On 1st April 2011, Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS was birdwatching at his favourite ex-mining pool just outside the Malaysian city of Ipoh in the state of Perak. This pool is adjacent to limestone hills and secondary growth.

There was a Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio viridis) about 8-10 meters from him in the overgrown pond. Suddenly another swamphen, about 20 meters away launched itself, flew in and chased the one he was watching away (above). This second swamphen did not seem to be bothered by his proximity, not as much as that of the other bird.

He was soon to find out the reason of the aggression. There was the calls of a juvenile nearby (above right), about 20 meters out where the other adult had been. The aggressive behaviour must have been to protect its young (image above-left shows the breeding adult in its glory).