Asian Glossy Starling de-shelled a snail

StarlingAG-snail [LeeLiEr] 1

Lee Li Er came across an Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis) with a snail between its bill (above).
StarlingAG-snail [LeeLiEr] 2

The starling was repeatedly tapping the snail against the ground until the flesh popped out (above).

StarlingAG-snail [LeeLiEr] 3

The starling then picked the flesh and swallowed it, entrails and all (above, below). Before flying off it picked up the scattered pieces.

StarlingAG-snail [LeeLiEr] 4

The exciting episode was documented at Satay by the Bay on 21st August 2016 – see video below.

This video documentation complements an earlier account that was accompanied by a photograph.

Lee Li Er
Singapore
25th 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.

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