“Was back at my favourite forest reserve as there are many fruiting trees in June-July dry season. Saw this fruiting ficus, possibly Ficus consociata (a strangling fig with leathery leaves with “brown hair” on under surface). Figs are 1.5 cm in diameter. Lots of birds with at least 4 flowerpeckers.
“A number of Orange-bellied Flowerpeckers came to feed in my 2 hour observation. A mixture of adults and self feeding immatures. Feeding was by tearing the flesh of the fruit.”
Note: Ficus consociata grows as a shrub or a strangler. Young leaves and twigs are covered with dense brown hairs. The opening of the orange ripe fig has a distinct border of pink.
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Outer reaches of forest reserve, trail through mixed secondary & primary forest
30th April 2012