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)

Exploring a New World of Mushrooms - March 2025

Climate change has affected many people - me included. I have detoured a little bit from the usual avian photos to highlight some of the mushrooms which can be found along the trails here. There are close to 4000 species of shrooms in Peninsular Malaysia alone (source: FRIM). I doubt I can see all those species in my lifetime but there are always something interesting which may pop out from time to time.

Red Waxcap mushroom

Hygrocybe firma

Mushrooms have a myriad of colours for you to see. The usual colours are either whitish or brownish. I have seen pink ones, orange ones, purple ones, yellow, red and green ones as well. The remaining colour which I hope to see are those blue colour ones which is reported to be quite rare.

Cantharellus sp

Unlike birds, majority of the fungi found here are identified via their scientific names and hardly many with a common name. 

Ridge-stemmed bolete

Austroboletus sp

What I have learnt from those mycologist is that if you wish to identify a fungi accurately, you will need to see their underside i.e their gills to be precise cause some fungi do not have gills like the above.

Cantharellus sp

It has been reported that there are at least five species of Catharellus species which can be found in Peninsular Malaysia. The one above could be a C. cuticulatus according to a researcher from a Mycology group which I am a recent member.

                                                                            

The above could be a Cantharellus cerinoalbus which is reported to be the latest Sub-species found over here. Many Cantharellus species are reported to have an apricot scent.

                  

Cantharellus cerinoalbus

What I have also observed is that young fungi can look totally different than when the grow into an adult fungi. So I guess that's where many enthusiast may make some errors in identifying them.

Cantharellus sp

One of the best times to observe fungi is around a few days after a rainfall.

White Chalk Mushroom

Leococoprinus cretaceus

Many of the mushrooms seen here are just along the trails.

White Chalk Mushroom

Leococoprinus cretaceus

The above fungi emerged from a dead tree trunk although some can also be found from the ground.

They can also appear in many shapes.

                                                             

                      Xylaria sp                   

                 

       

Hohenbuehelia sp

The above appears like a fan shape.

Hohenbuehelia sp

Some fungi have a gelatinous texture like the above species.

Hygrocybe sp

Unlike the above, this Hygrocybe sp has a red stipe/stem instead.

Hygrocybe sp

They always look very striking in the dark jungle floor like those Red Trogons.

Echinochate sp

Looks like a close relative of the more common Microporus sp.

Termitomyces sp

Some may also looked like your garden flowers.

Entoloma mastoidrum

Here's a pink one for you.

                                                                         
                 Another type of Hygrocybe sp                              

This one I can see quite often at my local patch.

                                                                   
                     Sometimes even experts might find it difficult to identify a fungi like this one above.                                       

There are also micro mushrooms which you will need a magnifying glass to see them. 

Dicephalospora ruforcornea

Dicephalospora ruforcornea

Some may just grow from a small broken twig like these little ones.

Mycena myrifica

Some may just emerged from a dead leaf like these ones.

Mycena brunneisetosa

These are really small/micro fungi.

Jelly Fungus

Dacrymyces spathularia

Flowerpot Parasol

Leococoprinus sp

So far this is the only green one I have seen.

Mycena sp

Like a studio shot.

This is a super "rare" one which you might probably not able to see 😃 

LET'S SPARE SOME TIME FOR A MUSHROOM PARTY !