Thursday, 4 October 2012

WHISTLER 1/1 - Mangrove Whistler

Mangrove Whistler
 
Besides KSNP Kuala Selangor you can see this uncommon Mangrove Whistler in Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve in Kuala Sepetang. Their habitat is coastal forest and mangrove swamp. It can be lured out to the open with a playback of its call . It has several variation whistling calls. Supposedly a crooner but during my encounter it did not call at all . It flew around me ; back and fro over my position on the boardwalk. Strange hor............

Mangrove Whistler is about 6 inches in length and dull grey and brown coated. I caught the bird eyes in the sun and its iris is red le. Its beak is broad and shrike-like. It feeds on crawlies and grub that they find under leaves and branches. I can predict they are potential host for cuckoos like Bronze Cuckoo.

It lives alone unless mating during breeding season in the months of March - June. Their nest is built about 1-4 m from the ground on shrubby trees. Though yet to see it I can imagine it to be like bulbul nest................

 

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