Search

Scaly-breasted Munia: Comfort behavior

on 16th August 2018

The Scaly-breasted Munias (Lonchura punctulata) that visited my garden to feed on the seeds of Siglap Grass (Zoysia matrella) had somewhat became used to my presence. They tolerated my camera and videocam as long as I was documenting them feeding LINK. However, they would not allow me to aim my equipment at them whenever they were perching on the bushes in the garden.

Pair of Scaly-breasted Munias preening.

An opportunity arose when I spotted a pair of Scaly-breasted Munias on the branch of the Golden Penda (Xanthostemon chrysanthus) one evening. I was able to document a pair indulging in their comfort behaviour – preening, stretching and even allopreening (mutual preening). This was made possible from a far distance using a 300mm zoom lens, as coming closer would invariable scare them away.

The pair was most likely a male and a female. Initially they were apart but soon moved close together as they vigorously preened the feathers of their chest, back and wings (above). One of the pair was seen a few times indulging in allopreening – preening its partner’s head feathers.

Then the rain came. The pair of munias flew off but there was a single Scaly-breasted Munia perching on a branch soaking in the rain. At the same time it was actively preening its feathers (above).

YC Wee
Singapore
6th August 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.

Other posts by YC Wee

One Response

  1. i loved these videos. i have never seen a bird soaking in the rain hidden inside a tree. i have often wondered how they were coping.. now i know.

    and the couple preening each other.. i thought it was a picture of love and contentment..

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
574
8080
Visitors Today
51601679
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)