Birds feeding on Harpullia ramniflora fruits

The luscious fruits of Cape York Tulipwood or Claudie Tulipwood (Harpullia ramniflora) grown at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay are attracting many more birds – see earlier posts HERE and HERE. The birds are attracted by the bright colours of the fruit – orange-red fruit that splits open to display the golden-yellow aril enclosing the black seed.

Mei Hwang documented three species, namely Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) (top), Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier) (above) and Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) (below).

Should the birds swallow the aril together with the seed inside, it will help in the dispersal of the plant. Should it peck off the aril, the seed will fall on to the ground below. This does not assist in seed dispersal. We urge nature enthusiasts to observe the birds taking the fruits to see whether they swallow the golden-yellow aril together with the seed inside or dispose the black seed.

Mei Hwang
Singapore
8th January 2017

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.