An earlier post describes how an adult Banded Woodpecker (Picus miniaceus) collected ants from an umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla) to feed its recently fledged chick. The woodpecker was back recently (left). I am not sure whether it was the earlier adult or the grown up fledgling that returned on the morning of 11th September 2007. [...]
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Butterflies and their caterpillars are regular a food for birds. The former are usually caught and their wings removed as they are thrashed left and right or by hitting them against a branch. Caterpillars, on the other hand, are handled differently. The larger ones are moved through the bill to remove their gut contents. Hairy [...]
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Most birds will try their best to distract potential predators from their nests, usually by feigning injury as seen with the Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier) and Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus). The Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis) has its very own strategy. Others birds will actively attack intruders and the Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) is one [...]
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On 18th September 2007, KC Tsang wrote: “I was at Upper Seletar this morning, and a flock of screaming Hill Mynas (Gracula religiosa) descended on a bare tree. There were about 15 of them, so wondering what the commotion was about, went nearer to the flock. “Found that one of them had an egg between [...]
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A Striped Tit Babbler (Macronous gularis) was recently seen taking a leaf bath after a slight shower during a hot day along Venus Drive (left). We have earlier documented the Olive-backed Sunbird (Nectarinia jugularis) taking a leaf bath as well as other species like Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier), Orange-bellied Flowerpecker (Dicaeum trigonostigma) and Common Tailorbird [...]
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How long does it take for a cavity nester to excavate and complete a nesting area, fitted to size, before commencing to bring forth and to propagate their species? A few hours? A few days? In SE Asia alone, there are 42 species of Woodpeckers (Picidae), 16 species of Barbets (Megalaimidae) and 12 species of [...]
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In the avian world, it is the law of the jungle, the survival of the fittest. The larger and stronger bird always bullies the smaller and weaker, especially where food is concerned. There are exceptions of course, where smaller (but not too small) birds can be more aggressive and attack larger but more timid birds. [...]
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It was nearly 5 pm in the evening when suddenly there was a heavy drizzle. The next moment the air was filled with the sharp, loud calls of a sunbird. The call was persistent, coming from my neighbour’s bougainvillea bush. There, perching on a bare branch was a male Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis). He was [...]
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The recent post on birds and their reflections showcasing an Australian crow as well as a Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) and an Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) has unearthed another case of such behaviour. Susan Wong Chor Mun reported on the anitcs of a male Ruby-cheeked Sunbird (Anthreptes singalensis) that was attracted to its own [...]
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KC Tsang was at Neo Tiew Lane on 2nd September 2007 when he came across the nest of the Peaceful Dove (Geopelia striata) (above). There was an adult in the nest together with two chicks. But what he noticed was the filth of the nest periphery, so much so that he wrote, “…this nest made [...]
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