White-throated Kingfisher entangled by kite line

on 6th August 2010

“Road kills are very common.

“Now, there is proof that kite kills too. The pictures of a bird killed by the line of a breakaway kite is shown on the left. I think it got entangled while in flight due to the almost invisible line. The line could be coated with broken glass to act as abrasive usually common in kite flying competition which could have cut this poor bird.

“From the colors and the beak, I presume that it is a White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis).

“It was taken from a line hanging from the branch of a ficus tree (top, above left) beside Riverview housing estate by the Sungai Klang river not far from Klang Gate reservior, Kuala Lumpur. The image above-right shows the inset photo of the long beak.”

Forest Ang
1st August 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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