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Stork-billed Kingfisher catches crayfish

on 1st November 2009

Myron Tay photographed a Stork-billed Kingfisher (Halcyon capensis) catching a crayfish at Mandai on a morning in September 2009.

According to Myron, the kingfisher “gobbled up the crayfish, although its throat was just about the size of its prey! Guess it was in no mood to share its catch! I also learnt that it has a short tongue!”

The crayfish or ‘yabby’ (Crustacea: Parastacidae: Cherax destructor) is a potential invasive species, according to Dr Leong Tzi Ming. It was introduced to our reservoirs some years back. And the Stork-billed Kingfisher has proven to be a form of natural biological control.

Image by Myron Tay.

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.

Other posts by YC Wee

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