Schotia brachypetala—a nectar cornucopia for birds: Symes & Yoganand Bull ABC Vol 20 No 1 (2013) – 39 S chotia brachypetala Sond. (family Fabaceae or Leguminosae) is a widespread tree species in southern African savannas. The common name, Weeping Boerbean, most aptly describes the tree that produces copious amounts of nectar that even drips out of the flowers. The flowering period occurs during spring and in any individual tree is generally short (c.2 weeks) (van Wyk & van Wyk 1997, Boon 2010). This appears to be slightly different to S. afra var. afra which occurs in south-eastern South Africa; it flowers mainly during July–October, although flowers have been collected in every other month of the year (van Wyk & van Wyk 1997; B. van Wyk pers. comm.). These two flowering strategies may benefit birds in different ways; the longer flowering period of S. afra may provide smaller amounts of nectar to birds over a longer period (Skead 1967) whilst an abundance of nectar in S. brachypetala over a shorter period may supply birds with food following a lean winter period. The nectar of S. brachypetala is described in many field guides as an important food for birds, particularly sunbirds (e.g. van Wyk & van Wyk 1997). However, reports describing specific feeding accounts are few or are hidden in ‘grey literature’. Skead (1967) reported specifically on the importance of Schotia spp. nectar for sunbirds and Palmer & Pitman (1972) reported broadly on the importance of four Schotia species for animals. Here we report nectar feeding by birds at two S. brachypetala trees in South Africa, and collate additional records of feeding on this species, and on other Schotia spp. as reported by Skead (1967). During 23–26 September 2011 a single flowering tree at Wits Rural Facility (WRF), Limpopo province (24°33’11”S 31°05’48”E), was observed opportunistically during daylight hours for nectar-feeding visitors. During the observation period the tree was covered profusely in mature flowers and nectar literally dripped from the tree. We also made additional opportunistic observations at a S. brachypetala tree flowering at the University of the Witwatersrand campus in central Johannesburg, Gauteng province (26°11’27”S 28°01’56”E), during 27 September–18 October 2011. Overall we recorded 28 bird species feeding on nectar, 20 of which were photographed (Table 1). An additional five species were recorded in the tree at WRF, but not seen directly probing for nectar. Three of these species, Green Wood- hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus, Southern Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus and Southern Black Tit Parus niger are known to be nectar feeders but were not recorded feeding on S. brachypetala, whilst two species, Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens and Chinspot Batis Batis molitor, were seen in the tree during the flowering period but not seen (or previously recorded) feeding on nectar. In addition we also observed several Tree Squirrels Paraxerus cepapi feeding on nectar and Schotia brachypetala—a nectar cornucopia for birds Craig T. Symes a and K. Yoganand a,b Schotia brachypetala—corne d’abondance de nectar pour les oiseaux. Schotia brachypetala fleurit au printemps et en début d’été et produit copieusement du nectar qui attire de nombreux nectarivores aviens spécialistes et opportunistes. Vingt-huit espèces d’oiseaux ont été observées en septembre–octobre 2011 se nourrissant du nectar de deux arbres en fleur, l’un dans la province de Limpopo et l’autre dans la province de Gauteng, en Afrique du Sud. Grâce à nos observations, augmentées par une recherche de la littérature et des données complémentaires d’autres observateurs, on dénombre maintenant 54 espèces d’oiseaux qui s’alimentent du nectar de S. brachypetala. Cette note souligne une fois de plus la diversité des nectarivores généralistes et opportunistes en Afrique australe. Summary. Schotia brachypetala flowers in spring and early summer and produces copious nectar that attracts numerous specialist and opportunistic nectar-feeding bird species. Twenty-eight bird species were observed feeding on the nectar of two flowering trees, one in Limpopo province and another in Gauteng province, both in South Africa, during September–October 2011. Together with our observations, a literature search and additional reports from other observers brings the total number of bird species recorded feeding on S. brachypetala to 54 species. This note further emphasises the diversity of generalist or opportunistic nectarivores in southern Africa. abcbul 39-130226.indd 39 2/26/2013 15:55:26