Choo Teik Ju’s image of a Paddyfield Pipit (Anthus rufulus) with a centipede in its bill was taken in February 2009.
This pipit is a common resident in open fields, short grassy areas and parks in Singapore. It feeds on arthropods that it catches by running at and picking from the soil and low vegetation.
Its food is reported by Tyler (2004) to be mainly adult and larval insects. Stomach contents include weevils, ants, bugs, termites, spiders, seeds and vegetable matters.
Apparently there is no report on centipede for the Paddyfield Pipit. If so, this is a food record.
Reference:
Tyler, S. J., 2004. Family Motacillidae (Pipits and Wagtails). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. eds. Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 9. Cotingas to Pipits and Wagtails. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 686-786.
This post is a cooperative effort between NaturePixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.
2 Responses
Can you differentiate paddyfield pipit from Richards pipit?
According to C Robson, Richard’s Pipit is larger than Paddyfield and has longer bill and tail… http://besgroup.talfrynature.com/2009/02/17/craig-robson-revised