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. An adult with dark plumage and  long tail-streamers 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.

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

Black-Shouldered Kite

19th January 2013, Batang Tiga , Melaka

Local Name: Lang Tikus Scientific Name: Elanus caeruleus    Equipment: Nikon 1 V2 + Nikkor AFS-VR 400mm f/2.8G + TC20EIII                           Equipment: Nikon D7000 + Nikkor AFS-VR 400mm f/2.8G + TC1.4EII

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.                     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’.

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

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

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.

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.

Black Kites

12th January 2013, Kuala Selangor, Selangor

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

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

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.

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   A pair of Asian Dollarbirds A Little Heron preening                                   The Chestnut-winged Cuckoo was  a pleasant surprise. A Collared kingfisher regurgitating something from her throat.   25th December 2012: A Grey heron A Black-capped KIngfisher Crested Serpent Eagle This catfish may be too big for the Black-crowned Night-heron to handle Sunda pygmy Woodpecker