Blue-eared Kingfisher

 A fledgling of only a couple of days old, this Blue-eared Kingfisher was seen fleeing up and down the stream, unable to perch for long being a new kid on the block, it appeared to be chased off by other older birds when it attempted to perch.

AI overview:

The nest of the Blue-eared Kingfisher is an excavated horizontal tunnel built into vertical mud or soil banks along shaded forest streams.

Tunnel shape: A horizontal burrow dug directly into dirt banks, roughly 0.5 to 1 meter long.

Entrance size: Small circular opening measuring about 5 to 6 centimeters wide.

Height: Positioned roughly 0.5 to 0.7 meters above the water or ground level.

With the nest so hidden away, the only clue of a chick was the parents bringing back mainly small fishes and immediately disappearing into the dense and dark undergrowth, also cleverly shaded by low hanging branches and leaves.

It was impossible to foresee that the chick was already big enough to fledge, which it did just within a couple of days after I had spotted the parents' behaviour. 

The one and only occasion that this juvenile perched so openly and long enough for some record images - its wet appearance suggested that it was already fishing for itself away from its parents that were nowhere to be seen.

A Home In The Park - Live!

 It started with an encounter, then a story, and now as a closure, it seems only appropriate to finally animate the story as a tribute to the birds of Taman Rimba Kiara (for it was where it first began), for all the ups and downs these birds have given birders, birdwatchers and photographers, their most memorable experiences.

https://rimbakiara.blogspot.com/2017/12/lesson-from-kites.html

And now to bring them 'alive'!

White-thighed Surili

 Typically moving in small family group, however, this seemingly aged White-thighed Surili was moving alone, foraging for food.

And there, as it paused and scanned, and scanned, without success before it swung off, its presence and image spoke volumes - a face that launched a lump in the throat.

Surilis normally move together in a small group comprising an adult male, several females and young ones.

What could be the story behind this lone male moving slowly and rather passively on its own with no family members anywhere in sight?

White-throated Kingfisher

 The White-throated Kingfisher retreated to where it's high and dry, where none could reach out for or seize its prized catch.

And there to conduct its so many hits and tosses in the swing of kill.

Collared Kingfisher, Part lV - and the story continues

And the story continues.

And a new chapter looks like to begin for another, or two, or three.

The Collared Kingfishers seem to have made the taman home.  Their calls still sliced through the taman from time to time.

When I came across the female, I had wondered why she was waiting so patiently, for more than 30 minutes on the same perch, scanning around, raindrops threatening to shorten my stay.

Eventually she flew up to their favoured branch opposite the nest, and not even the Plantain Squirrel would mar her patience.

And then he flew in.

And then it's the season again, barely two weeks since the last fledgling.

And again, 5 minutes later

Zebra Dove

Live and let live, unfortunately not to be - misperceived in a troubled mental and spiritual environment, sought after.

Name it and you desire it, give it no name and you will not desire it.

Spotted Dove

For whom we care too, one and all.

Alas, an unsuccessful run!