The new comer: Species 2 - Puchong Bendang @ Cinnamon Bittern (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus)

As usual, the pond behind my faculty is my favorite spot for birding.  Either i take picture shots of the birds (usually painted stork) or just stop by near the not-so-automated gate to watch them. Feels like a must do thing everyday, except that if its raining upon arrival.

This morning, as usual, theres plenty of storks, feeding, hunting, or just stood still in the muddy water. There`s also a White Throated Kingfisher doing some acrobatic move in catching its prey quite a distance away from where i park my car.

As I were about to move, i saw something orangy moving in the bushy area of Paku Rawan (Limnocharis flava) plant. Took out my bino, and look. haha. It is something new, an additional member to the pond community. It is a Cinnamon Bittern hiding in that area, hunting for prey. As quickly as possible, i set up my gear and klik klik.

Here it is. A handsome male Puchong Bendang @ Cinnamon Bittern (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus)

 

  

Its not easy to get this species due to its habit as a shy bird.  Cinnamon Bitterns hunt small fish, frogs and invertebrates. They are secretive birds and are hard to spot because of their supreme camouflage.

more info  from
http://www.wildlife.gov.my/printed_material/kbdAviClist/cinnamon_bittern.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon_Bittern

Species 1 - Burung Botak Padi/Upeh Sawah @ Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) Part II

There are quite a number of them, can be found easily at the pond near FMHS, sometimes near the old paddy plot just behind 17th college.  Once my colleague did counted and there are 60 of them, adult and juvenile birds.

These birds are wader, which have long leg and feeding in shallow waters.  They come in flock, and feeding by immersing their heavy and yellow beak half open in the shallow depth.  They caught prey by sweeping those half open beak side by side and their long leg serve to stir the water for hiding fish.

There are a few species in stork family and this painted stork get the name by the distinctive pink colour of the tertial feathers at the back of the body.  Juvenile and adults looks almost the same except that juvenile have blackish face with grey beak and brownish plumage.

more information of this species from:
http://www.wildlife.gov.my/printed_material/kbdAviClist/painted_stork.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_Stork

First Entry

After six months of searching and shooting, plus hundreds hour visiting other similar subject from different bloggers, here i am. just found the gut to try and put it into words and trying to freeze and save the moments they share with us here. In this campus, be a part and not a part of us all, everyday.

Really not sure how to start, but if my supervisor found that i launch this blog, in the middle of thesis writing period, i am dead, unless i can prove to them, both are coming very well, the thesis and the blog.

Not so many species for a starter.

Burung Botak Padi/Burung Upeh Sawah @ Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala).

This species is totally protected under act 76/72, PERHILITAN, Malaysia. Status near threaten. Picture taken at the pond in Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, my favorite birding site. Those who want to enjoy the view/take picture of these birds and their habitat and their feeding habits, the best place is from the back road leading to the back gate.  Use long and fast lens to capture the moment especially when they are airborne or landing.

Thats it for a starter.