Scaly-breasted Munia nesting

YC Wee
on 24th May 2010

On 19th December 2009 Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS spotted a number of Scaly-breasted Munias (Lonchura punctulata fretensis) building their nests in the crown of the Sealing Wax Palm (Cyrtostachys renda) in Rawang, Selangor, Malaysia (left).

The munias were tearing strips off the leaf blades of lalang grass (Imperata cylindrical) and flying off with pieces streaming behind them. The nests were mostly built with this grass, supplemented with flowering heads of other grasses, including Eragrostis sp. (above right).

There was only one nest per palm, as far as Amar could ascertain. However, late last year he spotted communal nesting, with three to five nests in each Macarthur Palm (Ptychosperma macarthurii) (left).

Details of Scaly-breasted Munia nests can be viewed HERE: 1 and 2.

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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One Response

  1. Pingback: Bird Ecology Study Group Pink-necked Green-pigeon uses abandoned munia’s nest

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