Friday, 20 April 2012

Robinson's Angle-Head Lizard (Gonocephalus robinsonii)

Recently i came across a lizard which looks like a miniature ancient dinosaur. With the help of Dave and Muin, i found out that the lizard is called Robinson's Angle-Head Lizard. Here is a description of the lizard which i got from the net: "Robinson's angle-head lizard, or Gonocephalus robinsonii is a highland agamid species that is identifiable by its white lower jaw and flap beneath the neck as well as the bluish eyes. This is a common species in mid to upper-level rainforest. Little is known about its ecology. It appears to be endemic to Peninsular Malaysia and is not found anywhere else in Southeast Asia. Length is about 47 cm and can live to about 10 years"





I believe the lizard i saw could be a juvenile as its body color is greenish and it does not have a bluish eyes as described. There was a saying that "most birders are nature lovers but not all nature lovers are birders" ! I don't mind living with that tag. Happy Birding !

Saturday, 14 April 2012

Awana Old Pump House - Apr 2012

On the way down from Gunung Ulu Kali, we decided to detour to the famous Awana OPH. It was just an after thought so we actually started birding at very odd hours which is from 12 noon to 14.00 hrs. The usual birds were seen here:

This was the first bird we saw near the entrance of the trail - a "Black-Naped Oriole". It seems to have more black colors on its wings than its lower land counter parts.

Another common bird we saw near the entrance - an "Oriental Magpie Robin". We also saw one at Gunung Ulu Kali earlier.

Could this be an Arctic or an Eastern-Crowned Warbler? I believe it looks more like an Eastern-Crowned Warbler as its supercilium goes right down to the base of its bill. We saw two packs of this bird near some bamboo shrubs - each pack has about 4-5 birds.

This is a male minivet hiding behind the leaves.


These are Grey-Chinned Minivet (female) - id from its greyish-white chin. So i guess the earlier male should be from the same species because they were foraging nearby.

We also saw this Golden Babbler along the trail.


We also saw this Mountain Fulvetta.

Other birds which we have saw and heard are as follows:

i) a Spiderhunter (could not positively id)
ii) a call of a barbet
iii) a male orange-bellied leafbird
iv) a drongo (presumably a bronze)
v) a pair of white-rumped munia which was building a nest nearby the trail.
vi) a lone Chestnut Capped Laughingthrush - calling and foraging

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