Ornithophily–Pollination by Birds

Ornithophily is a biotic agent for the pollination of flowers by birds. The birds carry pollen grains from one flower to another. It is a type of cross-pollination. The common types of birds that act as pollinators are hummingbirds, sunbirds, and honeyeaters. This helps in reproduction in plants and forms seeds.

This Story also Contains

1. What Is Ornithophily?
2. Ornithophily Characteristics
3. Types Of Bird Pollinators
4. Ornithophily And Its Significance
5. Ornithophily Threats
6. MCQs on Ornithophily
7. Recommended video on Ornithophily

The flowers are usually bright in colour to attract the birds. They have a tubular shape with a lot of nectar. The birds have long beaks and brush-like tongues to sip the nectar. This is called coevolution as birds get the food from flowers, and flowers get pollinated. This increases the biodiversity and supports plant growth.

What Is Ornithophily?

Ornithophily is the term used for the process of pollination caused by birds. In this mechanism, birds visit flowers for nectar and, in the process, accidentally pick up some pollen from the anthers of one flower and drop it onto the stigma of another flower, thereby fertilising the ovule.

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Ornithophily Characteristics

Ornithophily shows a special relationship between birds and flowers. Certain flowers have unique features that attract birds and help in pollination. Some of the characteristics are given below:

• Attraction to Flowers: The flowers reliant on ornithophily are brightly coloured, tubular in shape, and full of nectar to attract birds.

• Pollen Transfer: While accessing the nectar, their bodies come in contact with anthers, picking up the structure of pollen grains and then transferring them to the stigma of other flowers.

• Mutualism: Ornithophily is a mutualistic relationship between plants and birds. Here, both organisms benefit from each other's presence. Birds received nourishment in the form of nectar, and plants succeeded in pollinating themselves.

Types Of Bird Pollinators

Some birds help plants reproduce by transferring pollen as they feed on nectar. These bird pollinators have special features that make them well-suited for ornithophily, like those given below:

• Hummingbirds: They are the most significant agents of pollination in the Americas and other parts of the world. They get attracted by brightly coloured, tubular flowers and maintain specialized adaptations for nectar feeding.

• Sunbirds: They are largely confined to tropical regions and present a resemblance to hummingbirds. They form the major flower pollinators within their habitats.

• Honeycreepers: These birds exhibit bright plumage colours and are likely significant pollinators of many native flowering plants in the Hawaiian Islands.

• Sparrows and Finches: Some species of sparrows and finches play a role in pollination, but they are rarely specialized compared to hummingbirds.

Ornithophily And Its Significance

Ornithophily plays an important role in plant reproduction and ecosystem health. It not only helps in cross-pollination but also supports biodiversity and agricultural productivity. Some of the significances of ornithophily are given below:

• Increased Genetic Variety: Ornithophily promotes the higher genetic diversity of plant populations by achieving cross-pollination that enhances the capability of adjustment against environmental changes.

• Food Production: Many crops and flowering plants are dependent on birds to move the pollen that enables seed and fruit production, thereby improving agricultural productivity.

• Ecosystem Stability: The pollination by birds allows many diverse plant species to reproduce, providing food and habitat for other wildlife, which in turn contributes to the health of an ecosystem.

• Plant Adaptations: This mutualism has led to some features in plants—flower shape, colour, and quantity of nectar produced, enhancing their mutualistic relationship.

Ornithophily Threats

Ornithophily is a delicate natural process that depends on the close link between birds and flowering plants. However, this relationship is under threat due to environmental issues and human activities like:

• Destruction of Habitat: While deforestation and land conversion into cities or towns, a bird might lose its habitat and that of the flowering plants it relies upon.

• Climate Change: Potential mismatching of plant flowering and bird activities can happen because of climate change. As a result, this will hamper the birds' availability of food sources.

• Invasive Species: Non-native plant species might invade and replace native flowering plants in such regions. Therefore, the invasion can substantially affect the availability of food for bird pollinators, hence altering the local ecosystems.

MCQs on Ornithophily

Question 1: Which of the following is an example of an organism that exhibits ornithophily?

1. Bats

2. Butterflies

3. Bees

4. Hummingbirds

Answer: Hummingbirds are birds that are adapted to pollinate flowers, making them an example of ornithophily.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) Hummingbirds

Question 2: Which of the following is a disadvantage of ornithophily?

1. It can result in the transfer of pollen to the wrong species

2. It is less efficient than other forms of pollination

3. It requires a large population of birds to be successful.

4. It can only occur during the day

Answer: Ornithophily is generally less efficient than other forms of pollination, as birds are not as effective at transferring pollen as insects. Ornithophily, or bird pollination, is primarily observed in brightly coloured, tubular flowers that produce large amounts of nectar to attract birds. While less efficient, it ensures pollination in regions where insect populations are limited or during specific seasons when birds are more active.

Hence, the correct asnwer is option 2) It is less efficient than other forms of pollination

Question 3: Which of the following is not a characteristic of ornithophilous flowers?

1. Large and bright coloured petals

2. Strong scent

3. Production of nectar

4. Producing large amounts of pollen

Answer: Ornithophilous flowers usually have large and bright colored petals, sand strong scents, and produce nectar, but they do not produce large amounts of pollen as they are adapted to be pollinated by birds which do not require as much pollen as insects.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) Producing large amounts of pollen.

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