Ang Siew Siew’s image of the Tanimbar Corella (Cacatua goffini) eating the soft flesh of a coconut (Cocos nucifera) was photographed at Sentosa Waterfront on 2nd August 2016.
![CorellaT-coconut [AngSiewSiew] 1](https://besgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/CorellaT-coconut-AngSiewSiew-1.jpg)
The corella was pecking into the large opening of the thick fibrous outer layer of the fruit. This opening was most probably made by a squirrel, allowing secondary feeders like the corella access. After all, squirrels have been documented breaking into the thorny outer layer of the durian (Durio zibethinus) fruit, making way for other birds to also get at the fleshy seeds inside.
![CorellaT-coconut [AngSiewSiew] 2](https://besgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/CorellaT-coconut-AngSiewSiew-2.jpg)
This fibrous layer of the coconut is the first barrier. Beyond this is a hard layer, the shell, the inner surface of which is covered with a thick layer of sweet, whitish kernel. It would be easier for a squirrel to slowly chisel through this hard shell than for a corella to peck through, even though it has a powerful bill.
The lower image shows the corella with a strip of white kernel in its bill. So it did feed on the coconut.
Ang Siew Siew
Singapore
2nd August 2016
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.
