9 Feb 2010

Jungle Myna – Cattle Egret association with water buffalo

by | posted in: Feeding strategy, Feeding-invertebrates, Heron-Egret-Bittern | 0

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.

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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.

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