Teruntum Merah visited by Birds

Bunga Teruntum Merah
Bunga Teruntum Merah

“Whenever the fiery flowers of Teruntum Merah (Lumnitzera littorea) are in blossom (above), they add a splash of enticing red and ephemeral vibrancy to the back mangroves.

Ashy Tailorbird
Ashy Tailorbird

“Like a moth to a flame, a handful of bird species finds these flowers simply irresistible. Avian visitors include the Ashy Tailorbird (Orthotomus ruficeps) (above) and the Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum) (below).

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker

“Video clips of their brief visits may be previewed here:

“Other species observed to seek out the sweet nectar include the Olive-backed Sunbird (Nectarinia jugularis) and the Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis).

Paradise Treesnake
Paradise Treesnake

“Despite the profusion of flowers, the birds do not linger for long. Some even seem nervous, perhaps wary of potential predators. When I eventually spotted a Paradise Treesnake (Chrysopelea paradisi) coiled in ambush on the same tree (above), I realised why the birds were so jittery.”

Dr. Leong Tzi Ming
Singapore
4th December 2017

Follow 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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