Black-naped Tern feeding chick

on 18th December 2008

In May 2008 Willis documented the difficulties Black-naped Terns (Sterna sumatrana) face when bringing food to feed their chicks. These terns have no hesitation robbing another of its fish, either in flight or on land when the fish is passed on to the chicks.

The drama began when an adult, with a fish in its bill, arrived to feed its chick (top row, left). The moment a chick received the fish, an intruder arrived to snatch it away (top row, right). Naturally the adult turned on the intruder and chased it away.

However, the moment the adult flew off to chase away the intruder, another intruder saw its opportunity and flew in (bottom row, left). It tried hard to grab the fish from the chick (bottom row, right). The chick had the advantage as it had half-swallowed the fish, leaving the tail end sticking out of its bill (bottom left). This made it difficult for the second intruder to pull out the fish.

In the end the chick won the struggle and enjoyed the meal (above right).

All images by willis.

This post is a cooperative effort between www.naturepixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.

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.

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