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Ashy Tailorbird feeding on apple snail eggs

on 14th January 2014

Jasper Lim came across an Ashy Tailorbird (Orthotomus ruficeps) picking up some Apple Snail (Pomacea canaliculata) eggs and flying off to eat them (above). Unfortunately he was unable to get a picture of the bird in the act.

Apple Snail, also known as Golden Apple Snail, can be seen in freshwater marshes and reservoirs. Although snails generally have either gills or lungs, Apple Snail has have both gills and lungs. They are thus amphibious.

The Apple Snail is native to South American. Introduced into many countries as a food item, it has since become an agricultural pest. Their pink egg masses, attached to vegetation above the water level, are conspicuous whenever the snails are present (above).

Jasper Lim (tailorbird image) & YC Wee (snail image)
Singapore
January 2014

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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