Research Overview
Broadly, my research heavily focuses on the interconnectedness of behavior and energetics. I am mostly interested in the energetic trade-off of maintaining behaviors and how these two factors are managed in free-living organisms. Most of my work uses hummingbirds as models, as they are energetically and behaviorally bold, enigmatic, and always on the brink of survival (we think). Please see below for a few of the projects I'm working on, and feel free to reach out with collaboration ideas or questions!
02
3D Reconstructions
One of the things I have been helping investigate in the Behavorial Ecophysics Lab at University of Washington is the role of morphology on behavior, and vice versa. We know hummingbirds are fierce fighters, but we still don't exactly know what equips them for this. It has been shown that dominant hummingbirds have longer maxillary overhangs (upper bill slightly longer than lower bill) and increased bill pointiness, irrespective of body size proxies. Further, tomial serrations (jagged edges of the bill) are used during aggressive encounters (Rico Guevara et al., 2019). Using specimens from the Burke Museum, we are able to accomplish fine scale CT scans to visualize bill shape and serrations (see first tile with hummingbird bill), and analyze them using open source programs such as 3D Slicer with SlicerMorph extensions. In even more recent updates, we've begun collaborating with Digital Life 3D, and with a grant from the UW Student Technology Fee, we have begun the process of creating a 3D Macro Photogrammetry Rig that can produce high quality scans for lower cost and beyond the museum walls (see crossbill scan).
PI: Alejandro Rico-Guevara
Affiliation: University of Washington & Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
Undergraduate Researcher: Lucas M.
Digital Life 3D project
01
Maximum Feeding Rate
In this project, I am investigating the compensatory cap on hummingbirds feeding at dilute nectars. Hummingbirds are known to process water through their kidneys, which could limit increased feeding (McWhorter and Martinez del Rio, 1999). We also know that nectars provided by flowers can vary in nectar concentration, volume and have seasonality. Therefore we ask the question: what are the limitations on feeding and are they ecologically relevant given current floral resources available to these famously adapted and nectar-dependent birds? I have investigated this question in the Chiricahua Mountains of SW Arizona, the Andean highlands and cloud forests of Ecuador and now in the lab in Seattle, Washington. I am currently collecting these data on Calypte anna and preparing maximum feeding rate and nectar data from other sites for publication.
PI: Alejandro Rico-Guevara & Donald R. Powers
Affiliation: University of Washington &
George Fox University
03
Museum Work
As literature grows, we’re starting to understand more and more the role of coloration in sexual selection and behavior, especially with iridescent patches in the hummingbird taxa. We are starting by looking specifically at one patch of iridescent feathers that exists on the underside of the wing and seems to be used for communication (seen as select species' pauses mid-flap while these underwing patches are visible). Hummingbird sight has only been consistently studied in the last few years (Stoddard et al. 2020), suggesting that the fourth optical cone possessed by hummingbirds may allow for vision and signaling in the ultraviolet (UV) spectra. We are investigating what these patches could look like to another hummingbird using a specialized camera, the extensive Burke Museum spread wing collection, and a team of enthusiastic researchers! To aid in location of spread wings within and beyond the museum, I created a R Shiny Wing Finder App
to help researchers from all institutions to successfully locate collections and ease in the loan process. Further, I have participated in multiple outreach videos to highlight this project and the role museums play in scientific research.
PI: Alejandro Rico-Guevara
Affiliation: University of Washington & Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
Undergraduate Researcher: Nora L.
04
Hovering Metabolism
What does it cost a hummingbird to hover at a flower? What makes some flowers easier to access than others? For flowers with hard-to-access nectar, can it still be worth it to feed there? These are the questions we are asking with our hovering metabolism project! We are using the union of high speed videography, metabolic measures, feeding data and more to investigate what this could cost. For this project we are housing local Anna's Hummingbirds (Calypte anna) which has given me extensive experience in permitting, housing, and hummingbird husbandry. This work has been featured in a recent Burke Museum research highlight video (see link).
PI: Alejandro Rico-Guevara
Affiliation: University of Washington & Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture