Asian Fairy-bluebird – female feeding

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

“Almost did not recognise what it was until I realised that the female Asian Fairy-bluebird (Irena puella malacan) looks 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 below).

“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
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
26th January 2009

Location: Primary Jungle, Keledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia