Yellow-breasted Warbler nesting

posted in: Nesting | 0

I spotted a pair of Yellow-breasted Warblers (Seicercus montis davisoni) nesting in the montane forest at Cameron Highlands in Pahang, Malaysia.

I did not approach the nest or attempt to look at it. I stayed about 5-6 meters away. I was watching birds along a road and this pair was actively feeding young and generally comfortable with my presence; entering and exiting the nest while I was nearby.

The nest was located 2.5-3 meters on the slope/bank under the roots of over-hanging trees and bushes; the nest itself was not visible (see composite image above).

Both partners were actively bringing prey. They collected prey from 5-10 meters around the nest site and items I could identify were caterpillars, spiders and Crane Flies (Tipulidae) – see above. Much of the prey was gleaned from the under surface of leaves and ferns. After having observed numerous episodes, on this occasion and previous visits, I am now convinced that fluttering to obtain prey under foliage is a major hunting technique. They have very high-pitched calls but my recordings were poor (and old age hearing loss failed me).

Amar-Singh HSS (Dato’ Dr)
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
4th March 2019

Location: 1,700m ASL, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia
Habitat: Primary montane forest
Equipment: Nikon D500 SLR with Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD, handheld with Rode VideoMic Pro Plus Shotgun Microphone

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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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