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Macaranga bancana and bulbuls

on 17th November 2009

Four species of bulbuls have been documented feeding on the Macaranga bancana tree in the Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia by Dato’ Dr Amar-Sing HSS on late October 2009.

Red-eyed Bulbul (Pycnonotus brunneus) – very common, with large numbers of adults, often in pairs, visiting the tree. This is a common resident in Peninsular Malaysia but a rare resident in Singapore.

Cream-vented Bulbul (P. simplex simplex) — a few observed. Another common resident in Peninsular Malaysia but an uncommon resident in Singapore.

Spectacled Bulbul (P. erythropthalmos) – a few observed. Again common in Peninsular Malaysian but locally extinct in Singapore. Wells (2007) reports it exploits Macaranga spp., besides figs.

Hairy-backed Bulbul (Tricholestes criniger criniger) – a pair was seen. Also relatively common in Peninsular Malaysia but not found in Singapore. Wells (2007) lists it as Near-threatened, bordering on Vulnerable locally. Notice the grey-brown iris shown well in the light in this adult. A fairly distinctive bulbul due to the pale yellow around the eye.

There was only one tree fruiting, the rest were not even flowering.

It is interesting that except for Spectacled Bulbul, there are no reports of the other three species exploiting the fruits of this tree.

Images on left by Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS, from top to bottom as follows: Red-eyed Bulbul, Cream-vented Bulbul, Spectacled Bulbul and Hairy-backed Bulbul.

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Perak, Malaysia
21-24th October 2009
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Reference:
Wells, D.R., 2007. The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsular. Vol. II, Passerines. Christopher Helm, London. 800 pp.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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