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Olive-backed Sunbird – nectar from Bougainvillea

on 24th September 2012

“Was at Kuching for a regional paediatric congress and, as usual, tried to see what the city has to offer. Generally too much construction and development and bird life has diminished from when I worked there in the late 1980s. At that time I experienced a bird watcher’s paradise.

“I had an interesting observation on the waterfront of the city. I saw a breeding pair (from the delightful, rich plumage) of Olive-backed Sunbirds (Cinnyris jugularis ornatus) feeding extensively on Bougainvillea flowers.

“The problem is that I do not consciously remember every having seen a bird feed on Bougainvillea flowers in all my years of watching. I had always assumed that they did not contain nectar. Locally they are called “Bunga Kertas”, translated “paper flowers”, implying their ornamental value. I have always been against my city council planting them as they are of little value to wildlife, especially birds.

“There are even reports, if you do a net search, that Bougainvillea flowers trick hummingbirds into wasting precious energy trying to drink from empty blossoms.

“So I was curious as to these two busily visiting every flower in the patch of Bougainvillea. Definitely nectar sources have diminished in the city. So are there two getting some small bits from these flowers or also fooled?

“I wonder if anyone has experience with botany to state that Bougainvillea flowers have nectar, or if it varies for different sub-species of Bougainvillea.

“A short video of female and then male feeding above:”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Kuching City, Sarawak, Malaysia
Urban environment; late afternoon, bright day
10th September 2012

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

9 Responses

  1. Glad to know they have some value to birds and butterflies. I only knew that to prevent rats from taking up residence in the dense foliage, that one must keep it well trimmed close to the ground.

  2. Though there are many potted plants of Bougainvillea in my neighbouhood I have never seen sun birds feeding on its nectar in Kozhikode, India. However according to literature available, four species of sun birds are known to feed on nectar of Bougainvillea spectabilis in India.

  3. Since planting my purple bougainvillea, I have had a continued problem with beehives in an area that is not safe to have them. As a horticulturist and once (near) master gardener, I read a research paper out of university in London stating beehives are most successful when there are purple flowers near. However, there is question in the horticulture community if bougainvillea flowers actually have nectar. Bougainvillea does have pollen and bees need pollen for viral protein and fats.

  4. Butterflies also visit bougainvilleas.. You can use the search engine here to locate bougainvilleas and butterflies.

  5. Hi just saw a olive backed sunbird nest hanging on the branch of bougainvillea in my balcony in Singapore. Although bougainvillea is not a nectar source for sunbird, it’s branch is strong enough to hold a nest and a good place for sunbird to rest on. I enjoy watching them. Lovely!

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