Common Iora – early breeding plumage

YC Wee
on 14th February 2018
Common Iora with insect.
Male Common Iora with insect.

“Wells 2007 states that there is ‘much individual variation’ for the Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia horizoptera) male. Breeding males tend to have a black cap, lores and neck.

Common Iora with insect.
Male Common Iora with insect.

“This male did not have the ‘classical’ breeding plumage but what was very evident, especially in the field, is a rich orange-yellow throat and upper breast (see first 3 images from top). This to me is one of the first signs of breeding plumage appearing. Wells says ‘breeders seem always to be brighter below, richer golden yellow especially on throat and breast.’ The female partner is in the last image.

Male Common Iora.
Male Common Iora.

“Two of the images also show the male with an insect prey and it used the feet to hold the prey to manipulate it.”

Female Common Iora.
Female Common Iora.

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
4th February 2018

Location: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Secondary growth near limestone hills

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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