Blyth's Paradise-Flycatcher

 A flash of brown, a flow of adrenaline, the season suggests a Paradise-Flycatcher, evoking a familiar emotion year after year when this species is spotted.

Indeed, a short-tailed or female Blyth's Paradis-Flycatcher upon close examination, speeding in, typically in a birdwave comprising a flycatcher-shrike, a warbler, a sunbird, among others.  

As usual the frenzy was infectious for the watcher/photographer trapped delirious trying to capture the best moments.  

Ahhh, but, for now, perhaps the best is yet to come.

Trivia

Extract

A bird that inspires cultural myths and symbolic folklore across Asia due to its ethereal, flowing tail streamers and fairy-like appearance in flight.

For example, in Chinese folklore, long-tailed paradise-flycatchers represent longevity because their long tails mirror the concept of length and enduring time.

In parts of South Asia, closely related paradise-flycatchers are called Swargiya Pakshi (heavenly birds) because their drifting, ribbon-like tails resemble celestial threads connecting earth to the sky.

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

 It has and lost, or it has yet to have.

It's a Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, minding its own business.

Rubber Tree

 The only one in the entire taman that decided that it's time to shed and renew first, perhaps the one beside will follow suit soon.

A rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) sheds during the current dry season.

The taman which is more than 60 years old now boasts more than 200 species of economic trees, fruit trees, timber species as well as medicinal plants according to a flora survey undertaken years ago during the Save TRK Campaign, to illustrate the precious haven of trees in the taman.

 

White-headed Munia

 It came across as a training session as the adult White-headed Munia was training its three juveniles, leading them from tree to tree, and no tree was the same!

Or were the juveniles pursuing the adult to be fed!?

However, what was strange was that being granivorous bird, the adult did not descend to any wild grass, weeds or took to the open expanse for any grain foraging.

Tree Resin

 

Amber-colored Resin

Four-lined Tree Frog

 

Four-lined Tree Frog/Common Tree Frog (Polypedates leucomystax)

Grey Wagtail

 And so the season has started, with a first sighting of a migrant Grey Wagtail in the taman.

Trivia

Scientific Meaning
Latin Name: Motacilla cinerea 
Motacilla means "to move about" (linked to tail movement), and cinerea means "ash-grey".

Why Do They Wag Their Tails?
Constant Motion: Scientists are still unsure of the exact reason, but they believe the tail wagging serves a purpose.
Predator Signal: One major theory suggests the movement shows predators that the bird is alert and healthy.
Flushing Prey: Another idea is that the motion scares hidden insects into moving so the bird can catch them. 


Incredible Adaptability

City Life: Wagtails live comfortably near humans. You can spot them in urban car parks, city parks, and gardens. 


Big Winter Roosts: During cold winter nights, these small birds gather in towns. Large groups can include thousands of birds sleeping together to stay warm. 


Unusual Nests: They build nests in odd places. Pairs often choose holes in old buildings, bridges, and even abandoned cars or machinery. 

(Source: AI)