“There are 5 sites I am aware of in the city where these localised community of feral Java Sparrows (Lonchura oryzivora) breed. Numbers of birds continue to be small and fragile. Three of the sites are in proximity to limestone outcroppings, which appears locally to be their favoured nesting location; small cavities or holes in cliff side. However 2 of the sites do not have limestone or buildings nearby that they can use.
“I have always suspected they use hollows in old trees or holes made by woodpeckers or barbets.
“I saw pair that were using a large hollow in an old Angsana tree (Pterocarpus indicus). Saw both birds enter the cavity which I suspect is quite deep.”
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
15th April 2018
Location: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Secondary growth on fringe of city
Leave a Reply