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Asian Fairy-bluebird – Female feeding on moth

on 29th September 2015

“Was in a dark part of the jungle when I saw this largish dark bird, feeding high in the canopy (above).

“Almost did not recognise what it was until I realised that the female Asian Fairy-bluebird (Irena puella malayensis) can look green in low light.

“They are documented as largely frugivores but here it is eating a large moth (like a silk moth).

“The feeding behaviour is interesting (see composite above)):

“Once dead, caught the moth by the wing, tossed it to tear off the wing, then re-caught the body.

“Then tossed it up to catch it again in the full beak.

“Shots grainy as in low light.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipog, Perak, Malaysia
26th January 2009

Location: Primary Jungle, Keledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Red Data Status: Near-threatened bordering on vulnerable

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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