Straw-headed Bulbul takes Leea indica fruits
Posted by BESG on 15 December 09, Tuesday
Contributed by Chan Wei Luen
In November 2009, Chan Wei Luen a.k.a. luenny photographed a Straw-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus aurigaster) eating the fruits of a Red Tree-vine (Leea indica). This is a small tree of up to 10 metres high. The berries are purple, turning black.
The plant foods of the Straw-headed Bulbul include figs, mistletoes (Loranthaceae), Indian cherry (Muntingia calabura) and MacArthur Palm (Ptychosperma macarthurii). Fruits of Leea indica would be a new food record.
This post is a cooperative effort between NaturePixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.
References:
1. Fishpool, L. D. C. & J. A. Tobias, 2005. Family Pycnonotidae (bulbuls). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & D. A. Christie (eds.), Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 10. Cucuoo-shrikes to Thrushes. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 124-251.
2. Wells, D.R., 2007. The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsular. Vol. II, Passerines. Christopher Helm, London. 800 pp.
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Categories: Feeding-plants
Comment by Richard Corlett
Made Tuesday, 15 of December , 2009 at 4:41 pm
Bulbuls are the most important dispersal agents for the seeds of plants with small fleshy fruits in forests and open habitats from southern Africa through the eastern Mediterranean, north to Japan and south to Bali. There ought to be a giant bulbul statue in the SBG….
Comment by Eileen
Made Saturday, 19 of December , 2009 at 9:17 pm
The Straw headed bulbul is an name for a bird. Great shot of the Bulbul with the berry.
