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Dollarbird processing a Carpenter Bee…

on 23rd July 2018

During the documentation of the pair of Dollarbirds (Eurystomus orientalis) that were defending their breeding territory at the TV antennae LINK, the video clips showed two instances of a Dollarbird flying back to the TV antenna with a Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa sp.) between its mandibles. These could be aerial captures. It was not possible to establish whether they were the same bird or different birds.

Dollarbirds normally feed on large hard insects like beetles, mantis, crickets, grasshoppers, shield-bugs, cicadas, honeybees, including small lizards (Fry, 2001). However, there is no mention of Carpenter Bees. Two earlier posts on Dollarbirds catching Carpenter Bees can be found HERE and HERE.

Dollarbird with Carpenter Bee – video grab.

The head of the bee was firmly clamped between the mandibles od the Dollarbird. The bee was not swiped on the perch as is usual with most insects. Instead, it was subjected to crushing by the mandibles as they clamped and unclamped on it. This took expert handling, especially when perched high up on the antenna. On two occasions the bee slipped off the mandibles and the Dollarbird flew down to retrieve it.

Constant pressure of the mandibles caused the Carpenter Bee to eventually stop struggling. Only then was it swallowed, head first. Swallowing was followed by the mandatory swiping of the bill on the metal rod of the antenna.

YC Wee
Singapore
17th July 2018

Reference:
Fry, C.H., 2001. Family Coraciidae (Rollers). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds.), Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 6. Mousebirds to Hornbills. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 342-377.

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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