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Pellet casting: Collared Kingfisher and possibly, Banded Woodpecker

YC Wee
on 10th December 2012

Kwong Wai Chong is sharing some pictures of a female Banded Woodpecker (above). “For a few short seconds, it stretched out its neck and gaped with bill wide open (below)”, wrote Wai Chong. ” Was it casting a pellet?”

“Species that have been documented to cast pellets include raptors, bee-eaters, and kingfishers. I suspect that this woodpecker could be casting a pellet, but this cannot be confirmed as the actual action was missed as it turned away at the critical moment,” continued Wai Chong.

Images of a Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) in the act of casting a pellet for comparison have been provided by Wai Chong (above and below).

So far, we have documented pellet casting in two species of kingfisher: Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx erithacus) LINK and Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) LINK. Now we have another species added to the above two – Collared Kingfisher

Kwong Wai Chong
Singapore
December 2012

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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11th December 2023

Singapore-Nature: 17. Citizen Science

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

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  1. Pingback: Bird Ecology Study Group Blue-eared Kingfisher casting pellet

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