Feathers

Grey-breasted Spiderhunter 灰胸捕蛛鸟 I was delighted to come across a parasitic mistletoe species at Sg Sedim which bore white flowers, my first encounter of its kind. Flowers of common Malayan mistletoe species which we usually see are yellow or orange in color. I was even happier when I saw a spiderhunter, the mistletoe’s pollinator, sipping nectar from the flowers, and the bird turned out to be a grey-breasted spiderhunter, a lifer for me. ... (14th July 2016, Sungai Sedim Kedah.) The mistletoe’s pollinator, sipping nectar from the flowers, and the bird turned out to be a grey-breasted spiderhunter,  After studying and comparing the various species of spiderhunters, my method of identifying if it is a grey-breasted spiderhunter is as follows:  a: It has grey with short dashes from the throat down which ends with vague and wavy longer streaks on the breast.  b: It has yellow linings on the ...

Ruby-cheeked Sunbird (Female) 紫颊直嘴太阳鸟 ( 雌 ) Early in the morning, a pair of these sunbirds came out to the riverside of Sg Sedim carpark, hopping between branches in search of breakfast. They moved so quickly I only managed to snap this female. (July 2016, Sg Sedim Kedah)   Early in the morning, a pair of these sunbirds came out to the riverside of Sg Sedim carpark, hopping between branches in search of breakfast. The ruby-cheeked sunbird moved so quickly I only managed to snap this female.

White-bellied Erpornis 白腹凤鹛 ,   綠畫眉   It can be simply called Erpornis, because it is the only member of the genus Erpornis, .   Its prominent feature is its crest. It was found in foothill area of Sungai Sedim, Kedah. It was in a flock of about 5, actively flying and stopping from tree to tree for only a few seconds so it was difficult to photograph them. (July 2016, Sungai Sedim, Kedah) White-bellied Erpornis  is the only member of the genus Erpornis White-bellied Erpornis. It was found in foothill area of Sungai Sedim, Kedah. It was in a flock of about 5, actively flying and stopping from tree to tree for only a few seconds so it was difficult to photograph them.

White-headed Munia 白头文鸟 When the paddy fields turn from green to golden yellow, it is about time ready for harvest, it is also a time of celebration for a variety of birds that include these lovely white-headed munias. For certain reasons, white-headed munia seems to be less commonly seen nowadays in comparison with scaly-breasted munias. I only saw a flock of 4 over half a day in the paddy fields. When we were small, large flocks of more than 30 birds is often seen flying a cross abandoned tin-mining pools. (June 2016, Balik Pulau Penang) When the paddy fields turn from green to golden yellow, it is about time ready for harvest, it is also a time of celebration for a variety of birds that include these lovely white-headed munias.

Black-winged Stilt 黑翅长脚鹬 ( 红腿娘子 ) A flock of about 8 of these waders came to the padi fields of Sungai Dua Seberang Perai Utara looking for food. The name stilt suggests they have very long, thin pink legs, which allows them to stay above the water whilst walking to pick up aquatic insects and crustaceans from the mud. (June 2016, Sungai Dua Seberang Perai Utara)  Black-winged Stilt, Sungai Dua Seberang Perai Utara  Black-winged Stilt, Sungai Dua Seberang Perai Utara Black-winged Stilt, Sungai Dua Seberang Perai Utara Black-winged Stilt, Sungai Dua Seberang Perai Utara Black-winged Stilt, Sungai Dua Seberang Perai Utara Black-winged Stilt, Sungai Dua Seberang Perai Utara

Asian Brown Flycatcher 灰鶲 This small bird is about the size of a sparrow, but with the ability to migrate to South-east Asia from northern part of Asia during winter. (Sg Sedim, Kedah)

Mangrove Blue Flycatcher 红树仙鶲 The first picture is a juvenile, second is female adult, third is a male adult. Note that the juvenile looks quite different from the adults. They live in the mangrove swamps of Air Hitam Dalam and have got so used to human visitors they are not shy to get close. The juvenile is believed to have just left its nest not too long ago. (June 2016, Air Hitam Dalam)

Black-and-yellow Broadbill 黑黄阔嘴鸟 This was photographed in Maxwell Hill, Taiping too. Last year, we had to go all the way to Tupah, Kedah to get it.  (May 2016, Taiping)

Banded Broadbill 斑阔嘴鸟   Last year, this species was found in Air Hitam Dalam but did not appear again until now. This one was photographed in Taiping Maxwell Hill May this year. The broadbills are named after their distinctive flat and broad beak.   (May 2016, Taiping)

Red-wattled Lapwing 肉垂麦鸡 My friend showed me where the eggs were, which I otherwise would not be able to find them.   Right on the ground of an open field, with some weeds around them, the eggs with speckles on the shells, were surrounded with little stones which served as excellent camouflage for the eggs. This is another good example of some birds using the strategy of what I called “the most dangerous place is the safest place” to protect the eggs.   It works. (Photos of eggs taken in Feb 2016. Birds taken Jun 2016, Kubang Semang) Red-wattled lapwing eggs with speckles on the shells, were surrounded with little stones which served as excellent camouflage for the eggs Red-wattled lapwing eggs. This is another good example of some bird species using the strategy of what I called “the most dangerous place is the safest place” to protect the eggs.   It works. Portrait of a red-wattled lapwing. The red wattle is clearly seen runni...

White-Breasted Kingfisher 白胸翡翠 They are undoubtedly one of the most commonly encountered kingfishers in Malaysia. They are often seen perching on wires or open tree branches near waters or open plains looking for preys that may include small reptiles, grasshoppers, frogs, fish and other insects. (June 2016, Kubang Semang, Seberang Perai)