31 January, 2013

Red-Rumped Swallows

19th January 2013, Batang Tiga , Melaka

Species: Red-rumped Swallows

Local Name:

Scientific Name: Cecropis daurica

Equipment: Nikon 1 V1 + Nikkor AFS-VR 400mm f/2.8G + TC20EIII

It was  windy  with intermitent drizzle throughout the day and these Striated Swallows were ‘sunning’ themselves on the dirt road, trying to get away from the blustery condition.

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An adult with dark plumage and  long tail-streamers

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As usually the case in the animal world the juvenile has lighter or dull colours.

Peregrine Falcon: Japonensis

19th January 2013, Batang Tiga , Melaka

Species: Peregrine Falcon

Local Name: Lang Belalang

Scientific Name: Falco peregrinus japonensis

Equipment: Nikon D7000 + Nikkor AFS-VR 400mm f/2.8G + TC1.4EII

The Falco peregrinus japonensis is the migratory subspecies of the Peregrine Falcon.

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27 January, 2013

Eastern Marsh & Pied Harriers

19th January 2013, Batang Tiga , Melaka

Species: Eastern Marsh Harrier

Local Name:

Scientific Name: Circus spilonotus

Equipment: Nikon D7000 + Nikkor AFS-VR 400mm f/2.8G + TC1.4EII

Harriers seem to float effortlessly over the ricefield  in what appears to be a systematic  search pattern for potential preys.

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A female

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My only photo of the male Eastern Marsh Harrier. He was simply too far away for any decent shot.

 

Species: Pied Harrier

Local Name:

Scientific Name: Circus melanoleucos

Equipment: Nikon D7000 + Nikkor AFS-VR 400mm f/2.8G + TC1.4EII

An adult female

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Below: A juvenile Pied Harrier


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                             Equipment: Nikon 1 V2 + Nikkor AFS-VR 400mm f/2.8G + TC20EIII
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Please do correct me if I’m wrong with the IDs.

25 January, 2013

Black-Shouldered Kite

19th January 2013, Batang Tiga , Melaka

Local Name: Lang Tikus

Scientific Name: Elanus caeruleus

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   Equipment: Nikon 1 V2 + Nikkor AFS-VR 400mm f/2.8G + TC20EIII

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                  Equipment: Nikon D7000 + Nikkor AFS-VR 400mm f/2.8G + TC1.4EII

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22 January, 2013

Asian Openbills in Melaka

19th January 2013, Batang Tiga, Melaka

Local Name:

Scientific Name: Anastomus oscitans

Equipment: Nikon 1 V2 + Nikkor  AFS 400mm f2.8ED-VR

They are currently the star birds, the local papers  even covered the news of their arrival  in several states of Malaysia. Birders and photographer alike including yours truly have  made their way to these locations so as not to  miss the opportunity to view these majestic storks in their hundreds.

Paddy growers in the area are simply delighted with their presence since these birds feed on snails which   destroy the paddy plants.

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Melaka is the land of ‘Hang Tuah’ literally translated as ‘you’re lucky’,  I’ve been wanting to see this bird for a few years now, so looks like this year ‘I‘m in Luck’.

21 January, 2013

Whiskered Terns

12th January 2012, Kuala Selangor, Selangor

Local Name: Camar Tasik

Scientific Name: Chlidonias hybridus

Equipment: Nikon D7000 + Nikkor AFS 400mm f2.8 VR

 

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Ashy Tailorbird

12th January 2012, Kuala Selangor, Selangor

Local Name: Perenjak Kelabu

Scientific Name: Orthotomus ruficeps

Equipment: Nikon 1 V1 + Nikkor  AFS 400mm f2.8 VR

 

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Grey Tit

25th December 2012, Kuala Selangor, Selangor

 

Local Name:

Scientific Name: Parus cinereus    Status: Near Threatened

Equipment: Nikon 1 V1 + Nikkor AFS 400mm f2.8 ED-VR

Grey Tits can usually be found near  coastal areas  where there are mangrove forests. This bird was going from hole to hole in the nibong tree trunk  used for mooring boats.DSC_5899

 

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Blue-Eared Kingfisher

1st January 2013, , Selangor

Local Name: Pekaka Bintik-bintik

Scientific Name: Alcedo meninting

Equipment: Nikon 1 V1 + Nikkor AFS 400mm f/2.8-VR

New Year bird. These were taken  right before a storm and her feathers  were fluttering in the strong wind.

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20 January, 2013

Black Kites

12th January 2013, Kuala Selangor, Selangor

Scientific Name: Milvus migrans

Equipment: Nikon 1 V2 + Nikkor AFS-VR 400mm f/2.8G

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Grey Wagtail

1st January 2013, Taman Melawati , Selangor

Local Name: Kedidi Batu

Scientific Name: Motacilla cinerea

Equipment: Nikon 1 V1 + Nikkor AFS 400mm f/2.8-VR

 

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Common Flameback

25th December 2012, Kuala Selangor, Selangor

Local Name:  Belatuk Pinang Muda

Scientific Name: Dinopium javanense

Equipment: Nikon 1 V1 + Nikkor AFS-VR 400mm f2.8G + TC20EIII

One of the more common woodpeckers that can be seen in the mangrove forest.. This particular bird is a female without the red crown.

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Birds of Kuala Selangor

21st & 25th December 2012, Kuala Selangor, Selangor

Equipment: Nikon D7000 & , Nikkor 400mm f2.8 + TC20EIII

                 Nikon 1 V1  + Nikkor 400mm f2.8

It is the rainy season now  and from my experience jungle birds tend to be  a little quiet and hard to find so it was Kuala Selangor again for some coastal birds

 

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A pair of Asian Dollarbirds

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A Little Heron preening

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                                  The Chestnut-winged Cuckoo was  a pleasant surprise.

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A Collared kingfisher regurgitating something from her throat.

 

25th December 2012:

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A Grey heron

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A Black-capped KIngfisher

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Crested Serpent Eagle

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This catfish may be too big for the Black-crowned Night-heron to handle

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Sunda pygmy Woodpecker