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Birds feeding in the rain…

on 10th August 2018

The rain was light but was accompanied by thunder. Suddenly the fruiting Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum), also known as Sendudok, was invaded by birds seeking out the succulent fruits. This is a short shrub brought in by birds many months ago. It flowers and fruits regularly bringing wildlife in the form of bees and birds to my garden LINK.

First came the tiny Oriental White-eyes (Zosterops palpebrosus), moving rapidly through the branches seeking out the ripe fruits (above).

Then came the many Scarlet-backed Flowerpeckers (Dicaeum cruentatum), just as tiny, darting rapidly from branch to branch (above).

The video below shows the scene during that evening…

These two species usually fly in just as the rain starts but fly off when the rain is heavy. They also come at the tail end of heavy rains. But this does not mean that they do not fly in to feed when there is no rain – see HERE and HERE.

YC Wee
Singapore
13th June 2018

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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