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Javan Myna Behaviour

on 26th May 2013

“A bird cage hung high up on the outside of a fifth storey apartment in my condo attracted my attention when I noticed unusual movements outside the cage. A Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus) was hopping around the cage. My initial thought was that it was harassing the poor confined Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus). Then I realised that it was, without invitation, pecking and feeding on the cut papaya meant for the caged bird.

“This is one of the many reasons Javan Myna came top of the list of most common birds found in Singapore in a recent study (Chong, K. Y., S. Teo, Kurukulasuriya, Y. F. Chung & S. Rajathurai, 2012. Decadal changes in urban bird abundance in Singapore. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. Supplement No. 25: 189-196.)

“The video clip above, was taken on the morning of 31st March 2013.

“Another video clip, taken on 1st April 2013, showing the begging behaviour of the juvenile Javan Myna, including begging calls, can be viewed above.

Sun Chong Hong
Singapore
29th April 2013

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

2 Responses

    1. Yes, even as the crow population has been reduced drastically, there are still many Asian Koel in my area. This observation is supported by the result of the study quoted.

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