Paddyfield Pipit (Anthus rufulus)

It is probably one of those avians which are often overlook or understudy due to their plain plumage and common presence. You can find them in open countries, farmlands, soccer fields, coastal plains and dry country roads (my personal observation) although i have also seen them at the foot of a mountain in Ulu Langat. Despite been called a paddyfield pipit, it is usually found along the dirt roads surrounding the paddyfields and not in the ricefields itself like those snipes and bitterns would do.

Some places have also named them as oriental pipit probably due to its occurrence in mainly Asia countries but it was reported to be a non-breeding resident bird here in Malaysia. (Birdlife International, 2016). Recently in May 2019, i came across a number of Paddyfield Pipits at a vast marshland in Penang mainland which reminds me of a similar looking site at Chuping. Here are some photos of what should be Paddyfield Pipits at this location although migratory pipits such as Richard's Pipit (A. richardi) and Blyth's Pipit (A. godlewskii) have been seen and reported in Malaysia. 

Paddyfield Pipit (Anthus rufulus)

Posed like a Richard's Pipit, looks like one but it ain't one.

I believe the above pipit is an adult bird which has just molted it feathers hence showing very clear and fine markings or perhaps it could be due to its breeding colors.

Currently there are 6 recognised subspecies and the ones found here are thought to be A.r malayensis which is reported to be darker and heavily streaked while the nominate race is much creamy and has a more buffy supercilium (HBW Alive).

The one above appears more like a Paddyfield Pipit - long legs, upright stand, more rufescent and short tail.

The bird above looks a bit duller.

Not sure whether all the birds shown here are the same but all these photos were taken at different locations covering a very large area.

These birds are rarely seen high up in the canopy. At most they perched at eye level.

Some of them do hide inside the long grasses if threats are perceived.

While some do not mind to be out in the open.

Life can be tough and lonely if the entire institution machineries are used against you but the above Paddyfield Pipit with an abnormal leg has shown the tenacity and strong will to survive this far.


Here are some photos of a juvenile Paddyfield Pipit with a grasshopper prey

HAVE SOME FUN WHILE YOU CAN !

Domestic Chicken versus Red Junglefowl : How do We Differentiate them?

Chickens have co-existed with human beings since the early age of human civilisation. From archaeological findings in Neolithic sites, it was hypothesized that domestic chickens in South East Asia were originated from junglefowls (Hiromi sawai et al, 2010). We (the nutty birders) are very well informed that Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) is the wild replica of Gallus gallus domestica but how do we differentiate them when we see one in nature especially when there are also free-ranging ferals and free-ranging village chickens in the mix. In local terms how do we know whether it was an Ayam Kampung or an Ayam Hutan ?

Since the early 20th century thru the writings of Beebe (1918 to 1921) until todate, many literature have written on Gallus gallus. Topics ranging from embryonic development, social and sexual behaviors, vocalisation, habitat preference, roosting behavior to genetic variation have all been covered extensively. Unfortunately many literature until today still can't seem to agree on the actual traits of a Gallus gallus. Before you start pulling your hair or depleting your gray matter further, have a look here at what current researchers have to say on the characteristics of its conspecific domesticated descendants.

Thru the various phenotypic characters identified as signals of genetically "pure" Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) genomes, Brisbin & Peterson, 2007 identified a few phenotypic markers of a seemingly pure Gallus gallus. Here are the field markers mentioned:

i) the presence of red or yellow neck hackles are replaced with spatulate black feathers on an eclipse male plumage.

ii) slender, darker legs

iii) horizontal body posture 

iv) simpler and shorter calls.

The above description was also concurred by Steven Platt et al (2009) whereby an eclipse male Red Junglefowl free from domesticated influence has been described as typically having black hackles in mid-back which are not elongated in contrast to the elongated red-orange plumes of the main plumage.

From the above description and the many photos of Gallus gallus reviewed, i believed that the photos below here belongs to a Gallus gallus or locally called Ayam Hutan.

All the above photos were taken from a mangrove area (at a river estuary) near a town called Merbok, in the state of Kedah, February 2019. There were actually 3 of them and all were males. The above photos only showed two of them. The third one was hiding further away at a distance. Despite moving further away from them, they did not alight from their mangrove perch and despite that it was also near some human settlements where food should be abundant. Duration of observation was around 15 minutes.

Although all the above photos showed most of the features of a Gallus gallus in general sense but until a DNA test is done, i cannot conclude that they were all free of any domestic genes.

According to Hoa Nguyen- Phuc and Mark E. Berres (2018), wild junglefowls (adult males, females, juveniles) that hatched by domestic chickens usually do not tolerate captivity. Brisbin and Peterson (2007) have earlier explained that hybrid offspring would be expected to move far away from human settlements into the forest. Its only after 3 or 4 generations of cross breeding will the offsprings eventually tolerate a continued human presence. This findings were also supported by Rebecca Kavajamaa et al, (2018) whereby it was reported that there were some correlated effect of tameness on young Red Junglefowl when been raised by human beings.

It is also pertinent to note that Hoa Nguyen- Phuc and Mark E. Berres (2018) research also found no strong correlation between geographic distances and genetic dissimilarities among their samples collected. By using a Bayesian clustering method to establish the distribution between samples, Hoa Nguyen- Phuc and Mark E. Berres (2018) finding means that Gallus gallus found in Thailand, Vietnam, India or Indonesia for example should have the same genetic code. Meanwhile according to HBW Alive, currently there are 5 subspecies been recognised and those in Malaysia are reckoned from the Ssp G.g spadiceus.

Most researchers nevertheless agreed that hybridisation and introgression are phenomena that can threaten the genetic integrity of many wildlife.

"Genetic contamination of wild populations via hybridisation (natural or human induced) with domesticated stocks represents a serious but underappreciated concern in the conservation of biodiversity" (Brisbin, 1995; Rhymer & Simberloff, 1996 in Brisbin and Peterson, 2007)

For comparison purposes, here are photos of what i believe were some hybrid Gallus gallus:

The above photo was taken at a forest edge in Selangor in 2018.

The above photo was taken at a forest edge in Pahang in 2018

CONCLUSION

From the above photos and references adduced, all i can say here is that

"All Gallus gallus are chickens but not all chickens are Gallus gallus"

References

Brisbin and Peterson, 2007. Playing Chicken with Red Junglefowl: Identifying Phenotypic Markers of Genetic Purity in Gallus gallus. In Animal Conservation. 10 (4): 429 - 435, Nov 2007.

Hiromi Sawai et al, 2010. The Origin and Genetic Variation of Domestic Chickens with Special Reference to Junglefowl G.Gallus gallus and G. varius.  In Plosone, 2010, 5 (5),

Hoa Ngyuyen - Phuc and Mark E. Berres, 2018. Genetic Structure in Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) Populations: Strong spatial patterns in the wild ancestors of domestic chickens in a core distribution range. In Ecology and Evolution, 2018, July, 8 (13): 6575 - 6588.

Rebecca Katajamaa, Lovisa H. Larson, Paulina Lundberg, Ida Sorensen, Per Jensen, 2018. Activity, Social and Sexual Behavior in Red Junglefowl selected for divergent levels of fear of humans. In journal.plos.org. September, 2018.

Steven G. Platt, Tomas P. Condon, Johny S. Tasirin, Iwan Hunowu, Stephan Siwu, Richard A. Jones and Thomas R. Rainwater, 2009. Notes on red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) in Northern Sulawesi, Indonesia, with an emphasis on genetic introgression with domestic chickens. In Malayan Nature Journal 2009, (61(1), 23 - 33.

The Essence of Bird Watching - 2018

What makes a birder to drive almost 400km from Penang to Malim Nawar just to record a pipit moulting, not once but a few times ? This is what we called "PASSION" ! pronounced as "Peh-See-Ion" if you may. What makes a person to drive on the opposite direction of the traffic? This is what we called "insanity" ! With passion, we can achieve many things in life. It is also the very essence of bird watching. I hope to continue this bird watching passion of mine as long as i can.

Based on my experience, i have noticed that you will gain more responses from bird photography rather than the narration of the bird plumage or identification but if we can achieve both goals - it will be so much better. 2018 has been an incredible year ! 9 lifers and some rare ones, i couldn't asked for more. Here are some additional photos of the birds taken through out the year.  

Greater Coucal

Got this bird at point blank range - just about 10 feet away. 

Not too far from the earlier bird, i got the above Greater Coucal. This one is larger. Could it be a female ?

Mountain Peacock-Pheasant (male)

Mountain Peacock-Pheasant

Watching these wild pheasants going about their business without fear was like going to Galapagos or the Antarctica to watch penguins walking casually around you. Occasionally the male would flap its wings which would startled the Ferruginous Partridge. Some lucky birders even saw their fledglings which certainly augers well for this rare birds. 

Ferruginous Partridge

Most partridges are illusive and shy and to see one in the open and walking right in front of you, its magical.

Mangrove Pitta

Mangrove Pittas are habitat restricted birds, meaning they are highly dependent on the habitat for food, shelter and to breed. Once the mangroves are gone so are these birds.

As i know, there were two of them but most of the time, one will appear while the other will be calling somewhere nearby. Some lucky birders have managed to see their fledglings. Somehow this bird knew exactly when to appear whenever human is present because i did not use any meal worms to draw them out. Sorry mate next time i will try to bring something for you. 

The way they moved around the mangrove its like watching a road runner (Geococcyx californianus). They would lower their head and then run quickly back for cover.

I believe a lot of illustrators out there will find it hard to replicate the exact green colors of these birds.

Forest Wagtail

The way it walks will surely make Cindy Crawford envy. This time i saw two of them.

With the help of photo technology i was able to differentiate them as pointed out by the markers in their photos.

White-breasted Waterhen

Sometimes common birds will look nice on photos too.


The same goes with this bulbul.

Stripped-throated Bulbul

Olive-Winged Bulbul

Here are some raptors seen lately.

Black Kite

Have you ever seen a smiling raptor before? This one does after spooking some house crows.



Raptors can be as beautiful and as intriguing as they are.

Changeable Hawk Eagle.

This was the first time i have seen this raptor with such body streaks.

Jungle Mynah

This mynah population is still quite stable up north of Peninsular Malaysia. Hopefully it won't be taken over by the marauding Javan Mynah.

Many people would like the sight of a shining gold color.

Blue-tailed Bee Eater

Oriental Magpie Robin

I have never seen them taking any fruits before. Most of the time they will hunt for insects.

Pacific Reef Ergret (Dark Morph)

This dimorphic egret can be found through out Australasia.

Here is a typical flying posture of this egret - yellow sole extending beyond tail and gliding just above the water with its neck coiled back.

Arctic Warbler versus Eastern Crowned Warbler

Although both of these warblers are from the "Old World" but their identification have continued to baffle many people especially if birders were trying to identify them from other leaf warblers. This time i was a bit lucky to see them both foraging high up on the canopy.

Arctic Warbler

The recognised subtle field marks for an Arctic Warbler would be the "white vent" and the appearance of a "dark spot" on the tip of its bill.

Eastern-crowned Warbler

As for the Eastern-crowned Warbler, the appearance of a tinge of yellow at its vent and the lack of dark tip on its bill are the identifiable field marks that you should be looking for.

Another distinguishable field mark which you should be looking at for an Eastern-Crowned Warbler is the coronal median stripe which unfortunately is not visible in the above photo. The other feature which i have learnt from the literature is that the color of the crown of an Eastern-Crowned Warbler is much darker than an Arctic Warbler.

Eastern-Crowned Warbler

In Science, we need to be bold and convincing in our answers !

We raised our children with the hope that one day they can be successful or least better than us. Should neither happened we should NOT blame them or ourselves. Its just that the people in power did not "noticed" them. The current government has proven themselves as good debt collectors but they should also compliment it with good salesmanship or promoters. We can't depend on certain revenue alone or recycle people wages (micro economy) to sustain or move forward the nation's economy.

Here is another rare bird which most likely can only be found in an undisturbed forest.

White-bellied woodpecker (male)

White-bellied Woodpecker (female)

The white on its body is not really white per se but its more like a creamy white as i have observed.

Red Turtle Dove - male (left) and female (right)

Hello ! Anybody home?

Actually there is a possibility that something is inside the hole as can be seen from the object held between its mandibles - a food pellet perhaps ? - see photo below.

The above bird is a Grey-Capped and not a Sunda as clearly shown from the color of its crown (see black arrow). It is also a female as it lacks the red patch on the side of its head.

At this time of the year (Nov to Dec) in this region, it would be quite difficult to identify the above heron.

Large Cuckooshrike

From the noticeable barrings in the above photos, this bird is most likely a female. It appears much bigger than a common rock pigeon.

Nature provides us with many spectacular scenes and sculptures like the ones below:

I could roughly figure out 3 human-like faces from the above rock formation. With a little more imagination you can perhaps find more.

According to a Chinese Taoist, the appearance of birds is a good sign especially the yellow ones !

If you are a believer this could be a sign from the heavens above. If he is Chinese, he will most likely be running to the nearest 4D shop. If you are a birder, could it be the rise of a phoenix perhaps?

History does not happen by itself. We create our own history !

Happy New Year 2019 and Happy Bird Watching ahead !