“Although it is nice to see an uncommon bird (like the Malaysian Partridge), I find what fascinates me is watching the behaviour of all birds, including common ones. My wife spotted a small flock of Eurasian Tree Sparrows (Passer montanus malaccensis) entering a glorious bush of Salvia splendens (scarlet sage, tropical sage). This flowering bush grows well in the cool highlands.
“I thought they had gone in to look for animal prey but as we watched we were surprised to see them pull flowers off the bush.
“Above shows a beautiful juvenile admits the bush.
“Above and below show adults with fresh and dried flowers.
“Below shows what they are after, the seeds hidden in the calyces.
“I found one reference to support my observation HERE, where ‘TJ’ states ‘Goldfinches and other birds visit the Salvia plant to pick out the tiny brown seeds hidden in the calyces.”
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
31st October 2013
Location: ~1,700m ASL, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Habitat: A public road along primary montane forest
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