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White-vented Mynas nesting in Bangkok’s Skytrain pillars

on 10th May 2018
Bangkok Skytrain (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons).

The Bangkok Mass Transit System, commonly known as BTS or Skytrain, is an elevated rapid transit system Link. It was officially opened in December 1999.

There were earlier fears that the noise generated by the train would scare birds away from the area. However, it has been proven to be just the opposite.

Nest of White-vented Mynas (Image by Tassapa Umavijani).

A pair of White-vented Mynas (Acridotheres grandis) has been found nesting around the pillars supporting the Skytrain structures (above, arrow). And multiple chicks are possibly in the nest.

This again shows the ability of these birds to adapt to our cities, in this case Bangkok. The rumbling noise, not to mention the vibrations, as the trains pass overhead so many times a day, fail to deter the mynas from rearing their chicks.

Tassapa Umavijani
Bangkok, Thailand
24th April 2018

Location: Rajadamri Road, Bangkok.

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

One Response

  1. Do note that the pigeons in Singapore are also using these places to nest & roost. Blocking such convenient cavities should help to control their numbers. What say you & your readers?

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