Pink-necked Green-pigeon failed nesting

“There is a row of 8 pine trees planted in my condo 30 years ago when it was built (above). According to an arborist who visited us a few years back, this is a slow growing pine, the name of which I cannot remember. The tallest one is only about 3 – 4m height. There is no cone. When examined carefully, the needles can be found bundled mostly in fascicles of 2, and sometimes of 3. I have never seen any bird visiting the trees.

“In the evening of 22 Jul 2014, I noticed that one of the best growing pines has been brought to grief, possibly the result of onslaught of Sumatra squalls which happens here frequently (above).

“When I approached the tree, I was pleasantly surprised to have stumbled upon a nest with 2 cream coloured eggs (left). The nest was just at waist-height. It looked new and must have been built after the tree trunk bowed from the upright position. There was no bird around and I did not hear any flapping of wings, the sign of a bird in a hurry to get away.

“Not certain whether it was an abandoned nest, I checked it from a discreet distance which was at a higher level the next day. And there it was, a male PInk-necked Green Pigeon (Treron vernans) incubating the eggs (above).

“From then onwards, I checked regularly until the 5 Aug and found the male was always in the nest. On some occasions, it moved in different directions for more uniform warming of the eggs.

“On the 7 Aug, which was 16 days after the nest was discovered, the bird disappeared. Only one egg, with two dried leaves from a nearby Brown Heart (Andira inermis) remained in the nest (below left). There was no sign of the missing egg/shell.

“The remaining egg felt cold which meant the nesting had most probably failed. It measured 27mm in length (above right).

“There was no sign of embryo or foetus while the egg white and yoke had diffused to become a homogeneous mixture (left).

“It is evident that the nesting failed arising from unfertilised eggs.

“As to the identity of the pine trees, I believe they are of Genus Pinus and possibly in the Pinus subgenus. More pictures are available here LINK for those who are interested in helping to id the specific species.”

Sun Chong Hong
Singapore
3rd October 2014