Cape sugarbird
bird
Also known as: Promerops cafer
Quick Summary
Cape sugarbird and king protea
Cape sugarbird (Promerops cafer) perched on a flower of the king protea (Protea cynaroides). In the fynbos of South Africa, this nectar-eating bird has coevolved with the protea. The sugarbird derives sustenance from the protea's flowers, and the plant depends on the bird for pollination. Birds begin nesting as soon as the proteas begin to bloom. The flowers provide nectar for the adult birds and also attract insects, which the adults capture and feed to their chicks. As a sugarbird sips nectar from a bloom, the feathers on its forehead are dusted with pollen, some of which is dislodged when the bird visits the next inflorescence.
The Cape sugarbird (Promerops cafer) is a bird native to southern Africa that is often considered a member of the honeyeater family. Sugarbirds, in general, are various honeycreepers, honey eaters, and sunbirds that feed on flower nectar. The Cape sugarbird is specifically mentioned as being part of this group.12
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