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Black-thighed Falconet – dragonfly prey

on 10th July 2019

“I had an extended opportunity to observe two first year Black-thighed Falconets (Microhierax fringillarius) – as seen from the significant residual rufous colouration on the white parts of the head).

“They caught and fed mainly on dragonflies. One of the dragonflies I managed to identify is the Brachydiplax chalybea (Blue Dasher). [Note: Wildlife consultant Subaraj Rajathurai has identified the dragonfly as Orthetrum sabina (Variegated Green Skimmer)].

“They caught the dragonflies in the claw while on the wing. They hold it in one claw and eat it piecemeal while the prey is still alive; they did not eat the wings. The pair did not share prey with each other.

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
1st July 2019

Location: Ipoh City, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Limestone hills at outskirts of the city

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

3 Responses

  1. Hi Dato,

    Beautiful shots of the falconets and their prey.

    Just a small correction. The dragonfly is actually Orthetrum sabina (Variegated Green Skimmer).

    Keep posting your wonderful wildlife encounters!

    Subaraj

  2. Thanks Subaraj & BESG for dragonfly ID. Perhaps I was not clear when I commented ““They caught and fed mainly on dragonflies. One of the dragonflies I managed to identify is the Brachydiplax chalybea (Blue Dasher).” That was NOT in reference to the dragonfly in the image but as part of the overall observations made of their prey. Apprentice the ID of this dragonfly that I could not ID.

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