Saturday, 16 June 2012

Little Heron (Butorides striata)

Little Herons or some books have named them Striated Herons are said to be quite common near the river mouth, mudflats and mangrove areas. However nowadays one could also see them nesting at  nearby park esp at places near water catchment areas.

At a glance you may think that this is a Black-crowned Night Heron if not for its orangey legs

Little Heron in flight
The bird on the left (the tormentor) is an adult bird while the right one is a juvenile.

At times you can also see them at a jetty.

....or on a boat mast like this fellow.

....or just wandering around like this one.
...or on mudflats foraging. This one is on a full adult "dressing".


Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus)

Jungle Myna is reported to be a common bird in Peninsular Malaysia particularly in its northern regions (Kedah, Perlis and Perak). Not an easy bird to photograph as it is quite wary of human presence - keeping its distance a fair bit. Certaintly need a long range lens to get good images of them.

This one was looking for ants to eat on a road

This fellow has bright yellow eyes and orangey bill

They do fly up but seldom as high as to the tree canopies

Most of the time they prefer grass lands or paddy fields

Although the blue markings at the base of its bill could not be clearly seen in these images but because they were taken in a northern state of Kedah recently, it is therefore safe to say that they are all Jungle Mynas.





Wednesday, 13 June 2012

Birding at Kg Siam - June 2012

I had some free time during my short vacation back home recently. So i went to see what its like on the birding scene in Kampung Siam during this time of the year. Well its looks like they have more durians than birds at this time.

Yellow-Vented Bulbul
Some photographers may call this a "lup-sup" bird but if you have a good camera and lens it can give you nice images.

Jungle Mynahs
Lineated Barbet
Saw only two of this Lineated Barbets this time.

Mangrove Whistler @ f5.6
 Initially thought was a babbler but thanks to Mr Choo Jiin Hwa who pointed that it was a Mangrove Whistler based on its calls. The first note was a long and quite melodious one while the second call is shorter and ends with a high "wit". This is the first time i came across a mangrove whistler so far inland. In Allen, J. & Pearson (2012) latest field guide on the birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, it was reported that mangrove whistlers have been seen some 40km inland. So i guess this sighting has some truth to it.

Mangrove Whisler @ f6.3
This was the same bird actually. At f6.3 the bird's wings look more brownish than bright rufous. Sometimes camera can play tricks with its apertures and ISO settings. So i guess that was why birders from the old school would prefer using notes and bins instead.  Didn't know that mangrove whistlers do forage in durian orchards and this orchard is about an hour's drive away from nearest mangrove area.   

Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo
Dark-Necked Tailor Bird
Blue-Throated Beeater
Stripe-Throated Bulbul
Green-Billed Malkoha
Saw this Malkoha flying from a distance and perched on a tree branch. A huge bird with its distinctive long tail. 

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