Copper-throated Sunbird fledgling eaten by a whip snake

on 8th July 2018

On 30th June 2018 at 9.55 am, FIN witnessed a Copper-throated Sunbird (Nectarinia calcostetha) chick fledging (see video below).

About 40 minutes after leaving the nest the fledgling ended between the jaws of a Whip Snake (Ahaetulla sp.). Once firmly secured between the snake’s jaws, the struggling fledgling was slowly but surely moved through the snake’s mouth and into the stomach (see top and video below).

FIN
Singapore
2nd July 2018

We wish to thank FIN for permission to post the story and MeiLin Khoo for forwarding FIN’s story, image and two videos to BESG.

This post is a cooperative effort between Birds, Insects N Creatures Of Asia and BESG to bring the study of birds and their behaviour 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.

Other posts by YC Wee

One Response

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Clustrmaps (since 2016)