Search

MY ENCOUNTER WITH FIRST-WINTER MALE SIBERIAN THRUSH

on 13th May 2011

“What a journey for a somewhat size 22cm bird, having flown thousands of kilometers from the northern regions- Siberia to have successful stopped over the foothills of mainland Penang, spending several days to refuel in the vicinity of a fig fruiting tree and eventually made its way wintering in Sumatra and West Java.

“This first- winter male Siberian Thrush (Zoothera Sibirica) has turned out to be lifer bird for me. Few bird species wear both male and female characteristic plumages. This species is one of them (above).

“The description of this first-winter male characteristic bird by Krys Kazimerczak can be said to have a blackish look on the upper parts with breast sides showing crescentic mottling all the way down to the flanks and upper belly.

“The female aspect of it is seen around the head having brownish colour and buff look on the upper breast- supposed to be the remnant of juvenile plumage.

“Two birds were seen from 6-9th February 2011.

“To quote Dr David Wells, ‘All first winter males would be part slaty grey by this time of the year (Spring) and Siberian Thrushes commonly travel in parties.

“The opportunity for Malaysians photographing first-winter male Siberian Thrush had not been forthcoming in the past until now; making these two birds the first batch of this species for contribution to the bird archives and gallery of Oriental Bird Images, UK.

“The sighting of the first-winter male has been a good learning process in the identification of dimorphic birds that are not so straight forward and knowledge from more knowledgeable and experienced field birders remain a valuable source of help and information and appreciated.”

Submitted by: AVIAN WRITER DAISY O’NEILL PENANG MALAYSIA

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
661
4321
Visitors Today
51616276
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)