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Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker catches a larva

on 30th June 2010

“A Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker [also known as Brown-capped Woodpecker (Dendrocopos moluccensis)] was first observed foraging in a cluster of mangrove trees. As it flitted from stem to stem, it was pecking regularly, searching for preys that were residing in them. It paused to stare intensely at a vertical stem of a small mangrove tree. It must have sensed a prey inside the stem as it commenced to chisel at one spot with its chisel-like beak. It did not take long to create a tear in the bark. It continued working on it, shifting itself to attack at it using various angles.

“Later, it worked on another spot that was a little higher. It was interesting and fun taking pictures of the woodpecker taking turns to work alternately between the two spots, turning from upright to upside-down, chiseling and tearing out the outer layer of the stem.

“Finally, after slightly more than three minutes of continuous effort, the woodpecker put its beak into the lower spot (top left) to pull out a big fat larva [?beetle larva] (top right) that appeared to have a wing-like structure [piece of wood chip?] in the middle of its body (above). With the larva in its beak, it flew off to a neighbouring tree where its fledgling was waiting. The larva was caught for its fledgling.”

Kwong Wai Chong
Singapore
27th June 2010

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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