20 Jan 2022

New species observed feeding on Giant Mahang fruit

by | posted in: birds, Feeding-plants | 0

I saw two new bird species feeding on the fruit of a Giant Mahang (Macaranga gigantea) that was located on a trail in primary forest. The fruit of the Giant Mahang attracts many birds and mammals. The Giant Mahang is a towering tree when fully grown at 15-20 metres with a spreading crown.

Checker-throated Woodpecker

I observed a pair of Checker-throated Woodpecker (Yellownaped) Chrysophlegma (mentale) humii feeding extensively on Giant Mahang fruit. In the past I have observed 2 other woodpeckers, the Crimson-winged and Banded Woodpecker, feeding on this fruit.

I also saw a number of White-bellied Erpornis (Erpornis zantholeuca) enjoying the fruit.

Many other birds were present including Purple-naped Sunbird/Spiderhunters, Grey-breasted Spiderhunters, Hume’s White-eye and many Bulbul species.

 White-bellied Erpornis

Birds that I have personally observed feeding on the Giant Mahang (Macaranga gigantea) fruit include:

  1. Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica)
  2. Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot (Loriculus galgulus)
  3. Crimson-winged Woodpecker (Picus puniceus observandus)
  4. Banded Woodpecker (Picus miniaceus malaccense)
  5. Checker-throated Woodpecker/Yellownaped (Chrysophlegma mentale humii)
  6. Sooty Barbet (Caloramphus hayii)
  7. Red-throated Barbet (Megalaima mystacophanos mystacophanos)
  8. Gold-whiskered Barbet (Megalaima chrysopogon laeta)
  9. Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus malayanus)
  10. Buff-vented Bulbul (Iole charlottae)
  11. Cream-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus simplex simplex)
  12. Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus plumosus)
  13. Red-eyed Bulbul (Pycnonotus brunneus)
  14. Spectacled Bulbul (Pycnonotus erythropthalmus)
  15. Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier gourdini)
  16. Scaly-Breasted Bulbul (Pycnonotus squamatus)
  17. Asian Fairy Bluebird (Irena puella malayensis)
  18. Greater Green Leafbird (Chloropsis sonnerati zosterops)
  19. Blue-winged Leafbird (Chloropsis cochinchinensis moluccensis)
  20. Green Iora (Aegithina viridissima)
  21. White-bellied Erpornis (Erpornis zantholeuca)
  22. Ashy Minivet (Pericrocotus divaricatus divaricatus)
  23. Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis musicus)
  24. Orange-headed Thrush (Zoothera citrina)
  25. Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis strigata)
  26. Lesser Cuckooshrike (Lalage fimbriata)
  27. Mugimaki Flycatcher (Ficedula mugimaki)
  28. Yellow-rumped Flycatcher (Ficedula zanthopygia)
  29. Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica)
  30. Green-backed Flycatcher (Narcissus Flycatcher, Ficedula narcissina elisae)
  31. Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassinus thalassoides)
  32. Hume’s White-eye (Zosterops auriventer)
  33. Grey-breasted Spiderhunter (Arachnothera modesta)
  34. Spectacled Spiderhunter (Arachnothera flavigaster)
  35. Yellow-eared Spiderhunter (Arachnothera chrysogenys chrysogenys)
  36. Purple-naped Sunbird (Hypogramma hypogrammicum)
  37. Ruby-cheeked Sunbird (Anthreptes singalensis interposita)
  38. Plain Sunbird (Anthreptes simplex)
  39. Orange-bellied Flowerpecker (Dicaeum trigonostigma)
  40. Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker (Prionochilus percussus)
  41. Other unidentified Sunbirds & Flowerpeckers
  42. Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus infortunatus)

 

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

Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

20th January 2022

Follow 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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