Ruddy Kingfisher

Ruddy Kingfisher
赤翡翠

Many people came from far and tried all means just to catch a photo of this "red" bird. Today, for no apparent reason, it just came out by itself in the carpark close by calling as if to get our attention. Whoever wants to miss this rare opportunity?

(18/6/2016, Air Hitam Dalam)

Its special characteristic is obviously the ruddy (reddish) look from bill to tail, including its legs.
It is highly sought after by birders. Many came from Ipoh, KL and even Hong Kong and Taiwan just to photograph it when news about this bird spread to them. Some stay for two days or more but that do not guarantee a successful trip.

This time, we heard the high-pitched call for over a minute but failed to see its whereabout. We owe our gratitude to veteran birder Choy Wai Mun for spotting and showing where it perched.

(29th Apr 2016, Air Hitam Dalam)

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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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