Opportunistic avian nectarivory on flowering <i>Aloe maculata</i> with a review of visiting bird species

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15641/abb.v1i.1123

Keywords:

Prinia, Nectarivory, opportunistic avian nectarivory, bird ringing, pollen, Aloe maculata

Abstract

Eight bird species were recorded feeding on Aloe maculata (Soap Aloe) nectar at Biddulphsberg, Senekal, Free State, from 23–26 August 2021. Birds were mist-netted as part of a bird ringing study and aloe pollen was noticed on some birds. The flowering aloes attract mainly Malachite Nectarinia famosa and White-bellied Sunbirds Cinnyris talatala as well as Cape Zosterops virens and Orange River White-eyes Z. pallidus. Of the 108 birds ringed or collected, 34 birds (eight species) had aloe pollen on them. These species, including a first record of Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans, and a confirmed record of Streaky-headed Seedeaters Crithagra gularis, represent the first observations of birds probing A. maculata flowers.

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Published

2021-12-13 — Updated on 2021-12-13

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How to Cite

de Swardt, D. and Aphiwe, K. (2021) “Opportunistic avian nectarivory on flowering <i>Aloe maculata</i> with a review of visiting bird species”, Afrotropical Bird Biology:<br /> Journal of the Natural History of African Birds, 1. doi: 10.15641/abb.v1i.1123.

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Short communications