Nesting of the Black-naped Oriole: 2. Nest attachment

on 9th May 2011

The earlier post by Sun Chong Hong showing the nesting of the Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) on video attracted the attention of Margie Hall.

“Interesting to see that this nest is actually a suspended structure hanging from the small forked branches, rather than sitting in the junction of the forked branches (above left). We can only see the connections to two of the branches but I would presume it is also connected to the third branch behind,” wrote Margie.

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS added he had seen oriole’s nests in Ipoh, in the Malaysian state of Perak, similarly ‘suspended’ (above right). 
One of the pair would build the nest while the other would undertake ‘look our duty’. The bird would use its body to firm up the nest.

To enable a better understanding of how the nest is secured to the forks, Sun Chong Hong sent in a composite picture of the nest taken from three different positions (above). “Moving from left to right corresponds to a ground movement of about 90 degrees from left to right when viewed towards the nest (4th view blocked by leaves). It looks like the vines are only twisted around two branches,” wrote Chong Hong.

All images by Sun Chong Hong except top right by Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS.

Addendum by Sun Chong Hong (9th May 2011):
“I had a re-look after I posted the comment [above]: ‘It looks like the vines are only twisted around two branches’. I realised that the nest was actually anchored on 3 branches. See the [replaced images above]”

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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