Specialist nectarivorous birds (Cinnyris osea) steal nectar whereas omnivorous birds are pollen transfer vectors of Anagyris foetida

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

<p>The ornithophilous <em>Anagyris foetida</em> is almost the only shrub in the eastern Mediterranean region that flowers in winter. We assessed the pollination potential of flower visitors by observing pollen loads on trapped animals and contacts with floral parts. Resident and wintering omnivorous bird species, together with honey bees (<em>Apis mellifera</em>), were found to carry the shrub’s pollen throughout its long flowering period in Israel and thus might be legitimate pollinators. Spring-migrating omnivorous birds passing through Israel carried pollen. The Palestine Sunbird (<em>Cinnyris osea</em>) is the only specialist nectarivorous bird in the Middle East. It carries little pollen and is therefore primarily a nectar thief of <em>A. foetida</em>.</p>
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)82-89
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Pollination Ecology
Volume23
Issue number0
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2018

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Specialist nectarivorous birds (Cinnyris osea) steal nectar whereas omnivorous birds are pollen transfer vectors of Anagyris foetida'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this