Here in Singapore, we get the ubiquitous Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), the Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus) and the House Crow (Corvus splendens) scavenging leftover food in open-air hawker centres and garbage dumps. Over in Pangkor Island in nearby Malaysia, the Oriental Pied Hornbills (Anthracoceros albirostris) are commonly found in touristy areas where they are fed with leftover food.

In Perth, Australia, Johnny Wee documented another set of birds that thrive on leftover food in open-air food courts. The Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) (above left), a common Australian garden bird and the wren (above right), take leftover cakes. On the other hand the New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) which takes nectar under natural conditions, scavenge leftover maple syrup (left).

Following KC Tsang’s observation of a woodpecker checking out a hole in a concrete pole, Ragoo Rao of India wrote: “Yes, I agree, the woodpeckers do explore for insects in concrete pole holes also. I have photographed Black-rumped Falamebacks (Dinopium benghalense), doing this.

“I have noticed the woodpecxkers cling on to electric poles to explore for insects in the holes. This they do only when there are holes in the pole and not otherwise. I have observed this for a long time and in all occasions the woodpeckers landed only on concrete poles with holes, which might appear to them as tree trunk holes, to get insects.”

“On our way up to Habarana, Sri Lanka, we had a quick stop besides a roadside fruit stall, intending to get some local fruits for dessert. Besides, also to do a bit of roadside bird photography. Our luck being such, a Red-backed Woodpecker, also known as Red-rumped Woodpecker (Dinopium benghalense psarodes) decided to land on to a concrete telephone pole right in front of me and went around investigating a hole in the concrete as one can see in my picture. Now, one would wonder and ask, doesn’t the woodpecker know the difference between a tree trunk and a concrete pole? Or is it in its experience that most holes would contain a source of meal for the woodpecker?”

KC Tsang
Singapore
17th July 2010

“Curiousity kills the cat” but how about the woodpecker?

On 17th July 2010, only one Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) was in the garden. This was the original bird that has got used to me, allowing me to get to about 30 cm from it. Due to various reasons, I suspect that this bird is a female. Her mate is not as tame, as he will fly off when I approach. Only when both come together will he allow me to approach close. Both together will also approach me when I am sitting down under the porch reading.

This time around only the tame female Spotted Dove was around. She approached me from nowhere when I entered the garden and walked towards me when I was sitting down reading. In response, I scattered birdseeds for her a few times.

At around 6.03 pm she was still lingering around - the doves would by now have flown off to roost. I scattered some oat flakes and she happily fed on them. The bird then inflated her throat region, with the upper body becoming somewhat contorted and the head moving around. At the same time she made some swallowing actions as if she had difficulties swallowing. All the time the bill was tightly clamped and the throat feathers fluffed. After a few seconds, she returned to normal and started feeding again. This went on for another two more times, each time ending in normal feeding. The images above show her distended throat from the front and the back. Those below show the left and right sides.

This was a reaction to feeding the larger oat flakes as no such behaviour has been observed when it feeds on birdseeds.

According to Baptista, et al. (1997), doves indulge in gular fluttering, whereby the skin around the throat region flutters. This is a method of getting rid of excessive body heat. In gular fluttering the bill is opened wide. So the dove could not be indulging in gular fluttering as her bill was clamped tight.

For earlier posts, see “Related Posts” below.

Reference:
Baptista, L. F., P. W. Trail & H. M. Horblit, 1997. Family Columbidae (pigeons and doves). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds.), Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 4. Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 60-245.

“It was a hot afternoon in Chaaya Village, Habarana, Sri Lanka, I was walking around the lovely garden with my equipment hoping to catch something. Being so hot I decided to cool my face with some water from the tap, I think I must have been watched by these thirsty Purple Rumped Sunbirds (Leptocoma zeylonica), who know the gardens well. The moment I moved off to a safe distance the female made a dash for the still dripping tap.

“I believe she managed a sip or two before the male came charging round driving her off. He than took his time sipping away at the very pristine water from the tap, compared with what is available from the streams and lake.

“Well, I guess there is no such thing as chivalry in nature, the strongest would win all the time, the males would never ever say ladies first!

“I have also observed in Singapore that birds do learn how to get fresh water from things like air-conditioner water dripping pipes, I have a starling that comes around quite often to my dripping pipe, but I have not been able to take a picture of that character as it flies off when ever I open the window.”

KC Tsang
Singapore
21st July 2010