Use of the Exotic Tree Myrica faya by Native and Exotic Birds in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Abstract

The exotic nitrogen-fixing tree Myrica faya is invading Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO). Observations of avian use of M.faya demonstrated that although four species of native birds visited the trees, they rarely fed on the fruits. Seven species of exotic birds were seen visiting M.faya, and five of these were observed ingesting the fruit. The most frequent visitor and consumer was the Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus). Over one-third of the captured Z. japonicus produced fecal samples containing M. faya seeds, and those seeds were as viable as those picked from M. faya trees and beneath their canopies.