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GLOSSY SWIFTLET – NEST CONSTRUCTION

on 3rd May 2013

“On 9th March 2013, I was observing Glossy Swiftlets (Collocalia esculenta) flying in and out from under the overhanging roof of a bungalow at Fraser’s Hill, Peninsular Malaysia. Upon closer inspection, I discovered two greenish nests, spaced about half a metre apart. The one on the right had just been completed, with the resident swiftlet settled in very comfortably (above).

“On the other hand, the swiftlet on the left was still busy constructing. It would fly off at regular intervals and return with a mouthful of fibrous moss and lichen (above). These would then be carefully arranged and meticulously attached to the existing foundation.

“By 13th March, the swiftlet had made substantial progress and its nest was probably very close to completion (above). Glossy Swiftlets are known to breed all year, laying two small (ca. 18 x 11 mm), white eggs (Robson, 2000).

Dr. Leong Tzi Ming
Singapore
20th March 2013

Acknowledgement
I am grateful to Subaraj Rajathurai for his swift confirmation of the swiftlet’s identity and kindly sharing his personal observations on these birds around Fraser’s Hill.

Reference:
Robson, C., 2000. A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia. New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd, London. 504 pp.

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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