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Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker: 5. Finishing touches to the nest

on 7th February 2018

Earlier posts: 1. Introduction; 2. nesting materials; 3. Nest taking shape; 4. Lining egg chamber.

The nest of the Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum) was completed on day five (6th January). As it was raining nearly the whole of the fourth day and the flowerpeckers were nowhere in sight, the actual number of days to complete the nest was four days.

On the sixth day (7th January) of nest building, the flowerpeckers were back at the nest. Video documentation was done in the morning for about 100 minutes.

video grab
video grab

And as in previous days, only the female was working. She made a total of 85 visits to the nest site, bringing floss mainly to line the egg chamber (above). The male was seen only once (below). This worked out to about 51 visits per hour.

video grab
video grab

Each time the female flew in she may land a short distance from the nest. In this case she acted cautiously, looking around before flying to the nest. When she was confident that no one was around, she flew in and landed at the entrance of the nest before moving in to undertake finishing touches to the interior.

video grab
video grab

There were a few times when she came with plant floss to add on to those lining the egg chamber. At 2:09 of the edited video below, the female flew in with floss in her bill and laid low (above). The calling of the male can be heard in the background, possibly to warn her of danger. She flew to the nest only about a minute later.

There were no activities the next three days.

YC Wee
Singapore
9th January 2018

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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