Blue-eared Barbet – conflict behaviour

YC Wee
on 15th October 2021

Many barbets at the fruiting Ficus religiosa (Sacred Fig) especially the Blue-eared Barbets Megalaima australis duvaucelii (Psilopogon duvaucelii duvaucelii) (10-12 birds), Gold-whiskered Barbet Megalaima chrysopogon (8-9 birds) and an occasional Lineated Barbet Psilopogon lineatus and Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala.

There was much competitive feeding between Blue-eared Barbets with birds chasing others away. I noticed again this type of conflict behaviour that I had seen in the past: A barbet will raise the tail in a cocked position, flick it rapidly side to side or up and down while uttering a chittering sound. This can go on for long periods.

 

Amar-Singh HSS (Dato’ Dr)

Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

 

Location: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Habitat: Fringe of primary forest

Date: 28th November 2020

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.

Other posts by YC Wee

Thailand Hornbills

17th January 2025

From looking at birds to studying birds: The story of the Bird Ecology Study Group Part 2: Photographing Birds

5th January 2025

From looking at birds to studying birds: The story of the Bird Ecology Study Group. Part 1: Looking at Birds.

12th December 2024

Good Stories Movement

14th September 2024

From watching birdwatchers to watching birds

20th July 2024

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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

Recent Comments
Categories
Archives
Links

Overall visits (since 2005)

Clustrmaps (since 2016)

Site Announcements

Welcome to our new home: besgroup.org

Thanks to your continued support in making the website one of the top bird behaviour blogs around, we now have a dedicated domain.

Any views and opinions expressed in the articles 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.

© 2025 Bird Ecology Study Group
Facebook