| Tambun is a small town on the outskirts of Ipoh that has, in the past 10 years, been engulfed by the city. Now considered a suburban area with large properties & gardens.
Came across this sprawling Ficus benjamina that was fruiting fruit extensively.
Full of “common” birds feeding together. There was some minor
conflict, but generally enough food to keep everyone busy.
I have grouped the birds seen over a 2 hour period into 3 groups as below:
Birds seen feeding on Ficus benjamina fruit:
1. Pink-necked Green Pigeon Treron vernans: 4-6 (2-3 pairs)
2. Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis maculatus: 10-12, 2-3 were juvenile feeding independently
3. Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis strigata: a flock (more like a swarm)
4. Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier analis: 6-8 (mostly adult pairs)
5. Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala indica: 4-5, 3 were juveniles feeding independently
6. Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata hodgsoni: one pair
Birds suspected of feeding on Ficus benjamina fruit:
1. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis tristis: one pair, seen checking out fruit in tree, actual feeding not seen.
2. Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica: one adult noted in tree but not seen feeding, flew off soon after I came.
3. Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata – seen picking on old fruit that had dropped on to the pavement below.
Birds using the Ficus benjamina fruit feeding frenzy to get other animal prey:
1. Common Iora Aegithina tiphia horizoptera – one pair foraging for caterpillars
2. Pied Triller Lalage nigra striga – 1 male foraging for animal prey
Amar |