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Courtship of the Common Iora

on 30th March 2010

“A repertoire of songs was what attracted me to a pair of Common Ioras (Aegithina tiphia) recently.

“The male, which was in breeding plumage (above left), was courting a female. He was leaning downwards towards the female and singing to attract her attention. The female, which was located less than half a metre away and on a lower perch, was facing away from the male (above right). The courting by the male carried on for about 5 minutes with occasional raising and fanning of its tail feathers. This was accompanied by its songs and stretching of its body towards the female. However, the male failed to attract the female’s attention. Throughout this period, the female did not even take a look at the male.

“Although seemingly uninterested, when the male flew off to another tree, the female quickly followed. Another interesting note is the female’s appearance after the male’s attempt at courting. It appeared all puffed-up with a large patch of its white flank feathers exposed. Could this be a display of attraction?

“Unfortunately, the action cannot be followed as they flew into cover of the wooded area.”

Kwong Wai Chong
Singapore
19th March 2010

Check our out earlier post where the female Common Iora literally “fell heads over heels” with the male.

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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