“Remember the Chinese Master ‘Kung Fu’ movie series where his pupil-Grasshopper would listen intently to his instructions?
“On one occasion, the Master noticed his pupil was kind of distracted over a buzzing housefly that refused to leave their table.
“Master Kung Fu in showing the art of lighting speed over visual, caught the ill fated fly with his pair of silver chopsticks, sending Grasshopper to jaw dropped and blinked in bewilderment.
“I... Read More
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The Birds of Singapore – an online book
In May 1943, GC Madoc published “An Introduction to Malayan Birds.” He wrote his manuscript in Singapore’s Changi Prison where he was interned when the country fell into the...
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Videocam: A powerful tool for studying birds
1. Collecting birds: In the 19th century the equipment needed to study birds was the gun. Another skill necessary was a good stuffing technique in order to preserve the specimens....
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Documenting bird calls and songs
Many local birdwatchers are able to recognise the birds behind the songs. However, interest in most cases ends there except for a few who make basic recordings. Erik Mobrand...
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Should attempts be made to tame wild birds?
The first part of the series by aviculturist Lee Chiu San deals with whether birds can be tamed and whether they will remain tamed. The second part looks at whether it is...
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Postings your observations and images
Why should you post your observations and images? Southeast Asian birds are poorly studied in terms of behaviour and ecology. By posting your observations (and this include...
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Nature Society: The struggle for Singapore’s nature areas
The above paper has just been published. Nature in Singapore is a peer-reviewed, online journal that publishes articles on the flora and fauna (e.g., biology, botany, zoology,...
©INSECT COURTS DEATH WITH BROWN BARBET. PART 4
“Remember the Chinese Master ‘Kung Fu’ movie series where his pupil-Grasshopper would listen intently to his instructions?
“On one occasion, the Master noticed his pupil was kind of distracted over a buzzing housefly that refused to leave their table.
“Master Kung Fu in showing the art of lighting speed over visual, caught the ill fated fly with his pair of silver chopsticks, sending Grasshopper to jaw dropped and blinked in bewilderment.
“I... Read More
Javan Myna Behaviour
“A bird cage hung high up on the outside of a fifth storey apartment in my condo attracted my attention when I noticed unusual movements outside the cage. A Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus) was hopping around the cage. My initial thought was that it was harassing the poor confined Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus). Then I realised that it was, without invitation, pecking and feeding on the cut papaya meant for the caged bird.
“This is one of the many... Read More
WHITE-FACED HERONS FEEDING
“In January 2013, I had opportunities to witness the feeding behaviour of White-faced Herons (Ardea novaehollandiae, Maori name: Matuku) while exploring South Island, New Zealand. On 9th January, a heron was foraging among a dense mat of aquatic vegetation along a tidal inlet at Picton (above). It would make occasional but accurate strikes at small crustaceans (shrimp and crabs) that would be appropriate for an appetizer.
“On 10th January, a hungry heron was... Read More
Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker foraging
Samson Tan’s video clip above shows a Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker (Dendrocopos moluccensis) foraging along a bamboo culm, pecking vigorously on it to locate insect grubs living inside LINK. The video was shot in Singapore sometime in April 2013.
The image above clearly shows the woodpecker extending its long tongue into the opening it made at around the node. The image below shows it extracting the white grub from its hiding place... Read More
Plain Sunbird – feeding behaviour
“Over the years, I have observed the Plain Sunbird (Anthreptes simplex) feeding on a variety of foods:
1. The small black fruit/seeds of the Blue Mahang (Macaranga heynei) – their favourite.
2. Fruit of the Common Mahang (Macaranga bancana)
3. Animal prey including spiders
“Wells (2007) states “No confirmation of this behaviour (nectar feeding) seems to exist for the review area.”
“Today was able to better document them actually feeding on nectar.... Read More
BAR-TAILED GODWIT FEEDING AND PREENING
“In January 2013, I was captivated by the feeding activity of Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica, Maori name: Kuaka) as they foraged along the shallow waters and exposed substrate of the Estuary of Avon/Heathcote in South Island, New Zealand, tramping around with muddy bills and muddy feet (above).
“Very often, the entire length of their pinkish bills would be fully inserted into the soft sediment as they repeatedly probed for their food (above).
“A... Read More
PIED STILT FEEDING AND PREENING
“In January 2013, I spent some time at the Estuary of Avon/Heathcote (South Island, New Zealand) to admire the avifauna here, including a handful of Pied Stilts (Himantopus leucocephalus, Maori name: Poaka) (above).
“When the tide was out, they would wade through the shallow waters to pick out tiny morsels with their delicate, forceps-like bill (above). Occasionally, polychaete worms would be detected, extracted, and after a quick rinse to remove the mud,... Read More
VARIABLE OYSTERCATCHER FEEDING
“In January 2013, I had opportunities to observe the feeding antics of the endemic Variable Oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor, Maori name: Torea-pango) in South Island, New Zealand (above).
“On 1st January, a number of these oystercatchers were actively foraging along the Estuary of Avon/Heathcote. They would insert their bills into the soft sediment to detect small shellfish (such as coastal snails), twisting and turning around until the prey item was... Read More
SOUTH ISLAND PIED OYSTERCATCHER FEEDING
“In January 2013, repeat visits to the Estuary of Avon/Heathcote (South Island, New Zealand) provided opportunities to observe the feeding activity of the South Island Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi, Maori name: Torea) (above).
“With its long, orange bill, it would probe into the sediment in search of live cockles, even in shallow water (above).
“With the cockles clammed tightly at the tip of its bill, the oystercatcher would bring it up to... Read More
White-breasted Waterhen – feeding on a mollusc
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS‘s images of a White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus phoenicurus) feeding on a mollusc were taken at 7.45am in low light through some bushes on 27th January 2013. They show an excited White-breasted Waterhen that had just discovered a clam/mollusc to feed on. Some of the fish farms in the area rear these commercially.
The location is an ex-tin mining area with extensive pond/lakes, wetlands and fish farms in Malim Nawar Wetlands,... Read More
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