Singing Honeyeater killed by Preying Mantis

["Wynton Maddeford" <>]

Hi All,

 

A cousin of mine, Steven Dale, witnessed an incredible event in June this year at El Questro Station in  northern WA. Steven conducts wildlife tours on behalf of a company.

 

He heard a Singing Honeyeater in distress and when he looked  closer he noticed a  Preying Mantis feeding on it around its throat. It appeared as though the mantis had captured the honeyeater alive. Over the next two hours he witnessed the now dead honeyeater being eaten. Evidently it only ate the head area, leaving the beak and skeleton.

 

Steven took some photos of the incident and he is in the process of writing an article, i think for the WA Naturalists Club.  

 

Evidently his research so far has discovered a mantis eating a frog, but not a bird.

 

Both of us would be interested if anyone has heard or seen a similar event.

 

Best Regards   Wynton Maddeford      

 

PS. I have not yet heard or seen any Sacred Kingfishers around Perth as they often arrive at this time of year. Have they arrived in the ES's yet?

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