exceeding 5,200 miles round trip and says researchers proposed Patagona chaski for the resident form.
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