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Fruiting of the MacArthur Palm

on 2nd May 2015

My MacArthur Palm (Ptycospermun macarthuri) fruited in late February to early March 2015. And every evening a number of Asian Glossy Starlings (Aplonis panayensis) came to feed on the ripe fruits.

The starlings were joined by a few Yellow-vented Bulbuls (Pycnonotus goiavier) and Javan Mynas (Acridotheres javanicus). The starlings seem to coexist with the bulbuls and mynas as there were no fights. This could be because there were enough fruits for all.

One interesting behavior is that all three species swallow the fruits whole. I suspect that they subsequently regurgitate the seeds. However, there is no photographic evidence, although these starlings do regurgitate fruits of the Alexandra Palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) Link.

We have an earlier post on the starling swallowing fruits of MacArthus Palm LINK that was contributed by a Malaysian birder – no records from Singapore until now. There is also an earlier post on the bulbul swallowing these fruits, this time from Singapore LINK. As for Javan Myna, this is the first record. All these birds are common species and generally ignored by birdwatchers and photographers alike. This is a pity as much can be learnt about their behavior that have yet to be recorded.

YC Wee
Singapore
April 2015

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.

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