UH Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship - Research Library

Systematic patterns of foraging for nectar by amakihi (Loxops virens)

Author:
Kamil, Alan C.
Title:
Systematic patterns of foraging for nectar by amakihi (Loxops virens)
Year:
1975
Pages:
ii, 17 leaves
Subject:
Birds Hawaii Hawaiian honeycreepers Honeycreepers behavior Loxops virens
Summary:
The visits of color-banded, territorial Amakihi to marked clusters of mamane bloom were recorded. The results indicated the existence of three systematic patterns in foraging behavior: (1) Amakihi avoid revisiting flower clusters they have recently visited; (2) when revisits do occur, they tend to be temporally spaced so as to allow time for nectar replenishment; (3) at least in some cases, the male and female Amakihi do not feed randomly with respect to each other, but rather a portion of the territory is utilized only by the female. Each of these characteristics of Amakihi foraging for nectar probably increases the foraging efficiency of the birds.
URL:
https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/handle/10125/32343
Collection:
Monographs