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Tanimbar Corella eats Flame of the Forest seeds?

on 24th October 2016

CorellaT-Delonix regia [LenaChow]

Lena Chow encountered a flock of noisy Tanimbar Corellas (Cacatua goffini) around a Flame of the Forest (Delonis regia) tree at Changi Village some months ago. In the above image, one corella is seen at one end of the long pod while another is at the other end. Although Lena did not actually see the corella feeding on the seeds, it is obvious that the corellas showed interest.

BESG’s list of plants that birds visit for food, etc. LINK has no record of any birds feeding on the fruits or seeds of the Flame of the Forest.

The Handbook of the Birds of the World states that “little is known about the diet” for this bird except maize (Rowley, 1997). Juniper & Parr (2003) similarly reports that except for its preference for maize crops, its food is unrecorded.

However, BESG has listed at least a dozen plants that this corella feeds on LINK.

Lena Chow
Singapore
14th September 2016

References:
1.
Juniper, T. & M. Parr, 2003. Parrots: A guide to the parrots of the world. London, Christopher Helm. 584 pp.
2. Rowley, I., 1997. Family Cacatuidae (cockatoos). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds.), Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 4. Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp.246-279.

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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