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Birds feeding on fruits…

on 16th November 2015

“I was watching Yellow-vented Bulbuls (Pycnonotus goiavier) feeding on a fruit of a wayside bush (above) when a flock of 18-20 Baya Weavers (Ploceus philippinus) descend on the bush (below).

“I was surprised to see them also take the fruit. I recently posted a number of observations of Baya Weavers feeding on nectar, but fruit is unexpected. See: HERE.

“Wells 2007 records observations of these birds feeding on fallen Oil Palm fruit. Apart from that I am not able to identify any other records of frugivory by this species. Would appreciate information from anyone who has had similar observations.

“Also feeding on the fruit apart from the Yellow-vented Bulbuls (common food for this species) and Baya Weavers was a single immature Java Sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora) and Asian Glossy Starlings (Aplonis panayensis strigata) (below).

“I saw, but failed to capture on camera, fruit feeding by the Java Sparrow.

“The plant in question is a common wayside bush whose name I am not aware of (above). I think this is not a native plant but introduced many years ago. The fruit is particular favourite of the Yellow-vented Bulbuls.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
31st August 2015

Location: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Secondary growth near Chinese graveyard

Addendum:
Dr David R Wells queried whether the birds were after the seeds the fruit contained. To this Amar responded, “Thank you for the valuable comment. I had considered this. I did see some fruit discarded but also some fruit swallowed. If I have an opportunity this week, I will return to check the content of the fruit and obtain more observations (mosquito volume huge at the site).”

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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