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Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker – new food source

YC Wee
on 7th February 2022

I saw two Crimson-breasted Flowerpeckers (Prionochilus percussus ignicapilla) feeding actively on the fruiting stalks of Piper aduncum (Tree Pepper or Spiked Pepper, native to the West Indies and tropical America). Its fruit is a small drupe with black seeds and said to be very sweet with a peppery flavour, and spread by bats and birds. In the past I have observed the Orange-bellied Flowerpecker (Dicaeum trigonostigma trigonostigma) feeding on the Piper aduncum, see OBI links:

http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_Image_ID=41188&Bird_ID=2183&Bird_Family_ID=&Location=

http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_Image_ID=41187&Bird_ID=2183&Bird_Family_ID=&Location=

I would not be surprised if many species of Flowerpecker feed on this exotic (Yellow-vented Flowerpecker also known to feed on it – Mike Chong).

On this occasion I saw an adult male and an immature female feed and finish 2 long stalks. I wondered if they were taking some away to feed young as they paid multiple visits.

I managed two short handheld videos, using a tree to lean against for stability: https://youtu.be/BR7trIhy5T0

 

Amar-Singh HSS (Dato’ Dr)

Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

 

Location: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Habitat: Forest fringe

Date: 4th February 2021

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

Bird Society of Singapore: A credible alternative to the Nature Society’s Bird Group

11th December 2023

Singapore-Nature: 17. Citizen Science

30th August 2023

Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

18th August 2023

Singapore’s secret “garden”

20th July 2023

Singapore-Nature: 15. Looking versus studying birds

12th July 2023

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