Sunbirds and Macaranga heynei

YC Wee
on 5th December 2009

“There are a few trees of blue mahang (Macaranga heynei), some growing to 30 feet tall in full sun at the edge of the forest at the Ulu Kinta Forest Reserve in the Malaysian state of Perak.

“This is the favourite fruit tree with the Plain Sunbird (Anthreptes simplex). I have seen it at almost every visit to the Forest Reserve, more than 20 times in the past two years. They usually come in mid-morning to feed on the small fruits of this large tree.

“It is hard to take pictures here as they feed high up (above).
.
“They also like to feed on the semi-parasitic mistletoe plants that grow on the branches of the trees.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Perak, Malaysia
10th October 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

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Bird Society of Singapore: A credible alternative to the Nature Society’s Bird Group

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Singapore-Nature: 17. Citizen Science

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Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

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2 responses

  2. Sunbirds do feed on insects and spiders. There are a number of posts, especially by our Ipoh contributor. But you need to search the category “feeding-invertebrates”.

    Reply

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