Ornithophilous

Ornithophilous is a term used in botany to describe flowers that are adapted for pollination by birds. The word derives from the Greek ornithos (bird) and philos (loving or fond of). In botanical contexts, ornithophilous plants rely on birds rather than insects or wind to transfer pollen between flowers.

Typical ornithophilous flowers share several features. They are often brightly colored, especially in red, orange, or yellow, to attract birds that have strong color vision. They frequently have tubular or curved shapes that accommodate the beaks and tongues of nectar-feeding birds. Many produce copious nectar with a sugar concentration that matches avian preferences, while fragrances are often weak or absent since birds rely less on sense of smell than on sight. Structural adaptations place the reproductive organs where birds contact them during nectar foraging, aiding pollen transfer.

Bird pollinators include hummingbirds in the Americas, sunbirds and flowerpeckers in Africa and Asia, and honeyeaters in Australia and nearby regions. Ornithophilous plants are typically found in habitats where these birds occur, including tropical and subtropical forests, shrublands, and open woodlands. The interactions are often highly specialized, though some ornithophilous species can be pollinated by a range of avian visitors.

Examples of plant groups associated with ornithophily include certain heliconias and other tropical inflorescences, as well as several Australian genera such as Banksia and Grevillea. In other regions, bird-pollinated flowers can be found among various shrubs and trees. The trait is ecologically significant as it influences plant reproduction, community composition, and coevolution with pollinating birds.