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Black-throated Sunbird’s hunting technique

on 13th October 2009

This composite image of a female Black-throated Sunbird (Aethopyga saturata wrayi) in the act of extracting a larva/pupa from its protective silky casing was taken by Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS on 30th September 2009. He was at the mossy forest of Gunong Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia at about 2,000m altitude. The day was wet, misty and windy, and he documented the entire series with a hand-held Nikon D90 SLR with Tamron AF Zoom 200-500mm attached.

“This female Black-throated Sunbird, whose mate was foraging near by, took the trouble to extract its prey from under the leaf once she spotted them. I am not sure if they are pupae or a type of spider but there were a number of them. She kept pulling at the web/silk until it tore and she had access to the prize. Then she swallowed the prey, followed by the obligatory beak wipe on a branch.

“This sunbird often goes for nectar but also eats insects.”

Images by Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS.

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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