Rhynchokinesis – photo documentation of gradual change in the upper mandible shape

YC Wee
on 4th February 2015

Our introduction to rhynchokinesis was based on the feeding behaviour of the Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) that was sent in by Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS LINK 1 and LINK 2.

This phenomenon is the ability of many long-billed shorebirds to open the tip of a long bill, so as to be able to feed in mud, silt or soil (Erritzoe et al., 2007).

Our call to birdwatchers to document this little known phenomenon as seen HERE attracted the attention of Howard Stockdale from Lancaster, UK.

Howard has been studying the Common Snipe and shares with us his photographic documentation of the rhynchokinesis that first appeared in his Facebook LINK showing the gradual change in the upper mandible shape side on.

Howard Stockdale
Lancaster, UK
February 2015

Reference:
Erritzoe, J., K. Kampp, K. Winker & C. B. Frith, 2007. The ornithologist’s dictionary. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. 290 pp.

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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