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Jungle Myna – Cattle Egret association with water buffalo

YC Wee
on 9th February 2010

An adult Jungle Myna (Acridotheresfuscus torquatus) and a non-breeding Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis coromandus) were seen with a juvenile water buffalo by Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS on 29th December 2009 (above). The location was around the ex-mining pools in Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia.

These birds followed the water buffalo as the latter moved through low vegetation, disturbing insects along the way. The birds then pounced on the exposed insects. The myna was also observed inspecting the ear, nose and head of the buffalo, apparently searching for insects (left).

Cattle egret is so-called because of its association with cattle. An earlier post shows a similar association between a Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus) and a foraging pig.

In Singapore, Javan Mynas are commonly seen around grasscutters. They also follow rubbish trucks.

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

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

11th December 2023

Singapore-Nature: 17. Citizen Science

30th August 2023

Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

18th August 2023

Singapore’s secret “garden”

20th July 2023

Singapore-Nature: 15. Looking versus studying birds

12th July 2023

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Any views and opinions expressed in the articles 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.

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