Common Name : Oriental White-eye
Scientific name: Zosterops palpebrosus
Status in the Region: Very Common throughout its range .
Place:Mohan / Kumeria, Near Corbett National Park, Uttaranchal, India.
Date: March 27, 2009
Equipment: Canon 40 D with Canon 100-400 mm IS lens
Notes:
Caught Red-Headed ….. this Oriental White-eye is
amongst the many small nectar feeding birds that
are often mistaken for some new plumage variant
species by birders who come across such birds with
orange / red coloured forehead. Some species of
smart flowering plants like this Woodfordia
fruticosa (also called Fire-flame Bush) has
perfectly mastered the art of bird pollination, by
luring birds to feed on nectar in such a way that
ensures the dusting of pollens on the forehead.
Here is a good example of how it accomplishes this
mission. Oriental white-eyes are one amongst the
over 70 species of White-eye's found in the world. They are known to
be largely responsible for cross-pollinating a
wide variety of flowers due to their short &
fine beak. Here is a good article on pollination
by this method
http://www.backyardnature.net/fl_polln.htm
Regards,
Adesh Shivkar
Mumbai