Interactions between Hawaiian honeycreepers and Metrosideros collina on the Island of Hawaii

Abstract

Studies are in progress on the island of Hawaii which we hope will determine 1) the strategy and energetic cost of the outcrossing system of Metrosideros collina polymorpha, 2) the strategy and energetic efficiency of the foraging system of the three most common species of honeycreepers in an M. collina forest, and 3) the efficiency of energy transfer from the producer M. collina to the honeycreeper nectivores. Preliminary results indicate that ohia produces larger amounts of nectar than would be necessary if its avian pollinators were more sedentary in their foraging habits, but sufficient nectar to support the more mobile foraging system as described herein.