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Olive-backed Sunbirds among the Garlic Vine by Jui Ng

on 22nd November 2019

Jui Ng resides in an apartment sited on the hill top in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. His unit is on the 26th floor of the apartment building. At times the apartment experiences strong winds that disrupted his furniture.

Despite the height and strong winds, his potted plants on his veranda were regularly visited by a pair of Olive-backed Sunbirds. So far he was successful in documenting the male sunbird (above). The female sunbird was too shy to be photographed.

These sunbirds were especially attracted by the brilliant lavender flowers of the Garlic Vine (Mansoa hymenaea) (above). This plant gets its name from the distinct garlic smell when the leaves are crushed.

The sunbirds rob the flower nectar, indulge in leaf baths (below) especially after the plants were given a spray of water, after which they preened their feathers (see video above).

Jui Ng
Johor, Malaysia
26th September 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.

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