Species of the day: White-throated Mountain Gem! This is quite a small hummingbird that occurs in the higher elevations around our study site. Notice the short bill compared to Green Hermit and the Lancebill. One of the questions we are trying to answer is whether it is possible that some plants can actually distinguish among pollinators – that is, they can “tell” who is visiting them and turn their reproductive investment on or off depending on whether the species is a good pollinator. This species only moves short distances, so most likely spreads poor-quality pollen around. ‘Scuse the dirty thumbnail. My manicurist is on strike.