Lineated Barbet

 Hope this is not another foolhardy decision by one when the previous dwellers still return regularly, perhaps for future occupancy.

The Lineated Barbet had already excavated a beautiful hole - not easy as this portion of the tree trunk remained hardy, and the hole would certainly hold up well when ready.

Many days later, the infamous family of Black-thighed Falconets seen to return to lord over their old home.

Lineated Barbet

 On the wings of love, I live, and give.

"You often say, "I would give but to the deserving."  The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pastures.  They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish."

Lineated Barbets

 I suppose it's that time of the season again for these Lineated Barbets.

Now we just got to wait to welcome the umpteenth generation to the taman.

Lineated Barbet

 How many ways are there to scan and pick, with a beakful?

Let's go!

End of show!

'Myna' worry, nayy

 The taman could proudly claim to have hosted umpteenth broods of Lineated Barbets over the years.

And the following are already familiar sights to one and all, both human and avian beings - feeding, clearing of the young's discharge, leaving the young behind as the parents go forage for food.  

And it looked like the parents certainly had no qualms leaving their young alone behind following feeding.

However, much later I was drawn towards the urgent and anxious distinct trills and calls of both parents perched close to the nest.

And then the reason was there for all to witness.

A raid by a very bold Common Myna that played no heed to the desperate calls of the Barbet parents.

And then strangely, the parents decided to leave in the midst of this raid, but I started to feel rather anxious now, as there were no cries from inside the nest to suggest the well-being of the young ones.

Suddenly, the Myna paused in its act, to scramble away.

It was a most speedy entry for the Barbet as it headed straight into the nest, and then, what a relief, I could hear then the young's characteristic clamouring.

The parent finally popped its head out, to leave again (not a graceful exit though!).

I guess it takes one avian to recognise the behaviour of another, and know that there was no imminent danger in the first place.  After all this pair of Lineated Barbets are surely not first time parents.

TRK's very own brood

 It looked like this young Lineated Barbet that fledged about three weeks ago has yet to 'spread its wings', as it's frequently seen still foraging in the taman, in fact not too far from its nest.

It really felt so good to witness brood after brood of Lineated Barbets bred and fledged successfully in this taman, except on one occasion a few years back when one was tragically seized by a crested goshawk days after it fledged, post of http://rimbakiara.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-juvy-that-never-made-it.html.

How did one know that it's a young adult?  Its bone still looked pretty raw at the wing!

Catching up with the barbets

 It could only be the recent second brood of Lineated Barbets as I chanced upon this pair foraging up high, and it certainly felt good to see them all grown up!

The first one ....

... and the other

And it was certainly not the fig fruits that they're after, for none was taken, as they probed in between the figs instead.

And how this handsome bird blended in perfectly with the leaves and the figs!