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Oriental Magpie Robin takes a termite alate

YC Wee
on 19th January 2010


Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS’s image of the Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis musicus) was taken on 21st September 2009 at Canning Garden Home, Ipoh City, Perak, Malaysia o 21th September 2009.

The bird appears to have an alate termite in its bill. Obviously there must have been a termite hatch nearby where winged male and female reproductives were released. For a short period these alate termites flutter around in a dense cloud to seek their mates, soon landing on the ground where they shed their wings.

Birds are always attracted to such termite hatches, as they provide ready food. The termites are easily picked off from the air or from the ground. After the feasting is over, the only evidence left is the pile of wings on the ground.

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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2 responses

  1. The insect looks more like an ant. The wings are too deeply veined to be a termite and the gaster is very pronounced.

    Reply

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Any views and opinions expressed in the articles 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.

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