Orange-bellied Flowerpecker and melastoma

Posted by BESG on 10 December 08, Wednesday
Contributed by Willis

Melastoma or Singapore rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum) is a common weed shrub of open grounds. It is neither a rhododendron nor does it originates from Singapore. The dark purple berries attract many species of birds, among which is the attractive Orange-bellied Flowerpecker (Dicaeum trigonostigma).

Willis spent some time in May 2008 in the Panti forest in nearby Johoe, Malaysia documenting this bird relishing on the melastoma fruits. The seeds appear as pale dots on a background of purple pulp. The bird will swallow the seeds and in the process, help to disperse the plant.

Image by willis.

This post is a cooperative effort between www.naturepixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.

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