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Nectar harvesting and pollination by spiderhunters

on 24th March 2009

Calvin Chang a.k.a. deswitch documented two species of spiderhunters at Bukit Tinggi, Malaysia, harvesting nectar from flowers. The image above (left) shows a Streaked Spiderhunter (Arachnothera magna) on an ornamental banana plant (Musa ornate). That on the right shows a Little Spiderhunter (A. longirostra) on a ginger plant. In both, the bill of the spiderhunter is covered with whitish pollen. As they visit one flower after another, they effect cross pollination.

According to Gill (2007), a flap covers and protects the nostrils of some birds, especially diving and flower-feeding species. The former needs to keep out water while the latter to keep out pollen from entering their nostrils.

Images by Calvin Chang.

Reference:
Gill, F. B., 2007. Ornithology. W. H. Freeman & Co., New York. 758 pp.

This post is a cooperative effort between NaturePixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

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