OBSERVATIONS OF ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS IN VINE MAPLE

Abstract

Abstract We conducted a pilot study assessing the role that Orange-crowned Warblers (Oreothlypis celata) may play in the pollination of Vine Maple (Acer circinatum). We observed an Orange-crowned Warbler probing its head into different inflorescences between 2 focal trees. We also incidentally observed O. celata individuals foraging in Big-leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) inflorescences and a Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) feeding in the flowers of a Vine Maple. Our observations and results from the pilot experiment excluding large-bodied pollinators from flowers lead us to suggest that warblers may forage at Vine Maple flowers in a manner that could contribute to pollination; however, further study to confirm that warblers transfer pollen from anthers to conspecific stigmas is warranted.