EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Pollinators Everywhere

Avian pollination vectors
Clockwise from left:
Scarlet (Hawaiian) Honeycreeper or I'iwi (Drepanis coccinea), Family Fringillidae; Hawai'i, USA
Olive Sunbird (Cyanomitra olivacea), Family Nectariniidae; South Africa
Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens), Family Meliphagidae; Tasmania, Australia
Long-tailed Hermit (Phaethornis superciliosus); Family Trochilidae; Costa Rica

Explanation:  They're (seemingly) everywhere!  These are avian pollinators ... birds whose primary ecological functions include pollinating specific species of flowering plants.  

Above is but a tiny example of the vast array of bird species across the globe that perform this vital function that keeps many plants -- herbs, shrubs, and trees -- thriving in a vast array of ecosystem types.  

It is striking how many different birds perform this function, having evolved among so many species of entirely different taxonomic families, as well.  The example above shows but four species in four totally distinct families in four corners of the globe:  North America, Africa, Australia, and Central America.  

And pollination is itself but one example of a large list of many key ecological functions that wildlife species -- birds and other animals -- play in their habitats, that influence and provide for conditions for many other species.  Other examples of key ecological functions include creation of tree cavities, wallows, dusting sites, bark piles, ground burrows, pond maintenance, woodland openings, and so very much more. 

For this week, though, we applaud and appreciate those many creatures -- winged or not -- that help keep the plants healthy and dispersed ... pollinators, everywhere.