Grey-throated Babbler eating a moth

on 28th March 2009

Calvin Chang a.k.a. deswitch documented a Grey-throated Babbler (Stachyris nigriceps) catching and eating what looks like a moth at Malaysia’s Bukit Tinggi in March 2009.

According to Calvin, the babbler finished its food within 3 frames of his 8fps camera – extremely fast indeed.

The Grey-throated Babbler is a resident to Malaysia. According to Wells (2007), “Apart from an instance of apparent courtship feeding with a small fruit or flower-parts, food is assumed to be small invertebrates. Items brought to nestlings were all insects.”

Collar & Robson (2007) report that this babbler feeds almost entirely on insects, Although is also feeds on some berries, seeds and nectar.

Obviously its food habits need to be properly observed and documented.

Images by Calvin Chang.

References:
1.
Collar, N. J. & C. Robson, 2007. Family Timaliidae (Babblers). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds.). Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 12.
2. Wells, D.R., 2007. The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsular. Vol. II, Passerines. Christopher Helm, London. 800 pp.

This post is a cooperative effort between 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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