Susan Wethington
Hummingbird Monitoring Network
The Hummingbird Monitoring Network (HMN) conducted a multi-year study to understand how weather, plant phenology, and nectar availability influence hummingbird migration in southeastern Arizona. Using passive acoustic recordings from 2013–2014 and software provided through a grant from Wildlife Acoustics, HMN engaged high school students in developing classifiers to identify and quantify hummingbird vocalizations and chip notes. Initially using Songscope software with limited success, the team switched to Kaleidoscope Pro 4.1, which allowed students—especially Patagonia High School's Nick Botz—to successfully identify and classify sounds from multiple hummingbird species. The process included iteratively refining classifiers through spectrogram analysis and clustering techniques. Students became proficient in acoustic analysis and STEM skills, and their work led to the development of two classifiers: one for chip notes and one for vocalizations. Despite temporary setbacks due to funding, the project continued with Nick Botz leading classifier development through 2019. The resulting data are now being integrated with environmental factors in collaboration with University of Arizona scientists to better understand the drivers of hummingbird migration. Wildlife Acoustics' support and software, as well as student involvement, were key to the project’s success.
Here is the colorless Macaulay version of a RUHU vocalization...
...And here is the exact same vocalization when processed through Kaleidoscope.
Here is a group of BTLH chips. What distinguishes them from the others in sound is that they have less of a staccato chipping noise and more of a smooth chirp, like that of a sparrow. On the spectrogram plot, you can see that the notes are shorter (have a smaller range of kHz), and are formed by two overlapping, slanted, and slightly curved lines. In most cases, the BTLH's signature wing noise was also present in the background, as you can see in the above example.
Andrea Nieto and Gabriela Samaniego are installing recorders in a flower patch and then Andrea is conducting a hummingbird census to calibrate the abundance of hummingbirds heard in the patch.
PASEO students Nick Botz and Hectar Parra with Music teacher Jason Schreiber learning Kaleidoscope in the Patagonia High School Library.
Nick Botz with one of the many instruments that he plays well.