Sunday, July 20, 2025
BLUE CROWNED HANGING PARROT
The Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot (Loriculus galgulus) is a small, vibrant parrot native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Sumatra, and Borneo. It’s easily recognized by its emerald green plumage, bright red rump, and the male’s distinctive blue crown and red throat patch.
This species is famous for its quirky habit of sleeping upside down, much like a bat—an adaptation that helps it blend into foliage and avoid predators. It feeds mainly on fruits, seeds, nectar, and occasionally flowers, playing a key role in pollination and seed dispersal.
Social by nature, these parrots often travel in small flocks and form strong pair bonds during the breeding season. They nest in tree cavities and typically lay up to four eggs per clutch.
Although currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, the Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot faces threats from habitat loss and the illegal pet trade, making conservation awareness increasingly important.
Monday, July 7, 2025
BLACK THROATED SUNBIRD
05/07/2025
BURUNG KELICAP GUNUNG
Black throated Sunbird (Aethopyga saturata)
The Black-throated Sunbird (Aethopyga saturata) is a striking and vibrant species of sunbird found across parts of South and Southeast Asia, including Malaysia.
Male:
- Long-tailed and dark above with a midnight-black throat
- Wine-red back and breast, purplish-blue crown
- In good light, the throat may show a metallic violet gorget
- Much duller with greenish-brown upperparts
- Pale underparts with a gray wash over the head
- A pale rump patch helps distinguish her from other sunbirds
Habitat & Distribution
Found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. Prefers subtropical or tropical moist lowland and montane forests.MOUNTAIN IMPERIAL PIGEON
06/07/2025
BURUNG PERGAM GUNUNG
Mountain Imperial Pigeon (Ducula badia)
Found across South and Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Vietnam. Prefers subtropical or tropical moist forests, both lowland and montane, and is often seen from sea level up to 2,500 meters in elevation. Typically inhabits old-growth forests, especially in foothills and mountainous regions.
IUCN Redlist 2016: Least Concern (LC) - Population decreasing
CINTAI ALAM SEMULAJADI FLORA DAN FAUNA KITA
Sunday, July 6, 2025
RUSTY NAPED PITTA
Another lifer this year
05/07/2025
BURUNG PACAT TEPUS
Rusty Naped Pitta (Hydrornis Oatesi)
The Rusty-naped Pitta (Hydrornis oatesi) is a shy and elusive bird that’s as intriguing as it is beautiful.
Found in Indochina, southern China, and parts of the Malaysia Peninsula.
Prefers subtropical or tropical moist lowland and montane forests, especially bamboo forests
Typically inhabits elevations above 800 meters (2,600 ft)
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Saturday, May 10, 2025
BRONZE WINGED JACANA
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
PHEASANT TAILED JACANA
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
Friday, April 4, 2025
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."
Thursday, March 20, 2025
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
Monday, March 17, 2025
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)