Teluk Air Tawar, IBA - Jan 2012

During the recent long CNY holidays, i went for a bird watching spree, beginning with a morning trip to Teluk Air Tawar, IBA. Although this time the number of waders observed were fewer than in November 2011, but the photos are much clearer - probably due to the timing of the day.

                     The first bird that greeted me was this lone Common Sandpiper.

Then i saw this crow (looks like a Slender-Billed or perhaps just a Common Crow) following closely a Brahminy Kite.

The Brahminy Kite was constantly looking up at the crow to ensure that it does not do anything mischievous.

This is a juvenile Striated Heron identified thru its brownish colors 

This is a Common Redshank with a clean bill and legs.

This Common Redshank has got its feet and bill in the mud!

Saw a Black-Capped Kingfisher flying across the mudflats and landed on a dead tree trunk.

At one glance this could have been a spotted redshank but its bill is shorter and there is no subtle droop near its tip. So this was just a Common Redshank.

 

This Intermediate Egret certaintly dwarfs the common redshank.

Saw a few of this Terek Sandpiper. Said to occur in some parts of Europe as well.

I saw more Red-Necked Stints this time.

A closer look at the Red-Necked Stint.

A Little Egret with its long breast-plumes- getting ready for breeding?

Today i saw three Brown-Headed Gulls. Yang Chong saw 21 a few days later. Although gulls are abundant in Britain and Europe but not this one which is said to be only common in Central Asia region.

Here you could see the white spots on its primaries which characterized this gull.

It actually has web feets and with a fish in its beak.

This is certaintly a large gull and territorial as well. Saw him chasing some waders away which came close to its comfort zone.

Also saw these Collared Kingfishers.

This Greater Coucal certaintly took its time to cross the road.

Black Kite (Milvus migrans)

Black Kite (Milvus migrans) is said to be an uncommon winter visitor in West Peninsular Malaysia. It can also be found in Europe, Africa, India, South East Asia right to Australia. Its from the same family group of Accipitridae just like the black shouldered kite but much bigger (55-60cm) as compared to black shouldered kite (31cm - 35cm).

I had the opportunity to see some Black Kites in the recent trip to Ulu Dedap and here are some of its photos:

This could be a sub-adult as its still has whithish streaks at its belly.

Looks like this bird's primary feathers (left side) and its tails have been ripped off.

Here you can see the slightly forked tail frequently associated with this kite.

View from below.

Its feathers certaintly look black from the top.

Lang Bahu Hitam (Black-Shouldered Kite / Black-Winged Kite)

Lang Bahu Hitam ataupun nama saintifiknya, Elanus caeruleus daripada keluarga Accipitridae adalah satu-satu helang yang boleh ditemui di kawasan pinggir hutan dan tanah lapang khususnya berhampiran dengan sawah padi/bendang (kalau ikut loghat utara) sehingga ke 500 meter dari aras laut. Lang Bahu Hitam boleh di jumpai di negara Afrika sehingga ke Australia termasuk Malaysia. Jadi distribusi helang ini agak luas. Saiz burung dewasa adalah antara 31cm - 35cm dan makanan kegemarannya adalah tikus. Atas sebab ini kadang kala helang ini juga dipanggil sebagai Lang Tikus !

Bahagian atas badan lang ini berwarna kelabu pudar manakala bahagian sayap sekundernya berwarna hitam. Matanya berwarna merah dan bahagian bawah badannya berwarna putih.

Burung betina akan bertelur sebanyak 3-5 biji di mana sarangnya dibina atas pokok yang tidak setinggi seperti helang-helang yang lain. Musim pembiakannya dikatakan sepanjang tahun.

Salah satu ciri istimewa burung pemangsa ini ialah tabiatnya yang memerhati mangsa dari atas sambil mengipas-gipas sayapnya sebelum menjunam ke arah mangsa. Tabiat ini tidak ditonjolkan oleh mana-mana helang yang lain.

Lang Bahu Hitam juga mencari mangsanya dari tempat yang statik seperti dari tiang kayu atau dawai telepon. Lang Bahu Hitam adalah satu-satunya burung lindungan di negara Malaysia di bawah akta 76/72. Kalau senang jom pi memburung!