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Ruby-cheeked Sunbird foraging

on 22nd March 2010

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The Ruby-cheeked Sunbirds (Chalcoparia singalensis singalensis) are common at the Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. These birds offer many opportunities for Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSSto watch their feeding behaviour, especially their search for cobwebs and the spiders that are associated with them.

They will also explore all leaves that are stuck together or ‘deformed looking’ for larvae/pupae.

“They occasionally flutter in mid air to aid access to prey,” recounts Amar. The composite image above shoes the male Ruby-cheeked Sunbird coming across some matted leaves, dug in with its bill, tried various access points, then started tearing segments of the leave to gain access. Finally the bird got its prize.

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.

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