Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
CUCKOO (1/14) Violet Cuckoo
Bird luck is coming back I guess. This is my second sighting of the Violet Cuckoo since started birding for the past 7-8 years. Yes its been that long.The problem why it is seldom seen is that they prefer to stay at upper storey of trees. If it is curious enough it can be call down. In my case a pair were seen; a juvenile male (pic1) the yellow beak is the telltale and the other moulting male. They were hunting at a caterpillar ravaged tree. To me it is very odd that there is a pair together. It would be everybody's dream to see a parasitic brood. I can only guess it is a babbler species.
The VC and the Asian Emerald Cuckoo are the most colorful cuckoo subspecies you can see in Malaysia. It is about 16cm long and has effervescent violet-purple hue back. Best to see it in the sunshine. This is another lowland Cuckoo, but could also be seen in low hills. During non breeding season, the bird could descend to domestic gardens in search of grubs and caterpillars on twigs and tree trunks; its favorite diet.
The bird is resident in Indian sub-continent, Andaman and greater Sundas and now it is believed that they have set foot as resident in Malaysia as it can be seen through out the year.
The VC and the Asian Emerald Cuckoo are the most colorful cuckoo subspecies you can see in Malaysia. It is about 16cm long and has effervescent violet-purple hue back. Best to see it in the sunshine. This is another lowland Cuckoo, but could also be seen in low hills. During non breeding season, the bird could descend to domestic gardens in search of grubs and caterpillars on twigs and tree trunks; its favorite diet.
The bird is resident in Indian sub-continent, Andaman and greater Sundas and now it is believed that they have set foot as resident in Malaysia as it can be seen through out the year.
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
FANTAIL (3/3) - Spotted Fantail
In the month of August the bird is a bit skittish and criss crossing the undergrowth and trees. They kept to the shadows & denser shade of the trees making it tough for me to get a good photo. There were a threesome most possibly a pair of parent and their fledgling learning the ropes.
Thursday, 9 August 2012
IORA (1/3) - Green Iora
Basing on Sifu Tou comments the last time; this must be the one ie with yellowish barring on the wings and a pale yellow eye ring whilst the overall coat is greenish olive.
This passerine bird is a resident of Malaysia. It is about 5 inches (12.5-15cm) and it usually stays on top storey but can be called to eye level in open area and fringe of broadleaved forest upto 900m. It also can be found in mangrove forest.
They crouch over flowers, foliage and twigs looking for insect and grubs. Breeding season is spread wide from Dec-Sept. The nest is placed 1-10m above the ground in a fork or directly on the bark surface. Lays 2-3 eggs .It is a common Brood parasitism for Banded Bay Cuckoo.
This passerine bird is a resident of Malaysia. It is about 5 inches (12.5-15cm) and it usually stays on top storey but can be called to eye level in open area and fringe of broadleaved forest upto 900m. It also can be found in mangrove forest.
They crouch over flowers, foliage and twigs looking for insect and grubs. Breeding season is spread wide from Dec-Sept. The nest is placed 1-10m above the ground in a fork or directly on the bark surface. Lays 2-3 eggs .It is a common Brood parasitism for Banded Bay Cuckoo.
