Plaintive Cuckoo

15th March 2012, Tok Kassim, Sabak, Kelantan

Local Name: Sewah Mati Anak Scientific Name: Cacomantis merulinus

Oriental Reed Warbler

15th March 2012, Tok Kassim, Sabak, Kelantan

Local Name: Cekup Paya Besar Scientific Name: Acrocephalus Orientalis

Chestnut-Winged Cuckoo

15th March 2012, Tok Kassim, Sabak, Kelantan

Local Name: Sewah Kepak Merah Berjambul Scientific Name: Clamator coromandus   One of the more elusive migrant cuckoos, I finally caught up with her in my home state of Kelantan. I noticed that this Cuckoo preferred to forage very close to the ground and sometimes would come down to the ground in search of  food. This is an ultra long distance shot of my lifer.

Collared Kingfisher

15th March 2012, Tok Kassim, Sabak, Kelantan

Local Name: Pekaka Sungai Scientific Name: Halcyon chloris A Collared Kingfisher enjoying her early morning  reptilio-breakfast.

Black-Capped Kingfisher

14th March 2012, Tok Kassim, Sabak, Kelantan

Local Name: Pekaka Kopiah HItam Scientific Name: Halcyon pileata Black-capped Kingfishers are extremely shy birds and would be spooked by the slightest movements that you make. Crouching in my car, and  then driving slowly along the dirt road to within 20m from her position.  This was the closest that I managed to get to this Kingfisher after so many years of trying.

Long-Tailed Shrike

14th March 2012, Tok Kassim, Sabak, Kelantan

Local Name: Tirjup Ekor Panjang Scientific Name: Lanius schach Compared to the Tiger and Brown shrikes, Long-tailed shrikes are less commonly sighted  and not as approacheable as the other two species. I managed to take  these few shots from a distance , luckily they turned out ok.

Coppersmith Barbet

14th March 2012, Tok Kassim, Sabak, Kelantan

Local Name: Takor Tembaga, Takor Tukang Besi Scientific Name: Megalaima haemacephala A male Coppersmith Barbet with the bright red forecrown and breast patch.

Hooded Pitta: Sad Case

11th March 2012, Shah Alam, Selangor

Local Name: Burung Pacat Gembala Pelandok Scientific Name: Pitta sordida A juvenile Pitta in her habitat , a small patch of jungle before  the undergrowth was cut and ‘cleared’  by unscrupulous  so-called Bird Photographers to provide unobstructed shooting lines. Mention the word ‘Code of Birding Ethics’ and most Bird Photographers here would scratch their heads or offer you  wry smiles, in their hearts maybe saying ‘ who ‘s this smart Aleck?”. A sad state of affair and a bit paradoxical as far as the concern for birds and  habitat by those who have chosen this creature as their source of pleasure. Some even go to the extent of going into the bird’s nesting/ feeding area to introduce ‘foreign   perch’ just to obtain shots with cleaner backgrounds. These pictures were taken two weeks before the area  ( in a public park where one has to pay to enter) was  ‘cleared’ by unknown Bird Photographers . . News of what had happened to this bird  has spread within the local birding community , either by word of mouth or through the internet bird forums. Let us hope that it is a lesson learned, and  that it has created better awareness on more  ethical practices especially for this region.

Grey-Headed Babbler

9th March 2012, Sedim, Kedah

Local Name: Scientific Name: Stachyris poliocephala A lone Grey headed Babbler flew to the river’s edge to bathe in the cool clear water.