SCARLET-BACKED FLOWERPECKER FRUIT PLUCKING

YC Wee
on 29th June 2016

“If you have tasted the red, ripened fruits of ‘Buah Cherry’ (Muntingia calabura), you would be familiar with the burst of sweetness when the berry pops in your mouth. Scarlet-backed Flowerpeckers (Dicaeum cruentatum) are also well aware of these irresistible fruits, which can quench their thirst and give them a sugar rush.

S-b Flowerpecker Female
S-b Flowerpecker Female

“In April 2016, I witnessed the determination of a female and male in their attempts at plucking fruit that were not even fully ripened (above, below). Their desperation must have been driven by the uncomfortably warm weather during that period.

S-b Flowerpecker Male
S-b Flowerpecker Male

“Video clips of these flowerpeckers’ attempts at plucking the fruit may be previewed here:”

Dr. Leong Tzi Ming
Singapore
13th June 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.

Other posts by YC Wee

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Bird Society of Singapore: A credible alternative to the Nature Society’s Bird Group

11th December 2023

Singapore-Nature: 17. Citizen Science

30th August 2023

Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

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Any views and opinions expressed in the articles 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.

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