I have a very small succulent plant in my backyard called "Drosanthemum Hispidum" (Purple Ice Plant). Almost every bird that comes to my yard seem to peck at this poor plant. The sparrows eat the leaves, the Murray Magpie (Magpie-lark) stands on it then strips the leaves so there is only a stalk left and even the Pigeons peck at it. No other plant in my yard gets as much attention from the birds as this single plant does. At the moment there is not much left of it at all but it always seems to grow back fast. Anyone know what the fascination with this plant is to the birds?
It seems the birds are finding your succulent plant rather succulent. Would they be attracted by the plant's fluid or whatever the botanical term is?
I saw its common name was Hairy Dew Flower so I thought maybe it was producing a nectar or exudate however see below the name is because of the bumps on the leaves and stems - maybe that is what attracts the birds.
DROSANTHEMUM hispidum, Hairy Dew Flower. Profuse flowers bloom continuously all season over dazzling, shimmering foliage. Leaves and the stems are covered with tiny bumps that resemble dew drops or glassy beads that glitter in the sun.
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
I read today on the net that sheep are also attracted to this plant for their salt content. Maybe that's what the birds find in this plant too?
Be nice if they would leave it alone for five minutes so it can recover though.