Publications

Elting, R. L., M. Z. Anwar, D. R. Powers, B. Cheng, H. Luo, and B. W. Tobalske. 2026. Tail flaring during agonism in hummingbirds. Journal of Experimental Biology 229:jeb253064.

Elting, R. L., A. Shankar, C. H. Graham, H. Beck, A. Rico-Guevara, and D. R. Powers. 2026. Foraging plasticity and physiological adaptations enable hummingbirds to subsist on dilute nectars. Functional Ecology 40:1475–1490.

Alexandre, N. M., F. G. Romero, S. G. English, E. Grames, F. Garzon-Agudelo, K. Epperly, T. Barnes, D. R. Powers, A. E. Smith, Z. Migicovsky, L. Stein, S. Akalu, H. Sridhar, G. Montross, E. Collins, and A. Rico-Guevara. 2025. Supplemental feeding as a driver of population expansion and morphological change in Anna's hummingbirds. Global Change Biology 31:e70237.

Crandell, K. E., D. R. Powers, and B. W. Tobalske. 2025. The role of plumage and heat dissipation areas in thermoregulation in doves. Journal of Experimental Biology 228:248200.

Hong, G. A. T., B. W. Tobalske, N. van Staaveren, E. M. Leishman, T. Widowski, D. R. Powers, and A. Harlander-Matauschek. 2025. Hen-durance training — effects of an exercise regimen on laying hen muscle architecture and fracture prevalence. Royal Society Open Science 12:241191.

Hong, G. A. T., B. W. Tobalske, N. van Staaveren, E. M. Leishman, T. Widowski, D. R. Powers, and A. Harlander-Matauschek. 2024. A wing-assisted incline running exercise regime during rearing increases initial flight velocity during descent in adult white- and brown-feathered laying hens. Poultry Science 103:103375.

Hong, G. A. T., B. W. Tobalske, N. van Staaveren, E. M. Leishman, T. Widowski, D. R. Powers, and A. Harlander-Matauschek. 2023. Reduction of wing area affects estimated stress in the primary flight muscles of chickens. Royal Society Open Science 10:230817.

Eberts, E. R., G. J. Tattersall, P. J. Auger, E. G. Strauss, M. Curley, M. I. Morado, D. R. Powers, N. M. Camacho, B. W. Tobalske, S. M. Wethington, and A. Shankar. 2023. Free-living hummingbirds avoid using torpor while nesting. Journal of Thermal Biology 112:103391.

Garant, R., B. W. Tobalske, N. BenSassi, N. van Staaveren, D. Tulpan, T. Widowski, D. R. Powers, and A. Harlander-Matauschek. 2023. Does wing use and disuse cause behavioural and musculoskeletal changes in domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus)? Royal Society Open Science 10:220809.

Garant, R., B. W. Tobalske, N. BenSassi, N. van Staaveren, D. Tulpan, T. Widowski, D. R. Powers, and A. Harlander-Matauschek. 2022. Effects of clipping of flight feathers on resource use in Gallus gallus domesticus. Royal Society Open Science 9:211561.

Shankar, A., I. N. H. Cisneros, S. Thompson, C. H. Graham, and D. R. Powers. 2022. A heterothermic spectrum in hummingbirds. Journal of Experimental Biology 225:jeb243208.

León, B. M., B. W. Tobalske, N. BenSassi, R. Garant, D. R. Powers, and A. Harlander-Matauschek. 2021. Domestic egg-laying hens, Gallus gallus domesticus, do not modulate flapping flight performance in response to wing condition. Royal Society Open Science 8:210196.

Yap, K. N., D. R. Powers, M. L. Vermette, O. H-I Tsai, and T. D. Williams. 2021. Physiological adjustments to high foraging effort negatively affect fecundity but not final reproductive output in captive zebra finches. Journal of Experimental Biology .

Yap, K. N., D. R. Powers, M. L. Vermette, O. H-I Tsai, and T. D. Williams. 2021. Sex-specific energy management strategies in response to training for increased foraging effort prior to reproduction. Journal of Experimental Biology .

Tell, L. A., J. A. Hazlehurst, R. R. Bandivadkar, J. C. Brown, A. R. Spence, D. R. Powers, D. W. Agnew, L. W. Woods, and A. Engilis Jr. 2021. Hummingbird (Family: Trochilidae) Research: Welfare-Conscious Study Techniques for Live Hummingbirds and Processing of Hummingbird Specimens. Museum of Texas Tech University Special Publications No. 76.

Shankar, A., R. J. Schroeder, S. M. Wethington, C. H. Graham, and D. R. Powers. 2020. Hummingbird torpor in context: duration, more than temperature, is the key to energy savings. Journal of Avian Biology 2020:e02305.

Shankar, A., C. H. Graham, J. R. Canepa, S. M. Wethington, and D. R. Powers. 2019. Hummingbirds budget energy flexibly in response to changing resources. Functional Ecology 33:1904–1916.

Shankar, A., D. R. Powers, L. M. Dávalos, and C. H. Graham. 2019. The allometry of daily energy expenditure in hummingbirds: an energy budget approach. Journal of Animal Ecology 89:1254–1261.

Powers, S. D., M. R. McTernan, D. R. Powers, and R. A. Anderson. 2018. Energetic consequences for a northern, range-edge lizard population. Copeia 106:468–476.

Groom, D. J. E., M. C. B. Toledo, D. R. Powers, B. W. Tobalske, and K. C. Welch Jr. 2018. Integrating morphology and kinematics in the scaling of hummingbird hovering metabolic rate and efficiency. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 285:20172011.

Friesen, C. R., D. R. Powers, and R. T. Mason. 2017. Using whole-group metabolic rate to assess the energetics of courtship in red-sided garter snakes. Animal Behaviour 130:177–185.

Powers, D. R., K. Langland, S. M. Wethington, S. D. Powers, C. H. Graham, and B. W. Tobalske. 2017. Hovering in the heat: effects of ambient temperature on thermal balance in foraging hummingbirds. Royal Society Open Science 4:171056.

Cheng, B., B. W. Tobalske, D. R. Powers, T. L. Hedrick, S. M. Wethington, and X. Deng. 2016. Flight mechanics and control of escape manoeuvres in hummingbirds. I. Flight kinematics. Journal of Experimental Biology 219:3518–3531.

Cheng, B., B. W. Tobalske, D. R. Powers, T. L. Hedrick, Y. Wang, S. M. Wethington, G. T.-C. Chiu, and X. Deng. 2016. Flight mechanics and control of escape manoeuvres in hummingbirds. II. Aerodynamic force production, flight control and performance limitations. Journal of Experimental Biology 219:3532–3543.

Graham, C. H., S. R. Rupp, D. R. Powers, P. Beck, M. C. W. Lim, A. Shankar, T. Cormier, S. Goetz, and S. M. Wethington. 2016. Winter conditions influence biological response of migrating hummingbirds. Ecosphere 7:e01470.

Song, J., H. Luo, B. W. Tobalske, D. R. Powers, and T. L. Hedrick. 2016. Three-dimensional simulation for fast forward flight of a calliope hummingbird. Royal Society Open Science 3:160230.

Powers, D. R., B. W. Tobalske, J. K. Wilson, H. A. Woods, and K. R. Corder. 2015. Heat dissipation during hovering and forward flight in hummingbirds. Royal Society Open Science 2:150598.

Friesen, C. R., D. R. Powers, P. E. Copenhaver, and R. T. Mason. 2015. Size dependence in non-sperm ejaculate production is reflected in daily energy expenditure and resting metabolic rate. Journal of Experimental Biology 218:1410–1418.

Supp, S. R., F. A. La Sorte, T. A. Cormier, M. C. W. Lim, D. R. Powers, S. M. Wethington, S. Goetz, and C. H. Graham. 2015. Citizen-science data provides new insight into annual and seasonal variation in migration patterns. Ecosphere 6:15.

Powers, D. R., B. W. Tobalske, P. Getsinger, S. M. Wethington, and S. D. Powers. 2012. Respiratory water loss during hovering and forward flight in hummingbirds. Comparative Biochemistry & Physiology Part A 161:279–285.

Powers, D. R., J. A. Van Hook, E. A. Sandlin, and T. J. McWhorter. 2010. An examination of arthropod foraging in a southeastern Arizona hummingbird guild. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 122:494–502.

Tobalske, B. W., A. A. Biewener, D. R. Warrick, T. L. Hedrick, and D. R. Powers. 2010. Effects of flight speed upon muscle activity in hummingbirds. Journal of Experimental Biology 213:2515–2523.

Warrick, D. R., B. W. Tobalske, and D. R. Powers. 2009. Lift production in the hovering hummingbird. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 276:3747–3752.

Casotti, G., T. Waldron, G. Misquith, D. Powers, and L. Slusher. 2007. Expression and localization of an aquaporin-1 homologue in the avian kidney and lower intestinal tract. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A 147:355–362.

Tobalske, B. W., D. R. Warrick, C. J. Clark, D. R. Powers, T. L. Hedrick, G. A. Hyder, and A. A. Biewener. 2007. Three-dimensional kinematics of hummingbird flight. Journal of Experimental Biology 210:2368–2382.

Warrick, D. R., B. W. Tobalske, D. R. Powers, and M. H. Dickinson. 2007. The aerodynamics of hummingbird flight. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 41:1–5.

Warrick, D., B. W. Tobalske, and D. R. Powers. 2005. Aerodynamics of the hovering hummingbird. Nature 435:1094–1097.

Powers, D. R. 2004. The impact of social interactions on torpor use in hummingbirds. In Life in the Cold: Evolution, Mechanisms, Adaptation, and Application, Twelfth International Hibernation Symposium (B. M. Barnes and H. V. Carey, eds.). Biological Papers of the University of Alaska, no. 27. Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

Tobalske, B. W., D. L. Altshuler, and D. R. Powers. 2004. Take-off mechanics in hummingbirds (Trochilidae). Journal of Experimental Biology 207:1345–1352.

McWhorter, T. J., D. R. Powers, and C. Martinez del Rio. 2003. Are hummingbirds facultatively ammonotelic? Nitrogen excretion and requirements as a function of body size. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 76:731–743.

Powers, D. R., A. R. Brown, and J. A. Van Hook. 2003. The influence of normal daytime fat deposition on laboratory measurements of torpor use in territorial vs. non-territorial hummingbirds. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 76:389–397.

Ficken, M. S., K. S. Rusch, S. J. Taylor, and D. R. Powers. 2002. Reproductive behavior and communication in Blue-throated Hummingbirds. Wilson Bulletin 114:197–209.

Ficken, M. S., K. S. Rusch, S. J. Taylor, and D. R. Powers. 2000. Blue-throated Hummingbird song: a pinnacle of non-oscine vocalizations. Auk 117:120–128.

Powers, D. R., and S. M. Wethington. 1999. Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris). Birds of the World, No. 430.

Powers, D. R. 1999. Family Trochilidae (Hummingbirds). Pp. 536–680 in J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, and J. Sargatal, eds., Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 5: Barn Owls to Hummingbirds. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Powers, D. R. 1996. Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens). Birds of North America .

Powers, D. R., and T. Conley. 1994. Metabolic rate and food consumption of two sympatric hummingbird species in southeastern Arizona. Condor 96:141–150.

Powers, D. R., and T. McKee. 1994. The effect of food availability on time and energy expenditures of territorial and non-territorial hummingbirds. Condor 96:1064–1075.

Powers, D. R. 1992. Effect of temperature and humidity on evaporative water loss in Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna). Journal of Comparative Physiology B 162:74–84.

Powers, D. R. 1991. Diurnal variation in mass, metabolic rate, and respiratory quotient in Anna's and Costa's Hummingbirds. Physiological Zoology 64:860–880.

Powers, D. R., and K. A. Nagy. 1988. Field metabolic rate and food consumption by free-living Anna's hummingbirds (Calypte anna). Physiological Zoology 61:500–506.

Powers, D. R. 1987. Effects of variation in food quality on the breeding territoriality of the male Anna's hummingbird. Condor 89:103–111.