Weighty
Stuff
The
following chart shows the weights (grams) of summer and winter Ruby-throated
and Rufous Hummingbirds, and American Robins for comparison:
Average
Weights in Grams |
Winter
Male |
Breeding
Male |
Winter
Female |
Breeding
Female |
Rufous
Hummingbird |
3.27 |
3.34 |
3.35 |
3.58 |
Ruby-throated
Hummingbird |
3.08 |
3.36 |
3.17 |
3.81 |
American
Robin |
86.2 |
84.8 |
83.6 |
75.0 |
Think
about what these numbers mean, and about the different problems faced
by robins and hummingbirds as you answer these questions:
-
Which are heavier: male or female hummingbirds?
- Which are heavier:
male or female robins?
- Why the difference
between hummingbirds and robins?
- Which are heavier:
winter hummingbirds or breeding hummingbirds?
- Which gains more
weight in spring: male or female hummingbirds?
- Why do you think
this is?
- Which loses more
weight in spring: male or female robins?
- Why do you think
this is?
- Which are heavier:
winter robins or breeding robins?
- Why the difference
between hummingbirds and robins?
See
our answers and discussion here.
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