“In January 2013, a flock of Red-billed Gulls (Larus novaehollandiae, Maori names: Tarapunga, Akiaki) was intently engaged in communal bathing at a freshwater inlet near the Estuary of Avon/Heathcote, South Island, New Zealand (above).
“Their typical bathing routine includes: (a) repeated plunging of the head into the water (above) and (b) vigorous flapping of wings on the water surface (below).
“These gulls appeared to be enjoying every moment of their... Read More
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The Birds of Singapore – an online book
In May 1943, GC Madoc published “An Introduction to Malayan Birds.” He wrote his manuscript in Singapore’s Changi Prison where he was interned when the country fell into the...
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Videocam: A powerful tool for studying birds
1. Collecting birds: In the 19th century the equipment needed to study birds was the gun. Another skill necessary was a good stuffing technique in order to preserve the specimens....
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Documenting bird calls and songs
Many local birdwatchers are able to recognise the birds behind the songs. However, interest in most cases ends there except for a few who make basic recordings. Erik Mobrand...
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Should attempts be made to tame wild birds?
The first part of the series by aviculturist Lee Chiu San deals with whether birds can be tamed and whether they will remain tamed. The second part looks at whether it is...
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Postings your observations and images
Why should you post your observations and images? Southeast Asian birds are poorly studied in terms of behaviour and ecology. By posting your observations (and this include...
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Nature Society: The struggle for Singapore’s nature areas
The above paper has just been published. Nature in Singapore is a peer-reviewed, online journal that publishes articles on the flora and fauna (e.g., biology, botany, zoology,...
RED-BILLED GULLS BATHING
“In January 2013, a flock of Red-billed Gulls (Larus novaehollandiae, Maori names: Tarapunga, Akiaki) was intently engaged in communal bathing at a freshwater inlet near the Estuary of Avon/Heathcote, South Island, New Zealand (above).
“Their typical bathing routine includes: (a) repeated plunging of the head into the water (above) and (b) vigorous flapping of wings on the water surface (below).
“These gulls appeared to be enjoying every moment of their... Read More
LITTLE SHAG SUNNING
“On 23rd January 2013, I was observing the antics of a small flock of Little Shags (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos, Maori name: Kawaupaka) on the shore of the Estuary of Avon/Heathcote in South Island, New Zealand (above).
“A few of them had just completed a late morning bath and were sunning themselves with wings wide open (above).”
Dr. Leong Tzi Ming
Singapore
17th February... Read More
Little Green Bee-eaters taking a sand bath
Jude Perera of Sri Lanka captured this video of a small flock of Little Green Bee-eaters (Merops orientalis) taking a sand bath in the Wilpattu National Park. Each bee-eater makes a small depression on the sand as it fluffs about to allow the sand to get between the feathers. This is part of its regular feather maintenance that includes preening and water bath.
The Little Green Bee-eater is common almost everywhere in dry-zone low country in Sri Lanka.
Over in Singapore and... Read More
BAR-TAILED GODWIT FEEDING AND PREENING
“In January 2013, I was captivated by the feeding activity of Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica, Maori name: Kuaka) as they foraged along the shallow waters and exposed substrate of the Estuary of Avon/Heathcote in South Island, New Zealand, tramping around with muddy bills and muddy feet (above).
“Very often, the entire length of their pinkish bills would be fully inserted into the soft sediment as they repeatedly probed for their food (above).
“A... Read More
PIED STILT FEEDING AND PREENING
“In January 2013, I spent some time at the Estuary of Avon/Heathcote (South Island, New Zealand) to admire the avifauna here, including a handful of Pied Stilts (Himantopus leucocephalus, Maori name: Poaka) (above).
“When the tide was out, they would wade through the shallow waters to pick out tiny morsels with their delicate, forceps-like bill (above). Occasionally, polychaete worms would be detected, extracted, and after a quick rinse to remove the mud,... Read More
PIED SHAGS BATHING, PREENING AND PANTING
“On 8th January 2013, a small flock of Pied Shags (Phalacrocorax varius, Maori name: Karuhiruhi) had gathered along the shore of a freshwater inlet near the coast of Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand (above).
“A number of them were taking turns to have their bath in the clean, cool waters. As they cruised calmly on the water’s surface, they would immerse their heads underwater and shuffle their wings rapidly, creating multiple splashes (above).
“When... Read More
BLACK-BACKED GULL BATHING
“In January 2013, an individual Black-backed Gull (Larus dominicanus, Maori name: Karoro) was engrossed in an evening bath at a secluded corner of a freshwater inlet near the Estuary of Avon/Heathcote, South Island, New Zealand. It repeatedly dipped its head in the water and brushed its breast feathers with its beak. Unlike the Red-billed Gull (Larus novaehollandiae), this species prefers more privacy at bath time. Nevertheless, its partner was close by and keeping... Read More
White-breasted Waterhen juveniles foraging and bathing
“Spotted this adorable pair of juvenile White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) going about their foraging and bathing routines at dusk yesterday.
“The adult was keeping to the undergrowth to the left, and you can hear its croaking calls at the beginning of the video.
Lena Chow
Singapore
3rd January... Read More
Barn Swallow’s worn tail feathers
On 20th January 2013 Forest Ang sent in the image below with a note: “This swiftlet has a nice patterned tail feathers. (Not sure it is common but strange to me). I have seen swiftlets flying and gripping onto wall with the tails pressing hard on the wall as leverage to balance themselves. I would think the tips were worn out from the constant pressing/rubbing of the tail end against the abrasive wall. Can anyone confirm this?”
Field ornithologist Wang Luan Keng was... Read More
BLACK BAZA – PREENING and STRETCHING
“On the morning of 7th December 2012, a lone Black Baza (Aviceda leuphotes) was perched atop a bare branch in Perak, Peninsular Malaysia (below).
“As the sun climbed above the horizon, it began to preen itself at a leisurely pace (below).
“In the midst of its preening session, there was a brief pause when it stretched its wings (below).
“The conclusion of its prolonged preening routine (lasting about 40 minutes) was punctuated by the stretching and... Read More
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