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Brown-chested Jungle-flycatcher handling an earthworm

on 13th March 2018

Jeremiah Loei‘s video of the Brown-chested Jungle-flycatcher (Rhinomyias brunneata) swallowing an earthworm was documented in Bidadari.

video grab
video grab

It shows the jungle-flycatcher expertly handling the wriggling earthworm after pulling it from the ground. With the earthworm’s anterior end tightly clamped between its mandibles, it had no problem subduing it before totally swallowing it in less than a minute. It showed a little discomfort after the earthworm was swallowed but I suppose the gizzard will deal with the earthworm. The jungle-flycatcher made its obligatory bill swiping a few times before flying off.

As Brown-chested Jungle-flycatcher can easily be confused with Asian Brown Flycatcher (R. dauurica), Fluvious-chested Flycatcher (R. olivacea) and Grey-chested Flycatcher (R. umbratilis), wildlife consultant Subaraj Rajathurai was consulted. Subaraj’s reply: “Based on the heavy bicolored bill, large eye, complete pale eye-ring, prominent bristles at base of bill, proportionally large head, white throat, brown breast band and pale coloured legs… this is almost certainly a Brown-chested Jungle-Flycatcher Rhinomyias brunneata.”

Jeremiah Loei & Subaraj Rajathurai
Singapore
28th January 2018

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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