Unlike most birdwatchers, Dato’ Dr Amar Singh HSS is still fascinated by the common urban birds after 36 years of watching birds. But then he is no run-of-the-mill birdwatcher. When he watches birds, he sees their antics, photographs them and then shares his observations with whoever is interested.
His latest contribution is the feeding behaviour of the Common Flameback (Dinopium javanense javanense) that regularly visits his urban garden (female, above left; male, baove right).
“This female was foraging with her mate in a clump of Acacia auriculaeformis trees. The pictures show her getting a juicy bite (caterpillar) out of the knot of the tree trunk (below left). She was engrossed and allowed a close approach.
“Meticulously searching as she progresses up the tree trunk, isolating the prey and using the tree trunk to mash the prey before a delightful swallow and a beak cleaning (above middle). One picture shows her using the long tongue to probe for grub (above right).”
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh City, Perak, Malaysia
21st December 2009
