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Orange-bellied Leafbird taking fruits

on 18th January 2009

Adrian Lim documented an Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii) from Awana, Malaysia eating the fruits of (?) Macaranga ginantea.

This bird is a common resident of the lower and upper montane forests of Peninsular Malaysia. It is seen in the forest canopy and forest edge, entering secondary forests and other wooded areas, parks and gardens within the altitude range.

It feeds on insects, flower nectar and a wide range of fruits. Wells (2007) reports that it squeezes soft fruits between its bill with the tongue working to take the juice; the fruit rind is then discardes.

According to Adrian, this Orange-bellied Leafbird can be seen licking nectar from flowers. Up in Awana, it is this sticky fruit that forms part of the source of food of the bird.

Reference:
Wells, D.R., 2007. The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsular. Vol. II, Passerines. Christopher Helm, London. 800 pp.

This post is a cooperative effort between NaturePixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.

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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