Nesting behaviour of Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker

On three separate occasions Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS had the opportunity to make observations on the nesting behaviour of the Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum cruentatum), as detailed below.

Tambun Interior, Perak, Malaysia – 18th July 2009
“A female flowerpecker collecting nesting material (above). She was peeling strips off the bark of a Kaffir Lime tree (Citrus hystrix, local name limau purut). It appears as though she has returned a number of times from the appearance of the bark.”

Canning Garden Home, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia – 3rd November 2006
“A female flowerpecker peeling strips off the bark of a Pride of India tree (Lagerstroemia sp.) (above). She took pains to collect a lot of material before flying off.”

Tambun, Perak, Malaysia – 1st & 7th June 2008
“A pair of flowerpecker was spotted building a nest on 1st June 2008. Did a follow up visit a week later. On the first visit both partners were just starting to build the nest with the female taking more responsibility. The first picture (above left) shows the female with red moss in the beak about to jump up to the nest. Second picture (above right) shows that she used dried grass as well (in hind sight this could be peelings of bark from various sources). Third picture shows the nest – an overview, one week later, completed (left). It was about 1.7 meters off the ground and 7 cm in length, globular structure with opening at the top. Camouflaged by a dried leaf in front. The pictures below show the close up and longi-section of the nest.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
November 2009