Use of the exotic tree Myrica faya by native and exotic birds in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

Abstract

The exotic nitrogen-fixing tree Myrica faya is invading Hawai'i
\nVolcanoes National Park (HAVO). Observations of avian use of M.faya demonstrated
\nthat although four species of native birds visited the trees, they rarely fed
\non the fruits. Seven species of exotic birds were seen visiting M.faya, and five of
\nthese were observed ingesting the fruit. The most frequent visitor and consumer
\nwas the Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus). Over one-third of the captured
\nZ. japonicus produced fecal samples containing M. faya seeds, and those
\nseeds were as viable as those picked from M. faya trees and beneath their
\ncanopies.