Indian Cuckoo

30th October 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

I startled a sub-adult Indian Cuckoo (probably a male)  from his  siesta.  A few quick snaps before  the rain came to cut short the afternoon birding session.

Air Racer: Large Woodshrike

23rd October 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

They would do fast aerobatics in and between the trees, chasing after one another. This bird was having a rest after all that fancy flying.

Photos Sir? : Blue-Eared Kingfisher

23rd October 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

There were no birds to shoot last Saturday. Luckily this juvenile Blue-Eared Kingfisher decided to drop in to have her pictures  taken. This was the closest that I had managed to get to this King. It wasn’t the perfect perch but then  beggars can’t be choosers!

Barn House: It’s Not Real Estate

24th October 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

Sorry, I’m not selling a Barn house,  they’re Swallows. House Swallows and Barn Swallows (lifer)  were using the same small dried up tree to rest and preen. Barn Swallows have forked tails and streamers and are more bluish than  House Swallows which is almost black. Try and  spot which is which.

Pink Guava: Jambu Fruit Dove

24th October 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

I’ve been quite fortunate, this being the second sighting of this beautiful Dove for the year. It’s a male.

Cycle Treat: Grey-Rumped Treeswifts

17th October 2010, Taman Melawati, Selangor

It was quite a hectic schedule  with two weddings to attend,  last weekend was intended to be a  non-birding weekend. Furthermore, I am without my gimbal head  after sending it in for repairs but somehow things don’t always turn out as planned! I was having a quick cycle around Taman Melawati when I saw a group of  birds on a large leafless tree about 300m from my house.  I could see that they were Treeswifts but  couldn’t immediately identify the exact  species. I knew they couldn’t be the Whiskered Treeswifts since they usually go in pairs, not in a flock of 15-20 birds. In my mind  I knew that this would be a lifer Treeswift for me. Dashed back to the house to pick up my gear ( plus my old velbon tripod)  and returned to the location in a flash!  True enough, they were Grey-rumped Treeswifts ( Hemiprocne longipennis)- a lifer. Luckily I had one bird perching against a green background. This one’s a male with the rufous ear covert .   A female with the blackish ear covert. An adult and a juvenile male.

Tiger Shrike

9th October 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

My first Tiger Shrike since the start of the migratory season. This is a juvenile.

Two Brown Shrikes

9th October 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

Birds were few and far in between, only the Shrikes provided us with some action. Shot the first one thinking that she was a Tiger Shrike. Turned out to be a juvenile Brown Shrike. An adult male Brown Shrike ( Lanius lucionensis ) was in the same area as the juvenile. The scaley patterns on the body become less conspicuous as they mature.

Hakem’s Girl : ‘Bakal Menantu’

9th October 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

I took Ari & Wilma’s suggestion to find a suitable mate for Hakem but it looked like Hakem had found  himself a  pretty, young bird without my help. Just look  at those facial stripes, gorgeous! She must be new to the area because I haven’t seen any juvenile females before this. Been trying to obtain some  info on the age of these birds when they reach sexual maturity but unfortunately there’s none. Hakem was on a different branch a few yards away from his ‘girl’. Translation: Bakal menantu- ‘future daughter in-law’

Chestnut-Breasted Malkoha

26th September 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

My first Chestnut-Breasted Malkoha after the  long break. This one’s a female with yellow eyes.

Striped-Throated Bulbul

26th September 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

They are quite common here in Kemensah but you don’t get to see them on every outing. This one was giving me the eye.

‘Tok Janggut’: Red-Bearded Bee Eater

26th September 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

One of my favourite birds, they are always a welcomed sight. It has been a few months since the last sighting.

It’s Irresistible: Grey-Headed Babbler

2nd October 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

It’s been a while since  my last lifer so she’s a much welcomed catch. The aroma  was simply irresistible and it probably lured her out from her usual  dark  haven. She came near the jeep where I was having my very early ‘nasi lemak’  & cold green tea jungle breakfast !

I Know You: Whiskered Treeswift

26th September 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

There were 2  male Treeswifts on the same tree, I recognized one bird as the male parent bird which I had previously been following. The other was a young bird, ‘freckelled’ lower facial stripe, thin slender body and fresh flawless feathers. I’m pretty sure he is Hakem, 2 month old by now. Interesting to note that he still remains in the same area as the parents. What a handsome  bird he turned out to be!

Banded Woodpecker

26th September 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

The tree trunk looks  too green and fresh  for this female bird to be pecking for insect larvae but then again I’m not a Woodpecker!. I guess she knows what she’s doing.

Early Migrant: Asian Brown Flycatcher

21st August 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

These were taken before my long break back in August. As usual the Asian Brown was the first  of the flycatchers to arrive.

Verditer Flycatchers

26th September 2010, Kemensah, Selangor

I’ve been without internet connection for a few days, back to normal again today. A beautiful pair of Verditer flycatchers, the  bright turquoise is simply gorgeous. The male with black lores.   The female