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PSITTACIDAE Parrots > Blue-naped Parrot
Click the image to enlarge
Blue-naped Parrot
Latin Name : Tanygnathus lucionensis
Site Name : Tg Aru
Photographer : SINGH HSS, Amar
Date : 2017-03-27
Notes : I saw this interesting behaviour in some of the Blue-naped Parrots. They would grip the bark of the casuarina trees, chew and peel it off. While watching, it was apparent that it was not easy to do (see Post 1-3). I have been trying to obtain a reason for this behaviour and, while reading around the subject, can offer some suggestions (no one is really sure):
1. A common opinion is that parrots need to keep their beaks in good shape. The wood allows them to clean and sharpen their beaks. This activity is also credited with preventing beak overgrowth.
2. Another option is they are looking for food and trying to find insects and ‘grubs’ under the wood or bark-boring insects (I did not see any evidence of feeding despite a fairly long observation).
3. One view is that they strip bark to use as nesting material. However I did not see them keep the bark or collect the material that was dropped on the ground.
4. Other have suggested they do it out of sheer boredom, but this is a rather weak opinion.
5. One option I would like to entertain (apart from no. “1” above) is the shortage of nesting sites. There may be a strong desire to nest but not enough holes. Hence this is a ‘futile’ maternal instinct to generate holes.
These uncommon parrots can be easily found around Tanjung Aru Beach on the outskirts of the city. Bird Life International lists this species as near threatened. The estimated population size of this narrow range parrots is 1500-7000 and is declining due to trapping and forest loss (see: http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/22685009). The small population at Tanjung Aru Beach owes its presence to Quentin Philipps, author of Phillipps' Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo, who is credited with saving them from the cage at a nearby market (see: http://www.sabahmagazine.com/blue-naped-parrot/). The population is maintained but small, around 30-50, due to competition for nesting holes in the old, beach-side casuarina trees with other birds [Phillipps, Q. (2014) Phillipps' Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo. 3rd Edition. Beaufoy Books, UK]. The population here is presumed to be T. l. salvadorii.
Unfortunately this beach has been designated for extensive development. A 133 hectare golf ‘retreat’, a marina, 7 hotels, 5,000 commercial & residential rooms, etc. The developer suggests that old trees will be transplanted and the parrots (and hornbills) will be re-located and offered nesting boxes at alternate sites (see: http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/06/30/tg-aru-project-to-go-ahead-redevelopment-necessary-as-area-facing-erosion-says-kk-mayor/). I am not sure the birds can be salvaged easily in this way and their future is uncertain. Local residents have launched a petition, see: https://www.change.org/p/the-mayor-of-kota-kinabalu-stop-the-development-of-tanjung-aru-beach-and-save-the-blue-naped-parrot
--Amar--