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Red-breasted Parakeet eating Lagerstroemia fruits

on 7th September 2015

Ananth Ramasamy’s image of the Red-breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri) eating the fruits of Lagerstroemia sp. was photographed at Pasir Ris Park. It complements our earlier post of the same parakeet species eating the fruits of the Rose of India (Lagerstroemia speciosa), also taken at the same park. Note that two lower fruits in the image above have been bitten.

These trees are commonly planted along the wayside and in parks and gardens. They have attractive bunches of mauve flowers. The fruits are hard woody capsules that split open to liberate the winged seeds.

Apparently the parakeets bite into the woody fruits before they harden with ripening, to get at the soft developing seeds inside.

This post is a cooperative effort between Birds, Insects N Creatures Of Asia and BESG to bring the study of birds and their behavior through photography and videography to a wider audience.

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.

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