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Blue-winged Leafbird – family group and brood size

on 15th August 2018

“I went back to this site at the fringe of the city that has some fruit and vegetable farming surrounded by secondary growth. The Malayan Mistletoe (Dendrophthae pentandra) was flowering extensively with fruit. Many sunbirds, flowerpeckers, some Blue-winged Leafbirds (Chloropsis cochinchinensis moluccensis), etc were feeding on it at this site.

Immature male.

“In the past I was I was surprised to find Blue-winged Leafbirds feeding at this site, as the nearest good jungle patch is about 3-4 km away. I have now accepted that there are resident at the site.

Another immature male.

“On this occasion there were at least 4 Blue-winged Leafbirds – 1 adult male, 2 immature males and one immature female (I could have missed an adult female).

Immature female.

“The immature males lacked the full black face mask and the rich yellow plumage of head/neck was still incomplete. The immature female lacked a well-developed blue malar-flash.

Immature female.

“All the immatures were moulting. The immatures were self-feeding primarily on nectar and occasionally on fruit.

Adult male.

“There was no competitive feeding among the 4 birds suggesting a family group.

Adult male feeding on Malayan Mistletoe nectar.

The value of this observation relates to the brood size. There is no information on clutch or brood size in my region (Wells, 2007). However, Wells (2005) states “clutch two eggs, occasionally three in in norther outer tropics”. This possible family unit of 1 adult and 3 immature birds suggests the likelihood of a brood of 3 in the region.

Adult male feeding on Malayan Mistletoe fruit

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
13th August 2018

Location: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Secondary growth at city fringe

References:
1.
Wells, D. R., 2005. Family Chloropseidae (Leafbirds). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D. A. (eds.), Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 10. Cucuoo-shrikes to Thrushes. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 252-266.
2. Wells, D.R., 2007. The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsular. Vol. II, Passerines. Christopher Helm, London. 800 pp.

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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