“While Blue-winged Pittas (Pitta moluccensis) of IDFR spent most times foraging on ground, there were times they took to tree perch when felt intruded or when calling/looking for their mates (below left). From its perch and whenever safe opportunities arose, feather maintenance and bill swiping were carried out frequently especially after substantial feeds.
“The following images speak a thousand words (above right, below).
“Belly bellowing, feather shuffle and furling to finish off a satisfactory preen (left; below left & center).
“Blue-winged Pittas took a preference to vermin as main diet.
“However, an unfortunate spider (arachnid) surrendered life, hung mercilessly by own web’s strand from a pair of chunky pincers (below right).
“The 8-legged victim was painfully witnessed by a ‘babi kutu’ or wild boar tick that decided to hitch a ride off male Pitta-2.
“If there was any irritation or ectoparasites felt, a vigorous scratch was in order (below left).
“For easy pickings, meal worms scattered by bird-photographers never got refused (above right).
“One of my favourite observations taken in video was witnessing a foraging, vermivorous female doing multiple high jumps and spade digging, neck deep with its strong, thick bill. Here are some blurry video extracts (above, below).
“Only 60secs were needed for expert listener to detect, excavate and expose two huge, juicy earthworms (below).
“Pitta bird wasted no time in decapitating and immobilizing vermin No.1 by vigorous nibbling at its slimy body. She proceeded in haste to sushi up vermin No.2 that got flung onto the other side before earthworm had opportunity to escape (below).
“Having not forgotten vermin No.1 that laid helpless and segmented on ground, she subsequently turned around and slurped a piece up.
“A short chase for the wriggly, decapitated remnant was made to finish off clean on the ground (above, below).
“An upright stance such as this, is a sign of alarm bells ringing to send the ground dweller into alert mode before flight (left).
“So too it is time readers find out which Pitta paired off and to observe insights of their foraging behaviours in partnership.
“Part 4 coming up…”
Avian Writer Daisy O’Neill
Penang, Malaysia
5th August 2014
Copyright article and all copy images
Courtesy of Daisy O’Neill Bird Conservation Fund
