Feathers

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 running between the nose

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)

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)