Search

Red-breasted Parakeet eats cocoon

on 17th February 2010

“Recently, some Red-Breasted Parakeets (Psittacula alexandri) in a flock were encountered foraging on a medium-sized tree. For some reason, this yellow flame tree (Peltophorum pterocarpum) had shed most of its leaves. On closer examination, there were many what I believe to be “larva cases” of some sort of insects, seen dangling from the underside of the branches (left). Each “larva case” is about 10 to 15 mm long and cylindrical in shape and was attached to the barren branch by a short web-like thread.

“As a few of the parakeets moved lower, it became clear that they were after the larva cases. They were observed using their beaks to pick up the larva cases, holding them in the tip of their beaks before devouring them using their tongues (above).

“What were the parakeets consuming?”

Kwong Wai Chong
Singapore
9th January 2010

Note: Gan Cheong Weei, Chairman of the Butterfly Interest Group, thinks that the structure can be a cocoon of an insect. Cocoon is a silken protective covering, inside which the caterpillar of many moths and a few butterflies pupate. A few other groups of insects also spin cocoons. We need a close-up image showing details of the structure to be able to proceed further in identifying which insect is responsible for spinning the cocoon.

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

4 Responses

  1. Please bear in mind that many species of parrots are opportunistic feeders and will quite readily take whatever sources of nourishment are available.

    Most parrots are insectivorous to a greater or lesser extent, and some are even carnivorous.

    Various cockatoos have been known to scavenge the bones of carrion and the Kea of New Zealand is reputed to eat mutton, fresh and on the hoof.

Leave a Reply to Lee Chiu San Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
845
17330
Visitors Today
51790457
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)