A Prinia's nest

Prinia flaviventris - the only prinia on Borneo

Yellow-bellied Prinia

 Just the other day I was given a good pose by the Yellow-bellied Prinia (Prinia flaviventris).  This bird loves to build nest close to the ground.  I did not realise the presence of the nest until I was overcome by curiosity.  Why did the pair hang out at that particular place?  On closer look I chanced upon a nest nearby where the two birds were seen.  The nest is erected on two stems, a grass stem and the stem of a small 'Senduduk' plant (Melastoma malabathricum).  The materials that comprise the nest are obtained from the immediate surrounding, chiefly dried grass blades.

The prinia's nest.  The entrance of the nest faces a north-south orientation.
Location : Zone C

A good bird watching morning

Black Magpie
Location : Licuala Hill

The early morning hours when the birds are out looking for food and prey is a sure bet to catch a glimpse of many birds common to this area.  This morning starting at 7.30 am I chanced upon three species.  The Black Magpie ( Platysmurus leucopterus) was braving itself to come closer to me.  Previously this bird could only be photographed from a distance and even so hidden  among the leaves and branches.  When I heard its voice which is similar to the crow and mixed with imitative sounds of the Hill Myna I climbed the Licuala Hill to find its whereabouts.  I was handsomely rewarded with a vantage view of the bird. It showed its characteristic habit of bowing its head while perching on the branch.  The Black Magpie likes to imitate sounds of other birds.  It is in the list of large-sized birds at the park.  Next in line came one of the tiny birds at the park - the Yellow-bellied Prinia (Prinia flaviventris).  They are born here.   Despite its size the bubbling calls emitted are loud and cheerful. It prefers to hunt among the long grasses making it difficult to have a good shot.   Today, however it came out  pleased to offer me a good pose.
Not to disappoint  me,  a threesome of  the smallest raptor in the world  the falconet showed themselves at their favourite perch.  The Bornean Falconet  (Microhierax latifrons) is a regular visitor probably enjoying the abundance of insects here.  They are skillful in catching their prey, grasping them in dashing flight or sorties from the tallest spot in the neighbourhood.  I took extra trouble this morning to come closer to them by moving close to the tree where they perched.  From below I could only see a glimpse of one of the falconet through the maze of leaves and branches.
Overall, it has been a good morning for bird watching.

Yellow-bellied Prinia among the grasses

Three Borneon Falconets taken from a distance of about 100 meters.
Location : Licuala Hill

Closer view of the falconet through the leaves and branches

Bornean Falconet

A Prinia preview

Perenjak Padi (Malay) - Prinia flaviventris
Location: Zone B

 The Yellow-bellied Prinia is a resident of the park.  Despite that status, to get close to it has been a big problem for me.  However, today I am lucky.  Out of the blues it decided to give me a most pleasurable photoshoot session.  The prinia has one of the loudest calls among the small birds at the park.  It doesn't fly straight and when it fly the wings flap loudly.  I understand that the Yellow-bellied Prinia is the only prinia on this big island of Borneo.  Its music to listen to the singing of the prinia.

Singing on a tall stem...

Singing from the branches of the oleina tree..

The presence of grassland or grass reserves proves useful as perches for the prinia..
Location : Zone B