Bird Diets in Urban Environments: The Case of the Asian Glossy Starling, Aplonis panayensis
The Asian Glossy Starling, Aplonis panayensis, is one of the most abundant birds in Kuching City, occupying nooks and cavities of buildings and soiling the walls and fl oors with their droppings. To determine why they are so abundant, we focused on their dietary habits in a study conducted in Dew...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Book Section |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer International Publishing
2016
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/13592/1/Bird%20Diets%20in%20Urban%20Environments%20%28abstract%29.pdf http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/13592/ |
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| Summary: | The Asian Glossy Starling, Aplonis panayensis, is one of the most
abundant birds in Kuching City, occupying nooks and cavities of buildings and soiling
the walls and fl oors with their droppings. To determine why they are so abundant,
we focused on their dietary habits in a study conducted in Dewan Suarah area
of Kuching in 2013. A total of 51 fecal samples were collected from the fl oor of
Dewan Suarah and examined for dietary fragments. The results showed the diet
comprises insects as well as plant parts. The insects are solely from the Order
Hymenoptera (70 individuals), whereas the plant parts comprised fi gs (86 %), Vitex
sp. (2 %) and unidentifi ed plant materials (12 %). The Hymenopteran identifi ed in
fecal samples belong to the family Agaonidae (45 individuals), Formicidae (18 individuals),
and Ormyridae (7 individuals). There is a signifi cant difference in frequency
occurrence of insects and fruits in the diet of starlings. From the fecal
analysis, the insects in the diet of the starlings are mainly from the fi gs they have
eaten. The diet of the bird is discussed in relation to the availability of food items in
the surrounding areas. |
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