Iora (3/3) August 2020 - Great Iora (Lifer 542)

 

Finally a fluke appearance of a subadult or  a variant male Great Iora made the trip down  Negeri Sembilan worthwhile. Thanks Tokki for the heads up.

The bird pop out from nowhere as I shouted out  "iora" when  we were shooting a pair of Yuhina or rather Erpornis at a fruiting tree. Scrutinising the wings whether it is plain olive grey.  I was hoping it is a Great.  It sat silently for about a minute or so well behind some foliage in the middle story without calling; just looking at me and the gang . Felt  sorry for Richie who did not manage to sight it nor shoot it from a close distance of 40 ft even as I tried pointing out the yellow bird up on tree. Must bring a laser pointer liao.

The past few years I have tried to get it in Grik Perak a few time but no show. Then David got it in Krau Pahang this year at the bridge side where the Malaysian Blue Fc is often seen. Again no luck then.

The Great Iora is not really that big a bird. It is slightly larger than the other 2 subspecies. It has a sizeable beak like a scimitar babbler though and it wings have no white barring but a tinge of yellow. Its yellow eyering is less conspicuous compare to the others. Usually the adult have blackish head and mane. 

News on this birds

Latest new sighting at Sg Perdik UluLangat in March 2021 by Xialim 

IORA 2/3 - Common Iora

 Common Iora

Found in fringes of evergreen forests upto 800m. Now common to see in suburban road tree of residential precinct looking for grub. Beautiful bright olive yellow bird when matured with greenish back and wings that u cannot miss. Approachable upto 10-20 feet when they are feeding.

 

 

Now to get the last one -  Great Iora 3/3 is in awaiting...............

 

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.