Wong Kais was in the vicinity of Xishan School, Singapore when he heard a cacophony of the shrill calls of Asian glossy starlings (Aplonis panayensis). He observed a lot of starlings feeding on the fruits of Syzygium aqueum. The fruits are also known as water apples or jambu air in Malay. Despite its name, the fruits do not taste like apples nor possess the texture of apples. Instead, it has a light floral note and a slightly spongy texture but juicy nonetheless.
Video 1. Asian glossy starlings feeding on water apple fruits on grass patch.
Video 2. Asian glossy starlings feeding on fallen water apples.
Read this , this ,this and this account to see other fruits eaten by the starlings in urban Singapore.
All photos and videos © Wong Kais.
