Search

A PLACE IN THE (VERY HOT) SUN

on 27th April 2019

“Brown-throated Sunbirds (Anthreptes malacensis) nest in all kinds of places. I have seen them build homes on telephone wires, under the eves of my kitchen, and in potted plants on balconies.

First picture, Sunbird 1.

“But the location of this one, which I first photographed with my handphone camera, takes the cake for being undiscriminating. It is in the open, exposed to the blazing sun, directly over a busy pathway between two bus stops, just behind a large and crowded kindergarten.

Second picture, Sunbird 2.

“Besides people going to the kindergarten, the bus stops serve a military camp and an industrial park. Lots of pedestrians walk between them as they transfer from one bus service to another.

“Simply stretching out my arm, I used just my handphone camera to take a picture of the female sunbird in the nest.

Third icture, Sunbird 3.

“I observed this nest over a couple of weeks. The chicks within it have hatched, and are now in a fairly advanced stage of development. They should fledge and leave the nest within the next few days.

“What was really surprising though was that just around the corner of the building in the first picture, less than five meters away, was another sunbird nest. This one appeared abandoned. As sunbirds are extremely territorial, I cannot imagine that another pair had built it.

“Was it then an earlier attempt by the same pair? This second location is more private, somewhat shaded, and to my human way of thinking, would have been preferable. Why did the birds abandon it? Could predators have been an issue? There are lots of mynahs, some laughing thrushes, squirrels and tree snakes in this area. The latter three are notorious egg thieves.

“Could the sunbirds have chosen to nest right over pedestrians because those predators would not want to get so close to people?

“I later went back to take more photos with a better camera. The picture taken in daylight shows one of the parents bringing food to the nest.

Fourth Picture, Sunbird 4.

“The picture taken at night shows the female, and the little awning that prevents rain from going into the entrance which is a characteristic of many Sunbird nests.

Final picture, Sunbird 5.

“Brown-throated Sunbirds are very common in Singapore because they are quite general feeders. Besides nectar from a wide variety of flowers, they have been seen eating fruits and insects. And if they continue to breed in all kinds of places, as this pair did, we should be able to continue seeing many more of them.”

Lee Chiu San
Singapore
17th April 2019

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

Leave a Reply

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

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
1050
24065
Visitors Today
51763066
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)