Collared Kingfisher caught a frog…

on 23rd August 2016

Bernard Seah’s image of a Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) landing outside its nesting hole was photographed at Singapore’s Japanese Garden (below).

KIngfisherC-fly to nest [BernardSeah]

On another occasion, the Collared Kingfisher was photographed with a frog firmly clamped between its mandibles (below). From the appearance of the prey, the kingfisher must have spent some time bashing it against its perch before positioning it ready for passing to the chick headfirst.

KIngfisherC-frog [BernardSeah]

As Bernard rightly says, “As in most birds that practice quick drop feeding, the Collared Kingfisher feeds its babies with food positioned to be received by the mouth and swallowed immediately.”

“See how the parents (like kingfishers, swallows) take the effort to catch, kill, position the food for the split second drop, so the babies don’t have to fumble to reposition the food or choke… probably to also prevent them from fighting each other in the nest since the food is delivered fast and consumed faster.”

Two earlier posts list a menu of foods brought to the nest of the Collared Kingfisher – HERE and HERE. Both lists do not include a frog.

Bernard Seah
Singapore
6th August 2016

This post is a cooperative effort between Birds, Insects N Creatures Of Asia and BESG to bring the study of birds and their behavior through photography and videography to a wider audience.

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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