Morphological characteristics of Cape sugarbirds (Promerops cafer) from Helderberg Nature Reserve
Date
2007
Authors
Tjorve K.M.C.
Scholtz G.
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Volume Title
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Abstract
Cape sugarbirds (Promerops cafer) are the largest nectarivores in the Western Cape and feed almost exclusively on protea nectar and associated arthropods. Helderberg Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa, has a large diversity of Protea and supports breeding sugarbirds. As part of a larger study, we captured sugarbirds using mist-nets during the breeding and non-breeding season at several sites in the Helderberg Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa, from 1996 to 2000. From these data (n = 283 males, 272 females), we found that in both sexes, individuals with longer tails have longer wings. Males were significantly larger in mass, culmen, head, tarsus, wing and tail length than females. Males with larger mass were larger in all morphometric measurements than those with smaller mass. Mate choice and territory defence may be based on wing and tail ornament displays of male sugarbirds, thus larger males with larger ornaments could benefit through greater breeding success than smaller males.
Description
Keywords
breeding season, breeding site, defense behavior, mate choice, morphology, morphometry, nature reserve, passerine, reproductive success, sexual dimorphism, species diversity, Africa, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Cape, Arthropoda, Passeriformes, Promerops cafer, Protea
Citation
African Zoology
42
2
42
2