Common Iora – breeding adult male foraging

on 19th August 2011

“Came across a pair of breeding/nesting Common Ioras (Aegithina tiphia horizoptera).

“A breeding adult male spotted a curled up leave (caterpillar to pupa stage) and immediately there was change in his demeanour – became excited and sharp. He put his head in to investigate and confirmed there was prey (above left).

“He then gripped the leave with the left foot and proceeded to open up the leaf by alternating poking and opening the beak to shred the leave (above right). Have seen this behaviour with sunbirds as well LINK. After a number of tries the prey was accessible (left) and he pulled it out, branched swiped 3-4 times and off to feed his hungry babies.

“Note that although this male is breeding, the darkness of the crown and nape is not as dark as I have experienced with other males.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh City, Perak, Malaysia
29th May 2011

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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