“More from my early Christmas this year. Saw a number of thrushes feeding on the Ficus benjamina, not by taking fallen fruit but by climbing the tree.
“The two species I am sure of are the Siberian Thrush (Zoothera sibirica) (above) and the Eyebrowed Thrush (Turdus obscurus).
“While the Eyebrowed Thrush is documented to take figs from trees, regarding the Siberian Thrush Wells 2007 notes ‘there are hardly any records of Siberian Thrushs taking figs’. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (Collar 2016) on Siberian Thrushs states ‘Commonly terrestrial, but sometimes visits fruiting trees’.
“Wells also notes visiting other fruits trees (berries). I have usually encountered the Siberian Thrush in montane regions. I saw at least 2 this season, one female (posted here, consider a 1st winter as suggestion of a gape?) and one 1st winter male (limited images). Both were seen taking fruit actively from the Ficus benjamina tree. Figs were swallowed whole and not processed or crushed.”
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
23rd & 24th December 2016
Location: Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Trail along primary jungle
