Malaysian Hill Partridge

Malaysian Hill Partridge (or Campbell's Hill partridge)

砍氏山鹧鸪

This “Partridge Family” of six obviously do not know that they are already celebrities of international status. We met groups of birders from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and locally from Penang, Kuala Kangsar, Ipoh, KL, Kuantan and Johor Bahru just to catch a sight of this family. Many waited for hours and likely days to snap photos of their stars.

First day, we waited for 3 hours only to be driven off by an abrupt rain showers that soaked our clothes and whole bodies. Second day, with the advice from our experienced birder friend, we went at the right time and successfully got the images of the birds without the hassle of having to tussle for a strategic camera position against the groups of international enthusiasts.

The grey and brownish colors of the feathers that matches well with the surroundings are meant more as a camouflage to me. Yet the color patterns and matchings are smooth and pleasing to our eyes.

(8/5/2016, Fraser’s Hill)

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Blue-throated Bee-eater

Blue-throated Bee-eater 蓝喉蜂虎 Blue-throated bee-eaters can often be found sitting on the perch in pairs or small groups. While scanning for flying preys or for other purposes, their heads are often found moving together, in synchronization, at the same time, in the same direction . (June 2016) The bee-eaters eat more diverse species of flying insects than its name suggests. They include dragonflies, moths, flies, flying ants, carpenter bees etc. After catching the insects in the bill, they often bang the preys on the branch they perch to injure and break them further before swallowing them. They may toss the preys into the air before catching them for further manipulation and or swallowing. (June 2016, Kubang Semang)

Mangrove Blue Flycatcher

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)

Pitta

Blue-winged Pitta 马来八色鸫 Although easy for some, photographing this bird has been elusive for me for a year or more, and today, it just came out to the open. When it appeared, it was mostly on the ground or low branches. My friend said that it was quite likely having some chicks to feed, as such it was more willing to take risk looking for worms. Chinese named it 马来八色鸫, translated as "Malayan Eight-colored Pitta". I counted the colors, but I only got seven. Colors are subjective qualities. But few would argue much if we state that it is a colorful and beautiful bird. (29th Apr 2016 Air Hitam Dalam)

Feathers

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