I took this pic of a Bue Kingfisher devouring a 6 inch centipede in front of my house. I believe a centipede's bite is very painfull and can kill a baby child so does anyone know why this bird can withstand its bites ?

That looks more like one of those Cuckoo/Crow/Jays than a Kingfisher, not least because of it's lack of umbrella-like beak

There's a designated board in the issan forum that might be able to advise in more detail. Poster issanbirder (I think that's correct) will have some idea.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/229372-birdwatching-in-isan

HTH

Edited July 18, 201510 yr by evadgib

Birds probably know to grab these things by the head and kill them, thereby rendering them harmless. Plus their feathers probably protect them.

Although I did read somewhere that centipedes can sting from any leg, so I might be wrong.

Moved to Pet and vets forum.

The bird in this photograph is an Indian Roller.