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YOU ARE A MESS!

on 4th October 2017

“This mother White Breasted Waterhen (Amauornis phoenicurus) appears to have told her scruffy chick not to show up for meals until he combs his feathers and gets properly dressed (below).

WaterhenWB [LeeChiuSan]

“Over the years, many clutches of Waterhen chicks have been hatched in my garden.

“I am always amused when they first appear as cute balls of black fluff, such as the one below.

WaterhenWB [LeeChiuSan]

“Adults are usually very well turned out in their tuxedos (below).

WaterhenWB [LeeChiuSan]

However, when growing up, there is a stage when the dress sense of the chicks leaves much to be desired, as evident in the first picture.

“Waterhens are extremely territorial. Much as I would like to see a flock of them, there is no possibility that there will be more than the two pairs currently resident. They have a well defined border, with one pair in the front garden and the other in the backyard.

“Intrusions across the invisible line at the side of the house are greeted with outraged squawks. Battle is engaged if the intruder advances further.

“The parents also do not hesitate to boot the chicks out once they reach adulthood. Though the Waterhens in my garden have been very prolific, I wonder where the displaced youngsters go.”

Lee Chiu San
Singapore
26th September 2017

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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