Hummingbirds are swallowing plastic fibers from nectar and air
Moreno J, Sarquis JA, Garello NA, Cappelletti AL, Blettler MCM.
Pollinators
The hummingbird feeder in your backyard draws the same birds now shown to carry plastic fibers in their guts, likely picked up from nectar, pollen, or insects they eat.
Researchers examined three species of hummingbirds from a river floodplain in Argentina and found tiny plastic fragments and fibers inside their stomachs and intestines. Most of the particles were thread-like fibers made from materials like polyester and polypropylene, the kinds of synthetic fabrics found in clothing and textiles. Since hummingbirds only drink nectar and eat small insects, the plastic likely came from contaminated flowers, water, or prey, suggesting plastic pollution has worked its way deep into even the most delicate parts of the food web.
Key Findings
237 plastic-like particles were found across sampled hummingbirds, with 228 classified as microfibers and most particles sized between 0.063 and 2 mm (82.28% of total).
Of 36 particles analyzed by FTIR, 14 were confirmed synthetic polymers including polyester, polypropylene, polyurethane, and polyamide; 22 fiber particles were identified as cellulose of uncertain origin.
Each bird carried between 8 and 36 particles, with no significant difference in contamination levels across the three hummingbird species studied.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Scientists found microscopic plastic bits, mostly tiny fibers, inside the guts of wild hummingbirds in Argentina for the first time, raising concerns that even nectar-feeding birds aren't escaping plastic pollution.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
First record of meso- and microplastics ingestion in hummingbirds (Trochilidae).
Plastic fragmentation represents a risk for ecosystems. Hummingbirds (Trochilidae) are nectarivorous birds restricted to the Americas, where they fulfill critical ecosystem roles as pollinators. Th...
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Was this useful?
Want to tell us more? (optional)
Thanks for the note!
Something went wrong — please try again.
Too many submissions. Try again in an hour.
Rapid disruption of pollination function by the invasive plant Impatiens glan...
That pretty pink-flowered plant spreading along your local riverbank or woodland edge could be quietly starving native wildflowers of the bee visits they nee...
Urban ecology is the scientific study of living organisms and their interactions within densely developed environments dominated by buildings, paved surfaces, and human infrastructure. For plant science, this field is essential because it investigates how plants adapt and survive in fragmented
arrow_forward Explore topic