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Feeding behaviour of a pair of White-breasted Waterhen

on 2nd May 2010

“It was late afternoon and the sky was turning dark with rain clouds when this pair of White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) emerged to forage at a patch of grass-field. After about 10 minutes of hunting, one bird caught a small cockroach. But instead of eating the meal, it offered the meal to its partner! The lovely couple went on to pass the prey to-and-fro for a good three to four rounds before it was eventually eaten by the first bird. This is the first time I witnessed this interesting behavior.”

TS Tan
Singapore
27th April 2010

Note: Can this be courtship feeding?

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

3 Responses

  1. Re WB Waterhen feeding behaviour, it may be courtship feeding after all. There has been a report of a male barbet offering food to female who then passes it back to the male, as if in a ‘teasing’ manner.

    1. I would want to study on the courtship behaviour of this species. May I know the period when you observed this behaviour? thanks.

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