Starling and bulbul feeding on Macaranga sp.
Posted by BESG on 1 February 10, Monday
Contributed by Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS was at the fringe of Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia on 17th November 2009. He encountered a flock of Asian Glossy Starlings (Aplonis panayensis strigata) in a feeding frenzy at this fruiting Macaranga sp. tree. The only other bird feeding here were the Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus plumosus).
Earlier posts detail M. bancana and M. heynei as also favourite bird trees.
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Categories: Feeding-plants
Comment by Yen Kheng
Made Monday, 1 of February , 2010 at 9:47 pm
I have seen a small group of long-tailed parakeets feeding on a fruiting Macaranga gigantea a few years ago. It was observed from the Golf Link boardwalk not far from the Jelutong Tower in MacRitchie. Hopefully, some day, someone can capture more bird feeding frenzy of our local Mahang plants!
Comment by YC
Made Monday, 1 of February , 2010 at 10:25 pm
Our birdwatchers should show more interest in feeding frenzy in trees other than figs.
Comment by Richard Corlett
Made Sunday, 7 of February , 2010 at 4:21 pm
Green Macaranga fruits may seem unpromising foods for birds, but they split open to reveal 2-3 round seeds covered in a thin layer of edible material. I have analyzed this material in Macaranga tanarius - and also in the closely related Mallotus paniculatus - and in both cases it is rich (30-60%) in fat. This will provide a lot more energy than a bird can get from eating a typical fruit, where the flesh is mostly water and sugar. Birds aren’t stupid when it comes to food!
Comment by CE Webster
Made Tuesday, 9 of February , 2010 at 11:41 pm
Thanks for the information and the picture.
