Birdwatch album - The Large-tailed Nightjar

Large-tailed Nightjar
(Caprimulgus macrurus)

 One of my most spectacular moments in birdwatching is to observe a pair of adult Large-tailed Nightjar brooding and incubating their treasured eggs over a two months period.  I took many visits to capture the story from eggs, chicks and juvenile transformation.  Finally when their wings were strong I was overwhelmed with joy to let them took flight for a free life.  Such joys are memories that would make me realise why we should conserve the wildlife not merely for the love of nature but also the continuation of a long line of evolution.

Young chicks of the Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus)

The night jar incubating the eggs,,,

Eggs are laid directly  on bare ground and blotched.

Getting ready for freedom flight....

Young chick with developing wings, but not strong enough for flight....

Birdwatch album - White-breasted Waterhen

White-breasted waterhen

 These birds are made for walking.  They are seen in grassy swampy areas, leaving clear imprints on muddy patches. The waterhen moves quickly when seen and darts for cover in an instant.  They make the typical sounds of 'Ruak-Ruak' and thus are called locally as Keruak in Malay.  On one occasion I was able to get very close to its young chick which is all black.  Both sexes are usually alike.

Young chick of the waterhen running for cover.

Birdwatch album - Red-Headed (Ashy) Tailorbird

 They are very tiny but their bright red head makes them easily recognizable.  They are very frequent visitors to the park where they hunt for red ants and other insects like caterpillars. Due to its small size photographing them is not easy because they mesh well in between the leaves and branches of trees.  Typically birds of the forest, they often show up in open places near the edges of forests.

Red-Headed (Ashy) Tailorbird (Orthotomus ruficeps)