“The Plume-toed Swiftlet (Collocalia affinis) has been split from the Glossy Swiftlet (C. esculenta) by a number of authorities including: 1. Rheindt, Christidis, Norman, et al (2017). Speciation in Indo-Pacific swiftlets (Aves: Apodidae): integrating molecular and phenotypic data for a … Continued
In November 2017, the Australian Bush-cherry (Syzygium myrtifolium Dark Red) trees that grew along the fence separating two of my neighbours’ houses were trimmed LINK. This in turn discouraged the Red-whiskered Bulbuls (Pycnonotus jocosus) from roosting on the branches of … Continued
An earlier post document the pre-roost behaviour of Pink-necked Green-pigeons (Treron vernans) on top of a large tree LINK. I took it for granted that they would not gather when it rains. Well, I was wrong. The rain was not … Continued
“After many months, I finally had the opportunity to take a shot of the night roosting Red-breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri) this evening. “It had been raining earlier, and I was home in Yishun central at about 7pm, and heard the … Continued
Jeremiah Looei’s 2012 video caught Red-breasted Parakeets (Psittacula alexandri) roosting in a leafless tree at Pasir Ris Greenbelt (image above, video below). It would appear that parakeets prefer trees with open crown to roost in. Here Long-tailed Parakeets (Psittacula longicauda) … Continued
“A juvenile Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) was documented snoozing on our parapet,” wrote Lakshmi Ravishankar. Birds typically close their eyes when they sleep, but only one eye at a time (Gill, 2007). This allows them to be vigilant. According to … Continued
“A migratory flock of 350-400 Purple-backed Starlin/Daurian Starling (Agropsar sturninus) making a loud ‘starling-chatter’ while preening together (above, below). “Also seen in large flocks in flight (below). They were feeding extensively on this fruit of a wayside bush (identity unknown) … Continued
Pink-necked Green-pigeons (Treron vernans), as with many birds, gather together prior to roosting. But unlike Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters (Merops leschenaultia), Long-tailed Parakeets (Psittacula longicauda) or even Red-whiskered Bulbuls (Pycnonotus jocosus), Pink-necked Green Pigeons gather quietly and in small numbers before flying … Continued
Just before dusk, the Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) gather at their roosting site where they preen and socialise LINK. When all the bulbuls are gathered, at around dusk, they move to their usual roosting trees. But they do not settle … Continued
In early August 2017 a small flock of Red-whiskered Bulbuls (Pycnonotus jocosus) were video-documented gathering in a few wayside trees before flying into the trees grown between two neighbouring houses to roost LINK. As the flock was small, the noise … Continued
