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Regarding the parental role of the male Plain Sunbird Anthreptes simplex, Wells (2007) notes that “Females nest-build and attend fledglings; male role undescribed.” Cheke and Mann (2001) make no mention of parental roles.
I recently reported on Plain Sunbirds nesting, and that observation suggested that males defend the nest from threats.
Today (27th June 2022) at a forest reserve in Ipoh, Perak, I observed an adult male Plain Sunbird feeding a dependent juvenile. I saw the adult male collect and feed Macaranga bancana fruit to the juvenile a number of times. The single juvenile would follow the adult around, from perch to perch, and demand food with calls and the usual fluttering of wings. Two images of the juvenile are shown; note orange bill and feet.
I did not see any adult female or other juveniles around. It is possible that adults split responsibilities and the female was nearby feeding another juvenile (brood division for post-fledging care).
The observation today suggests that adult males are involved in feeding fledglings. Further observations are required to better understand this species breeding behaviour.
References:
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
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Leucism (leukism) is a condition where there is complete lack of melanin from all or part of the plumage in a bird with resultant white or pale discolouration of the feathers. This is not the same as albinism where there is a complete lack of melanin in both the plumage, bare parts and, most importantly, the eyes (with associated poor vision and poor outcomes in the wild).
Leucism in birds is not uncommon and many of us would have spotted the odd bird from time to time. Leucism may be due to genetics, diet or injury.
This week I observed a leucistic Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos). It had some white feathers on the breast, back of the neck and pale shafts on the thigh. The pigmentation of the iris was normal (see first two images). The bird was observed alone, which is uncommon for this species in the Ipoh area; suggesting perhaps social isolation.
In the past I have seen a leucistic House Crow (Corvus splendens) in the Klang Valley that had more extensive leucism and was mobbed by other crows (see additional two images). This social behaviour has also been reported locally by Daisy O’Neill (2009)
Guay, Potvin, and Robinson (2012) describe the many pigmentary changes possible and also include:
References:
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
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Here’s a video of Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) feeding eggs to the female and chick, Morten said that they look like pigeon eggs. We saw the male at around 6pm, perched on a branch near the nest. It flew off and after 25 minutes later came back and regurgitated 2 eggs. Note that this nest hole has 2 entrances for the male to feed.
A nest of the Oriental Pied Hornbill was reported in February 2022 near the Newton Food Centre in Singapore. This video was taken on 25th February at 6.25pm…
Article by Bee Choo Strange.
Read https://besgroup.org/2022/02/22/oriental-pied-hornbill-nesting-in-limestone-cavity/ and https://besgroup.org/2017/05/15/male-oriental-pied-hornbill-at-the-nesting-hole/ .
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A Sand Wasp, genus Bembecinus, spotted at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on 12 June 2022. It has caught a Ricaniid Planthopper and was in the process of moving it to a burrow. Catching such interactions is always the fascinating part of nature photography.
Read this post https://besgroup.org/2012/05/04/a-common-sandpiper-coming-face-to-face-with-a-wasp-2/ of a sandpiper feeding on a wasp.
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Three species of flying dragons can be found in Singapore. The black-bearded flying dragon (Draco melanopogon) and five-banded flying dragon (Draco quinquefasciatus) inhabit the forest reserves while the Sumatran flying dragon (Draco sumatranus) are denizens of urbanised areas. Flying dragons, also known as flying lizards, grow to approximately 24 cm – 27 cm. These diurnal lizards feed on ants and termites but lay eggs at the base of trees. They are in turn predated on by birds. A pair of wing-like skin (patagium), supported by extensions of the ribs enable the lizards to glide between trees.
Soh Kam Yung spotted a Sumatran Flying Dragon (Draco sumatranus) at Serangoon Park Connector on 18 June 2022. He was lucky to spot its profile on the tree. As photos 2 and 3 show, its camouflage is superb and easy to miss if it stays still.
Read this post https://besgroup.org/2022/06/19/straw-headed-bulbul-feeding-on-flying-lizard/ about a Straw-headed bulbul feeding on a flying dragon.
References:
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The Sooty Barbet Caloramphus hayii is a reasonably common barbet that inhabits primary lowland forest in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and South Thailand. It is well known, like many barbets, as a ‘fig specialist’. This short note is to update the food sources for the species that I have observed with a brief review of the literature.
On 16th June 2022, I had an opportunity to see a small group of Sooty Barbets feeding on the fruit of the Blue Mahang Macaranga heynei (see 1st image). Macaranga heynei has very small fruit that are taken by a variety of birds including bulbuls, sunbirds, flowerpeckers, white-eyes and others.
Food Items Personally Observed
Sooty Barbets usually take the whole fruit and crush it before swallowing. Occasionally they eat a fruit piece meal if it is too large. I have yet to personally see them take animal prey.
In Borneo, I have observed the Brown Barbet (Caloramphus fuliginosus) feeding on Elaeis guineensis (Oil Palm) fruit (Amar-Singh HSS 2016). It is possible this might be a food item for the Sooty Barbets as well.
Food Items from the Literature, Online Databases and brief Internet Image Search
In summary, the diet appears to be predominantly fruit. Having observed other barbets take flowers, I suspect this observation I under-reported. Possibly animal prey is taken when feeding juveniles.
References:
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
On 14 June 2022, I visited Singapore Quarry with a friend, Mr Derek Yeo. On our way out of the quarry, we spotted a Straw-headed bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus) on the road along Jalan Asas. It had a flying lizard (Draco volans) in its mouth, see photo 1. The lizard looked lifeless. The bird seemed to be playing with the lizard; dropped the lizard a couple of times and picked it up again. It immediately flew away with the lizard when a couple of hikers appeared suddenly, see photo 2.
This observation supports the BESGroup article on 18 May 2022 https://besgroup.org/2022/05/18/straw-headed-bulbul-pycnonotus-zeylanicus-at-rifle-range-road/` Straw-headed bulbul at Rifle Range Road’ where the author mentioned that this frugivorous bird is also known to feed on small vertebrates like lizards.
Thong Chow Ngian
Read https://besgroup.org/2022/06/19/sumatran-flying-dragon-draco-sumatranus/
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Bushy-crested Hornbill (Anorrhinus galeritus) male and its assistants(mainly males) feeding female and chicks in an artificial nest box, using old wine barrel donated by Siam Winery. The staff of Thailand Hornbill Project/ Hornbill Research Foundation work with villagers in Southern Thailand to research and conserve hornbills in Budo Mountain. This species is co-operative during breeding, the dominant pair will breed and 1-5 birds in the group with help out.
Article shared by Bee Choo Strange.
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A Golden Bellapple (Passiflora laurifolia) flower spotted at Lornie Park Connector on 27 May 2022. Soh Kam Yung had to lie on the ground to get a shot of the inside of the downward pointing flower.
Read this post that reports Tanimbar Corellas feeding on the fruits of Passiflora laurifolia in Singapore.
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kris
I just found a young dollarbird in the garden.. It seems to have left the nest too early and cannot fly yet. How am i to keep and feed it for a few days untill it can fly.???
Raja
March 20 is world sparrow day!
CHIRP FOR SPARROWS!
TWEET FOR SPARROWS!
TEXT FOR SPARROWS!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?client=mv-google&hl=en-GB&v=MQiq8FHrG_0&gl=US&nomobile=1
Iwan
We have a small pond in our garden surrounded by trees and steep bedrock. The other day we saw a heron flying over and attempting to land – I guess to try to eat our small stock of fish. We managed to frighten it away before it landed, and have since installed trip wires around the pond in order to dissuade the bird. The amount of shelter around the pond means that a heron would have to land practically vertically. Does anyone know whether these birds have the agility to hover and land in this way, or do they always need a “glidepath” in order to land successfully?
Khng Eu Meng
Today, at the former Bidadari Cemetery, there was a buzz about a sighting of a Grey Nightjar (Caprimulgus jotaka). I heard some birders say this nightjar isn’t commonly seen in Singapore. After some hunting, we spotted it asleep on a tree branch, some 15 m above ground. This was rather interesting as my previous encounters with nightjars have been on either terra firma or on low branches.
Is this perching so high up the tree normal or is it unusual? I have posted a photo of it on my Facebook Timeline: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151125012234135&set=a.108191464134.96538.617499134&type=1&theater
Jess
Bird Sanctuary At Former Bidadari Cementry
1)Which is the best spot in Bidadari cemetery for bird watch?
2)Where this bird usually resident at?
3)What are some of the rare bird species that can be found at Bidadari?
4)Where is the particular hot spot for the hornbills, eagles, kingfishers and some of the rare migratory bird?
5)Which part of Bidadari are richest in it wildlife?
6)Can you name me the 59 migratory bird species found?
YC
Why not search the website using the word ‘Bidadari’ to obtain the information you need. There should be sufficient info in past postings to satisfy you.
Firdaus Razak
Hai, I just want to ask did anybody had an experience bring bird from oversea via MasKargo? Did the bird will stress at high altitude?
Arjun
I heard this interesting bird call in a forest, and recorded it. Could anyone help me identify it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uubzo1wdbU&feature=youtu.be
Chung Wah
Hi, I am new to bird photography! Could anyone advise a good pair of binoculars to get for this hobby?
YC
Try this Facebook… https://www.facebook.com/groups/394479540610099/
I am sure there would be someone willing to advise.
Geam Liang
I ‘acquired’ a female Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot 5 days ago – was in a public place when the bird flew overhead hit the wall and dropped right in front of me dazed. I picked it up, it appeared unhurt but could not sustain it’s flight. I have since constructed a fairly large ‘cage’ for it, about 4ft x 2fx x 2ft and placed it there last night. I temporarily placed her in a normal bird cage until I had completed the build.
From what I have read up, it’s a fruit, seed and insect feeder and also nectar, flower buds. It’s doing as well as it can on bananas, papaya, jack-fruit (didn’t touch the grape) and seeds (black and white sunflower and other smaller ones). It loves to bathe so I’ve gotten it a tray and from what I read it’s important to keep things clean as it easily succumbs to infection.
Does anyone else have any useful experience and sharing on it’s upkeep? I suspect this bird is an escapee – as far as I can read up, it’s not common, if at all, found in Georgetown, Penang where I am. I’m also not optimistic that it can survive if I were to set it free – assuming it can sustain it’s flight and not go crashing down and if there were dogs/cats around that would be the end of it.
I can attach some pictures but not sure how to do this…
thanks.
Lee Chiu San
The blue-crowned hanging parrot, even though very closely related to the lovebirds, is a nectar feeder. You would raise it the way you raise a lorikeet – which is a messy process. And because you are mixing batches of food for just one little bird, whereas I used to do it for about half a dozen pigeon-sized lorikeets each morning, I don’t know how you are going to get the portions down to manageable sizes. Anyway, here goes, with my recipe for feeding big lories. You can adjust the proportions down accordingly for your little bird.
The staple diet would be a couple of slices of soft fruit (papaya, apple, grapes, even though I am surprised that you said the bird would not eat any) and a mixture of cooked rice sweetened with nectar mix.
How to make nectar mix? Go to a pharmacy and get a can of food for invalids or infants. I use Complan, but I am sure any good baby formula would do. I usually make up enough to fill a beer mug, but there is no way you need that amount for a day’s feeding. If in doubt, make the mixture thinner, not thicker. Birds cannot digest baby formula that is too thick. If it is too thin, they simply have to consume more to get the required amount of energy. Then to this mug, add half a teaspoonful of rose syrup. Also stir in about a cup of cooked rice, well mashed up.
In the case of your bird, I suggest that you pour this lot into an ice-cube tray, freeze the mixture, and defrost one cube to feed it each day.
Now, you said that this bird eats sunflower seeds. This is most unusual for a blue-crowned hanging parrot. Are you sure that this is actually the species you have? Could it be possible that you have actually got a pet lovebird that escaped? There are so many different artificially-created breeds of lovebirds in so many colours that you might have been mistaken.
If you actually have a lovebird, feeding is much simpler. Just go to the nearest pet shop, buy a packet of budgerigar or cockatiel seed of a reputable international brand, and offer it to the bird. You can supplement this with a couple of slices of fruit each day, and that will be all. Plus of course fresh water and a piece of cuttlefish bone to nibble on.
Lee Chiu San
About nectar feeding birds. I forgot to add that feeding nectar is messy, and it goes rancid very quickly in our tropical weather. Feeding containers have to be removed and thoroughly cleaned at the end of each day. The birds also splatter the mixture and wipe their beaks on perches and the bars of the cage. All my lories and lorikeets used to be housed in outdoor aviaries which were hosed down daily.
If Geam Liang does not think the bird will survive if released, I really hope that it is a case of mistaken identity, and that you have a lovebird, rather than a blue-crowned hanging parrot. In our part of the world, all available lovebirds are domestically bred, take to captivity readily, and are easy to feed with commercially available seed mixtures. Yes, and being domestic pets, they would not survive if released.
Geam Liang
Thank you Chiu San for your inputs. Thus far, bananas and papayas work well. I’m not sure why it did not take to grapes – will try again. Am I supposed to peel it? I didn’t the last time, basically skewered a couple of grapes to a satay stick and positioned it as I did for the sliced and skinned papaya and peeled bananas.
I have yet to try rice and certainly not nectar but will try out your concoction – have half a mind to go to a pet shop to see if they carry nectar for birds. The ice-cube freeze method is a good one, will try that. I might be mistaken on the sunflower seeds… not touched but it did eat the much smaller roundish, mixed colored seeds. Will remove the sunflower seeds.
I’m sure it’s a female blue crowned hanging parrot.. it sleeps like a bat every night.
Lee Chiu San
When feeding local birds which are unfamiliar with imported fruits such as grapes, it helps to split the fruits to expose the edible parts. As to your remark that the bird sleeps hanging upside down like a bat, yes, that is the way blue-crowned hanging parrots sleep.
Geam Liang
Thanks… I need to think like a bird – yup. She has probably not seen a grape much less know that it’s edible, unless the previous owner has fed her with grapes… even then… Today she’s done pretty well making the most of the banana and all of the papaya plus quite a bit of seeds. Will try the baby food + mashed rise + rose syrup.
Will regular honey do instead of rose syrup?
Thanks.
Lee Chiu San
About making nectar to feed birds. Most aviculturalists do not use honey for two reasons: 1. It is expensive and does not seem to give any added benefits. 2. Honey is made by bees, and the composition varies wildly. Some honeys are also known to cause fungal infection in birds.
If you do not want to buy a huge bottle of rose syrup just for one tiny bird, there are cheaper alternatives. The first is plain table sugar, though most don’t seem to like it very much.
What many birds will accept quite readily as a sweetener is condensed milk – the type with sugar that coffee shop owners use.
Many, many birds have a sweet tooth (or should I say sweet beak?) Besides the usual suspects of lories, lorikeets, sunbirds and hummingbirds, for whom it is an essential part of the diet, nectar mixture is readily consumed by mynahs, leafbirds, fairy bluebirds, barbets, doves, parrots of all kinds, and a whole host of other species.
Geam Liang
I tried the condensed mild, placed in in a small bottle cap.. only the ants showed interest. Am I supposed to dilute it? I didn’t =( I took you advice and refrained from honey. Have yet to find Rose Syrup from the shelves of TESCO… will try to mix the baby food + mashed rise + rose syrup/sugar syrup this week…
David Thackray
Can anyone help me identify a bird I saw in Singapore last week. Size of a smakll dove or thrush. Dark metallic back. Grey breast with red throat, chest.
BESG
Any images?
Emily Koh
Lately I bought a bird feeder which I fill with 4parts water n 1 part white sugar. Sunbirds come regularly to drink and they are really lovely to watch. May I know if it is bad for them to feed on this? Previously they would sometimes pierce and drink from my potted flowers
Emily Koh
Lately I bought a bird feeder which I fill with 4parts water n 1 part white sugar. Sunbirds come regularly to drink and they are really lovely to watch. May I know if it is bad for them to feed on this? Previously they would sometimes pierce and drink from my potted flowers.
Ken Sng
Hi Friends,
I need help in identifying these 13 birds which i’ve published in a public album on Flickr.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/81819728@N00/y8ws5B
They are numbered 1-13 so if you know what they are please reply with number and name .
I’m doing a personal project to shoot 100 different birds in SG.
Thanks very Much !
Mahadevi Bhuti
One of best souce for the bird watcher’s enjoying knowledge about ornithology
Martin Nyffeler (PhD)
Dear Sir / Dear Madame,
I am a Senior Lecturer in Zoology at a University in Switzerland and I urgently need to get in touch with photographer Chan Yoke Meng, who takes beautiful photographs of birds near Singapore. Would you please mail me the email address of this photographer!
Thanks,
Martin
Wee Ming
Hello Besgroup,
Trust this email finds you well. We chance upon your photograph on your website and found the amazing image of the Laced Woodpecker and durians. We would like to explore the possibility of getting permission to use them for a new Bird Park in Singapore.
Spacelogic is a company based in Singapore and we have been contracted by Mandai Park Development to carry out design and build works relating to the exhibition interpretive displays in this new Bird Park.
Some background of the new Mandai Bird Park project; it will build upon the legacy of the Jurong Bird Park – https://www.wrs.com.sg/en/jurong-bird-park.html by retaining and building upon a world-reference bird collection and creating a place of colour and joy for all visitors. The new Bird Park will have a world-reference ornithological collection displayed in a highly immersive way with large walk-through habitats. To enhance visitors’ experience with storyline and narrative of the bird park, transition spaces are added to display exhibits that provide a varied type of fun, intuitive, interactive and educational experiences for all visitors. One of the habitats features the Laced Woodpecker on a flora panel It is in this flora panel that we are seeking your permission to feature the Laced Woodpecker. We are looking to use the first image on the link here.
Link can be found here: https://besgroup.org/2012/06/28/laced-woodpecker-and-durians/
We would like to ask if this is something that we can explore further and if yes, how can we go about with putting through a formal permission request. Thank you so much for considering our request and we look forward to hearing from you.
Warmest Regards,
Wee Ming
SPACElogic Pte Ltd