A party of four Little Green Pigeon

 It is good to be back and be greeted by the Little Green Pigeons.  Climbing up the Cempedak Hill I was able to watch a small party of four of this fast flying bird perching on the Cempedak tree.  This tree is a favourite perch for the pigeons for years now.  Today, its the turn of the Little Green Pigeon to take a rest before night fall and survey the view of the park.  Sometimes this perch is shared by a close relative of the Little Green Pigeon i.e. the Pink-necked Pigeon.

View of the park at Zone G

Male Punai Daun

Punai Daun frolicking at the Cempedak tree perch
Location : Cempedak Hill, Zone G

Male Punai Daun at the Lumok tree.

 The male Punai Daun or Little Green Pigeon (Treron olax) came by the Cempedak Hill very early this morning and had great time frolicking and flying between two fruit trees. The top most branches of the Cempedak tree that are dead and devoid of leaves have been their favourite perch.  From this perch they have a commanding view of the park.  Another perch was at the Ong Lumok tree about 20 meters away.  The adult male has the distinctive maroon colours to its mantle, back and wing coverts. The beauty of this little pigeon is further enhanced by its orange breast fading into a greenish-yellow belly.  The female lacks the maroon and orange colours of the male and instead has an overall greenish look.  The bill is creamy with a greenish base.  Its legs and feet are coral-red.

About to take off...

Little Green Pigeon, male of the species
Treron olax
Location : Cempedak Hill, Zone G.

Little Green Pigeon or Punai Daun grooming

Punai Daun or Little Green Pigeon perching on a Cempedak branch in late afternoon sun.
Location : Cempedak Hill, Zone G

 Here's more shots of the Punai Daun grooming.  This is female of the species.  These birds can be seen throughout Borneo or Bintulu for that matter.  In the early morning or late afternoon, they often perch at the Cempedak tree branch from where they broadcast their soft whistling calls.  The adult female is greenish while the male has attractive dark maroon back and wing coverts. 

Little Green Pigeon (Treron olax) - female

Little Green Pigeon (Treron olax)

In the early morning light

'Tekukur' or Spotted-necked Dove

 In the early morning light when the rays are soft and gradually glowing, I would normally walk the park to observe the early birds.  At the Cempedak Hill I noticed a dove and a pigeon taking turns to rest on their favourite perch.  First was the Spotted-necked Dove which is more seen in the towns than in the forest environment.  Later a pigeon dropped by and it was not an ordinary pigeon.  On closer observation I noticed it was the male of the Pink-necked Green Pigeon which the Malays called 'Punai Gading'.

 The picture at right shows the Punai Gading (Malay) - Treron vernans.
It produces a very soft yet melodious whistle. Its legs and feet are coral pink with pinkish grey neck and head.  Its flight feathers are black.

The Emerald Dove

Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica) - 'Punai Tanah' in Malay, to mean ground pigeon.
Family : Columbidae - Pigeon family

Today I have been exceptionally lucky.  For many years I have seen the 'Punai Tanah' (Malay) flying low and fast at the park but could not take a picture of it.  Today it came out of the dim forest cover and gave me a glimpse of its eyes above which was a white stripe, red bill and beautiful jade green wings.  I know that they are nesting at the park especially at the preserved forest area around the Provinsi Rattan near Zone I.  It's presence has given me a new hope that the forest ecology at the park is gradually being rehabilated.