This painting was one of thirteen panels created for “Duets: The Dance of Symbiotic Relationships”, an exhibition highlighting mutually beneficial interactions between plants and various birds, animals and insects in tropical environments.

The shape of the white-bellied sunbird’s beak is perfectly suited to probe the nectar glands of bird of paradise flowers (Strelitzia reginae). When a sunbird lands on these flowers to feed, its weight splits open the fused blue-violet stamen, exposing whitish pollen. As the bird shuffles around looking for the nectary, pollen gets stuck to its feet and/or its breast. Pollination is completed when the sunbird visits other Strelitzia flowers and transfers pollen to the pointed white stigma located at the end of each stamen.

There are approximately 105 species of sunbirds located throughout Africa, Asia, and northern Australia.  The white-bellied sunbird (Cinnyris talatala) is shown here. The bird of paradise plant, appropriately named for its resemblance to an exotic crested bird, is native to South Africa. The stunning colours, flowing curved lines and symbiotic relationship between this bird and flower made for an irresistible combination that called to be painted.