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Crested Goshawk caught a Javan Myna

on 26th March 2017
Crested Goshawk caught a Javan Myna (Photo credit: Jonathan Kuah)
Crested Goshawk with Javan Myna (Photo credit: Jonathan Kuah)

Jonathan Kuah’s image above shows a Crested Goshawk (Accipiter trivirgatus) with a freshly caught Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus) just brought back to its perch (above).

The other images by Derrick Cheong show the same goshawk dismembering the myna. Well, that’s how the goshawk deals with its prey.

Crested Goshawk dismantling a Javan Myna (Photo credit: Derrick Cheong)
Crested Goshawk eating Javan Myna (Photo credit: Derrick Cheong)

Like many raptors, Crested Goshawk feeds on small mammals like Common Palm Civets (Paradoxurus hermaphrodites), squirrels and bats.

Crested Goshawk dismantling a Javan Myna (Photo credit: Derrick Cheong)
Crested Goshawk eating Javan Myna (Photo credit: Derrick Cheong)

The goshawk also takes birds, lizards, frogs and large insects – see HERE.

Crested Goshawk eating Javan Myna (Photo credit: Derrick Cheong)
Crested Goshawk eating Javan Myna (Photo credit: Derrick Cheong)

The goshawk usually sits quietly on a concealed perch and launches its attack the moment it sights a prey. Usually after a short chase it catches it and brings it back to a perch to eat it.

Crested Goshawk eating Javan Myna (Photo credit: Derrick Cheong)
Crested Goshawk eating Javan Myna (Photo credit: Derrick Cheong)

Small prey is killed by the talons but larger ones will be pecked on the head and neck. In the case of this myna, the feathers were plucked off and discarded. The flesh was pecked off the long bones but smaller bones were swallowed. Intestines were usually discarded. Undigested remains were eventually discarded in the form of a pellet.

Derrick Cheong & Jonathan Kuah
Singapore
23rd February 2017

Reference
Thiollay, J. M., 1994. Family Accipitridae (Hawks and Eagles). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. eds. Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 2. New world vultures to guineafowl. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 52-205.

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

One Response

  1. That mynah is a very young bird, if you observe the proportions of the head and the beak. Well, inexperienced young birds are more likely to fall victim to predators.

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