Olive-backed Sunbird and Hoya spp.

YC Wee
on 9th August 2015

Inspired by our post on plants and the birds they attract LINK, KF Yap wrote in to say that he had observed the Olive-backed Sunbird (Nectarinia jugularis) visiting three of his Hoya species: H. diversifolia (above-left), H. verticillata (above-right) and H. australis to sip on the flower nectar.

Thanks to KF who is an avid collector of Hoya species, we now have a new plant genus to add to our list of plants and the birds they attract.

Addendum: “Two interesting facts about the sweet Hoya exudates. Very few Hoya spp. produce coloured nectars. H. diversifolia, a local sp., produces a clear exudate which turns light-brown soon after. The possible explanation is that the nectar may contain a substance which oxidises rapidly. It seems to be non-toxic to the sunbirds. Most of the other Hoya spp. produce colourless nectars.” – KF Yap, 9th August 2015

KF Yap
Singapore
August 2015

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.

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2 responses

  1. Dr Wee: Forgot to mention 2 interesting facts about the sweet Hoya exudates. Very few Hoya spp. produce coloured nectars. H. diversifolia, a local sp., produces a clear exudate which turns light-brown soon after. The possible explanation is that the nectar may contain a substance which oxidises rapidly. It seems to be non-toxic to the Sunbirds. Most of the other Hoya spp. produce colourless nectars.

    Reply

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