Ananth Ramasamy photographed a Tanimbar Corella (Cacatua goffini) gnawing into the unripe fruit of the Beach Barringtonia (Barringtonia asiatica) (above).
A tree that is found along the coastal areas, it is sometimes grown in gardens and parks because of the large, attractive flowers (above) and lantern-like fruits (below). Every morning when the tree is in flowers, the ring of long stamens litter the ground below, attracting attention to it.
The tree is also known as Poison Fish Tree. A stream is dammed and the pounded fruits thrown into the water. The saponins they contain stun the fish that is then collected as they float to the surface.
Tanimbar Corella is also known to eat seeds of Pong Pong (Cerbera odollam), also reputed to be poisonous. It also gnaws into woody and semi-woody fruits for the seeds that most other birds avoid, like those of Drumstick (Moringa olifera), Sea Almond (Terminalia catappa) and Golden Shower (Cassia fistula).
Note: Image of Tanimbar Corella eating Beach Barringtonia fruit by Ananth Ramasamy, those of fruit and flower by YC Wee.
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.
