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Daurian Redstart casts a pellet

on 28th November 2019
Video grab 1.

Yeo Eng Chai’s video of a Daurian Redstart (Phoenicurus auroreus) casting a pellet is the most complete video documentation we have of the phenomenon. It clearly shows the gaping of the bill when the bird started the process of regurgitating the pellet, followed by the appearance of the pellet itself between the mandibles and ending in the pellet being cast out – see video clip below. Video grabs show the various stages – from top down.

We have an earlier account of the Daurian Redstart casting a pellet but only an image of the bird with a pellet between its bills LINK.

Video grab 2.

An earlier video by Jeremiah Loei shows similar details of a Black-backed Kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca) casting a pellet.

Video grab 3.

Such documentation needs luck and lots of patience. If the bird has eaten something, you need to wait for many minutes until it has compacted the undigested parts of its meal into a pellet before regurgitating it. On the other hand, if feeding was not seen earlier, you need luck to catch the bird casting a pellet.

Video grab 4.

Yeo Eng Chai
Singapore
23rd November 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.

Other posts by YC Wee

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