Jamaican hummingbirds ingest calcareous grit

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Gary R. Graves

Abstract: Female Vervain Hummingbirds (Mellisuga minima) and a Jamaican Mango (Anthracothorax mango) were observed to ingest calcareous grit or dust in Portland Parish, Jamaica. The clustering of observations during the last week of March suggests that calcium-rich grit was ingested to facilitate egg shell production. 


Keywords: Anthracothorax mango, calcareous grit, Jamaica, Jamaican Mango, Mellisuga minima, Vervain Hummingbird


Resumen: Colibríes de Jamaica ingieren gastrolitos calcáreos- Una hembra de Mellisuga minima y un individuo de Anthracothorax mango fueron observados ingiriendo gastrolitos calcáreo o polvo en Portland Parish, Jamaica. El grupo de observaciones hechas durante la última semana de marzo sugiere que fue ingerido un gastrolito rico en calcio para facilitar la producción de la cáscara del huevo. 


Palabras clave: Anthracothorax mango, Colibrí Negro, gastrolito calcáreo, Jamaica, Mellisuga minima, Zumbaflor


Résumé: Des colibris Jamaicains ingèrent du sable calcaire- Des femelles de Colibri nain (Mellisuga minima) et un Mango de la Jamaïque (Anthracothorax mango) ont été observés ingérant du sable calcaire ou de la poussière à Portland Parish en Jamaïque. Le regroupement des observations pendant la dernière semaine de mars font penser sur le sable riche en calcaire est ingéré pour faciliter la formation des coquilles d’oeufs. 


Mots clés: Anthracothorax mango, Colibri nain, Jamaïque, Mango de la Jamaïque, Mellisuga minima, sable calcaire

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