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Pipturus argenteus and the birds it attracts

on 4th June 2012

Lee Chiu San submitted a list of birds that are attracted to the fruits of the Australian mulberry (Pipturus argenteus), a non-native plant, whose fruits are widely consumed by animals in its home country.

“This is a small tree (about 5 meters high) and somewhat sparse. The branches are brittle and break easily. It seems to spread readily as quite a number of seedlings have sprouted in the vicinity. The birds that I have seen in this tree so far are:,” noted Chiu San.

Yellow-vented Bulbul(Pycnonotus goiavier)
Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis)
Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis)
Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea)
Javan mynah (Acridotheres javanicus)
Common mynah (Acridotheres tristis)
Red-breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri)

Added to this is the Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum) LINK.

We are currently compiling lists of birds that are attracted to the various plants growing in Singapore. Contributions are more than welcome.

The image of the fruits of Pipturus argenteus is courtesy of KF Yap LINK.

Lee Chiu San
Singapore
June 2012

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

3 Responses

  1. What a pleasant surprise to see my plant pictures used in BESG. It is an invasive shrub and commonly found in waste and disturb land, seeding profusely. The fruits are sweet, gritty and quite edible. I sometimes eat them too.

  2. 29 Apr 17
    I found this plant in Windsor Nature Park at Venus Link trail. Birds came to forage the mulberries : a juvenile orange-bellied flowerpecker, asian glossy starling, yellow vented bulbul, olive-winged bulbul.

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