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Nesting White-rumped Shama

on 28th August 2009

Lim Jit Yin was alerted to a nesting pair of White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus) in Singapore’s catchment forest recently. The adults were feeding their chicks a variety of foods that included centipede (above left), grasshopper (above centre) and ?cockroach (above right).

“…it was very interesting observing how careful the female bird was, hopping from branch to branch with the food over as long as 20 minutes before flying to the nesting hole (below). The male didn’t do much feeding but was heard nearby. After each feed, the female seemed to pick something (possible a faecal sac) from the nest and flew off with it.


“When intruders came near to the nest (squirrel, monkeys, other birds), both adults did a very odd click-click-clack call.

“The chick is at least a couple weeks old by now, any idea when it will fledge?” wrote Jit Yin.

Wells (2007) reports that there is no information on the incubation and fledging periods. However, in one case the brood left the nest 27 days after the laying of the last egg.

The White-rumped Shama is a rare resident, breeding mostly in the offshore islands. The mainland population is of mostly males, possibly escapees. Of late, there was a successful nesting and chances are that the species is making a slow comeback. However, these birds are still a target of poachers as it is a spectacular songster with a great variety of whistles and it has the ability to mimic other birds.

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.

Other posts by YC Wee

2 Responses

  1. Good happenings! If the bird trappers do not get them first. Just met a furtive one the other day with 2 covered cages in large shopping bags. He lives in one of the blocks in Commonwealth Close. The AVA (which ever Govt. body responsible should ban all wild bird trapping in Singapore.

  2. Wonderful to know that the white-rumped shama is now breeding on mainland Singapore. As noted, this bird is a favourite target of poachers, but since it is a jungle rather than a garden resident, and as patrols have been stepped up in our water catchment areas, the wild population may increase.

    This bird has been bred in captivity, and information about the chicks is available on many avicultural sites.

    It is a cavity breeder, though not necessarily in holes, since it does not have to ability to do any excavation.

    My pair bred unexpectedly on the cavity of a broken-off rotten stump of an old papaya tree, but if given a nest box, they will make use of it.

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