While staying in the guest house at Myola (Oro Province), from 22-27 December 1990, we noted the synchronous mass-flowering of Syzygium sp (Myrtaceae) trees. The trees were all tall, 30+ m. They occured in clumps of 6-10 trees, all of similar height and trunk diameter, on the flatter ground around the edge of the so-called Myola Lake at c. 2100 m. No flowering Syzygium sp trees were noted on steeper slopes above Myola. The inflorescences were ramiflorous, i.e. produced on branches, behind or below the leaves. The flowers had numerous stamens around the edge of the "cup" (calyx tube) which presumably contained nectar. The petals were shed as a cap when the flower opened.
Nine species (5 Honeyeaters and 4 Lorikeets) were noted feeding at the Syzygium flowers. Each clump of flowering trees seemed to have its own "resident" flock of birds. Similar numbers of each species of birds were noted on each visit to a clump of trees (although individuals could not be recognised). All nine species were recorded at a clump of trees which had the most easy to view crown and hence was the one we visted most regularly.
Although on one occasion there were more than 70 birds, of 6 species, present in one flowering tree, no interspecific aggression was noted.
Red-collared Myzomela Myzomela rosenbergii was the most numerous species to visit the flowering trees at all the clumps, although at times it might have been out-numbered by Goldie's Lorikeet Trichoglossus goldiei. It was difficult to obtain exact counts of the number of individuals of this species present due to their small size and rapid movements. However, on one occasion we estimated there were 40 birds, approximately even numbers of males and female-plumaged birds, in one tree. We noted some intraspecific aggression but was mostly males chasing female-plumaged birds and may not have been in defence of a feeding site.
Belford's Melidectes is one of the more noticeable species at Myola. It is a large Honeyeater with a loud raucous call. It would not be easy to overlook this species. Although regularly recorded visiting the flowering trees it was only in groups of 2-3 birds. We could not tell whether it was the same individuals repeatedly visiting the Syzygium trees or if many birds were involved.
Two Black-throated Honeyeaters Lichenostomus subfrenatus regularly visited the most-watched clump of trees. They were assumed to be a pair as they were always recorded together in this one clump of trees. Rufous-backed Honeyeaters Ptiloprora guisei were less frequently recorded on this trip than on previous visits to Myola. We only noted a few visits by single birds to the most-watched clump of flowering trees. We only had one record of Common Smoky Honeyeater Melipotes fumigatus throughout our stay and that was of a single bird visiting the most-watched clump of trees.
Goldie's Lorikeet was the most numerous lorikeet with flocks of c. 20 at each clump of flowering trees. As with the Red-collared Myzomelas it was difficult to obtain exact counts of the birds in the trees as they were continually moving. However, as they generally left the tree in noisy flocks, reasonable counts could be obtained then.
Nine species (5 Honeyeaters and 4 Lorikeets) were noted feeding at the Syzygium flowers. Each clump of flowering trees seemed to have its own "resident" flock of birds. Similar numbers of each species of birds were noted on each visit to a clump of trees (although individuals could not be recognised). All nine species were recorded at a clump of trees which had the most easy to view crown and hence was the one we visted most regularly.
Although on one occasion there were more than 70 birds, of 6 species, present in one flowering tree, no interspecific aggression was noted.
Red-collared Myzomela Myzomela rosenbergii was the most numerous species to visit the flowering trees at all the clumps, although at times it might have been out-numbered by Goldie's Lorikeet Trichoglossus goldiei. It was difficult to obtain exact counts of the number of individuals of this species present due to their small size and rapid movements. However, on one occasion we estimated there were 40 birds, approximately even numbers of males and female-plumaged birds, in one tree. We noted some intraspecific aggression but was mostly males chasing female-plumaged birds and may not have been in defence of a feeding site.
Belford's Melidectes is one of the more noticeable species at Myola. It is a large Honeyeater with a loud raucous call. It would not be easy to overlook this species. Although regularly recorded visiting the flowering trees it was only in groups of 2-3 birds. We could not tell whether it was the same individuals repeatedly visiting the Syzygium trees or if many birds were involved.
Two Black-throated Honeyeaters Lichenostomus subfrenatus regularly visited the most-watched clump of trees. They were assumed to be a pair as they were always recorded together in this one clump of trees. Rufous-backed Honeyeaters Ptiloprora guisei were less frequently recorded on this trip than on previous visits to Myola. We only noted a few visits by single birds to the most-watched clump of flowering trees. We only had one record of Common Smoky Honeyeater Melipotes fumigatus throughout our stay and that was of a single bird visiting the most-watched clump of trees.
Goldie's Lorikeet was the most numerous lorikeet with flocks of c. 20 at each clump of flowering trees. As with the Red-collared Myzomelas it was difficult to obtain exact counts of the birds in the trees as they were continually moving. However, as they generally left the tree in noisy flocks, reasonable counts could be obtained then.
