Of rambutan, sea olive and the birds they attract

on 27th October 2010

Two of Prof Vilma D’Rozario’s rambutan trees (Nephelium lappaceum) were fruiting recently. The ripe red fruits attracted a number of birds that came to feed on the succulent white flesh.

According to Vilma, she had “…been enjoying nice feeding encounters with Black-naped Orioles (Oriolus chinensis), parakeets (not sure which species – big); and yellow-venties (Yellow-vented Bulbul, Pycnonotus goiavier) (above left). Also saw a female Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea) swallow a rambutan seed with flesh whole (above right).”

Vilma’s sea olive (Olea brachiata) also fruited recently. “A couple of weeks ago, my sea olive – it was a seed from Chek Jawa which I planted 10 years ago, was in fruit and the Pink-necked Green Pigeons (Treron vernans) were swallowing the fruits whole! The female koel was in that tree too though I did not spot her feeding though I think she must have been,” wrote Vilma on 17th July 2010.

Images by Johnny Wee.

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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