Amar-Madras Thorn Fruit-YV Bulbul.avi

Species: Birds Feeding at Madras Thorn trees Pithecellobium dulce - Yellow Vented Bulbul
Location: Canning Garden Home, Ipoh City, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Urban garden environment
Date: 16-17, 23-24 July 2011
Equipment: Nikon D7000 SLR with Sigma AF OS Zoom 150-500mm, handheld
© Dato Dr Amar-Singh HSS

Remarks
These are observations over two weekends at two Madras Thorn trees (Pithecellobium dulce, Manila Tamarind). Will post them over next two days. These trees originated in Central America and I have known them locally all my life. I enjoyed their small leave foliage and have grown one in the past (wife not so happy with the thorns). I have not previously recognised them as a source of food for birds. These past two weeks the two trees on the road at the back of our home have been fruiting very well, possibly a result of our intense dry spell. Many birds congregate to feed on the fruit -- not the easiest fruit to get access to. The fruit is encased in hanging coiled pods, the ripe ones may burst open (said to be edible for man). The birds have to hang upside down and peck at it to open the pod. They either are able to get small bites or more often large chunks (see images).
A Ficus benjamina is also fruiting extensively about 40 meters away but hardly any birds found there this period. All are busy at the Madras Thorn. It is possible a choice based on the "taste" of the fruit. The flesh of the Madras Thorn fruit is usually astringent but some varieties are sweet.

Bird directly observed to feed on fruit:
1. Yellow Vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier analis -- more than 8 at a time; may swallow large chunks of fruit; seen taking food away to nesting young.
2. Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis strigata -- large numbers, in excess of 30. Mixture of juveniles and adult actively feeding.
3. Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis maculates -- more than 6 at a time, with a mixture of young and mature adults feeding higher in the canopy. Harder to approach for images.
4. Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata hodgsoni -- unsure about numbers, possibly two, seen only once feeding on fruit.
5. Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis musicus -- adult female and juvenile seen taking fruit not from the tree directly but from fruit fallen on a nearby roof. Many episodes of feeding seen. This was unexpected as I have never before seen these birds take fruit, only animal prey. My first fruit feeding observation for this species. A search in literature for revealed sites that suggest some feeding on fruit but no hard evidence provided. DR Wells 2007 The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula: Vol. 2 only reports animal/insect prey.

Source of information on the tree:
YC Wee. 2003. Tropical Trees and Shrubs. A Selection for Urban Planting.
Margaret Barwick. 2004. Tropical and Subtropical Trees: An Encyclopaedia.

Amar

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Feeding
• Madras
• Thorn
• fruit
• Pithecellobium
• dulce
• Yellow
• Vented
• Bulbul