Scaly-breasted Munia eating Axonopus compressus seeds

on 10th February 2010

Ever since my neighbour moved house, his lawn become overgrown somewhat. So regularly I had Scaly-breasted Munias (Lonchura punctulata) to observe as they visited once or twice daily to feast on the carpet grass (Axonopus compressus).

These birds arrived in a group of about half a dozen adults and juveniles. They spent up to half an hour feeding. Using the thin stems of the grass and other herbaceous weeds as support, they reached out to the fruiting stalks of the grass nearby with their bills to take in a few seeds at a time.

Note: In grasses the fruits are one-seeded, thus the seeds are actually fruits.

YC Wee
Singapore
February 2010

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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

2 responses

  1. abbr….I have found that the carpet grass acts as a natural tonic, improving the health of the birds.

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