Garnet Pitta: Bearing Gift

1st June 2014, Taman Negara Sg. Relau, Merapoh, Pahang

Scientific Name: Erythropitta granatina Equipment: Nikon 1 V2 + Nikkor AFS-VR 400mm f/2.8G   I believe what I  had witnessed was a male Garnet Pitta looking for a  mate. He appeared from behind a fallen log with  his mouth full of worms and a what appeared to be a young cricket. He then jumped onto the log, still with his mouthful and started whistling loudly. After about two minutes he dropped the food onto the log. Maintaining his whistling, he then started to move along the log as if he was listening for a response. Satisfied that there were none, he then flew away. He came back about 20 minutes later to check  if there were any takers, unfortunately luck wasn’t with him that day.                      What it takes to get a mate! Probably this is a  Garnet Pitta’s equivalent of fine dining at the Ritz His entire body vibrated as he whistled loudly even with the food between the beak. He came back the second time to check if there was someone knocking at the door

Mangrove Pitta

8th March 2014, Pulau Indah, Selangor

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

Blue-Winged Pitta

1st March 2014 Taman Melawati, Selangor

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

Mangrove Pitta

4th April 2013, Pulau Indah, Selangor

Species:  Mangrove Pitta Local Name: Burung Pacat Bakau Scientific Name: Pitta megarhyncha Equipment: Nikon 1 V2 + Nikkor AFS-VR 400mm f/2.8G  ( remote shutter release)   The relatively larger beak differentiates the Mangrove Pitta from its cousin, the  Blue–winged Pitta.

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.

Mangrove Pittas

10th March 2012, Ayer Itam Dalam, Pulau Pinang

Local Name: Burung Pacat Bakau Scientific Name: Pitta megarhynch Mention the word ’Pitta’ and your mind will  be flooded with images  of  strong colours   coming together  on a sleek beautiful body. The Mangrove Pitta is one of a few species of Pittas which can be found in the Peninsular and  as the name suggests they are most at home in the swampy mangrove  habitat , mainly along the west coast of the Malaysian peninsular. I don’t usually travel far for my birding but the lure  of the Pittas were simply irresistable since the oportunity to shoot a rare species  as the Mangrove Pitta is,  doesn’t come everyday. The first day was a big let down when the birds failed to show up. On the second day things began to hot up very early when we heard their repeated calls at about 9.00am. Finally there they were, a pair of Pittas right in front of our eyes in their full glory.