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Grey-breasted Spiderhunter – nesting material

on 29th July 2021

“I had an opportunity today to watch Grey-breasted Spiderhunters (Arachnothera modesta modesta) collect nesting material. I had two extended observations, at the same site, of single birds each time.

“The bird(s) spent much time looking for and collecting the fluffy heads of seeds that are wind dispersed. These seeds have soft, fluffy cotton-like parachutes – silky hairs that arise directly from the top of the seed to help it be wind-blown far from the tree (above).

“These seeds often get caught in trees, (like the Bridella tomentosa above) or bushes and the bird(s) were harvesting them to line the nest; at times resorting to acrobatic skills to gain access.

“They also obtained these silky hairs from other seeds (above). I also saw spider webs being collected. I could not be sure if both partners were involved or only the same bird was doing the work.

Dato Dr Amar-Singh HSS (Dato’ Dr)
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Location: Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Primary forest
Date: 25th February 2021
Equipment: Equipment: Nikon D500 SLR with Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR, handheld with Rode VideoMic Pro Plus Shotgun Microphone

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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