Search

Lineated Barbet – Laced Woodpecker confrontation

on 22nd November 2009

Tan Gim Cheong circulated this account on the confrontation between a Lineated Barbet (Megalaima lineata) and a Laced Woodpecker (Picus vittatus).

“This drama played out at Singapore’s Jurong Lake on 11th November 2009 morning. A Lineated Barbet was bathing at a tree-hole when a Laced Woodpecker decided to challenge it. In the end, the challenger lost and retreated.”

Obviously the barbet can stand its ground when confronted by the woodpecker. Barbets are generally more aggressive, even belligerent, around their food source and nesting and roosting cavities. They are known to actively mob raptors and owls, not to mention other groups of birds. This is evident especially during breeding seasons when they attack other birds without apparent reasons.

Gim Cheong represents the modern birdwatcher who carries a camera when out in the field. This enables him to document instances of bird behaviour and share them with others. His account of the barbet-woodpecker confrontation that was circulated in the e-forums PigeonHoles and wildbirdSingapore on 12th November 2009 is a refreshing change from the usual lists and sighting reports that dominate such forums.

Reference:
Short, L. L. & J. F. M. Horne, 2002. Family Capitonidae (Barbets). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds.), Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 7. Jacamars to Woodpeckers. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 140-219.

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

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
928
20498
Visitors Today
51759501
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)