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Birds feeding on Malayan Mistletoe (Dendrophthae pentandra)

on 18th August 2018
Lineated Barbet.

An earlier post dealt with a family group of Blue-winged Leafbirds (Chloropsis cochinchinensis moluccensis) feeding on the nectar and fruits of the Malayan Mistletoe (Dendrophthae pentandra) at the fringe of the city LINK. This post lists other birds that were seen also feeding of this mistletoe on the same occasion as well as earlier occasions.

Yellow-vented Flowerpecker.

“Lineated Barbets (Megalaima lineata hodgsoni) came to the Malayan Mistletoe repeatedly (four time) – once there were four birds together. They were very shy and did not feed in the open but in the thick mass of the mistletoe. I am uncertain if they took nectar or fruit. Fruit is probably the main item but I always keep an open mind as to other options (the nectar of this plant seems very attractive to many birds).

Yellow-vented Flowerpecker with Malayan Mistletoe fruit.

“The list of birds feeding on the mistletoe include:

Blue-winged Leafbird (Chloropsis cochinchinensis moluccensis) – nectar and fruit
Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja siparaja) – nectar and fruit
Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis malacensis) – nectar
Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra cinereicollis) – nectar
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum cruentatum) – nectar and fruit
Yellow-vented Flowerpecker (Dicaeum chrysorrheum chrysorrheum) – fruit
Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier analis) – nectar
Red-eyed Bulbul (Pycnonotus brunneus brunneus) – nectar
Lineated Barbet (Megalaima lineata hodgsoni) – uncertain, most likely fruit
Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus torquatus) – nectar

Little Spiderhunter taking nectar from Malayan Mistletoe flower.

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
15th August 2018

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

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

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