Avian Report May 2018 - Birds of Awana Genting

The black-eared Shrikebabbler  is a good encounter in Ulu Kali.  It is never an easy bird to shoot but this time the female was on a  open perch against the open sky. The first two photos of the Barred-throated Minla aka Chestnut-tailed are the common bird of UluKali Genting. The Lesser Shortwing did not turn out for the past weeks or month at the port. I have yet to shoot the female.............

The mountain babbler  is another active bird you can frequently see in bird wave here. It rarely stay still so to get good shot of this bird is a challenge.

After spending 2.5 hours in UK I decided to venture down to Awana to see what the place can offer.

A surprise sighting at Awana is a threesome Dusky Broadbill at the hill circa 500m asl. Wendy and friend was also enjoying the close encourter of the birds here in Awana The Woodshrike and Blue-winged Leafbird make up common birds here. A Rufous Woodpecker was sighted too but stayed far away from us to get any good photos.

Avian sighting in May 2018 - Little Cuckoo Dove

In the month of May 2018 I was in Bukit Fraser after Malaysia 14th General Election. Malaysia was granted two days public holiday extended to the weekend. Many fellow birders took the opportunity to bird all over Malaysia. 

This is a juvenile  bird with its black spotted or mottled breast. no barring as yet so its gender is still unsure. It was calling out for a mate and responded to my playback as it flew over from the open tree in the ravine.  It was curious enough to follow my car as I stopped it stide over for me to capture some close up shots as show here.

In other places all over BF you can hear their call as the mating season is happening. If you are lucky you may spot the rarer Barred cuckoo Dove here in BF.

Avian video - Feeding behaviour of Long-tailed Parakeet

I sighted a threesome of Long-tailed Parakeet feeding on the flower buds of the common tree in open marshland. I usually call it the coffee tree. Anyone know the name of the small tree. I am not sure whether it is feeding its offspring or whether is a mating ritual. I would say it the latter as the male will "geling" its head from left to right  before making beak contact....but then the short tail and grey beak  of the other bird indicate its a juvenile..................

OK my buddy Saravanan reminded me the name of the  plant  is called as "Simpoh Air" in Malay. Scientific name: Dillenia suffruticosa. Its the national flower of Brunei.

Avian Sighting May 2018 - Close encounter of the Painted Snipe

It was a close encounter with this pair of beautiful Painted Snipe at Malim Nawar. The best so far. Thanks to Qayyum for the head up. The only way to shoot this bird is from your car. Any  movement by getting out from your car will scoot the birds away.

I was at MN to look for the Dusky Eagle Owl but the bird was long gone.............too bad. Meanwhile in Wang Kelian Kedah  ChoyMun also recorded a sighting of another same Owl.

It is a game of patience when shooting snipes and you have  wait and wait for them to be active. At all time they are weary of you and once they are confident enough that your present is of no harm they start to move about to feed.  So there are plenty of eye contact.

Avian Sighting in May 2018 - Fiery Minivet

The Grey-chinned Minivets in comparison with the Fiery Minivet below pictures. My encounter of the latter have always been in Awana. I did not manage to shoot the female fiery Minivet as my XT-2 somewhat focus jammed..... maybe due to battery low.  Wendy was laughing at my fustration as the birds were quite near to us at that time and lost the opportunity for better shots.

Wader - ID

Is this a Great-billed Heron...........................