シロハラとマンリョウ：Pale thrush and coral bush (Ardisia crenata)

シロハラが万両の実を食べていました。万両は林縁にしばしば見る灌木で、おめでたいとされる木ですが、野鳥がこの実を食べているところはあまり頻繁に目にしていません。万両の赤い実は初夏の万両の花が咲く頃まで見ることができます。ひょっとしたら、細い花柄の先端に付く実のなり方が野鳥にとっては実を食べにくいのかもしれませんね。

A pale thrush is eating the fruit of manryo (coral bush, (Ardisia crenata)). Manryo is considered to be a tree of celebration or good luck, its name suggesting a big monetary unit (man: 10000, and ryo: a large gold coin). I do not see the wild birds eating this fruit. Some of the fruit remain on the tree until autumn. However, this pale thrush is fond of this fruit. The way the tree bears its fruit (the fruit is produced at the tip of a thin flower stalk) may make it difficult for wild birds to eat the fruit.

*****

Photos 2022-01-15