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Oriental Magpie Robin’s failed nesting

on 26th November 2009

A pair of Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis) built their nest behind a light fixture outside Steven Neo’s house recently (above left). According to Steven, “The nest was initially very badly built and part of it was falling off the gap between the light and the wall. I improvised a black box and blocked the gap while the bird was away…” It is a simple cup-shaped nest made from fibres, pliable stems, roots, etc.

The female laid four mottled eggs and incubated them, leaving only to look for food (above right, below). There was no sign of a male around.

Unfortunately the eggs failed to hatch, as they were most probably not fertilised. Steven believes that the absence of males around his housing estate, most probably caught and caged by residents, has led to the sad situation where the female lays unfertilised eggs.

“The nest is still intact at my house, minus the eggs as they were going bad,” adds Steven.

Steven Neo
Singapore
November 2009

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

3 Responses

  1. Does anyone think it possible to start a Singapore “Leave wild animals wild” campaign so that similar wild animals are not captured?

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