A study performed in Costa Rica revealed that the males of the long-billed hermit hummingbird species use their extended, sharp beaks to kill off their mating competition.
It seems that hummingbirds aren’t the sweet, peaceful creatures we have been led to believe.
A study performed in Costa Rica revealed that the males of the long-billed hermit variety use their lengthy, sharp beaks to kill off the mating competition.
When hummingbirds mate, the males gather to vie for the female’s attention.
Part of the process is staking out and claiming prime mating territory.
Another portion of the ritual involves singing a beautiful song in hopes of winning the lady bird’s approval.
During mating, should the area a bird has declared as their own be threatened by another suitor, the male will defend it.
Often times that involves using their beak to stab the rival through the throat.
The practice has given researchers great insights into how it is that the hummingbirds have evolved.
It’s long been accepted that the need for nourishment was the driving force behind beak shape changes, but now the scientists aren’t so sure.
Upon observing the bill growth stages a male long-billed hermit experiences over time, they believe that mating may be what’s driving the adaptations.
More research into the matter is planned.
