Hummingbirds
Running Head: Scientific study of ruby-throated hummingbird pollination
Unit 1 Individual Project
Instructor: Joanna Kroon
SCIE206-1101B-19 Biology
Stephanie Frank
Abstract
The scientific method will be given as my determination as to provide an answer to the question in consideration. Samples of colorful flowers are planted on the left side of a garden and non-colorful flowers are planted on the right side of a garden. Observation over a month’s time with video surveillance will give proof of which flower the ruby-throated hummingbird goes to more often; thus determining whether the ruby-throated hummingbird prefers a bright color for pollination.
Introduction
As I was hiking one day, I noticed a ruby-throated hummingbird hovering over my bright red hat. At first I was a bit startled and decided to play it cool and just keep walking slowly. The ruby-throated hummingbird seemed to hover a bit and then just darted away as if it has lost all interests. I wondered why the bird hovered over my red hat and decided to do some research. After a little bit of research, I determined that the ruby-throated hummingbird does pick bright colored flowers to pollinate (Sargent, 1999). My bright red hat could have been an attraction to the ruby-throated hummingbird.
Question: Do ruby-throated hummingbirds prefer some colors more than others when visiting flowers?
Hypothesis: Could planting colorful flowers within a garden attract a ruby-throated hummingbird to pollinate?
Prediction: The brightest colored flowers, such as red, will attract a ruby-throated hummingbird for pollination.
Methods
Purchase small flowers in potting pots with colors; white, orange, red, yellow and pink, and plant them into a controlled garden outside. The garden will be divided into two sections, right and left. The left garden section will hold the colorful flowers: orange, red and yellow. The right garden section will hold the non-colorful flowers: white and pale pink. After the
Unit 1 Individual Project
Instructor: Joanna Kroon
SCIE206-1101B-19 Biology
Stephanie Frank
Abstract
The scientific method will be given as my determination as to provide an answer to the question in consideration. Samples of colorful flowers are planted on the left side of a garden and non-colorful flowers are planted on the right side of a garden. Observation over a month’s time with video surveillance will give proof of which flower the ruby-throated hummingbird goes to more often; thus determining whether the ruby-throated hummingbird prefers a bright color for pollination.
Introduction
As I was hiking one day, I noticed a ruby-throated hummingbird hovering over my bright red hat. At first I was a bit startled and decided to play it cool and just keep walking slowly. The ruby-throated hummingbird seemed to hover a bit and then just darted away as if it has lost all interests. I wondered why the bird hovered over my red hat and decided to do some research. After a little bit of research, I determined that the ruby-throated hummingbird does pick bright colored flowers to pollinate (Sargent, 1999). My bright red hat could have been an attraction to the ruby-throated hummingbird.
Question: Do ruby-throated hummingbirds prefer some colors more than others when visiting flowers?
Hypothesis: Could planting colorful flowers within a garden attract a ruby-throated hummingbird to pollinate?
Prediction: The brightest colored flowers, such as red, will attract a ruby-throated hummingbird for pollination.
Methods
Purchase small flowers in potting pots with colors; white, orange, red, yellow and pink, and plant them into a controlled garden outside. The garden will be divided into two sections, right and left. The left garden section will hold the colorful flowers: orange, red and yellow. The right garden section will hold the non-colorful flowers: white and pale pink. After the
References: Sargent, R. (1999, December). Ruby-throated hummingbird (archilochus colubris). Retrieved March 22, 2011, from: http://plants.usda.gov/pollinators/Ruby-throated_hummingbird.pdf Smith, J. (2009, November). Ruby-throated hummingbird. Retrieved March 22, 2011, from: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/migratorybirds/featured_birds/default.cfm?bird=Ruby-throated_Hummingbird