BRONZE WINGED JACANA

Gopeng 05/05/2025

9.00am - 11.00am

Today was a very exciting day for me! I discovered two species of jacana at the same location. During my observation, I spotted two male pheasant-tailed jacanas. I spent nearly two hours before moving on to my next journey.

 

PHEASANT TAILED JACANA

BURUNG TERATAI EKOR PANJANG

Pheasant-tailed Jacana(Hydrophasianus chirurgus)

Lokasi: Gopeng, Perak

Another Lifer of the Year 2025

The Pheasant-tailed Jacana is a striking waterbird found across tropical Asia, from Yemen to the Philippines. It is the only jacana species that migrates long distances and has distinct breeding and non-breeding plumages.

Physical Characteristics

• Breeding plumage: Features elongated central tail feathers, giving it a pheasant-like appearance. The body is chocolate brown, the face is white, and the nape has silky golden-yellow feathers. The wings are predominantly white with black borders.
• Non-breeding plumage: The head and back turn dark brown, with only traces of the golden nape feathers remaining. A dark eyestripe runs down the sides of the neck.
• Young birds: Have brown upper parts and a broken dark necklace. They are distinguishable from similar species by their white wings and black neck stripe.

Behavior & Habitat

• They walk on floating vegetation in shallow lakes, thanks to their elongated toes and nails.
• They forage by swimming or wading, primarily feeding on invertebrates.
• Females are larger than males and are polyandrous, meaning they lay multiple clutches that different males raise.

This species is truly fascinating, especially with its seasonal plumage changes and unique reproductive strategy

 

CRESTED GOSHAWK

03/04/2025

BURUNG LANG SIKA / SIKAP

Crested Goshawk (Accipiter trivirgatus)

Sungai Siput

The Crested Goshawk is a medium-sized bird of prey found in forests and wooded areas across South and Southeast Asia. It is recognized for its distinctive crest, which gives it a regal appearance. 

• Physical Characteristics: It has a compact build, with broad wings and a relatively short tail. Its plumage is brownish above with paler underparts featuring streaks or barring. The most striking feature is its raised crest, which becomes prominent when the bird is alert.
• Behavior: Crested Goshawks are agile hunters, relying on surprise attacks to catch prey. They primarily feed on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. They are known for their ability to ambush prey from dense foliage.
• Habitat: Preferring dense forests, they are commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions, including Malaysia. They can adapt to urban parks and gardens with sufficient tree cover.
• Breeding: These birds build nests high in trees, usually laying two to four eggs. They are known for their fierce territorial defense during the breeding season.
• Conservation Status: The Crested Goshawk is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, meaning its population is relatively stable.

"A couple of its flew up and down, preparing their nests on the durian tree in my hometown, during the Aidilfitri holiday."

MALAYSIAN RAIL BABBLER

My Super Duper Rare of The Year 

20/03/2025

BURUNG SINTAR RIMBA

MALAYSIAN RAIL BABBLER (Eupetes macrocerus)

The Malayan Rail Babbler, also known as the Malaysian Rail-babbler, is a fascinating and unique bird. It is a medium-sized, ground-dwelling songbird, measuring about 28 to 30 cm (11–12 inches) in length and weighing between 66 to 72 grams (2.3–2.5 ounces). Its appearance is striking, with a slender body, long legs, neck, and tail, and a long black bill. The plumage is predominantly brown, with a reddish forehead and crown, and a rich chestnut color on the chin, throat, and foreneck.

One of its most distinctive features is the black eyestripe extending from the bill to the side of the neck, bordered by a broad white supercilium. Additionally, it has a strip of bare blue skin on the side of its neck, which becomes visible during calls and displays, likely serving as a signaling feature in its dim forest-floor habitat.

This bird is known for its shy and reclusive nature, often found in dense lowland and foothill forests. It walks with a rail-like gait, jerking its head like a chicken, and prefers running to flying when disturbed. Its haunting whistle-like call adds to its mystique.

The Malayan Rail Babbler is native to the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo, inhabiting primary forests. Unfortunately, its population is declining due to habitat loss, but it is still locally common in some areas. 

IUCN Redlist 2022: Near Threatened - NT

CINTAI ALAM SEMULA JADI FLORA DAN FAUNA KITA

LESSER COUCAL

BURUNG BUT BUT KECIL

Lesser Coucal (Centropus bengalensis)

The Lesser Coucal is a bird species found across South and Southeast Asia, including Malaysia. It is a member of the cuckoo family but exhibits behaviors more typical of ground-dwelling birds.

This bird measures about 38–40 cm in length and has a distinctive appearance. Its upperparts are dark brown to black, with a glossy sheen, while the wings are a rich reddish-brown (rufous) in color. It has a long, black tail and striking red eyes, which stand out against its plumage.

The Lesser Coucal is an omnivore, feeding on insects, small animals, and even seeds. It is often seen foraging on the ground or among tall grasses, moving stealthily through dense vegetation.

Unlike most cuckoos, the Lesser Coucal does not practice brood parasitism. Instead, it builds its own nests in the grass or shrubs and raises its chicks directly. It is shy and secretive, often making low, booming calls that echo through its habitat.

The Lesser Coucal is adaptable and thrives in diverse environments, such as grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural fields. It is not currently considered threatened, but habitat changes could impact its populations in the future.

IUCN Redlist - Least Concern (LC)

LONG TAILED PARAKEET

BURUNG BAYAN NURI

Long-tailed Parakeet (Psittacula longicauda)

Sg. Siput - 23/11/2024

The Long-tailed Parakeet is a colorful and graceful bird native to Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. It thrives in lowland forests, mangroves, and even plantations, adapting well to varied environments.

This medium-sized parakeet measures around 40 cm in length, with more than half of this length attributed to its long, slender tail. Its plumage is vibrant: the body is predominantly green, while the face features a striking red patch on the cheeks. Males have a distinctive black stripe running across their lores and throat, whereas females lack this marking. Both sexes have bluish hues on their tail feathers.

The Long-tailed Parakeet feeds mainly on fruits, seeds, and nuts. It is highly social, often found in large, noisy flocks that fly swiftly through the treetops. Their loud, screeching calls are typical of parakeets and help maintain group cohesion.

Unfortunately, their populations are declining due to habitat destruction, including deforestation and conversion of forests into agricultural lands. Conservation efforts are essential to protect their habitats and ensure their survival.