Ethological Observations on the Purple Sunbird (<I>Nectarinia asiatica</I> Latham) : a Mistletoe-frequenting Bird

Abstract

This paper deals with the feeding behaviour of purple sunbird, Nectarinia asiatica. The bird eats the fruit of the mistletoes which are parasitic on gamar (Gmelina arborea) and teak (Tectona grandis) and helps in dispersal of mistletoe seeds in plantations of Bangladesh. When mistletoe fruits are not available in nature the bird is found sucking the nectar of an ornamental tree commonly know as Kolkaphul, Thevetia peruviana. The behaviour of the bird in relation to its alternate food sources was studied and discussed with a view to minimize dispersal of mistletoe seeds.