Journal article
Nectar as food for birds: The physiological consequences of drinking dilute sugar solutions
Plant Systematics and Evolution, Vol.238(1-4), pp.139-153
2003
Abstract
Nectarivory has evolved many times in birds: although best known in hummingbirds, sunbirds and honeyeaters, it also occurs on an opportunistic basis in a varied assortment of birds. We present a phylogenetic analysis of the distribution of nectarivory in birds. Specialised avian nectarivores are generally small, with an energetic lifestyle and high metabolic rates. Their high degree of dependence on nectar as a food source has led to convergence in morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations. We examine the constituents of nectar which are most important to bird consumers, and how the birds deal with them in terms of physiology and behaviour. There are still unanswered questions: for example, the dichotomy between sucrose-rich nectars in hummingbird-pollinated plants and predominantly hexose-rich nectars in sunbird-pollinated plants appears to have little to do with bird physiologies and may rather reflect patterns of nectar secretion.
Details
- Title
- Nectar as food for birds: The physiological consequences of drinking dilute sugar solutions
- Authors/Creators
- S.W. Nicolson (Author/Creator)P.A. Fleming (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Plant Systematics and Evolution, Vol.238(1-4), pp.139-153
- Publisher
- Springer Verlag
- Identifiers
- 991005542889207891
- Copyright
- © Springer Verlag
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.64 Phylogenetics & Genomics
- 3.64.612 Pollination
- Web Of Science research areas
- Evolutionary Biology
- Plant Sciences
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science