Challenge of Hawk-eagle

 How could it be possible but it was, as this one stood statue-like for a good period of time, as if to fool one of its living presence.

It's a juvenile Changeable Hawk-eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus) that seemed to have grown overnight, more heard than seen before this, and whose presence over the months had chased off both resident as well as migrant birds that would  normally forage below.

 Nevertheless it's the offspring of the Bukit's very own raptor, deemed a resident as more than a brood have been raised here over the years.

Earlier, its parent had quietly flew in right above where I was standing.

As I hastily retreated for a better view, it too moved, and from its vantage perch, I was given the stare, naturally!

Misplaced excitement

 All it takes is an overdose of excitement and hasty decision and one can easily go wrong with avian identity.

Sighting this one almost led me to think that the bukit was privileged again to host a newcomer.  I guessed it's the lighting and its foraging uncharacteristically low that set my adrenaline overflowing!

On comparison, similarities were established, and it's an Arctic Warbler after all.

It was also fortunate that a couple of days later I managed to come across this moulting warbler which reaffirmed my finding.

An equally heavily moulting Eastern-crowned Warbler was seen foraging in the same bird wave, thus offering an opportune comparison.

Almost fooled by an accidental lighting, again.

The moment of truth.

Quite predictable

 Quizzical, perhaps, displeased, hmmm.

Notwithstanding, always a sight after my heart, no matter how and where I viewed it.

A regular migrant visitor, the Green-backed Flycatcher's timing and presence here is almost to clockwork's precision for the last few years.

One for the woodshrike

It's hardly about 'biting off more than you can chew' for these feathered ones, and with this Large Woodshrike (Tephrodornis virgatus), its bug prey might be a challenge, for a while only!

Couldn't be reprimanding its prey!

Didn't work that way, perhaps this way's best!

Nope, that way's still best!

And finally the big swallow, antenna and all!

Meanwhile another gorgeous male's enjoying its shade.

Regretful act, and hard decision

Was that a dive, or was that a dive!!?  And that's the way with the Narcissus Flycatcher as it usually forages at mid-canopy, constantly on the move, flitting from branch to branch, much to the frustration of the usual badass bird photographers, who have been seen at the site, up to their despicable behaviour of trying to bait the bird down to feed.

I guess this contemptible group is vying for A +++ images and zillion Likes that their thick hide is impervious to disapproval of their abominable practice (which they take with them everywhere they go for bird images).

And it is precisely to keep this particular group at bay that I was initially pressured not to share, and now deeply regret sharing the news and location of this key sighting, an action I am sure not to repeat in future.

P/S Feeding to secure photographs seem to be widely practised now but resorting to this act teaches potential poachers how to bait for their catch, and unfortunately this Bukit has its share of poachers.

Parent-young out

 Despite its omnipresence and abundance in the bukit, it's uncommon to spot this parent Pin-stripped Tit-Babbler and its young out up so high, uncharacteristic of its always skulking, rustling and foraging behaviour mainly in undergrowth or low canopy.

As I was waiting

It always seemed that no catch is secured unless it's landed in the belly!

And particularly tiresome for this one that had to work vigorously to secure it and then to incapacitate before swallowing it.

Did it know it was being watched as it suddenly fled with its catch before consuming it in my full view?!