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The Giant Mahang (Macaranga gigantea)

YC Wee
on 31st August 2015

“Both the Common Mahang (Macaranga bancana) LINK and the Giant Mahang (Macaranga gigantea) are trees whose fruit attract large numbers of species. The Giant Mahang is not an easy tree to watch birds in (see image). It is a tall tree at 15-20 meters with a spreading crown that provides good shade.

“Birds that I have personally observed feeding on the Giant Mahang fruit include (some I have not yet posted):”

Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica)
Crimson-winged Woodpecker (Picus puniceus observandus)
Banded Woodpecker (Picus miniaceus malaccense)
Brown Barbet (Calorhamphus fuliginosus hayii)
Red-throated Barbet (Megalaima mystacophanos mystacophanos)
Gold-whiskered Barbet (Megalaima chrysopogon laeta)
Buff-vented Bulbul (Iole olivacea)
Cream-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus simplex simplex)
Olive-winged Bulbuls (Pycnonotus plumosus plumosus)
Red-eyed Bulbul (Pycnonotus brunneus)
Spectacled Bulbul (Pycnonotus erythropthalmus)
Yellow-vented Bulbuls (Pycnonotus goiavier gourdini)
Asian Fairy Bluebird (Irena puella malayensis)
Greater Green Leafbird (Chloropsis sonnerati zosterops)
Blue-winged Leafbird (Chloropsis cochinchinensis moluccensis)
Green Iora (Aegithina viridissima)
Ashy Minivet (Pericrocotus divaricatus divaricatus)
Orange-headed Thrush (Zoothera citrina)
Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis strigata)
Lesser Cuckooshrike (Lalage fimbriata)
Mugimaki Flycatcher (Ficedula mugimaki)
Everett’s White-eye (Zosterops everetti)
Grey-breasted Spiderhunter (Arachnothera modesta)
Spectacled Spiderhunter (Arachnothera flavigaster)
Spectacled Bulbul (Pycnonotus erythropthalmus)
Scaly-Breasted Bulbul (Pycnonotus squamatus)
Purple-naped Sunbird (Hypogramma hypogrammicum)
Ruby-cheeked Sunbird (Anthreptes singalensis interposita)
Plain Sunbird (Anthreptes simplex)
Orange-bellied Flowerpecker (Dicaeum trigonostigma) (see below)
Other unidentified Sunbirds & Flowerpeckers

[Total of 30 plus species]

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
8th August 2015

Location: Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Fringe of the forest reserve

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

Bird Society of Singapore: A credible alternative to the Nature Society’s Bird Group

11th December 2023

Singapore-Nature: 17. Citizen Science

30th August 2023

Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

18th August 2023

Singapore’s secret “garden”

20th July 2023

Singapore-Nature: 15. Looking versus studying birds

12th July 2023

2 Responses

  1. Dear Dr Amar, I noticed the Spectacled Bulbul appeared twice on the list. Its amazing to see that so many birds find the fruits of this tree species very beneficial for their diet.
    Cheers

    Reply
  2. Pingback: Bird Ecology Study Group Brown Barbet feeding on fruits of Macaranga gigantea and Ficus benjamina

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Any views and opinions expressed in the articles 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.

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