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Black-throated Sunbird – new nectar source

on 22nd January 2022

I saw this female Black-throated Sunbird (Aethopyga saturata wrayi) feeding on the nectar of a buttonbush. This flowering plant is in the family Rubiaceae but does not fit the local Nauclea orientalis (leaves, flower colours all not right). The much better fit would be Cephalanthus occidentalis but this is a native to eastern and southern North America. It is still possible, as we have many introduced plants in the country. Using “Gardner, Sidisunthorn, Chayamarit. 2018. Forest Trees of Southern Thailand, Volume 3” there a number of Rubiaceae plans in the Neonauclea genus that are also a possibility. However although appearing as part of a tree, it is actually a creeper (see hooks), often high in a foliage of a tree (have seen this plant a number of times).

 

Amar-Singh HSS (Dato’ Dr)

Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

 

Location: 1,700m ASL, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia

Habitat: Primary montane forest

Date: 4th March 2019

Equipment: Nikon D500 SLR with Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD, 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.

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