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Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot feeding on lichen/fungus?

on 2nd February 2010

“Would like some opinion on this odd, but not uncommon, ‘feeding behaviour’ of the Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot (Loriculus galgulus). Initially I thought it was an uncommon activity but having captured it on camera a number of times, I am inclined to believe that it may be a common activity. The problem with observing it is that it occurs rather high up in tall trees.

“I was in the Ulu Kinta Forest Reserve in Perak at some secondary jungle at the edge of primary forest when I spotted a pair of Blue-crowned Hanging Parrots high up on a dead tree (no leaves, only moss on bark) ‘feeding’. As I had noticed this behaviour before I approached as close as they would allow. They would bite hard into the moss covering the tree and eventually work their way past the bark (above). True to form, much of the activity was upside down unless the branch was horizontal.

“Some spots were given more serious attention with lots of ‘digging’ with their strong beaks for up to 5 minutes. Much of the stuff dug was thrown away.

“I came as close as possible and since they tolerated me I sat near the fruit of the tree … Overall the male spent 20 minutes doing this, the female left earlier.

“An earlier sighting of the same activity at the Burmese Pool Trail (Secondary forest), Taiping, Perak on 30th December 2009 is shown on the left. Saw a female high on a horizontal branch of a live durian tree (Durio zibethinus) heavily mossed, also biting hard into the moss and bark.

“I have considered the following feeding possibilities: (1) looking for insects buried deep; (2) trying to reach the tree sap, but this tree was dead, and earlier tree was alive; (3) some medicinal value, some animal eat vegetable matter for medicinal value and birds may also know how to do the same, eg. neem fruit (Azadirachta indica); and (4) collecting material for nesting – but much was thrown away and did not see them fly away with any. Any suggestions?”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Perak, Malaysia
30th January 2010

Note: According to Collar (1997), pygmy-parrots (Micropsitta spp.) glean trunks and branches of trees principally for lichens, “…shuffling along the tops of limbs and frequently bobbing the head around the side of a branch, picking up small objects from the bark surface or flaking off pieces of bark and consuming the items thus exposed.” Forshaw (1973) similarly reports pygmy-parrot feeding on lichens and fungus. So the Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot may well be foraging for lichens and/or fungus.

References:
1.
Collar, N. J. 1997. Family Columbidae Psittacidae (parrots). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds.), Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 4. Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 280-477.
2. Forshaw, J. M. (1973). Parrots of the world. N.J.: T.F.H. Publications, Inc.

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

One Response

  1. I was doing my research and heard this loud tweeting sound- and decided to investigate and lo and behold -this gorgeous wild -Blue crowned hanging parrots were feeding on the mango tree in my front garden-I could not believe it but the green made in slightly hard to spot them -I grab and camera and got some shots not the best but you can tell that there were definately hanging parrots-1 May 2010.Absolutely gorgeous colors.

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