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A thundery evening brought out birds to the Golden Penda trees

on 30th December 2018

It was a cool evening. The sky was overcast with light rumblings that continued for nearly an hour. But there was no rain, not even a slight drizzle. Strangely, this brought out plentiful birds that flew to the flowering Golden Penda (Xanthostemon chrysanthus) trees that line the road. The birds kept on flying in and out of the trees at regular intervals, feeding feverishly on the flower nectar.

Javan Mynas (Acridotheres javanicus) dominated the scene. They flew in, fed feverishly on the flower nectar and flew off (above, video below). Others took their place, coming singly, in pairs or even in threes.

Normally few Javan Mynas can be seen feeding on the flower nectar, but not this time. There were more than the usual few.

There were also Yellow-vented Bulbuls (Pycnonotus goiavier) and Red-whiskered Bulbuls (Pycnonotus jocosus) (video above). These were not as plentiful as the mynas and they flew in between visits by the mynas. The Olive-backed Sunbirds (Cinnyris jugularis) was another species that fed on the flower nectar. They made their presence known by their rapid chirping. These sunbirds zoomed in and out of the foliage at a rapid pace.

YC Wee
Singapore
19th December 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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