Asian Paradise Flycatcher takes a cicada

YC Wee
on 26th October 2011

Samson Tan encountered an Asian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi) on the 9th October 2011 when it just caught a cicada LINK.

The Asian Paradise Flycatcher is a common passage migrant and a rare winter visitor. Most visit around October, although a few can be seen most months of the year. It feeds mainly on flying insects. From a perch the bird swoops out to snatch a passing insect, returning back to the same or a different perch. There, it then proceeds to process the prey (above and below).

Samson reported that instead of swallowing the cicada whole, the flycatcher bashed it against the branch before biting off the head. It then tore off pieces, swallowing only the thorax and abdomen.

Samson Tan
Singapore
October 2011

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

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30th August 2023

Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

18th August 2023

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20th July 2023

Singapore-Nature: 15. Looking versus studying birds

12th July 2023

Singapore Nature: 14. Accolades

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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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