Earlier in October 2009, Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS reported on the birds that visited the common mahang (Macaranga bancana) at the Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve in Ipoh, Malaysia to feed on the fruits. In all, he recorded 2 spp of spiderhunters, 4 spp of bulbuls, 4 spp of sunbirds, 2 spp of flycatchers and 1 sp of iora – a total of 13 spp.

Amar returned to the tree in July 2010 and reported two new species of spiderhunter - Yellow-eared Spiderhunter (Arachnothera chrysogenys chrysogenys) that was reasonably common and Spectacled Spiderhunter (A. flavigaster) that was seen only once. The Grey-breasted Spiderhunter (A. modesta modesta), reported earlier, was very common, constantly chasing away the Purple-naped Sunbird (Hypogramma hypogrammicum nuchale).

The Yellow-eared Spiderhunter, although interrupted by the Spectacled Spiderhunter, spent a reasonable time feeding on the fruits. It needed to flutter or hover in the air, or do contortions to access the fruit. “Unlike the Spectacled Spiderhunter, they feed by picking the fruit with the tip of the long beak and then working it back slowly until swallowed,” reported Amar (above). “When seen together, there is no mistaking the Spectacled from the Yellow-eared Spiderhunter. The Yellow-eared has a smaller yellow eye ring (incomplete posterior-inferiorly), a larger and more ‘feathery’ ear-covert, among other features. But lighting can play a big factor in identification. The calls of course are quite different, more ‘chit-chit’ uttered singly or stringed out in a fast series of calls - see HERE

On 22nd July the Spectacled Spiderhunter monopolised the tree, chasing away sunbirds and other spiderhunters – although they came back very quickly or just moved to another branch. As with the Yellow-eared, the Spectacled had to flutter or hover in the air, or do contortions to access the fruits. “They search diligently for fruits and their beaks were stained with pollen from the flowers and may be important for pollination. They feed by picking the fruit with the tip of the long beak and then throwing it up in the air to catch and swallowing it,” observed Amar (above left). “The eye size in the drawings of some field guides is not very accurate as it is much larger when seen close up. They have a loud call ‘ta-chak’ (see Wells 2007) which is used often and appears to be territorial and well as used to show displeasure (have a video of bird uttering calls). Sometimes the call is used repeatedly for long periods with odd fluttering of the wings and tail – very much like a juvenile asking for food (this bird was feeding independently).”

A new species of bulbul, Buff-vented Bulbul (Iole olivacea olivacea), visited as a pair (above right). In addition, there were a number of Spectacled Bulbuls (Pycnonotus erythropthalmos) around, reported earlier.

There was also a pair of Brown Barbet (Calorhamphus fuliginosus hayii), not reported previously (above left). According to Amar, “A pair of Brown Barbet came to feed on this tree. The male stood guard at first, watching me while the female sampled the fruit. Their method of feeding was quite destructive as they tear off a whole bunch of fruit – ripe and unripe. Then only eat the ripe ones. Fortunately for the sunbirds and spiderhunters, they left fairly quickly.”

About five Everett’s White-eyes (Zosterops everetti tahanensis) were also seen feeding on the fruits (above right). These “white-eyes are mobile and very persistent, searching many bunches of fruit for the ripe red berries, sometimes stretching and contorting to reach them,” reported Amar.

As for sunbirds, the previously reported Plain Sunbird (Anthreptes simplex) was again commonly seen. Both male and female were around, occasionally hovering (above left) in the air to pick the fruits that were hard to reach from the branch. The sunbirds then perched on a nearby branch, tossed the fruits into the air to catch and swallow them (above right).

“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

“Attached are cropped images showing the head of a male Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis) that were taken at close proximity. The nictitating membrane and lower eyelid were captured in action.

“The nictitating membrane, also known as the third eyelid, is believed to be used to protect and moisten the eye. It is either transparent or translucent; thus helping to keep some visibility when it is deployed.

“In the first set of images, the sunbird’s translucent nictitating membrane was visible. It could be seen to commence from the front part of the eye, moving across horizontally past the pupil (above left), before completely covering the entire eye (above centre). After less than a second, it retracted to re-expose the eye to its normal condition (above right).

“The second set of images managed to capture the sequence of the eyelid moving in tandem with the nictitating membrane. [Note the distinct lower eyelid (left) that is not obvious in the image above-left when the eyelid is not about to be raised.] Interestingly, the nictitating membrane was closed before the lower eyelid moved upwards to show a half-closed eye (below left and centre). Less than a second later, the nictitating membrane was retracted to uncover the eye that was not covered by the lower eyelid (below right). However, the white and opaque lower eyelid remained drawn for a relatively longer period of about 3 seconds before resuming its normal open-eye position. The upper eyelid was not seen in action.

“Could this sunbird be catching a wink? The sunbird was somewhat inactive during the brief moment that its lower eyelid was shut. But it resumed to its active chirping self immediately after that. Unfortunately, the other eye was not in view. Hence, whether it was for one eye or both eyes cannot be determined.”

Kwong Wai Chong
Singapore
14th June 2010

Note: The whitish patch of skin appearing as the lower eyelid moves upwards is rather unusual. This patch has a distinct lower border. We sent the images to Dr David R Wells who replied: “Yes; the bird is extending its nictitating membrane (‘third eyelid’) then closing its eye by raising the lower lid (upper lid smaller, less mobile). The pale patch you see below the eye is simply the featherless skin of the stretched lower lid.”

Check out the eye movements in the Buffy Fish Owl (Ketupa ketupu) HERE.

“According to Wikipedia, mobbing is an anti-predator behaviour which occurs when individuals of a certain species mob a predator by cooperatively attacking or harassing it. The objective of such attacks is usually to protect their offspring. On 22 May 2010, I encountered a Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) that was mobbed - first by a pair of Pacific Swallows (Hirundo tahitica), and then by a couple of Olive-Backed Sunbirds (Cinnyris jugularis).

“It started when a Long-tailed Shrike flew in to perch on the frond of a coconut tree. It was perched for barely less than a minute before mobbing was started by two Pacific Swallows. The birds took turns swooping down to bomb-dive the shrike to force it into defensive mode. The shrike remained perched, but became wary of the attacks. It watched intensely for the swallows and was agitated whenever the swallows approached. One swallow managed to steal a peck on the back of the shrike; but it endured. The critical moment, was unfortunately, not captured due to the speed of the action. The Pacific Swallows retreated from the scene after attacking for about 40 seconds.

“The shrike had a minute of peace; but was mobbed yet again when an Olive-Backed Sunbird appeared. At first, the sunbird flew away when it saw the shrike. However, it eventually re-appeared with its partner. Together, the sunbirds screamed at and harassed the shrike. Unable to tolerate further, the shrike flew off with the sunbirds in hot pursuit. The aggression shown by the pair of Pacific Swallows and Olive-Backed Sunbirds is typical of protective parents. They must be nesting somewhere nearby. The Long-Tailed Shrike had unknowingly ventured into the breeding birds’ territory.”

Kwong Wai Chong
Singapore
1st June 2010

“Recently, a male Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis) regularly visits my bougainvillea plant. Some stems of this plant, which is planted in a pot placed at the common corridor, had grown out of the high-rise flat. A bare stem that was outside the parapet wall had become the sunbird’s favourite perch.

“Last Sunday, the loud and cheerful chirping announced the arrival of this sunbird. From a room in my flat, the sunbird could be observed from close range. At a little more than 2 metres away and less than a metre below the level of the window sill, I had a great view.

“It was a cloudy day and ideal for taking pictures. Slowly, I opened the sliding window and took up position. I had to stick my camera out of the window; thus exposing my presence to this individual. However, this sunbird seemed at home and comfortable; totally ignoring me as I clicked away. Occasionally, it would chirp and look around - even looking straight at me and my camera. There was no sign of distress as it preened, stretched, and indulged in comfort behaviour (above, below).

“On that Sunday, the sunbird visited at least three times: at 11:54 am (4 minutes), 12:56 pm (15 minutes) and 1:59 pm (6 minutes). 

In real life, the hues and colours on the Brown-Throated Sunbird may not be fully appreciated due to the bird’s small size. In the larger than life size images, the plumage was simply stunning. The hues and colours of this species could even rival the colours of a rainbow. Even the different types of feathers, their various shapes and the patterns formed made this species a fascinating subject.”

Kwong Wai Chong
Singapore
16th May 2010