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Plain Sunbird – feeding behaviour

on 19th March 2016

SunbirdPl-BlMahang [AmarSingh]

“I have been watching the Plain Sunbird (Anthreptes simplex) feeding over two days; single bird and a pair. In the past: ‘No confirmation of this behaviour (nectar feeding) seems to exist for the review area (Wells, 2007). In addition data on specify food items were limited. I was able to spot 5 food items over the two days.

SunbirdPl-Dendrophthoe pentandra [AmarSingh]

“Previously I have observed the bird feeding on:
1. Fruit of the Blue Mahang (Macaranga heynei, formerly known as M. javanica),
2. Fruit of the Common Mahang (Macaranga bancana),
3. Animal prey – caterpillars, spiders, gleaning leaves & foliage for insects/cocoons,
4. Nectar of the Rusty-leaf Mistletoe (Scurrula ferruginea) mistletoe
5. Nectar of flowers of Bullet Wood (Maulsari) tree (Mimusops elengi),
6. Nectar of unidentified plant,
7. Arils and seeds of the Acacia magnum.

SunbirdPl-Dendrophthoe pentandra [AmarSingh]

“On 12 and 14th February 2016 I observed birds feeding on these plants:
1. Fruit of the Blue Mahang (Macaranga heynei) (formerly known as M. javanica) (top), (top image),
2. Arils of the seeds of the Simpoh Ayer (Dillenia suffruticosa),
3. Nectar of the Rusty-leaf Mistletoe (Scurrula ferruginea) mistletoe,
4. Nectar of the Common Malayan Mistletoe (Dendrophthoe pentandra) (all images except top),
5. Fruit of a large leaf Mistletoe (possibly Viscum ovalifolium)

SunbirdPl-Dendrophthoe pentandra [AmarSingh]

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
14th February 2016

Location: Tambun Interior, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Overgrown secondary jungle bordering primary forest along old logging trail

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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