African Wildlife & Environment Issue 77 FINAL ISSUE

FAUNA, FLORA & WILDLIFE

Weavers in action Photograph: Sean Davis

Amethyst Sunbird Photograph: Sean Davis

Moving pollen from one Aloe to the other, they are the key to survival of this great plant. With their long bills ideally adapted for Aloes with long pedicels, they have access to nectar that other birds could only wish for. Weavers and bulbuls, amongst others, may also have some of this nectar feast but only from flowers with short pedicels. The relationship between bill length variations of birds and pedicel length of an Aloe flower plays an important role in lessening the chances of hybrids out in natural habitat. Aloes are especially adapted for sunbirds as the flower is too narrow for bees,

pink supported by strong enduring bases of great shades of green. White-bellied and Amethyst Sunbirds fly with urgency between the Aloes, ambitious in their pursuit for nectar on this cold morning. Maybe it is the cold that makes them want as much nectar as quickly as possible. I then start asking myself, why the Aloe flowers now in June? They need sunbirds to be working hard? The two are perfectly aligned with each other, a marriage made in heaven, a great example of mutualism.

23 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 77 (2020)