Floral resources used by the family Trochilidae in the Cajamarca department, Peru

Roncal-Rabanal M.; Chávez Chávez C.A.; García Llatas L.F.; Arias Campos M.O.; Tello S.S. · Hornero (2025) · DOI: 10.56178/eh.v40i2.1522

Resumen

In this study, we examined the floral resources used by several hummingbird species through direct observation, botanical collection, and photographic records conducted between 2011 and 2023 across 89 localities in the Cajamarca department, Peru. We report interactions involving 21 hummingbird species including three endemics, in which the ‘Endangered’ (EN) Grey-bellied Comet (Taphrolesbia griseiventris) stands out. The Sparkling Violetear (Colibri coruscans) exhibited the highest number of interactions, visiting 20 different plant species. We documented the use of 79 plant species (59 native, 20 introduced, and 9 endemic), belonging to 54 genera and 35 families. The family with the greatest number of species interacting with hummingbirds was Lamiaceae. The most frequently visited trees and shrubs were Delostoma integrifolium, Tecoma stans var. sambucifolia, Agave americana, Meriania tomentosa and Oreocallis grandiflora. These findings raise concern, as these are perennial plant species with limited resilience that inhabit threatened parts of the Andean region—areas that may provide the only available floral resources for hummingbirds during dry seasons or periods of low flower availability. We also report additional plant species in the diet of the Grey-bellied Comet, which could be incorporated into active revegetation and conservation programs for this species.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Chota; Universidad Nacional de Jaén