Javan Myna – gecko

on 16th May 2007

1115.jpg

On the morning of 15th April 2005 at about 7.40 am, as I opened my bedroom window, there was a sudden flutter of wings and something collided with the window. Thinking it was a bird-reflection affair, I drew the curtain and peeped out.

There on the lawn was a Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus) with a tailless gecko in its bill, eagerly trying to swallow it. Nearby was its mate, excitedly trying to see whether there was another gecko around.

The detached tail of the gecko was lying on the ground outside my window, still wriggling. But not for long. The other bird went for it, having to make do with a lesser meal.

Both called out kreep-kreep-kreep noisily or a few minutes after, hoping to catch another morsel. They left after a while, convinced that there was not another gecko around.

I was not able to identify the species of gecko the bird snatched, which was swallowed in due course. The image above is that of another specimen that has yet be encounter a myna.
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YC Wee
Singapore
May 2007

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

One Response

  1. I was at the NUS Central Forum quite a long time ago, when a Javan myna walked close to me, and spent a few seconds trying to swallow a small wriggling creature. I think it might have been a very young garden supple skink.

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