Common Iora’s courtship behaviour

YC Wee
on 30th May 2016

IoraC-ct [ThongChowNgian] 1

“On 30th April 2016, I observed a pair of Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia) mating at Kranji Marsh, near the entrance of the Common Moorhen Observation Hide. In the photo above, the female bird flew to an open branch.

IoraC-ct [ThongChowNgian] 2

“The female bird moved up the branch and seemed to show a submissive pose (above). The male bird also flew to the same branch, making loud noises and seemed to be prancing while it climbed up the branch.

IoraC-ct [ThongChowNgian] 3

“The male bird seemed more excited as it got nearer to its partner (above).

IoraC-ct [ThongChowNgian] 4

“The male bird mounted the female bird (above).

IoraC-ct [ThongChowNgian] 5

“The female bird’s swollen cloacal opening could be clearly seen in this shot (above).

IoraC-ct [ThongChowNgian] 6

“The male bird making contact with the female bird’s cloacal opening (above)…

IoraC-ct [ThongChowNgian] 7

“…and (above, below) the male bird inseminating the female bird.

IoraC-ct [ThongChowNgian] 8

“The male bird flying to a branch on the left side of the same tree after completing the mating behavior (below).”

IoraC-ct [ThongChowNgian] 9

Thong Chow Ngian
Singapore
14th May 2016

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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