Bird Activity and Seed Productivity in the Coral Tree, <I>Eryrhrina indica</I>

Abstract

The activities of birds for their efficiency as pollinators in four coral trees in blossom in January 1985 were observed for four days. A pair of binoculars was used. Initially, the total Dumber of inflorescences in all the four trees was counted and that of the flowers estimated from a sample of 30 inflorescences; the mean ± SD: 67.5 ± 23.38. There were 384 inflorescences With 24,603 flowers. Later, the fruits and .eeds were counled physically. The number nf seeds produced was a mere 731, a poor 2.97%. Of the twelve species of birds that visited the flowers, Sturnus pagodarum was the commonest. Deliberate destrucfion of floral parts, inter and intraspecific competition among the visiting species and a probable cytogenetie factor are reckoned as the cause for the low fertility observed.