“An adult Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) feeding on a fish from the nearby fish farms.
“The bird was intermittently disturbed by another Brahminy Kite (not in image or video), so looked up periodically.
“One of my friends says the fish is a Tinfoil Barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii).
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
5th April 2015
Location: Tambun Interior, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Secondary growth near limestone hills, vegetable and fish farms
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3 responses
Dear Amar, I believe that fish is more likely to be a Lampam Jawa (Barbonymus javanicus) rather than a Tinfoil Barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldi). My reasons for saying so: The fish is relatively large in relation to the bird, probably at the very top end of the size range for a Tinfoil. Lampam get considerably larger. Tinfoils are very sensistive to pollution in the water, and are the first to suffer if water quality deteriorates in the fish ponds that I help to manage. They would be unlikely to be be cultivated in the type of area you mention. Lampam, on the other hand, are more forgiving of variances in water quality, and are sometimes cultured in ponds adjacent to vegetable farms. And they grow large enough to make a reasonable meal, unlike the smaller Tinfoil. Also, the general body proportions of the fish look more like those of a Lampam than a Tinfoil. And, Tinfoil have distinctly red fins, while those of the Lampam are more brownish. All nit-picking aside, the two species are closely related, and do resemble each other.
Dear Lee,
Appreciate the detailed comment and response. Although I do know birds (some what)I know little about fish & relied on a colleague. I think you must be right. Thanks again.
Amar
Dear Amar, regret that my response was somewhat outdated. I referred to the fish as Barbonymus javanicus. It appears that some scientists have revised the taxonomy of that genus and the currently accepted name is Barbonymus gonionotus.