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Pink-necked Green-pigeon and a Ficus species

on 18th May 2014

It all started when Lena Chow sent in an image of a male Pink-necked Green-pigeon (Treron vernans) feeding on a fig, which has been identified by Yap Von Bing as either a Waringin Fig (Ficus benjamina) or a Ficus nuda which he says looks similar (above).

The image was taken at Pasir Ris Park. Lena was sent to photograph the tree (above) as Ficus nuda is relatively unfamiliar and there is no record of its presence in Singapore. With the above image of the tree, it was sent to Ali Ibrahim of the National Parks Board to help confirm the identification.

Back came the reply from Ali: “It is possibly a F. benjamina. I compared it with F. benjamina var. nuda from Philippines and it matches, but in the Flora Malesiana (Vol. 17/Part 2 – 2005) this has been lumped into F. benjamina.

So it is confirmed that the tree is Waringin after all.

This shows the role of BESG in coordinating information from nature enthusiasts to get organisms identified.

Lena Chow, Yap Von Bing & Ali Ibrahim
Singapore
May 2014

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

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