Grey-breasted Spiderhunter feeding on Musa ornata nectar

on 1st December 2014

“Been wanting to document this feeding that I have seen a number of times… feeding by the Grey-breasted Spiderhunter (Arachnothera modesta modesta) on the nectar of Wild Banana (Musa ornata) (above).

“The bird will probe every flower rapidly, often not putting the beak fully in but, I suspect, using the long tongue to get to the nectar (above).

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
15th November 2014

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

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

4 responses

  1. Neat documentation!
    The powdery bits on its beak look like pollen.
    Would this bird then qualify as an effective pollinator of this banana flower?
    🙂

  2. It’s amazing how the bird’s beak fits perfectly into the flower, just like a sword sliding into its respective sheath.
    🙂

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