‪Common Iora’s mating calls and dance?‬‬

YC Wee
on 28th March 2016

IoraC-strange behav [JeremiahLoei] 1‬
On 5th March 2016, Jeremiah Loei chanced upon a male Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia) behaving in a rather strange and unusual manner. He documented the phenomenon, posted the video clip below on Birds, Insects N Creatures of Asia Facebook and appealed for anyone who can explain the behavior.

BESG sent the clip to veteran Malaysian birdwatcher Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS and this is his reply:

“This is an adult male Common Iora in breeding plumage. The behaviour shown is clearly a form of ‘display’. The meaning of it would depend on the context.

“Was there a female nearby? In which case I am sure it was a breeding courtship display. Although the calls used are usually more melodious.

“If there was another male then it could be a display to ward off a ‘rival’.

“A final possibility is to defend a nesting site against a parasitic bird.

“I suspect it was courtship display to win a female.”

Credit: Jeremiah Loei (video) & Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS (interpretation).

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.

Other posts by YC Wee

Singapore-Nature: 17. Citizen Science

30th August 2023

Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

18th August 2023

Singapore’s secret “garden”

20th July 2023

Singapore-Nature: 15. Looking versus studying birds

12th July 2023

Singapore Nature: 14. Accolades

6th July 2023

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