Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
I was intrigued by this very interesting observation at a White-eared Catbird nesting in Mandai Bird Paradise. Two adults were literally nesting together side by side, taking turns to incubate a single egg.
Literature on White-eared Catbird nesting states that only the female of this species incubates. This implies that these two adults were possibly both females. (there is no sexual dimorphism in White-eared Catbirds, meaning that both the male & female of this species look alike)
Could this then be a case of cooperative nesting among White-eared Catbirds, albeit in an artificial environment?
nb: This nesting was unsuccessful. After more than two weeks of incubation, the egg was eaten by one of the adults, possibly because the former was not viable.
In the wild, White-eared Catbirds are found in the forests of western New Guinea.
At Mandai Bird Paradise in Singapore, these White-eared Catbirds are housed at Lory Loft Aviary.
#birdparadise #mandaiwildlifereserve #cityinagarden #birdpark #birdssingapore
I was intrigued by this very interesting observation at a White-eared Catbird nesting in Mandai Bird Paradise. Two adults were literally nesting together side by side, taking turns to incubate a single egg.
Literature on White-eared Catbird nesting states that only the female of this species incubates. This implies that these two adults were possibly both females. (there is no sexual dimorphism in White-eared Catbirds, meaning that both the male & female of this species look alike)
Could this then be a case of cooperative nesting among White-eared Catbirds, albeit in an artificial environment?
nb: This nesting was unsuccessful. After more than two weeks of incubation, the egg was eaten by one of the adults, possibly because the former was not viable.
In the wild, White-eared Catbirds are found in the forests of western New Guinea.
At Mandai Bird Paradise in Singapore, these White-eared Catbirds are housed at Lory Loft Aviary.
#birdparadise #mandaiwildlifereserve #cityinagarden #birdpark #birdssingapore
