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Common Hill-myna eating Canthium glabrum fruits

on 5th August 2016

HillMynaC-Canthium glabrum [JWee] 1

The main diet of the Common Hill-myna (Gracula religiosa) (above) is fruits. Besides fruits it also takes nectar, insects and small animals like lizards.

With fruits of up to 2cm diameter, it swallows them together with their seeds. Large seeds would subsequently be regurgitated (Craig & Feare, 2009). In this way the hill-myna assists in seed dispersal.

HillMynaC-Canthium glabrum [JWee] 2

Fruits taken include Ficus spp. and Oncosperma tigillaria (Craig & Feare, 2009; Wells, 2007). Canthium rubrum or commonly known as Green Coffee or Kopi Utan (jungle coffee) because the fruits look like coffee-berries (above), is a new food record.

Thanks to Boo Chih Min and Prof Jean Yong for identifying the plant.

Johnny Wee
Singapore
25th July 2016

References;
1.
Craig, AJFK & CJ Feare, 2009. Family Sturnidae (Starlings). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & D. A. Christie (eds.). Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 14. Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 654-758.
2. Wells, D.R., 2007. The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsular. Vol. II, Passerines. Christopher Helm, London. 800 pp.

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

7 Responses

  1. Sad to say that the Hill Mynah appears to have lost one more habitat in Singapore. This species used to inhabit the Seletar, Jalan Kayu area. But with the widespread eviction of the farmers in the area, and the redevelopment of Seng Kang, I no longer hear its very distinctive calls, though a few individuals may still be hanging on in the very small patch of abandoned farmland between the Seletar Expressway and Yio Chu Kang Road. Even this area will soon make way for an industrial park.
    This is an extremely popular and expensive bird in aviculture. With the banning of imports from Indonesia and Thailand, the local population is under severe pressure from poachers. They are very easy to track as their calls are loud and frequent. They are also easy to take as they are large birds, and nest in holes in trees that are of sufficient girth to support a human climber.
    The only place in Singapore where you have a good chance of seeing Hill Mynahs with any regularity is the Botanic Gardens, a well patrolled and protected area. If you know of Hill Mynahs anywhere else in Singapore, please keep the information to yourself.

  2. Sad to say that the Hill Mynah appears to have lost one more habitat in Singapore. This species used to inhabit the Seletar, Jalan Kayu area. But with the widespread eviction of the farmers there, and the redevelopment of Seng Kang, I no longer hear its very distinctive calls.
    This is an extremely popular and expensive bird in aviculture. With the banning of imports from Indonesia and Thailand, the local population is under severe pressure from poachers. They are very easy to track as their calls are loud and frequent. They are also easy to take as they are large birds, and nest in holes in trees that are of sufficient girth to support a human climber.
    The only place in Singapore where you have a good chance of seeing Hill Mynahs with any regularity is the Botanic Gardens, a well patrolled and protected area. If you know of Hill Mynahs anywhere else in Singapore, please keep the information to yourself.
    Thanks to our friends who made this post, who have cleverly decided not to tell us where they saw the bird.

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