CALYPTE ANNA

Hey, what's up? I am observing the most common California Hummingbird scientifically known as Calypte Anna. I chose this animal because I have seen many right in my front yard and was fascinated by how profoundly different they are from just about any other bird. This intrigued me, and I became inspired to discover the proximate and ultimate causes of their size and behavior.

As I mentioned before, I am doing all my research in my front yard, which is a relatively small garden, there a are a few small trees around the outskirts as well as three raised beds. At the time of day I am usually studying the Hummingbirds (between 4 and 6 in the afternoon) my garden is usually already entirely in shade. Near the middle of the garden I have two identical feeders, these feeders are the center of my experiments.

I have noticed that the Calypte Annas are extremely partial to light as well as being concerned with economy of motion. For instance if one of the feeders has been in the sunlight longer than the other, and is therefore warmer the hummingbirds will always feed from that feeder. Also if one feeder is closer to their nest than the other they will chose that one. The reason this is significant is that I am trying to teach the hummingbirds to go to a specific feeder, I am doing this by putting a sweeter sugar concentration into the feeder I am teaching them to favor; but because they are so concerned with warmth and closeness my experiment sometimes seems like it is having no affect at all. THERE ARE SOOO MANY VARIABLES TO CONTROL FOR!!!

By the way, I am a big fan of the New York Yankees and play on the baseball team at my high school. I really like to cook, and I worked at a restaurant over the summer. Most importantly, I am really looking forward to learning about your experiments and working with you guys in Kenya!

-Isaac-