
“Most of us would have experienced the mixed species feeding frenzy on alate termites. See as an example: LINK.

“This weekend I observed a similar mixed species feeding on aerial Insect but these were not termites (suspect they are some species of Mymaridae, commonly known as fairyflies or fairy wasps).

“These insects were fluttering around a Madras Thorn tree (Pithecellobium dulce) near my home and hence less birds were involved; only the Yellow-vented Bulbuls (Pycnonotus goiavier analis), Asian Glossy Starlings (Aplonis panayensis strigata) and Baya Weavers (Ploceus philippinus infortunatus).

“The Baya Weavers were a complete surprise. Although I am aware, and have seen them take animal prey, the fact that they would sally out to catch such insects was unexpected. All birds would return to the tree to feed. Occasionally there were clashes between birds who had both sallied out to the same prey.

“Images are limited as I stood at a distance to observe the whole event and insect feeding episodes were random and unpredictable.”
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Date: 15th October 2016
Location: Ipoh City, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Urban Environment