A lone Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata, denizen of Europe and Siberia, suddenly made its appearance at Kent Ridge Park, Singapore. Although a plain looking passerine, the little bird induced great excitement amongst birdwatchers and bird photographers. There are many beautiful portraits of the flycatcher but this post will document the different insects the bird managed to feed on. Readers can write in the comments section if they can elucidate the identity of the insect preys.
Photo 1. Spotted flycatcher with insect in beak. Photo credit Tan Tze Siong. Kent Ridge Park. 21 October 2021. Insect prey is cricket Nisitrus malaya, identified by Soh Kam Yung.
Photo 2. Photo credit to Aung Moe Hein.
Photo 3. Photo credit to Kenneth Cheong.
Photo 4. Erwin Foo captured the flycatcher attempting to snatch small air-borne flies .
Photo 5. Photo credit to Jimmy Lim. Insect prey is blue-banded bee Amegilla sp., identified by Soh Kam Yung.
Photo 6. Photo credit to Neo Jinju.
Photo 7. Photo credit to Kelvin Ng Cheng Kwan.
Photo 8. Photo credit to Tan Tze Siong. Insect prey is cricket Nisitrus malaya, identified by Soh Kam Yung.
Photo 9. Photo credit to Dodotee Tee.
Photo 10. Photo credit to Johnny Wee.
Photo 11. Photo credit to Johnny Wee.
Photo 12. Photo credit to Judy Wong.
Photo 13. Photo credit to Yeak Hwee Lee.
Photo 14. Photo credit to Marcus Young.
Photo 15. Jack Lai documented the Spotted Flycatcher regurgitating a pellet.
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.
Soh Kam Yung
I’m reasonably certain the cricket in Photo 1 and 8 is Nisitrus malaya. The bee in photo 5 might be a Blue Banded bee (Amegilla sp.).
My refs:
– Nisitrus malaya Robillard & Tan, 2021 [ https://www.gbif.org/species/11158988 ]
– Amegilla zonata – Blue-banded bee [ https://wiki.nus.edu.sg/display/TAX/Amegilla+zonata+-+Blue-banded+bee ]
BESG
Hi Kam Yung,
Thank you for your help. Everyone at BESGroup and the photographers at BICA appreciate your help with the ID.