The Hunting Behavior of Common Kestrel, Marsh Harrier and Black-Shouldered Kite: A Photographic Documentary

It has been widely acknowledged that many scientific data were obtained from the information provided by amateur birders as well as citizen scientist. Bird watching in a non conventional way does not only involve identification of birds. It may also involved observing the type of prey they eat, how they hunt, the interaction between them and their ecosystem etc. When that happens you have actually inadvertently looking at the ecology of things, which is the study of how living things (in this case, birds) interact with their environment/surroundings.

There are not many birders in this region who have the opportunity to observe or let alone photograph the hunting moments of a Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), an Eastern Marsh Harrier (Circus spilonotus) and a Black-Shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus), all within one location.

I will start with the Common Kestrel which is a winter visitor in this region.

I was cruising along the dirt track when i spotted a raptor on a perch. Going closer i have identified the raptor as a Common Kestrel (female). Immediately i stopped my car about 50 meters away and tried to take a few photos of this uncommon winter visitor. 

At first she look to her right.

Then a bit to her left.

She then took off and flew towards my direction. 

Oops ! there is a strange looking human being inside the car. So she decided to change her flight direction.

Like an airplane, she tried to gain some height. Here she is doing just that - gaining as much altitude as possible.

Once she has gained enough height, the hunt begins. RSPB, UK reported that a Common Kestrel can spot a beetle 50m from its perch. Amazing !

Cruising at about 60-70 meters above, the search for prey begins.

Searching diligently for her morning breakfast.

Then i believe she has spotted something on the ground. Wings folded and she is ready to dive.

And then the moment of glory happened. Diving almost 90 degrees with talons all expanded towards her prey.

Holy cow ! she missed the rat by just a few inches.

She did a u-turn in case the rat was still there.

Nope it has gone.

No luck this time and she was back to her perch waiting for another chance.

Next on the hunting list was a male Eastern Marsh Harrier.

Eastern Marsh Harrier hunting style is different. They would prefer to hunt closer to the ground i.e just a few meters above the reeds.

They are just like a big fat Lancaster. Flapping slowly and cruising silently in their hunt for prey.

Their eyes were constantly looking downwards.

I believe he has spotted something on the ground. 

Did he got the prey?

Oh dear ! no luck as well. Off he went to look elsewhere.

Now here is the grand old master of stationery flight. This Black-shouldered Kite aka "Helang Tikus" was spotted not too far away from where i stood.

Here is the master demonstrating the famous "hover-hunt style".

I did not pay much attention to it as it did some semi circles and a few dives. 

Before i knew it there was already a rat in its talon ! Guess you need to learnt from a local resident on ways to catch a prey in this region.

It was truly an amazing experience to witness all the above spectacular hunting sequence unfolded just right above and in front of me. 

HAPPY BIRDING !

Sungai Batu Mangroves - revisited (Sept 2017)

In Science, the proof of concept usually relies on empirical results where else in bird watching, the proof of existence, i believe would depends on photographic evidence. This time i decided to revisit this location to find out whether the group of Oriental Pratincole seen in June 2017 were just passing by or were actually using this location as their 'home ground'. As i drove slowly along the dirt road, i could not see any of them flying around as i did the last time. So i decided to parked my car and walk towards some ploughed ground. 

It took me some time before i could spot some of them. 

Look how well they have blended with the ground and vegetation colors.

Majority of them were seen with their bills wide open. It was not because they were calling but more like trying to cool themselves in the middle of hot sun.

 

The absence of throat patch, red bill based and clear black necklace shows that majority of them were either juveniles or in their non-breeding colors.

I counted all seven of them i.e the same number i have seen in June but the figure may not be conclusive as there were a few more cleared land which i did not explore.

Most of them were standing up and alert but they did not attempt to fly away. 

A typical "broken-wing" posed.

Here are some of the 'local' birds and insects i have seen prior to my maiden discovery trip at this location.

    The size of the above Black-Crowned Night Heron is not really as big as a Purple Heron but their slow and gentle wing flaps certainly a sight to behold.

Finally i was able to photographed this Paddy Field Pipit which had eluded me earlier.

This White-throated Kingfisher had a nice splashed at a nearby pool of water.

I flushed this Little Egret out from the middle of the mangrove. Hundreds of them can be seen in some paddy fields along the highway.

Olive-backed Sunbird (female)

Olive-backed Sunbird (Male)

Yellow-Vented Bulbul

Odonata anyone? There are just a handful of people out there who enjoy photographing these little creatures.

This place has the largest stink bug i have ever seen.

HAPPY BIRDING !