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)