Red-breasted Parakeet chewing on African Tulip flower buds

on 26th September 2016

One Comment

Thomas Liang photographed a Red-breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri) perching on a flowering bunch of the African Tulip (Spathodea campanulata) at Kranji Marshes in September 2016 (above).

The parakeet then ripped off a couple of flower buds and chewed on them (above). These buds are usually full of water. So is the parakeet after the water inside?

The video HERE shows an Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria) doing the same thing. It bites into the base of the bud, spilling liquid in the process, and no doubt consumes some of the ?sweetened liquid at the same time. Then it picks up another bud and repeats the process.

Wells (1999) has no information on food for this parakeet while Collar (1997) mentions nectar and flowers of various plants as well as seeds and fruits.

Children used to play with these buds, using them as “water pistols”. The bud tip is pinched off and the swollen base is squeezed to send a jet of water at your opponent.

Thomas Liang
Singapore
6th September 2016

References:
1. Collar, N. J. 1997. Family Columbidae Psittacidae (parrots). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds.), Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 4. Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 280-477.
2. Wells, D.R., 1999. The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsular. Vol. I, Non-passerines. Academic Press, London. 648 pp.

This post is a cooperative effort between Birds, Insects N Creatures Of Asia and BESG to bring the study of birds and their behavior through photography and videography to a wider audience.

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.

One Response

Amar-Singh HSS (Dato' Dr) says:

26th September 2016 at 12:42 pm

Good observation Thomas. It might be going after the nectar that is contained in the flowers. The flower buds are filled with a sweet watery sap/nectar.
See:
https://mnsperak.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/1504/

Reply

Red-breasted Parakeet chewing on African Tulip flower buds

YC Wee

Other posts by YC Wee

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

Singapore-Nature: 17. Citizen Science

Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

Singapore’s secret “garden”

Singapore-Nature: 15. Looking versus studying birds

One Response

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Recent Comments

Categories

Archives

Links

Overall visits (since 2005)

Clustrmaps (since 2016)

Site Announcements

Welcome to our new home: besgroup.org