Search

Chinese Pond-heron – odd behaviour

on 26th April 2014

“There were many Chinese Pond-herons (Ardeola bacchus) at this site in non-breeding plumage. This particular bird’s behaviour was puzzling. It picked up and held a torn rag. I watched for 20 minutes and it was largely motionless. When I approached it raise its hackles, almost as if to say ‘this rag is mine, go fine your own’.

“I considered a number of possibilities for the odd behaviour:

1. The rag was somehow embedded (stuck) in the beak – however I had seen it pick it up, and once lay it down and take it back up.

2. The rag was imbibed with the odour of some food, say a fishy smell and taste. But the bird did not attempt to swallow it.

3. I was left with the possibility of collection for breeding. But the bird is in non-breeding plumage and period. Also not known to breed in the peninsular. Perhaps a ‘sham’ or trial run for breeding?

“It flew off and I was not able to follow the path it took.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
19th January 2014

Location: Chemor, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Open fields adjacent to secondary forest

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

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
693
13805
Visitors Today
51752806
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)