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Hooded Pitta eating a land mollusc

on 23rd December 2008

December is usually the peak migratory period for the sightings of the Hooded Pittas (Pitta sordida) around Singapore. And for the past weeks, photographers have been showcasing their many images on e-forums and webpages. And of course a few birdwatchers were “visible” when they commented on these images. At such times it is an advantage to have a camera with you when in the field, as otherwise how else can an excited observer waxes lyrical and shares his/her joy after encountering this beautiful bird?

Lim Poh Bee was extremely thrilled to have sighted the pitta. But to actually see the bird picking a land mollusc and to have an image as evidence… “I’m sure there’s been thousands of shots taken of the Hooded Pitta during the current frenzy. Well, this is just my humble contribution of the Hooded Pitta having its fine dining breakfast of escargot!”

Wells (2007) reports: “No direct information on foraging, but contents of two stomachs recorded as including ants and small, shelled molluscs.” This reference came from “Data from the collections of the Zoological Museum, Tring, UK.”

What this means is that no local or regional birdwatchers or even ornithologists have so far reported the Hooded Pitta taking a snail. And Poh Bee’s image is the only one I have seen of a pitta with a snail among the many images shown during the last few weeks. This is obviously a new food record!

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

5 Responses

  1. i have a similar pix of blue-winged pitta with a land mollusc taken begining of this year. Well i didn’t know its a land mollusc until i see this article. cheers!

  2. Could we see a larger picture of that bird? I really can’t tell what it is that the bird is holding in its beak. If you had said that it was a nut of some sort, I would have taken your word for it.

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