Nesting of the Common Iora: 1. Harvesting spider web

YC Wee
on 20th July 2014

“I try to make it home for lunch most working days and there is much activity to observe. The resident pair of Common Ioras (Aegithina tiphia horizoptera) are very active calling as they work on their new nest. Both partners actively engaged.

“Had an opportunity to watch them harvest spider web to strengthen their nest, while we were having lunch. The bird would open its beak to snag the web (top), then twist the head to apply tension (above).

“After some attempts the web would snap. This particular web was ‘harvested’ 4 times in quick succession. The nest is extensively covered with web (above). A brief handheld video of the activity below.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
5th May 2014

Location: Canning Garden Home, Ipoh City, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Wild urban garden

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

Singapore-Nature: 17. Citizen Science

30th August 2023

Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

18th August 2023

Singapore’s secret “garden”

20th July 2023

Singapore-Nature: 15. Looking versus studying birds

12th July 2023

Singapore Nature: 14. Accolades

6th July 2023

2 Responses

  1. Dato’ Dr Amar-Sing, thank you for your wonderful postings. They bring me
    great knowledge and joy. The Common Iora harvesting the spider web was fascinating.

    Reply
  2. Pingback: Bird Ecology Study Group Nesting of the Common Iora: 2. Incubation

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Any views and opinions expressed in the articles 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.

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