Of rambutan, sea olive and the birds they attract

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.