The nectar theif
Tennessee Warbler, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, Sept 14, 2019.
A pond visitor late this afternoon.
A pond visitor late this afternoon.
Leiothlypis peregrina
The Tennessee Warbler is a common nectar "thief" on its wintering grounds in tropical forests. Instead of probing a flower from the front to get the nectar, and spreading pollen on its face in the process, the warbler pierces the flower tube at its base and gets the reward without performing any pollination.
The Tennessee Warbler is a common nectar "thief" on its wintering grounds in tropical forests. Instead of probing a flower from the front to get the nectar, and spreading pollen on its face in the process, the warbler pierces the flower tube at its base and gets the reward without performing any pollination.
Comments