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Blue Rock-thrush – frugivory

on 10th November 2017

Pipturus argenteus fr [AmarSingh]

“I was out with friends today and we observed a number of birds feeding on a small fruit (white berries with embedded seeds) called the Native or Australian Mulberry (Pipturus argenteus) (above). The birds included the:

1. Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus pattani)
2. Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier analis)
3. Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis strigata)
4. Oriental Magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis musicus)
5. And the unexpected species was the Blue Rock-thrush (Monticola solitarius madoci).

RoacThrushBl [AmarSingh]

Monticola solitarius is known to take fruit [mainly during autumn and winter migration, see Collar, N. (2017). Blue Rock-thrush (Monticola solitarius) in HBW]. But the resident Monticola solitarius madoci is not known to do so (above, below).

RoacThrushBl [AmarSingh]

“Wells (2007) mainly describes animal prey and my personal observation, over many years, agree with this. Wells (2007) also quotes Madoc (whom the bird is named after) and states “Madoc also mentions hunting on tree branches, but among the residents at least this must be unusual”. I have occasionally seen this species in trees and on this occasion it took a number of fruit directly from the plant (below).

RoacThrushBl [AmarSingh]

“The bird we observed was an immature male.

“An excellent article on Pipturus argenteus can be found HERE.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
29th August 2017

Location: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Limestone outcroppings at outskirts of the city with secondary growth

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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