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Bulbuls feeding on Acacia seeds/arils

on 2nd July 2013

“I often find that I can miss bird behaviour if I dismiss ‘common birds’. I was out for a long walk in my favourite forest reserve, more to build up strength than bird watching, and noticed a number of bulbul species active in the numerous Acacia trees at the forest fringe. These, I think, are the Acacia mangium rather than the more common Acacia auriculiformis.

“I initially thought that they were looking for animal prey and almost dismissed the activity but decided to watch for a while. I was surprised to notice that the bulbuls were actually feeding on the fruit of the Acacia. There were Red-eyed Bulbuls (Pycnonotus brunneus), Yellow-vented Bulbuls (Pycnonotus goiavier analis) and Olive-winged Bulbuls (Pycnonotus plumosus plumosus) (above).

“The fruit of the Acacia is a curled pod, initially green, turning brown-black on drying and splitting to expose a black seed and orange ‘stalk’ (aril). YC Wee (See: Tropical trees and shrubs – A selection for urban plantings, 2003), when describing the Acacia auriculiformis, states that ‘The yellow stalks and black seed apparently attract the attention of birds which swallow them together, the seeds passing out unharmed to germinate all over the place’.

“I must say that I never really registered this fact despite having watched birds often in Acacias and having read his book. Also documented in other bird literature, now that my eyes are open.

“I can now verify that these bulbuls do feed on the black seeds and orange stalks (arils) of the Acacia mangium trees (above), having watched numerous feeding events.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
24th May 2013

Location: Fringe Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Road adjacent to primary jungle of the forest reserve

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

3 Responses

  1. At Kozhikode (Kerala, India), we have observed flocks of jungle crows (Corvus macrorhynchos), grey-headed myna (Sturnia malabarica) and red whiskered bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) feeding on the acacia (Acacia auriculiformis) seeds that were exposed when the pods generally split during November-January.

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