Long-tailed shrike frequents Bishan MRT station vicinity

LW Teo
on 1st January 2023

Dave observed a lone Long-tailed shrike Lanius schach in the vicinity of Bishan MRT station on many occasions (Image 1). The bird is unafraid of people and allowed the photographer to approach it to a distance of 2 m.  It is often seen around noon, perched on the tallest wire of the fence (Image 2). On 31 December 2022 Dave observed it perching and scanning its surroundings in the shade of  small shrubs in the same vicinity.

Image 1: Google street map shows the location frequented by the long-tailed shrike. It is often found perched on the fence within the red circle.
Image 2: The bird is often seen perched on the highest wire of the fence.
Image 3: The long-tailed shrike seen perched on a branch of a shrub.
Image 4: The shrike allowed the photographer to approach up close and take shots from different angles.
Image 5: The shrike hopped onto the cement planter but remained in the shade.
Image 6: It remained in the same position and scanned its surroundings, aware of the presence of the photographer.
Image 7: Photographer got even closer to the bird.
Image 8: The long tail trails onto the cement planter.
Image 9: Now the bird scans for prey on the ground.
Image 10: The shrike turns towards the photographer.

At approximately 5 pm on 1 January 2023, Dave documented the shrike diving into the grass to catch insects.  Below are some videos that he shared with BESGroup.

Video 1: The shrike flying down to the grass to foray. The sound of a passing train did not perturb the bird at all.

View the following shorts taken of the bird going about to catch its dinner.

Shrike caught an insect prey   https://youtube.com/shorts/5cMt4VVZk-4

Shrike hopping about                https://youtube.com/shorts/w3WeF47kFrc

Shrike  looking for insect prey   https://youtube.com/shorts/pRO72n54rGc

 

 

All photographs and videos © Dave, taken with phone camera.

Read the following posts to find out more about the Long-tailed shrike:

https://besgroup.org/2022/04/07/long-tailed-shrike-talons/

https://besgroup.org/2022/03/13/long-tailed-shrike-call-and-song/

https://besgroup.org/2019/05/16/long-tailed-shrike-mobbing-barn-owl/

https://besgroup.org/2013/01/28/diet-and-feeding-behaviour-of-the-long-tailed-shrike/

 

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If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the authors/contributors, and do not represent nor are they endorsed by the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore (LKCNHM, NUS) or any of NUS’s affiliates or subsidiaries. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

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