The Chestnut -breasted Malkoha pays a visit

It was another thrilling encounter this morning when I stumbled upon the Chestnut-breasted Malkoha ( Phaenicophaeus curvirostris)   I could sense its presence about 20 meters away by its peculiar low call when I was approaching Botanic Island One.  After a while of looking its whereabout and keeping still beneath the tall trees and dense canopy, my eyes were suddenly attracted to a dark moving figure among the leaves and branches.  My patience was rewarded when the Malkoha came out more in the open.  Here are a few shots on this morning encounter.

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha ( Phaenicophaeus curvirostris) 

A lovely Tiong pair

A pair of Hill Myna at rest, play and fun
Location : Licuala Hill, Zone I

 Between 5.30 pm - 6.00 pm, the pair of Hill Myna bird ( 'Tiong' - Malay) would regularly return to their nesting home.  They must have gone far to look for food but would normally return home before night falls. Today, even though they rested on the second favourite perch which is not their nesting tree, I still could get a good view of them as they played and whistled loudly against the evening light.  From my experience they would normally fly in to their nest between 6.30  pm - 7.00 pm.  at an adjacent tree.

Location: Licuala Hill, Zone I

The nesting tree for the Hill Myna birds at a nearby location
Location : Licuala Hill

On, off and away!

The male Black Hornbill is seen leading the flight off the perch to be followed by the female of the species later(  seen at the apex of the tree). Note a pair of  Hill Myna birds sharing the same perch at bottom of picture.
Location : Licuala Hill

Red-billed Malkoha sighted for the first time

Red-billed Malkoha ( Zanclostomus javanicus) - "Cenok Api" - Malay
Under-tails are bluish grey, interspersed with white tips of graduated inner-tail feather.
Location : Botanic Island One, Zone D

The Red-billed Malkoha is the second rarest malkoha in Borneo, after the Chestnut-bellied Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus sumatranus)
Location : Botanic Island One

This is a lifer for 2016.  The Red-billed Malkoha was heard uttering some distinctive sounds from Botanic Island One.  The calls sounded like a muted "oak, oak, oak, oak ,oak", repeated many times.  I wasn't sure what bird produces the repetitive calls though my best guess was a malkoha.  But surprise! it was a Red-billed Malkoha.  In 2013 and 2014 the Chestnut-breasted Malkoha have occasioned the park many times. This year it is another malkoha species and is the second rarest malkoha on this big island of Borneo.  What is appealing about the bird is its red bill and its rufous lores, chin, throat and breast.  The orangish colour is in striking contrast with the greenery of the jungle. Its long tail is dark bluish green.  All in all it is a lovely bird and I wish it will come to the park more often. 

Is it an eagle or a hawk-eagle? I wonder.

 Before the day ends I went to Licuala Hill with the hope that I could get another glimpse of the Borneon Falconet. Upon arrival at the tall dead tree I was greeted by the Myna birds. The weather was not so clear as it is often these days of the North-east monsoon when there are more cloudy skies and torrential rains. After a while, I heard a strange sound not heard before. When I turned my eyes to the tall tree I noticed a big bird was resting where the Tiong birds were. The Tiong birds flew away when this big bird perched on the tree. I quickly focussed my lens hoping to get a picture of the bird. Got it. But I could not confirm what it was. Upon checking the guide books I am caught between a Lesser Fish Eagle and a Changeable Hawk -eagle. Perhaps one day I'll get a better picture and am more certain on the identity of the bird. Today' I'll just leave it at that, happy that I saw something new.

Location : Licuala Hill