Pacific Swallow

 It's that time of the year when reproduction is in the air!

Pacific Swallows are not excluded.

Looked like the bird tried to evade tracking by not assuming a straight flight path.

Relentless, industrious, the pair was non-stop in their collection of nesting materials.

Banded Woodpecker vs Oriental Magpie-Robin

 Maternal instincts always reign supreme in all creatures big or small.

It must have looked like a perfect foraging spot for this pair of Banded Woodpeckers who happily flew in on a blazingly bright late morning.

The huge trunk of a tree was rotten, highly probably fertile ground for grubs, highly attractive to these grub-loving woodpeckers.

Until they were rudely shocked to discover that this tree had been claimed by Oriental Magpie-Robins who came across as having built a home there already. 

One of the intruders looked like it well understood the situation and decided to flee.

But not the other.  

First assault!

Second assault

Third assault

Fourth assault - a deceptive move?

Not worth hanging on after all, so time to depart, finally.

Changeable Hawk-eagle

 An uncommon visitor to the taman, creating a ruckus among the resident birds, to finally reveal itself up the tree canopy.

The Changeable Hawk-eagle is more commonly sighted, often heard in the bukit.  

Its presence among the birds of the taman that morning was not welcome as warning cries and shrieks were ceaseless as long as it was there.

Its take-off amidst the foliage was as usual amazingly quiet and smooth.