Search

Tiger Shrike casting a pellet

on 14th October 2015

Johnny Wee’s images of a Tiger Shrike (Lanius tigrinus) casting a pellet capture the process from start to finish. As the shrike widens its gape as if to vomit, its tongue is exposed (above).

Immediately after, the first sign of the pellet can be seen emerging from between the mandibles (above, below).

This is followed by the large black pellet emerging from its mouth to fall to the ground below (below).

If the pellet can be located, the indigestible parts of the shrike’s food can be dissected and identified, especially if they are bones.

Bones from a pellet casted by a Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus) are shown HERE. Those probably from a Common Barn Owl (Tyto alba) are shown HERE.

A PDF on pellet casting by local birds can be accessed HERE.

Johnny Wee
Singapore
October 2015

This post is a cooperative effort between Birds, Insects N Creatures Of Asia and BESG to bring the study of birds and their behavior through photography and videography to a wider audience.

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

2 Responses

  1. Action well captured.
    Interesting that this shrike has such a black eye band but with its grey cap still not fully developed. Adult Tiger Shrikes are rarely seen in the past, but this year a few sub-adults / adults can be seen at Bidadari.
    Bidadari is still the best place to see migratory birds. Hopefully, the Authorities will consider keeping the place as it is – in its wild where these visiting birds stopped by every year.

  2. We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with useful information to work on. You have done an impressive activity and our entire group might be grateful to you.

Leave a Reply to oakley radar 3062 Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
949
20802
Visitors Today
51759803
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)