Search

Subsongs – Asian Glossy Starling & Olive-winged Bulbul

on 29th May 2012

“Here are clips of uncommonly heard sub-songs of 2 common species – Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis) and Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus).

“Asian Glossy Starlings frequently descend into the trees opposite my house in large noisy flocks, but it is an uncommon sight to see one in my garden, and even more special to see it singing a soft sub-song this evening…

“Also saw this Olive-winged Bulbul singing in the evening, for a few minutes, by the water’s edge at Macritchie Reservoir :

“Sub·song – ‘an unstructured, often rambling vocalization of low volume heard in young birds and, at the start of the breeding season, in adult birds of certain species.’ – LINK.

“Other interesting online references :
LINK 1; LINK 2; LINK 3; LINK 4; LINK 5 and LINK 6.”

Lena Chow
Singapore
29th April 2012

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.

Other posts by YC Wee

One Response

  1. Hi. I live in the UK in an apartment at the top of an old house. For six years, I have had Starling neighbours and thoroughly enjoy being able to hear and observe them close up. I’ve noticed that as well as trills and other short ‘riffs’ of tuneful phrases, they add ‘found sounds’ they collect. These have included: my mobile phone ringtone, a car alarm, a bicycle bell, and yesterday, the bark of a fox! i wondered if you know any groups who might be interested in my input, as I guess these Starlings are a different type to the ones here. (Beautiful film clips, thanks!)
    Best wishes, Laurie.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
810
3479
Visitors Today
51742480
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)