Avian Species Involved in Pollination and Seed Dispersal of Some Forestry Species in Himachal Pradesh

8 Pages·2000·4.4 MB·

by  M L Narang

AVIANSPECIES INVOLVED INPOLLINATIONAND SEEDDISPERSAL
OF SOME FORESTRY SPECIES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
1
M.L.Narang,R.S. RanaandMukeshPrabhakar2
Key words: Pollination, Bombax ceiba Linn., Celtis australis Linn.,
seed eaters, Pycnonotidae
Studieson avian species involved in pollination and seed dispersal ofsomeforestryspecieshave
been carried out since 1994 in the University campus at Nauni, Solan in Himachal Pradesh.
Duringthestudy,31 speciesofbirdsbelongingto 13familiesand4orderswererecordedinteracting
with 28 species oftrees and shrubs. Ofthe 31 species ofbirds recorded, 10 were involved in
pollination alone, another 10 contributed to pollination and seed dispersal, while 8 species were
involved in seed dispersal only. The remaining 3 species, all parakeets, were found to be seed
eaters,thoughtwoofthemwereinvolvedinpollination.Ourstudyrevealedthatrelativeabundance
ofbulbuls (Family: Pycnonotidae) was very high, as nectarivores and as seed dispersal agents,
followed bymynas(Family: Sturnidae). Themembersofthefamily Pycnonotidaeare, therefore.
important agents in cross pollination and also in seed dispersal.
Introduction and Radhamani (1993). According to them, the
role ofbirds in pollination was studied by Singh
The 1,200 species ofbirds found in India 1929, Ali 1932, Kannan 1980 and Davidar 1985.
constitute an important component ofour agro- Severalpublicationsonbirdsfeedingonwildfruits
andforestecosystems. It iswellrecognisednow areavailable(Ali 1931,Faruquietal. 1960,Howe
that birds play an important role in shaping our and Estabrook 1977, Shahabuddin 1993,
economy. Realising the importance ofbirds for Balasubramanian 1995, 1996 and Rajsekhar
an agricultural country like India, Salim Ali 1995).
(1936) laid the foundation ofeconomic ornitho- This work was aimed to (i) study the bird
logy. The literature on economic ornithology as species involved in the pollination of Bombax
reviewedbyMehrotraandBhatnagar(1979),and ceiba Linn, andthe seeddispersalofMorusalba
recently by Dhindsa and Saini (1994), suggest Linn., CeltisaustralisLinn, andashrub Coriaria
that the role of birds in relation to agriculture nepalensis Wall., and (ii) to record in general
and horticulture has received the attention of thebirdspecies involved inpollination and seed
manyworkers(Masonand Lefroy 1912,Hussain dispersal ofsome important forest trees/shrubs.
andBhalla 1937, Mukherjee 1969-76, Toor and
Ramzan 1974, Mathew etal. 1980, Narang and MaterialandMethods
Lamba 1984 and Narang 1986). Scientists
workingundertheAllIndiaNetworkProgramme Thestudyinitiatedin 1994wascarriedout
(AINP) on Agricultural Ornithology have also at the Naum campus of the University of
contributed to the subject. However, the role of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan (30° 50* N, 77°
birds inpollinationandseeddispersal ofvarious IT E and 1,250 m above msl). The campus is
forestry species has received little attention from spread over an area of550 ha, most ofit under
Indian ornithologists so far. The literature on agroforestry ecosystems. Approximately 200
pollinationbybirdswasreviewedbySubramanya species oftrees and shrubs have been recorded
from the campus so far (Sindhi 1996).
'AcceptedOctober,1999
2Dr.Y.S.ParmarUniversityofHorticultureandForestry, The studyareawasvisitedtwiceaweekin
Nauni-Solan 173230,HimachalPradesh,India. the morning for one hour and tree-bird
JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 97(2), AUG. 2000 215
AVIANSPECIESINVOLVEDINPOLLINATIONANDSEEDDISPERSAL
interactionsrecordedusing7x50fieldbinoculars. Table1
Ten trees each ofBombax ceiba (Linn.), Morus BIRDCOMMUNITYVISITINGFORESTSPECIES
alba Linn, and Celtis australis Linn, were FORNECTAR(N)ANDFRUITS(F)
identified as study sites. Record of birds with Birdspecies N/F
remarks, whetherfeeding onnectarorfruit, was CommonName ScientificName
maintainedforeachtree/shrubandforeachvisit. Alexandrineparakeet Psittaculaeupatria N&F(P)
Datapertainingtobirdspeciesdiversitypertree/ Plum-headedparakeet Psittaculacyanocephala N&F(P)
shrub and their relative abundance was also Slatyheadedparakeet Psittaculahimalayana F(P)
Asiankoel Eudynamysscolopacea F
recorded.
Greatbarbet Megalaimavirens F
ResultsandDiscussion Bluethroatedbarbet Megalaimaasiatica F
Eurasiangoldenoriole Oriolusoriolus F
A total of 31 species of birds (Table 1) Spot-wingedstarling Saroglossaspiloptera N
belonging to 13 families and 4 orders were CChoesmtmnuotn-tmaiylneadstarlingASctruirdnoutshmearleasbtarirsitcisus NN&F
recordedinteractingwith28 species oftrees and Junglemyna Acridotheresfuscus N&F
shrubs (Table 2). Out ofthe 31 species ofbirds Redbilledbluemagpie Urocissaerythrorhyncha N&F
recorded, 10 were involved inpollination alone, Large-billedcrow Corvusmacrorhynchos N&F
Rufoustreepie Dendrocittavagabunda F
10 contributedtopollination and seed dispersal,
Greytreepie Dendrocittaformosae F
while 8specieswereagentsofseeddispersalonly Himalayanbulbul Pycnonotusleucogenys N&F
(Table 1). The slatyheaded parakeet Psittacula Redventedbulbul Pycnonotuscafer N&F
himalayana was recorded to be a seed eater, Blackbulbul Hmyapdsaigpaestceasriensis N&F
whereas the Alexandrine parakeet Psittacula Junglebabbler Turdoidesstriatus N&F
eupatria and plum-headed parakeet Psittacula Redbilledleiothrix Leiothrixlutea F
cyanocephala, though contributing to cross Rufoussibia Heterophasiacapistrata N
Flycatcher Muscicapasp. N
pollination, did not contribute to seed dispersal, Grey-hoodedwarbler Seicercusxanthoschistos N
and were found to be seed eaters. Dark-throatedthrush Turdusruficollis F
Birds as pollinators: During the present Greattit Parusmajor N
study, 22 species ofbirds were recordedsipping Purplesunbird Nectariniaasiatica N
Crimsonsunbird Aethopygasiparaja N
nectar from 1 1 tree species, 2 shrubs and 2 Orientalwhite-eye Zosteropspalpebrosus N&F
ornamentalplants (Table 3). While doingso, the Housesparrow Passerdomesticus N
bill and forehead ofthe bird gets smeared with Russetspairow PasserrutHans N
pollen. The birds feeding on nectar, therefore, Commonrosefinch Carpodacuserythrinus N&F
contributetothecrosspollinationoftrees, shrubs F(P) Seedeater
:
and ornamental plants visited by them.
A total of58 bird species belonging to 16 (Table4), followedbycoraltreeErythrinaindica
families and 4 orders have been recorded as Lamk., which attracted 11 bird species.
flowerbirds(SubramanyaandRadhamani 1993). Woodfordiafloribunda Salisb., which flowers
Duringthis study, 9 more havebeenrecordedas duringApril-May, wasvisitedby 8birdspecies.
pollinators, taking the total to 67. Nearly 70% Duringthisperiod,theforeheadoforientalwhite-
of the bird species frequented more than one eye Zosterops palpebrosus was found smeared
species ofplant fornectar(Table 3). withbrownpollengrains,theresultofitsfeeding
ThesemaltreeBombaxceibaLinn.,which on the nectar of Woodfordiafloribunda Salisb.,
flowers during March-April, was the most during which the pollen was brushed on to the
preferred tree species. A total of 19 species of forehead. Another ornithophilous tree Butea
birds were observed sipping nectar on semal monosperma(Lamk.)Taub.wasvisitedby5bird
216 JOURNAL, BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 97(2), AUG. 2000
.
AVIANSPECIESINVOLVEDINPOLLINATIONANDSEEDDISPERSAL
Table2 Crimson sunbirds were, however, partial to the
SPECIESOFPLANTSVISITEDBYBIRDSFOR
NECTAR(N)ORFRUITS(F) nectar of ornamental plants, which they were
observed sipping through the regular flower
Plantspecies Family N/F
opening,andhadalsoadoptedashortcutmethod
BignoniavenustaKer-Gawl Bignoniaceae N
BombaxceibaLinn. Bombacaceae N to reach the nectar. Even the unopened flowers
EhretiaacuminataR.Br. Boraginaceae F ofHibiscus mutabilis Linn, wererobbed oftheir
BauhiniavariegateLinn. Caesalpiniaceae N nectar by these birds.
CoriarianepalensisWall,(shrub) Coriariaceae F Afewspeciesoftrees/shrubsflowerduring
XylosmalongifoliumClos.
(offseasonfloweringplant) Flacourtiaceae N September-November,whenthebreedingseason
Woodfordiafloribunda ofbirdsisover.TheOrientalwhite-eyeZosterops
Salisb.(shrub) Lythraceae N palpebrosus, a specialized nectar-feeder, was
HibiscusmutabilisLinn.
(ornamentalplant) Malvaceae N observedvisitingLeptodermislanceolatusWall.,
AzadirachtaindicaA.Juss. Meliaceae F a shrub that flowers after the birds’ breeding
FicuspalmataForsk. Moraceae F season. ItalsovisitedPrunuscerasoidesD.Don.,
FicusreligiosaLinn. Moraceae F a plant flowering outside the breeding period,
EMuocmalsypatlubsagLlionbnu.lusLabi11 MMyorrtaacceeaaee NF for nectar. The Himalayan bulbul Pycnonotus
Buteamonosperma(Lamk.)Taub. Papilionaceae N leucogenys, anon-specializednectar-feeder,was
ErythrinaindicaLamk. Papilionaceae N also recorded frequenting the plants ofPrunus
POuungiecnaiagroaonjeaitnuemnsLiisnn(.Roxb.) PPaupniilciaocneaaceeae NN cerasoides D. Don. for nectar during its non-
CrataeguscrenulataRoxb. Rosaceae F breedingperiod in September-October.
PrunuscerasoidesD.Don. Kannan (1980) has termed the
(offseasonfloweringplant) Rosaceae N Nectariniidae (sunbirds), Zosteropidae (white-
Pmnussp. Rosaceae N eyes), Irenidae (leafbirds) and Dicaeidae
PymspashiaBuch.-Ham.ex Rosaceae N
D.Don N&F (flowerpeckers) as specialized nectar-feeders
RosamoschataHook,(shrub) Rosaceae F among Indian birds. Out ofthese, sunbirds and
RubusellipticusSmith(shrub) Rosaceae F white-eyes are the important flower birds (i.e.
Leptodermislanceolatus
Wall,exDC(shrub) Rubiaceae N flower visitors) of the study area (Table 3).
Osyrusarborea(Wall.)exDC(shrub)Santalaceae F Leafbirds are not represented in the study area,
SolatiumnigmmLinn. Solanaceae F and flowerpeckers are rare during the flowering
GrewiaoptivaDrumm.exBurr. Tiliaceae F period. Amongst the non-specialized nectar-
CeltisaustralisLinn. Urticaceae F
feeders, bulbuls (Pycnonotidae) especially the
species.Thesmallbirdcommunityofthisspecies Himalayanbulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys, were
couldbe attributed to its smallpopulation inthe found to be the prominent nectar-feeders,
study area. followed by mynas and starlings (Stumidae).
Kannan (1980) discovered that flower Birds as seed dispersal agents: As per
nectar is an importantitemofthe sunbird’s diet. ourstudy,21 birdspeciesbelongingto 10families
During the present study, purple sunbird were observed feeding on the fruits of 14 plant
Nectarinia asiatica, a summer migrant in the species,whichinclude5 shrubsandaherb(Table
Universitycampus,wasseentovisit9 speciesof 5). Outofthe 21 avian species observedfeeding
bird flowers. The crimson sunbird Aethopyga onfruits,3 speciesofparakeetswerefoundtobe
siparaja was recorded frequenting two species seed eaters and did not help in seed dispersal.
ofornamentalplants, namelyHibiscusmutabilis The two resident species of parakeets i.e.
Linn., Bignonia venusta Ker-Gawl., a climber PsittaculaeupatriaandPsittaculacyanocephala
and Woodfordia floribunda Salisb., a shrub. were recorded as feeding on and rendering
JOURNAL, BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 97(2), AUG. 2000 217
AVIANSPECIESINVOLVEDINPOLLINATIONANDSEEDDISPERSAL
Table3
FLOWERBIRDSOFTHESTUDYAREAANDPLANTSPECIESVISITEDBYTHEM
Birdspecies Plantspeciesvisited
CommonName ScientificName
Alexandrineparakeet Psittaculaeupatria BombaxceibaLinn.
Plum-headedparakeet Psittaculacyanocephala BombaxceibaLinn.
Spot-wingedstarling Saroglossaspiloptera BombaxceibaLinn.
WoodfordiafloribundaSalisb.
Chestnut-tailedstarling Stumusmalabaricus BombaxceibaLinn.
Buteamonosperma(Lamk.)Taub.
WoodfordiafloribundaSalisb.
Commonmyna Acridotherestristis BombaxceibaLinn.
ErythrinaindicaLamk.
Buteamonosperma(Lamk.)Taub.
EucalyptusglobulusLabill.
Junglemyna Acridotheresfuscus BombaxceibaLinn.
ErythrinaindicaLamk.
Buteamonosperma(Lamk.)Taub.
Large-billedcrow Corvusmacrorhynchos BombaxceibaLinn.
ErythrinaindicaLamk.
Redbilledbluemagpie Urocissaerythrorhyncha BombaxceibaLinn.
Himalayanbulbul Pycnonotusleucogenys BombaxceibaLinn.
WoodfordiafloribundaSalisb.
ErythrinaindicaLamk.
PrunuscerasoidesD.Don.
Pninussp.
XylosmalongifoliumClos.
Redventedbulbul Pycnonotuscafer BombaxceibaLinn.
EiythrinaindicaLamk.
Blackbulbul Hypsipetesmadagascariensis BombaxceibaLinn.
ErythrinaindicaLamk.
Junglebabbler Turdoidesstriatus BombaxceibaLinn.
EiythrinaindicaLamk.
Buteamonosperma(Lamk.)Taub.
Rufoussibia Heterophasiocapistrata BombaxceibaLinn.
ErythrinaindicaLamk.
Flycatcher Muscicapasp. BombaxceibaLinn.
WoodfordiafloribundaSalisb.
Grey-hoodedwarbler Seicercusxanthoschistos Ougeniaoojeinensis(Roxb.)
Greattit Parusmajor BombaxceibaLinn.
Purplesunbird Nectariniaasiatica BombaxceibaLinn.
WoodfordiafloribundaSalisb.
ErythrinaindicaLamk.
Buteamonosperma(Lamk.)Taub.
PyruspashiaBuch.-Ham.exD.Don
Prunussp.
BauhiniavariegataLinn.
PiinicagranatumLinn.
BignoniavenustaKer-Gawl.
Crimsonsunbird Aethopygasiparaja HibiscusmutabilisLinn.
BignoniavenustaKer-Gawl.
WoodfordiafloribundaSalisb.
218 JOURNAL, BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 97(2), AUG. 2000
AVIANSPECIESINVOLVEDINPOLLINATIONANDSEEDDISPERSAL
Table3(contd.)
FLOWERBIRDSOFTHESTUDYAREAANDPLANTSPECIESVISITEDBYTHEM
Birdspecies Plantspeciesvisited
CommonName ScientificName
Orientalwhite-eye Zosteropspalpebrosus BombaxceibaLinn.
ErythrinaindicaLamk.
WoodfordiafloribundaSalisb.
Ougeniaoojeinensis(Roxb.)
PrunuscerasoidesD.Don.
Prunussp.
PyruspashiaBuch.-Ham.exD.Don
LeptodermislanceolatusWall.
Housesparrow Passerdomesticus BombaxceibaLinn.
ErythrinaindicaLamk.
Russetsparrow Passerrutilans BombaxceibaLinn.
Commonrosefinch Carpodacuserythrinus WoodfordiafloribundaSalisb.
Table4
RELATIVEABUNDANCEOFBIRDSONFOURPLANTSPECIES
Birdspecies Relativeabundance(%)
CommonName ScientificName 1 2 3 4
Alexandrineparakeet Psittaculaeupatria 3.22 - *.656 -
Plum-headedparakeet Psittaculacyanocephala 6.17 - *5.45 -
Asiankoel Eudynamysscolopacea - 2.08 - -
Bluethroatedbarbet Megalaimaasiatica - - 4.19 -
Eurasiangoldenoriole Oriolusoriolus - - - 3.17
Spot-wingedstarling Saroglossaspiloptera 1.46 - - -
Chestnut-tailedstarling Sturnusmalabaricus 2.05 - - -
Commonmyna Acridotherestristis 2.66 - 26.18 23.80
Junglemyna Acridotheresfuscus 2.71 14.58 - 7.93
Redbilledbluemagpie Urocissaerythrorhyncha 1.14 8.33 - -
Large-billedcrow Corvusmacrorhynchos 11.20 - 16.36 -
Greytreepie Dendrocittaformosae - - 7.27 -
Himalayanbulbul Pycnonotusleucogenys 21.47 20.83 21.44 20.63
Redventedbulbul Pycnonotuscafer 5.18 16.66 2.72 3.17
Blackbulbul Hypsipetesmadagascariensis 14.34 16.66 4.03 6.34
Junglebabbler Turdoidesstriatus 5.13 - - 11.11
Redbilledleiothrix Leiothrixlutea - 2.08 - -
Rufoussibia Heterophasiacapistrata 3.25 - - -
Rufoustreepie Dendrocittavagabunda - - 5.75 14.28
Flycatcher(unidentified) 999 0.61 - - -
Darkthroatedthrush Turdusruficollis - 4.16 - -
Greattit Parusmajor 4.61 - - -
Purplesunbird Nectariniaasiatica 4.14 - - -
Orientalwhite-eye Zosteropspalpebrosus 3.07 - - 9.52
Housesparrow Passerdomesticus 1.53 - - -
Russetsparrow Passerrutilans 6.06 - - -
Commonrosefinch Carpodacuserythrinus - 14.58 - -
1.BombaxceibaLinn.2.MornsalbaLinn.3.CeltisaustralisLinn.4.CoriarianepalensisWall.
*Boththespeciesofparakeetsareseedeaters
JOURNAL, BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 97(2), AUG. 2000 219
.
AVIANSPECIESINVOLVEDINPOLLINATIONANDSEEDDISPERSAL
Table5
AVIANSPECIESINVOLVEDINSEEDDISPERSAL
Birdspecies Plantvisited
CommonName ScientificName
*Alexandrineparakeet Psittaculaeupatria CeltisaustralisLinn.
*Plum-headedparakeet Psittaculacyanocephala CeltisaustralisLinn.
*Slatyheadedparakeet Psittaculahimalayana PyruspashiaBuch.-Ham.exD.Don.
Asiankoel Eudynamysscolopacea MornsalbaLinn.
Greatbarbet Megalaimavirens FicusreligioseLinn.
Bluethroatedbarbet Megalaimaasiatica FicusreligiosaLinn.
CeltisaustralisLinn.
Eurasiangoldenoriole Oriolusoriolus CoriarianepalensisWall
Commonmyna Acridotherestristis CeltisaustralisLinn.
FicusreligiosaLinn.
FicuspalmataForsk.
CoriarianepalensisWall.
SolatiumnigrumLinn.
Junglemyna Acridotheresfuscus MornsalbaLinn.
FicusreligiosaLinn.
CoriarianepalensisWall.
Redbilledbluemagpie Urocissaerythrorhyncha MomsalbaLinn.
RubusellipticusSmith
Large-billedcrow Corvusmacrorhynchos CeltisaustralisLinn.
Rufoustreepie Dendrocittavagabunda CeltisaustralisLinn.
CoriarianepalensisWall.
Greytreepie Dendrocittaformosae CeltisaustralisLinn.
Himalayanbulbul Pycnonotusleucogenys CeltisaustralisLinn.
MomsalbaLinn.
CoriarianepalensisWall.
AzadirachtaindicaA.Juss.
FicusreligiosaLinn.
GrewiaoptivaDrurnm.exBurr.
FicuspalmataForsk.
Crataeguscrenulata Roxb.
Redventedbulbul Pycnonotuscafer MomsalbaLinn.
CoriarianepalensisWall.
GrewiaoptivaRoxb.
Osyrusarborea(Wall.)exDC
CeltisaustralisLinn.
Blackbulbul Hypsipetesmadagascariensis AzadirachtaindicaA.Juss.
MornsalbaLinn.
CeltisaustralisLinn.
FicusreligiosaLinn.
RosamoschataHook.
EhretiaacuminataR.Br.
CoriarianepalensisWall.
Junglebabbler Turdoidesstriatus CoriarianepalensisWall.
Redbilledleiothrix Leiothrixlutea MomsalbaLinn.
Dark-throatedthrush 7urdusruficollis MornsalbaLinn.
FicusreligiosaLinn.
Orientalwhite-eye Zosteropspalpebrosus CoriarianepalensisWall.
Commonrosefinch Carpodacuseiythrinus MomsalbaLinn.
*Threespeciesofparakeetsareseedeaters
220 JOURNAL, BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 97(2), AUG. 2000
1
AVIANSPECIESINVOLVEDINPOLLINATIONANDSEEDDISPERSAL
unviable the seeds ofCeltis australis Linn. The fruits of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. during
third species Psittacula himalayana, a winter December-February.
migrantwasrecordedtobe aseedeaterofPyrus Amongst the shrubs, Coriaria nepalensis
pashia(Buch.-Ham. exD.Don.).Theremaining Wall, was the most preferred. Nine species of
18avianfrugivorescontributedtoseeddispersal. avianfrugivoreswererecordedvisitingitforfruit
The true role ofthese birds inplantpropagation during April-May (Table 4). The seeds of this
could not be assessed, as the viability ofseeds shrubspeciesare,therefore, dispersedmainlyby
passed outby the birds was not tested. birds.
Maximum bird density was recorded on The results of our study show that the
mulberry trees Morus alba Linn, which were relative abundance of Himalayan bulbul and
visited by 9 bird species in April (Table 4). The blackbulbulwasveryhigh,bothasanectarivore
red colour ofthe ripening fruits is probably the and as a seeddispersal agent(Table 4). Relative
reason forhigh density anddiversity ofbirds, as abundance ofHimalayan bulbul was highest as
fruitcolourisoneofthefactorsdeterminingfruit a nectarivore in respect ofBombax ceiba Linn,
choicebybirds(WheelwrightandJanson 1985). andasafrugivoreinrespectofMorusalbaLinn.
Mulberry fruit, which constitutes an important The Himalayan bulbul was the second most
food item for birds in the study area, ripens at abundant on Celtis australis Linn, and also on
the same time as the breeding season ofbirds. Coriaria nepalensis Wall. (Table 4). Similarly,
Fruitofkhirak Celtisaustralis Linn, starts the black bulbul was the second most abundant
maturinginAugust-September.Duringtheearly species as a nectarivore ofBombax ceiba Linn,
period ofripening, it is eaten by parakeets and andasafrugivoreofMorusalbaLinn.Redvented
barbets. But it is during the winter (December- bulbulwasanagentofpollinationaswellasseed
January) when insect food is reduced, thatthese dispersal, but its abundance was poor. Overall,
treesarevisitedby 10speciesofavianfrugivores the3 speciesofbulbulswereagentsofpollination
(Table 4). Maximum species diversity was of6 tree/shrub species and seed dispersal of 1
exhibited on these trees during the winter tree/shrub species. CommonmynaAcridotheres
months. Celtis australis Linn, is thus an tristis, thoughitwasthemostabundantfrugivore
important fruit crop that sustains 10 species of on Celtis australis Linn, and also on Coriaria
avian frugivores fornearlyhalfthe year. Allbut nepalensis Wall., was not recorded on Morus
the two species of parakeets bring about seed alba Linn, and its abundance was poor as a
dispersal ofthis species. nectarivore. The abundance of other members
Another forestry species in the study area ofthe family Stumidae was also poor, both as
which is predominantly dispersed through an nectarivore as well as frugivore. The members
avian frugivore, the black bulbul Hypsipetes of the family Pycnonotidae are, therefore,
madagascariensis, isAzadirachtaindicaA.Juss. important agents in crosspollination and also in
Blackbulbulsfeedalmostexclusivelyontheripe seed dispersal.
REFE ENCES
Ali,S.(1931):Theroleofsunbirdsandflowerpeckersin 4:472-478.
the propagation and distribution oftree parasite Balasubramanian, P. (1995): Animal activity and seed
Loranthus longiflorus Desr. in the Konkan (W. dispersal ofManilkara hexandra (Roxb.) hid. J.
India).J. Bombaynat. Hist. Soc. 35: 144-149. For. 18(3):201-204.
Ali,S.(1932): Flower-birdsandbird-flowersinIndia.J. Balasubramanian, P. (1996): Interactionbetween fruit-
Bombaynat. Hist. Soc. 35:573-605. eatingbirdsandbird-dispersedplantsinthetropical
Ali,S.(1936):Economicornithologyin India.Curr.Sci. dryevergreenforestsofPointCalimere,SouthIndia,
JOURNAL, BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 97(2), AUG. 2000 221
. .
AVIANSPECIESINVOLVEDINPOLLINAPIONANDSEEDDISPERSAL
J. Bombaynat. Hist. Soc. 93(3):428-441 ofSunderbans,24-Parganasdistrict,W.B., India.
Davidar, P. (1985): Ecological interactionsbetweenthe J. Bombaynat. Hist. Soc. Vols. 66,68,72&73.
mistletoesandtheiravianpollinatorsinSouthIndia. Narang,M.L.(1986):Acontributiontothefoodhabitsof
J. Bombaynat. Hist. Soc. 82:45-60. JungleBabblerTurdoidesstriatus(Dumont).Ind.
Dhindsa, M.S. & Harjeet K. Saini (1994): Agricultural J. Ecol. 13(1): 38-45.
ornithology:anIndianperspective.J.Biosci. 19(4): Narang, M.L. & B.S. Lamba (1984): A contribution to
391-402. thefoodhabitsofsomeIndianMynas(Aves).Rec.
Faruqui,S.A.,G.Bump,P.C.Nanda&G.C.Christensen zool. Surv. India, Misc. Publ.,Occ.PaperNo.44:
(1960):AstudyoftheseasonalfoodsoftheBlack 1-76.
Francolin, the Grey Francolin and Common Rajaseichar, B. (1995): Observations of frugivory on
SandgrouseinIndiaandPakistan.J.Bombaynat. Michelianilagirica-Asholaforesttree.Newsletter
Hist. Soc. 57: 354-361. forBirdwatchers35(5):85-88.
Howe, H.F. & G.F. Estabrook (1977): On intraspecific Shahabuddin, C. (1993): Avian frugivory ofPersea
competition foraviandispersersintropical trees. macarantha, an evergreen tree species, Peechi-
AmericanNaturalist, 7/7:817-832. Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary. Newsletterfor
Hussain, M.A. & H.R. Bhalla (1937): Some birds of Birdwatchers33(2):20-21
Lyallpurandtheirfood.J. Bombaynat. Hist.Soc. Sindhi,S.(1996):Diversityandeconomicutilityofflora
39: 831-842. ofNauni,districtSolan, M.Sc.Thesis.Collegeof
Kannan, P. (1980): Nectar feeding adaptations of Forestry,Dr.Y.S.ParmarUniversityofHorticulture
flowerbirds.J. Bombaynat.Hist. Soc. 75(Suppl): &Forestry,Solan(Himachal Pradesh).
1036-1050. Singh,T.C.N.(1929):AnoteonthepollinationofErythrina
Mason,G.W.&H.M. Lefroy(1912):Thefoodsofbirds indicabybirds.J. Bombaynat. Hist.Soc. 33:460-
in India. Mem. Dep. Agric. India ent. Ser. 3: 1- 462.
371. Subramanya,S.&T.R.Radhamani(1993):Pollinationby
Mathew,D.N.,T.C.Narendran&V.J.Zacharfas(1980): birdsandbats. Curr. Sci. 65(3):201-209.
Acomparativeaccountofthefoodhabitsofsome Toor, H.S. & M.Ramzan (1974): Extent of losses to
species ofbirds affecting agriculture.J. Bombay sunflowerdueto Roseringed ParakeetPsittacula
nat. Hist. Soc. 75(Suppl): 1178-1197. krameriatLudhiana (Pb.).J. Res. PunjabAgric.
Mehrotra, K.N. & R.K. Bhatnagar (1979): Status of Univ. 11: 197-199.
economicornithologyinIndia, ICAR,NewDelhi. Wheelwright,N.T.&C.H.Janson(1985):Coloursoffruit
Pp. 1-79. displays ofbird dispersed plants in two tropical
Mukherjee,A.K.(1969-76):Foodhabitsofthewaterbirds forests.AmericanNaturalist126:777-799.
222 JOURNAL, BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 97(2), AUG. 2000