Spectral analysis of flowers used by nectar-feeding birds in an urban area in Southeastern Brazil

• Main Authors: MCB. Toledo, RJ. Donatelli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto Internacional de Ecologia
• Series: Brazilian Journal of Biology
• Subjects: urban areas; wavelenght; flower colors; reflectance; nectar-feeding birds
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1519-69842010000400005&lng=en&tlng=en

The objective of this study was to determine the spectral characteristic of nectar-producing flowers visited by nectarivorous birds in urban areas. This study was carried out in the central area of the city of Taubaté, in the northeast of the State of São Paulo. The sample areas included green areas, such as squares and parks, and the vegetation of streets and avenues. Twelve plant species were recorded with flowers visited by five nectar-feeding birds. The most visited flower species were those that reflected in long wavelengths (>600 nm). The study discussed the birds' detection capability due to the tetrachromatic vision of nectar-feeding birds and the conspicuity of flowers in urban environments. Finally, the study assessed the scarcity of plants attractive to nectar-feeding birds and the need for a management strategy to favour these species and biodiversity in urban areas.