Woodie siblings at play

 The continuous squeaks and squabbling spurred me to try some playback and immediately this sub-adult Orange-backed Woodpecker emerged close by, and freeze, alert to my presence.

Taking advantage when I decided to shift position, this young female fled.

Knowing that there was another one lurking in the background in the thicker foliage, patience paid off as both eventually appeared.

I deemed the young male as shyer and more self-conscious as it continued to keep to the background as its female sibling foraged over a wider area.

The attractiveness of the Orange-backed Woodpecker must surely lie in its distinct prehistoric, stone-age appearance, and I can already envisage both growing into handsome adults.

'Fishy' prey

 Absorbed with its catch, the Glossy Asian Starling practically ignored the fact that I was right in front of it.  Despite the closeness, still unable to make out what looked like a 'fishy' prey although there was no waterbody close by, nevertheless an unusual meal if so.

Omnipresent flycatcher-shrike

 The Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike (Hemipus hirundinaceus) never fails to announce its presence with it repetitive calls.  Always in a pair, it's hard to miss this one.

Although recognised as a forest-dwelling bird, it's now commonly sighted in parks, and has been recorded to nest in parks too.  In parks it forages low providing opportune close-up images.  However, in forests, it's frequently seen to move in a mixed flock, thus, to the glee of a birder, alerting the presence of a bird wave.

Spotted low in the taman.

Forages in middle and upper tree canopies in the bukit.

Nevertheless in both habitats always on the move and with calls trailing behind as the birds depart.

The elusive kingfisher

 The Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting) is one of the few kingfishers that could be considered forest birds so it didn't come as a surprise when a sudden flash of blue and orange appeared as I was on the trail.  

But almost immediately it took off again to the far end.  Fortunately taking a shot in the 'dark', revealed its presence!

To be doubly sure, numerous shots were taken, and it was definitely the Blue-eared Kingfisher that has eluded my camera for the last few years!

Whilst waiting, hoping it'd return from where it'd emerged, to my surprise another one appeared, and this time it was an adult - the juvy has a bright red bill whilst the adult's bill is dark in colour, in this case it's a male adult kingfisher with totally dark bill.

It's not the best of encounter but suffice for now.  Sheer delight to be able to record finally its presence by image, and not one but two!

Till the next time! 

Least concern, but not least desirable

 The Ruby-cheeked Sunbird (Chalcoparia singalensis) is commonly found in forest and forest edge and must be one of the loveliest small birds that reside in the bukit.

This bird stuns with its bejewelled plumage of emerald green, ruby red, a tease of metallic lavender, and autumnal orange.  The female is no less attractive with its 'soft' plumage of olive-green.

It typically forages in the upper canopy of trees but on this occasion descended too close, too close challenging my focus!

The morning was pierced by the pair's sharp calls and trills, matched with ceaseless movements and activities.

Us and them

 How are we alike, or different!?

I had thought it would be a struggle when I saw the Crested Goshawk grasping a twig, too long I thought to manoeuvre through the branches, to its nest.

And indeed it took all of 48 seconds, almost a minute for it to get a grip and fly through to its nest.

However when it next got hold of a shorter one, it was a breeze for it to reach its nest.

Not even a second! with its mate looking on.

A bee-eater's play

 As the migrant season gradually ceases, most birds would assume vibrant colours before they leave for home/breeding grounds.  The Blue-tailed Bee-eaters are no different.

This one now assumed gorgeously rich colours and was actively feeding.  

Having caught an insect it was interesting to see how it took its time to swallow its meal.

That delicate balance between its beak that only it can manage!

And then was it playing with its food?!

One would think so.

Surely it's not posturing because it has an audience!

And finally, just a gulp away.