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Tanimbar Corella eating cassia fruit

on 16th February 2009

This image of a Tanimbar Corella (Cacatua goffini) eating the fruit of the golden shower or Indian laburnum (Cassia fistula) by Howard Banwell, is, as far as is known, a new food record.

According to Rowley (1997), “…apart from the maize crop that species is notorious for plundering, little is known about its diet.”

Golden shower or Indian laburnum is widely grown as a wayside tree in Singapore. The large bunches of yellow flowers hanging from the branches make a pretty sight, thus the popularity of the tree in urban areas. The trees usually burst into flowers after a prolonged period of drought. Then comes the long cylindrical fruits, green turning black with maturity. Pods do not split and the seeds that are found between the many partitions inside are embedded in a stickly sweet pulp. This pulp finds its way into traditional medicines as a laxative, sometimes mixed with tobacco and smoked.

Obviously the cockatoo has found its food niche, eating the green pods of its pulp and seeds that no other birds seem to go for. Its other food, the starfruit and pong pong are also not eaten by other birds.

References:
1.
Rowley, I., 1997. Family Cacatuidae (cockatoos). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds.), Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 4. Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp.246-279.
2. Wee, Y. C. (2003). Tropical trees and shrubs – A selection for urban plantings. Sun Tree Pub., Singapore. 392pp.

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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