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Grey-headed Fish-eagle canopy feeding

on 31st July 2019

After his sixth attempt, Johnny Wee finally managed to document a Grey-headed Fish-eagle (Icthyophaga ichthyaetus) capturing a fish by moving along in shallow water at Pandan River with its wings held forward. This is a typical posture adopted by some birds in their fascinating hunting strategy known as canopy feeding.

Grey-headed Fish-eagle in canopy feeding mode.

Common among herons LINK and egrets LINK, these birds hold their wings forward or over their head to form a canopy when fishing in shallow water. It is possible that the resulting shade attracts fish looking for a place to hide. The shade also cuts off the glare from the sun, thus allowing the bird to easily spot the fish.

Grey-headed Fish-Eagle with its catch.

Also, the bird may be camouflaging itself so that the fish sees darkness from below instead of a bird stalking for food/fish LINK.

Johnny Wee
Singapore
26th May 2019

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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