At first glance, it may not be obvious that a bird was perched on this tree. Or rather, it was a young chubby-looking Yellow Vented Bulbul (scientific name: Pycnonotus goiavier) chick. Their non-colourful and earthy tone plumage helps them camouflage perfectly against the branches and leaves.What do these birds feed on, I often wonder? They are doing so well at HortPark that I see them everywhere. Yesterday, a colleague enlightened me that they also feed on the fruits of the Melastoma malabathricum. No wonder the fruits of the plant in the same vicinity of the Native Garden were often damaged and revealed the fleshy pulp within. Now I know why.
