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ASIAN GLOSSY STARLING – NESTING MATERIAL and PREENING

on 3rd December 2012

“Along the bank of a lazy river in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia, a feisty flock of Asian Glossy Starlings (Aplonis panayensis) was frequently visiting the vertical trunks of the nibong palm (Oncosperma tigillarium). Atop one of these trunks, as many as six birds were perched (above).

“Amidst their chatter, one or two would take turns to poke their heads into the cavity below, possibly inspecting its suitability as a potential nest site. Shortly after, the birds flew away, but a pair soon returned with fresh, supple green leaves in their beaks (above). These leaves were then carefully dropped into the cavity. This process would then be repeated to accumulate more nesting material.

“One cool morning, a pair was perched on the rim of the cavity as they casually preened themselves (above).

“Thereafter, they remained in close contact, side by side, wing to wing, tail touching tail, while watching the sunrise over the river (above). An affectionate moment indeed, and a clear sign of intimate bonding between the pair.”

Dr Leong Tzi Ming
Singapore
20th November 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

5 Responses

  1. Has anyone seen starlings in Singapore? I’d like to know how common they are here. I’ve seen these starlings at various points within the past 5 years. Most of the times they were sighted eating the fruits of some small palms. They are easy to identify because of their red eyes.

  2. Nice observations over time. I wonder if Dr. Leong saw any disputing over the nesting site – or has any idea how a particular pair managed to claim it. (Of course, being a rather sunny site, perhaps it’s not an ideal one? And it seems it would be challenging for fledglings to escape from.) I like the last photo very much.

  3. I see the Asian Glossy starlings almost daily in Singapore, in Yishun & Ang Mo Kio. Normally see them eating fruit in the morning near my block.

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