Grey-breasted Spiderhunter – feeding behaviour

Grey-breasted Spiderhunters (Arachnothera modesta) are competitive when feeding at a fruiting Giant Mahang (Macaranga gigantea). They actively chase away all smaller birds, like Sunbirds and Flycatchers. They have 2 feeding techniques. The common one is holding onto a leaf stem or a branch and leaning over to reach fruit (above); often upside down. The second is ‘fluttering’ to reach fruit and snatch it (below). Fruit is moved from the tip of the beak downward using the aid of the long tongue.

 

Amar-Singh HSS (Dato’ Dr)

Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

20th September 2021

 

Location: Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Habitat: Primary forest

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

 

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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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