Vol
7 No 2
Aug 2000
The Truth
about Grass
Butterfly-Plant Relationships
List of butterflies
(1999-2000)
Beauty to Behold how animals see
More about the eyes of animals
Nesting Birds
at Sungei Buloh
Nesting
Little Heron
A walk with a Volunteer Guide: Keith Hillier
Nature Photographer
with a Mission:
Julian Wong
Earth Day Programmes
Nature in
the City |
|
Nesting
Behaviour of
Birds in
Sungei Buloh |
Adeline
Chia
Scientific Officer
Baya
Weaver's nests
|
The annual nesting
season for resident birds in Sungei Buloh stretches from January to
June. Based on observations carried out from 1996, we have identified
some general nesting behaviour of some bird species found at the Park.
Interesting aspects of these bird's nesting behaviour are highlighted
here.
Nesting Season Sunbirds
and Tailorbirds kick off the breeding season in January. Courting
rituals can be seen amongst the Sunbirds whereby males display bright
yellow tufts beneath the wings to attract a willing female. The female
usually builds the nest and the male escorts her during the collection
of nesting materials. Both parents of the Copper-throated Sunbird
(Nectarinia calcostetha) are observed to feed the young.
|
Scaly-breasted
Munia |
The
nest of the Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) is usually
built using the leaves of the lower branches of the Simpoh Ayer (Dillenia
suffruticosa). Likewise, the female builds the nest and both parents
feed the young. The nest building and feeding activities can be easily
observed during the peak nesting period in February and March for
both the Sunbirds and Tailorbirds.
The Munias start the breeding season in late February to early March.
They seem to like building their nests in potted ferns. The Javan
Munia (Lonchura leucogastroides) in particular likes to build
its nest on these "suspended nesting sites"! The Javan Munia
lays 4-5 eggs and it is common to see the families staying near the
nests for some time after the young have fledged. |
The
Pink-necked Pigeon (Trenon vernans) starts breeding in late
March and the likelihood of spotting its nest increases in April.
The parents take turns to incubate the eggs and feed themselves.
Nesting Materials A wide
variety of materials are used for nest building. The birds are usually
quite resourceful, and would not hesitate to use materials that are
man-made. String and raffia have found their way into the Copper-throated
Sunbird's nest. |
Copper-throated
Sunbird |
Pink-necked
Pigeon |
The
Pink-necked Pigeon builds a sparse platform of twigs which looks scarcely
able to support the eggs and young! Small pieces of bark are also
incorporated into the Sunbird's nest.
The Pied Fantail (Rhipidura javanica) conceals its nest in
the mangrove vegetation and its nest is made up of composites of long
grasses and small leaves. |
Occasionally,
one may be rewarded with the sight of a Tailorbird or Sunbird picking
out bits of spider silk, which plays an important part in nest-building.
The Purple and Grey Herons construct their platform nests with twigs,
while Munias and Prinias use grasses as their main nesting material.
Nests are usually lined with fluffy seeds of plants such as Cattail
and Lallang to provide insulation. Earth
is used in some species to bind the nest together, hence strengthening
it. |
Grey
Heron |
The collection and collation
of these records help us to better understand the nesting habits of the
birds in the Park and allow us to be more attuned to the requirements needed
to protect them and their environment. You too can do your part.
Green Tip Building a nest,
laying eggs and rearing young not only take up time, they also take up energy.
Hence you can help by leaving the nest alone if you spot one or a bird building
one. Prying into a bird's nest causes unnecessary stress to the parents
and young. This could result in the possibility of the parents abandoning
the nest. All it takes is a little consideration from each of us to ensure
a successful breeding season for every pair of birds we encounter.
|
WETlands