Feeding episodes and behavior of Blue Whistling Thrush (Myophonus caeruleus)

Blue Whistling Thrush (Myophonus caeruleus) is quite a large thrush. It's about the size of a Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa) - about 31cm / 11 inches and probably more common than the Malayan Whistling Thrush (Myophonus robinsoni). There are quite a number of research papers out there on the Blue Whistling Thrush. One of the latest was published as recent as in 2024 by Zhengfeng Yuan et al titled "Complete Mitochondrial Genome and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Blue Whistling Thrush (Myophonus caruleus)". There is also another interesting article which explained the differences between those two Thrushes. It was co-written by none other than our own local birders led by Dave Bakewell et al (2010), titled "Malaysian Whistling Thrush Myophonus robinsoni - Field identification, distribution, and conservation concerns". 

Recently I came across a Blue Whistling Thrush at a famous limestone cave in the state of Perak. This time it was quite a different encounter as this individual showed some unusual behavior and I also manage to witnessed its feeding episodes.

As I was casually exploring at the fringes of the cave, suddenly this 'black' bird flew down and landed just a few feet away from me. It tried to hide itself between a few leaves hoping that I can't notice it. It reminds me of a recent viral photo of a juvenile elephant trying to hide itself near a pole. 😂

Eventually I believe it knew I have spotted it and it flew slightly higher and after one more photography shot it flew back into the thick bush. 

Then on the same day a few hours later, I spotted another one. I presumed it's the same one I saw earlier. This time it was seen trying to catch a frog.

The frog looks quite big.

It then took the prey higher up to a cliff side and smash it against some rocks a few times.

It then continue to eat bits and pieces of its prey. After awhile I saw it taking the remaining portion further into a nearby bush.

Happily watching the behavior of the Blue Whistling Thrush is this Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger)

I doubt it can get any fishes here.

Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger)

I think I spoke too soon. 

There were actually fishes in a nearby stream. Here you can see four different types of fishes.

Initially I thought this could be a 'Tengas' but a more experienced 'fisherman' says it's a 'Tebal Sisik' - Blunt Snout Barb (Mystacoleucus obtusirostris).

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS !

Birding in Northern Vietnam - June 2025

Xin Chow ! (Hello! in Vietnamese). 

I would consider this trip more like an impromptu birding rather than an actual birding trip per se. Just shoot whatever which came along the tourist spots. Didn't see many birds though, most likely due to the poor weather up in the mountains (most of the time it was misty) and locals told me that it's an early raining season in Northern parts of Vn in June. Luckily I still managed to see a few nice birds. 

Japanese Tit

Parus minor

This Tit was seen at 1500 m asl and its identity is confirmed by Dr James Eaton. 

Japanese Tit

Parus minor

It only appeared briefly then it flew down the valley.

It looks like this species of Tits are quite common in this area. I saw about 5 of them flying around. This was one of them and I think this could be a Cinereous Tit (Parus cinereus).

Cinereous Tit 

Parus cinereus

Here is another one.

Cinereous Tit 

Parus cinereus

Not sure whether it was pecking for food or excavating for a nest hole. This one has a more whitish belly.

I think I was very lucky to see this bird. It's the only resident bird which I've manage to photographed. 

Whiskered Yuhina

Yuhina flavicollis

Whiskered Yuhina

Yuhina flavicollis

It was seen near the Rong May Glass Bridge which is about 2200m asl.

Whiskered Yuhina

Yuhina flavicollis

It came and grab something to eat and off it went. Saw two of them. I also saw a Wren like bird under the thick under growth. The weather at that time was foggy and very windy. I also saw a Fire-tailed Myzornis (Myzornis pyrrhoura) moving swiftly along the tree trunk like our Nuthatch. I can clearly see its green colour feathers as well as a few white spots near its tail. Unfortunately I can't get a shot of it as goes with a Drongo like bird at the same vicinity.

This set up looks quite similar like those found in our highlands here. 

This is a Hill Prinia (Prinia superciliaris)

It appeared just when the mist came flowing down from the mountains. This Prinia was shot at a much lower altitude - about 1500 m asl.

I think this is a Siberian Thrush (Geokichla sibirica). It appeared at the same time as the above Hill Prinia. Looks like the birds here likes foggy weather.

It looks just like our common Tree Sparrow (Passer rutilans). Chilling out on a cold windy weather.

Initially I thought this might be a Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus) but was corrected by Dr Eaton as just an Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), formerly known as an Oriental White-eye. 

Indian White-eye

Zosterops palpebrosus

Looks like a Thrush I think.

Pacific Swallow are pretty common here too.

I think this one looks like a White-throated Fantail (Rhipidura albicollis)

Finally this is an unmistakable bulbul. They are as common as our Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier).

Red-Whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus)

Their calls are very distinctive.

Red-Whiskered Bulbul 

(Pycnonotus jocosus)

They can also be found in the highlands but I think they are more common in the lowland areas.

Their local chicken which looks like an Ayam Hutan.

Their vegetation are just like some other tropical jungle. According to a local guide, he recommends a good birding spot at Ninh Binh province which is about 4 hours drive from Hanoi. Over there lies the oldest Vn national park i.e the Cuc Phuong National Park. Generally the locals here are friendly and their food are delicious.

COME URN ! or KWANG ! (i.e Thank You in Vietnamese)