Long-tailed Sibia (Heterophasia picaoides wrayi) is a resident of Peninsular Malaysia’s montane forests, becoming uncommon about 1,200m and below. A generalist, it eats animal prey, especially swarming termites and fruits like figs and berries.

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS was at 1,600m ASL at Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands on 27th January 2010 when he came across a pair of adults engrossed on feeding on the fruits of a plant.

According to Amar, “We reached them at the tail end of the feeding but still got five minutes of naked eye watching as we were on an elevated site and they were at eye level and relatively close. They used their beak to loosen the fruit and then the tongue to lick it in.

“Long-tailed Sibia are friendly birds and love to scamper up a tree like a squirrel, while foraging.”

Wells (2007), quoting GWH Davidson, describes the feeding thus: “Fruit is reached by clambering about acrobatically, including while hanging upside down, and occasionally by hover-snatching.”

Reference:
Wells, D.R., 2007. The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsular. Vol. II, Passerines. Christopher Helm, London. 800 pp.

Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja siparaja) was observed feeding on a hibiscus flower (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) for its nectar.

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS photographed it at the Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia on 12th February 2010.

This hibiscus is native to continental Asia, probably China. It has never been found in the wild, being cultivated for centuries in many tropical countries that its exact origin is not known

The natural pollinator of the hibiscus is believed to the hummingbird. The Crimson Sunbird, being not adapted to collect nectar from the hibiscus flower, has to short-circuit the process by piercing the base of the flower to get at the nectar. Is it a wonder then that the hibiscus never sets fruits in this part of the world?

“The Black-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus atriceps caecilii) is always delightful to see as it is, of the common jungle bulbuls, an unusually coloured bulbul (apart from the highland Black-crested Bulbul (Pycnonotus melanicterus caecilii). However, taking pictures is not easy as it prefers the higher canopy and is generally shy.

“It is reasonably common in all the lowland forest reserves around my city (Ipoh) and often in flocks of 5-7 birds. Most of the time you will hear its definitive ‘chirp’ with many replies and repeats. The intensity increases with anxiety as you approach them.

“Was fortunate to come across a fruiting Ficus benjamina with ‘swarms’ of various bulbuls and many Black-headed Bulbuls (possibly numbering 15-20 – hard for accurate estimates as a lot of coming and going). Watched over three visits, on 9th, 12th and 14th February 2010.

“The bird swallows the fruit whole (above). Occasionally have seen some birds struggling when the fruit is larger and have to make a couple of attempts to swallow. Another way to capture the fruit is to flutter until they find a ripe one, then snatch it in midair (below). Not an uncommon method used.

“The bulbul will also hunt for spiders and other insects.

“Although the head, throat and nape are described as ‘black, glossed bottle green’ (Wells, 2007), I have often seen a metallic blue sheen to the feathers. Most notable at the nape and throat.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
February 2010

Reference:
Wells, D.R., 2007. The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsular. Vol. II, Passerines. Christopher Helm, London. 800 pp.

Sunbirds often perch on a nearby branch while inserting its long bill into a flower to harvest nectar. Sometimes, the base of the flower is pierced, in which case the bird is termed a nectar thief, as it does not assist in pollination in the process.

A third method of harvesting nectar is hovering, often associated with hummingbirds. Hovering is flight without horizontal or vertical movement and it involves extra energy on the part of the bird. Hovering becomes necessary when there is no convenient perch nearby. The sunbird may also hover when searching for insects. Although not well known, many species of sunbirds hover when foraging.

Harprit Singh’s image of a Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja) hovering while trying to harvest nectar is more common than most birdwatchers are aware of. The plant looks like the water canna (Thalia sp.).

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

“Was at the BOH tea estate, 1600 m a.s.l. at Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands on 2nd September 2008 watching birds when saw this lovely male White-browed Shrike Babbler (Pteruthius flaviscapis cameranoi) (quite friendly). Got lots of shots, but not always in focus, as he was hoping about in the trees. It was only in retrospect when I checked shots that I saw I had captured a ‘hop’. Please note that he is ‘hopping’ backwards off the branch onto another branch (and not forwards onto the branch) (above).

“I remembere that I had a poorer shot of a female also leaping off near the peak of Gunung Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, 2,032 m on 31st March 2008.

“This bird is very localised and I have seen it and the male at this same site three out the past four visits.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Perak, Malaysia
2nd September 2008