During a brief stay at Ambua
Lodge, Tari (Southern Highlands Province) in November 1987, female Fan-tailed
Berrypeckers Melanocharis versteri
were observed feeding on the fruits of three different plants. No male
Fan-tailed Berrypeckers were seen feeding. Samples of each plant were collected
and subsequently identified by Lawong Balun. They were Planchonella sp (Sapotaceae), Rubus
cf. ferdinandi-muelleri Focke (Rosaceae) and Pipturus argenteus Willd (Urticaceae). The fruit of each plant was
ingested whole by the birds., the largest fruit being that of R.ferdinandi-muelleri which measured
c.7mm x 5mm.
Voucher specimens at UPNG
are: Planchonella Hicks & Hicks #8, Rubus #9 Pipturus #10.
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