Natural History Notes

Sea Hibiscus flowers just last a dawn-to-dusk. The Sea Hibiscus ( Hibiscus tiliaceus ) is a small flowering tree commonly found along beaches and mangroves. It can grow to heights exceeding 10 meters and is characterized by its heart-shaped leaves that are arranged alternately along the branches. The tree produces striking flowers, approximately 10 cm in diameter, which start as yellow with a darker base and gradually transition to a pinkish-orange hue. The fruit is a capsule with a persistent calyx that splits into several parts when ripe. Sea Hibiscus fruits change from green to brown as they mature. With a geographic range spanning the Indo-Pacific region and the Pacific Islands, this tree is known by various names, such as Waru in the Philippines and Bebaru in Malaysia. In parts of the Americas, where it is considered an invasive species, this member of the Malvaceae family is referred to as Mahoe . Sea Hibiscus growing along mangroves. The Sea Hibiscus can be used in landscaping...

Yellow-bellied Prinia The Prinia is a slender warbler characterized by its long, graduated tail and thin bill, found across regions from Africa to Southeast Asia. In our area, the Yellow-bellied Prinia is among the most commonly encountered species, as it prefers open grasslands and agricultural areas which are usually close to human settlements. This bird is easily identified by its striking bright yellow underparts, which contrast with its olive-brown upperparts, whitish throat, and sometimes a small white speck in front of the eye. Its calls comprise of slurred whistling notes and a sort of mewing sound are often heard from within tall grasses, can help distinguish it from other warblers sharing the same habitat. It builds a purse-shaped nest made of thin plant fibers, attached to a grass stalk. Nest of Yellow-bellied Prinia In denser, well-wooded habitats such as forest edges and plantations, the Rufescent Prinia replaces the Yellow-bellied Prinia. Unlike its open country counterpa...

Plume moth Plume Moths have distinctive features but may not be immediately recognizable as moths. Unlike most moths, their wings are not folded to the body or outstretched when resting. Instead, the wings are held at right angle forming a T shape. The wings compose of several feather-like structures which are not readily seen because they are rolled when the creature is at rest. This tiny Lepidopteran only reach around 10mm across and they are quite common, often spotted sitting on leaves with its body slightly turned upward. Plume moths are not known as a major pest for most plants, but in India they are regarded as pest to Pigeon Pea. The hairy caterpillars bore into pods and feed on the developing grain.

The sparrow-sized Black-thighed Falconet is one of the smallest raptor in this part of the world. It is identified by its very small size, black ear covert, and white underparts washed with rufous. Juvenile has white parts of the head strongly tinged with rufous.  Black-thighed Falconet on a stag. Because of its unobtrusive characteristics, it is usually overlooked by most people. Sometimes, especially from some distance away, it might be confused with a shrike , but the latter generally stays closer to the ground. Juvenile Black-thighed Falconet This tiny raptor favours forest clearings and survives well near human settlements with lots of trees such as villages and agricultural land. It sits and waits on exposed perch such as a dead tree, and sometimes on telephone pole or wire. From this vantage point, it scans around for its favourite food including dragonflies or butterflies which it usually catches on the wings. Related Post Types of Birds: Shri...

A stingless bee collecting resin. Stingless bees are widely distributed in tropical regions, but they are most diverse in Southeast Asia partly due to the high numbers of resinous trees. They collect resins, such as those from dipterocarps trees in the rainforest, to be used as construction material for their nest which are built inside tree trunks. Resins also serve as protective material that deters predators including ants and wasps from attacking their colony. A stingless bee visiting Asystasia flower. Like honeybees, stingless bees feed primarily on nectar, but they are also known to opportunistically take honeydew, fruit juice, and carrion, among many others. When visiting tubular flowers, they habitually cut a hole near the base of the flower using their mandible, for easier access to nectar source. Locally, stingless bees are known as lukut (Philippines), kelulut (Malaysia) and emmu (Sulawesi). Locals have been rearing these social bees for honey usi...

Blooming Rafflesia keithii Rafflesia is a remarkable plant not only because of its huge flower but also due to its unusual life history. Found in forested areas across southeast Asia, this parasitic plant lacks leaves and stem. As such, it is incapable to produce its own food via photosynthesis. Instead, it fully relies on its host, a ground rooted woody vine also called lianas. It penetrates its host using specialized root-like structure known as houstoria, spreading into the host’s vascular tissue to gain access to nutrients and water. Rafflesia flower bud The unisexual flower grows up to 3 feet wide and weighs up to 10 kilograms or so. Blooming occurs for less than a week, and like most flowers, Rafflesia flowers produce smell to attract insects. But unlike most flowers, the smell is unpleasant and often likened to the smell of carrion. Reportedly, this foul smell attracts its pollinator, a type of flies that travel over large distance and live for a few days, making...