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Olive-backed Sunbird stealing nectar from Costus woodsonii flowers

YC Wee
on 31st July 2017

Costus sonii [wyc]

Both the male and female Olive-backed Sunbirds (Nectarinia jugularis) were caught on video (below) stealing nectar from flowers of Costus woodsonii, commonly known as Scarlet Spiral Flag (above).

Stealing here refers to birds obtaining nectar by unconventional means, thus not assisting in pollination.

The sunbirds landed on the top of the inflorescence and poked their sharp bill into the base of the flower to get at the nectar. By not entering via the tip of the flower, the sunbirds bypass the stamens and stigma, thus do not help in pollination.

SunbirdOBCostus sonii [wyc] 2

Earlier documentation may have misinterpret how the Olive-backed Sunbird draws its nectar from the flowers. The current video caught the sunbird in close-up and there is no doubt that the bill was thrust at the base of the flowers (above). Examination of the flower shows scars of earlier forced entries on the surface.

Details of the flower can be viewed at this LINK.

YC Wee
Singapore
3rd February 2017

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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30th August 2023

Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

18th August 2023

Singapore’s secret “garden”

20th July 2023

Singapore-Nature: 15. Looking versus studying birds

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Any views and opinions expressed in the articles 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.

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