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

The rains and birds

Flash floods at Zone F

 It rained the whole day.  The stream overflowed and there was flash floods for about one hour.  Despite the rains  and cold weather  the birds did show up but preferred to conserve energy by resting on branches.   Seen were the Oriental Magpie-robin and a small company of Little Green Pigeons.  At another location I noticed a Brahminy Kite was surveying the park from above the canopy of trees.  It circled with the aid of the strong winds and then left the scene.

Oriental Magpie-robin

A small flock of Little Green Pigeon resting at the Cempedak tree

Brahminy Kite

A pair of Little Green Pigeon building nest

A pair of Little Green Pigeon seen perching on a nearby tree close to its nest, which is seen below.

The nest is seen from below. the tree.  At the centre of the mass of leaves is hidden the nest of the Little Green Pigeon.
Location : Kruak wetlands.
Zone B

A pair of Little Green Pigeon perching on a branch.

I was not able to see any thing inside the nest of the Little Green Pigeon. The nest was way above my head.  I just discovered that a pair of the Little Green Pigeon has started to build a nest amidst the branches and leaves of a small tree near the Kruak wetlands at Zone B.  It was when walking below the tree that I heard the loud flutter of wings.  Surprised, I look upwards  and saw a nest formed by a collection of twigs.  It was obviously the pigeon's nest.  Thy have rushed out of their nest upon discovering my presence.  The pictures above show them perching on a tree nearby.

One, Two Punai birds

Male Little Green Pigeon, distinguished by the maroon wings
In Malay this pigeon is called 'Punai Daun' literally to mean- 'leaf Punai'

Two, Little Green Pigeons, both sexes
Location : Cempedak Hill, Zone G

Female of the species

Two Punais, up high on the Cempedak Hill
taken today, 28 Feb'15

A lovely pair of Little Green Pigeon

Little Green Pigeon (Treron olax) - male is at top with maroon wing-coverts while female has greyish-green body.  Both have white iris.  Feet and claws are a light red.
Location: Cempedak lookout point
Zone G

The time was just about right.  The early morning sun rays had cast its brilliance on the Cemepdak tree.  Unnoticed but later seen was a pair of Little Green Pigeon or "Punai Daun" in Malay.  There seems to be two certain moments in the park when you'll not be disappointed to watch these darlings of the wild and free.  In the morning between 7 - 8 am and in the late afternoon between 5 - 6 pm.  At both times the sun rays are there to provide the appropriate lighting for a good photoshoot.  Early this morning I managed to get a clearer shot of this beautiful pair perching at the very top of the Cempedak tree.

More green pigeons at Cempedak point

A small party of Little Green Pigeon
Location: Cempedak point, Zone G

Male (below) and female (above)

 The Cempedak Hill is named after the group of Cempedak trees that are planted on top of the hill.  The trees provided convenient perches for many birds such as the pigeons, doves,magpie-robins, bulbuls etc.  The Cempedak point is one of the tallest spot for birdwatching at the park and provides a scenic view of the landscape and topography of the area.  This morning I observed a small party of Little Green Pigeons comprising of two males and two females trying to out do one another on the perches.  They were later joined by a threesome of Spotted-necked Dove called 'Tekukur' locally.

Spotted-necked Dove

Morning, morning....and welcome back!

Blue-throated Bee-eater

Little Green Pigeon - female of species

 A pair of Blue-throated Bee-eater and a pair of Little Green Pigeon came out early to say good morning.  But it was a special good morning from the bee-eaters because for quite a while they have not stopped by at the park.  Their visit is always met with joy and excitement.  It is a real delight to see their beautifil blue and green feathers.  While the Little Green Pigeons are residents of the park, building nests on oil-palm branches, fruit trees and other jungle trees, the Blue-throated Bee-eaters are temporary visitors and pit-stoppers. When bee-eaters are around it is a sure indication that there is a swarm of bees to be hunted. 

A pair of Little Green Pigeon perching on the Cempedak tree
Location : Cempedak Hill, 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.

Highlights today at the park

Male Little Green Pigeon - Punai Daun (Teron olax)

Little Green Pigeon - male of the species (Teron olax)

View from Zone I

Heliconia psittacorum - Golden Torch

Melastoma malabathricum - Senduduk (Malay)

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)

Small flock of punai birds

 An early morning stroll saw a small flock of Punai birds perching on the Cempedak tree at one of the tallest hills at the park, the Cempedak Hill.  The flock consisted of two female and three male birds.

Model - Little Green Pigeon

Photoshoot session : Scene #1, 3 March'14

Photoshoot session : Scene #1, 3 March'14

Photoshoot session : Scene #1, 3 March'14

Photoshoot session : Scene #1, 4 March'14

Photoshoot session : Scene #1, 4 March'14

Photoshoot session : Scene #1, 6 March'14

Photoshoot session : Scene #1, 6 March'14

Photoshoot session : Scene #1, 6 March'14

Close and closer we get

Little Green Pigeon (Treron olax)

 From a distance I could see a pair of Punai Daun or Little Green Pigeon resting at the Cempedak tree on one of  the tallest hills at Zone G.  The male of the species has  a grey face, head and nape.  The most striking feature is the dark maroon back and orange upper breast.  The female however is greenish with a grey forehead.  The Little Green Pigeon is a permanent resident of the park.

Little Green Pigeon -male at  front, female at the back

Little Green Pigeon - female

Little Green Pigeon -male