Cheong Weng Chun photographed an adult malkoha with a gliding lizard in its bill during a guiding assignment in Kuala Selangor Nature Park, Malaysia on 14th Jan 2011. The malkoha had its mandibles clamped on the neck of the lizard and was thrashing it in the air. Once the lizard became lifeless, the malkoha flew off to pass the prey to its juvenile. The latter was rather inexperienced in handling the lizard but finally managed to handle it properly. Check out the video above.
According to R Subaraj, “The malkoha is a Chestnut-bellied Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus sumatranus). The draco is probably a Common Gliding Lizard (Draco sumatrana).
K C Tsang
Great video documentaiton Weng Chun !!!
Thanks ….
Weng Chun
Thanks. I happened to be there at the right time (under the hot late morning sun).
Anyway, I found an article on brood care of chestnut-bellied
malkoha,
it mentioned that the parents did not return to the chick for hours after a
meal of *D. sumatranus* and it is assumed that the parent have either
abandoned the chick since it is fully feathered or probably continue feeding
in thicker vegetation.
Birding Thailand
Reptiles have a special place in my heart. It always hurts when I see other animals eating them, though that is nature.
georgina Chin
Hi, I chanced upon a nesting sight and need some advise. can you kindly assist. I hear the last sightings were in 2008.
YC
Yes, in Oct 2008… http://www.besgroup.org/2008/10/03/chestnut-bellied-malkoha-feeding-chick-a-lizard/
We are happy to post if you have a story on the nesting.