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1 September 2008 Giant Hummingbirds (Patagona gigas) Ingest Calcium-rich Minerals
Cristián F. Estades, M. Angélica Vukasovic, Jorge A. Tomasevic
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Abstract

We report Giant Hummingbirds (Patagona gigas), regularly and deliberately, ingesting wood ashes and slaked lime in central Chile. These two minerals have high concentrations of calcium, which may be a scarce element in the nectar-based diet of the species. Both observations occurred during the post-breeding period suggesting the birds were females ingesting calcium-rich compounds to replace minerals lost during eggshell production.

Cristián F. Estades, M. Angélica Vukasovic, and Jorge A. Tomasevic "Giant Hummingbirds (Patagona gigas) Ingest Calcium-rich Minerals," The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 120(3), 651-653, (1 September 2008). https://doi.org/10.1676/07-054.1
Received: 31 March 2007; Accepted: 1 November 2007; Published: 1 September 2008
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