Birding in Hutan Lipur Lentang

Hutan Lipur Lentang is a recreational forest just about 40 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur. Situated in the state of Pahang, this lowland forest has more trails than Sungai Tekala or Gabai recreational forest in Hulu Langat. Unfortunately there are not many fruiting trees here so most birds are observed generally hawking for insects. Here are some of the interesting birds which i saw:

These are Grey Wagtails. Although its already 7.45am but the place still very dark. These birds may look very social in nature but it has always kept its distance from me. These birds were winter visitors over here.

This is a Grey-Headed Canary Flycatcher singing its heart out. Its calls were louder than the sound of the nearby waterfall.

This is a silhouette of a Greater Racket-tailed Drongo.

Although it has passed 9.20am but in the jungle its still very dark. Some white spots can be seen on its feathers.

This fellow could probably be a juvenile Greater Racket-tailed Drongo.

Its not everyday that you will see a woodpecker coming down to the ground to forage for food let alone this Banded Woodpecker !

She is probably looking for some worms to eat.

Always a delight to see - this is a male Asian Fairy Bluebird.

This is a female Greater Green Leafbird - can be id from the tinge of yellow at its throat and a faint yellow ring around its eyes.

This is a Little Spiderhunder.

Not too bad a place for birding but can be crowded with people on weekends.

Asian Fairy Bluebird (Irena puella)

Asian Fairy Bluebird is a beautiful bird. Male has sapphire-blue feathers on its back while its front from neck to belly region are predominantly black. Despite its deep rich blue feathers, it may be difficult to spot these birds in the jungle.  According to Wikipedia, Asian Fairy Bluebird are close relatives to ioras and leafbirds.  It can be seen in plantations, rural kampungs and forest up to 1900m but more often at regions around  850m - 1200m. Locally named as "burung dendang gajah" is a fully protected bird. Although listed as "least concern" by Birdlife International,  you won't be able to see this bird in all trails or all the time. Here are some of its pictures (all are males) which i have managed to shoot when it came down from its usual canopy home for its morning breakfast of wild berries...

If it stays put this way it will be difficult to spot this bird in a dark forest due to its jet-black frontal feathers.

Unless it moves to show its blue shinning feathers.

This is another male lurking nearby.

A simply magnificent bird.

Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis)

Asian Glossy Starling or previously named as Philippine Glossy Starling are one of the most common birds one could see in parks, gardens, plantations etc - especially where there are fruit trees. If there is a ripe papaya, a flock could finish it within a few hours. A flock of about 50 birds were seen recently at Templer's Park (Aug 2011) , feasting themself on ripe berries on a tree.

This is a juvenile grabbing itself a ripe berry.

This fellow is an adult looking at which berries to pick.

This is probably a sub-adult.

An adult deciding which of the two hungry mouths to feed!

A juvenile and a sub-adult together

Another sub-adult fluffing its feathers.