“I’ve seen quite a few birds preen and call at the same time, and managed to catch a Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis) doing this in the video below.
“I don’t know why birds multi-task this way, maybe it’s for the joy of it, like singing in the shower?
Lena Chow
Singapore
24th May 2012
Any idea anyone?
If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the authors/contributors, and do not represent nor are they endorsed by the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore (LKCNHM, NUS) or any of NUS’s affiliates or subsidiaries. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.
Thanks to your continued support in making the website one of the top bird behaviour blogs around, we now have a dedicated domain.
Any views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the authors/contributors, and do not represent nor are they endorsed by the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore (LKCNHM, NUS) or any of NUS's affiliates or subsidiaries. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.
2 responses
I agree with Lena about “the joy of singing” but in addition I believe it is also a call to keep in audio contact with partner, who may be doing something else (some distance away). Very common behavior & well documented here.
Amar
Yes totally agree with Dato Amar’s observation that those calls are usually audio contact calls keeping their partner in check.
There is a regular pair of same species that visit whenever my ‘powder puff’ tree blooms with their attractive red flowers and the branches are tall enough to overhang my upstairs balcony. The chirping and preening usually comes from the male and the female is never too far away. My washline is a favourite perch for the male and has got accustomed to the place,allowing me to sit on my balcony chair and observed him close -up.
Cheers,
Daisy