This Tree Kills Birds And Is Called A Birdcatcher

Nature has a magical way to create or destroy things. Generally, plants depend on birds and insects for pollination, which helps plants to reproduce. But one particular tree is infamous for taking the lives of the birds. This kind of dangerous tree attracts small birds to make nests on their branches. As soon as the bird sits on the branches, the tree releases sticky seeds which stick to the feathers and make it difficult for them to fly away. These trees are also called birdcatcher trees.

Pisonia is a genus of flowering plants in the bougainvillaea flower family, Nyctaginaceae. It was named for Dutch physician and naturalist Willem Piso. It is also called catchbirdtrees, birdcatcher trees or birdlime trees because they catch birds. The trunk of the tree is covered with a thick gel-like sheet and is quite sticky. The seeds grow in clusters which contain a dozen to more than 200 seeds. As soon as a bird sits on the branches of the plant, the seeds of the tree stick to the bird’s feathers.

The sticky seeds are assumed to be an adaptation of island species to ensure the dispersal of seeds between islands by sticking to birds. If the bird gets entangled in the sticky seeds is unable to free itself and dies within the tree’s range, then it will enrich the soil. The Pisonia tree flowers twice a year. It is generally found in tropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, including the Pacific Islands, Asia and Australia.

Pisonia forests are a common nesting site for seabirds and are hence more dangerous for them. Sea birds generally nest in the branches of these trees. When the chicks hatch from the eggs the sea birds fly away as they are strong. But, the hatchlings get entangled in the sticky seed clumps and are unable to fly away. They fall and later die due to starvation.