Gene flow in Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)

Anthropogenic changes have altered the historical distributions of many North American taxa. As environments shift, ecological and evolutionary processes can combine in complex ways to either stimulate or inhibit range expansion. Here we examine the role of evolution in a rapid range expansion whose ecological context has been well-documented, Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna). We examine the role of gene flow and adaptation during range expansion from their native California breeding range, north into Canada and east into New Mexico and Texas, USA. Contemporary shifts in species' ranges provide an opportunity to examine the factors defining range limits in real time.