Stork-Billed Kingfisher

9th March 2012, Ayer Itam Dalam, Pulau Pinang

Local Name: Pekaka Paruh Pendek Scientific Name: Pelargopsis capensis I only have a few  long-distance record shots of this Kingfisher prior to this. Penang is probably the easiest place to see this Kingfisher.

Lineated Barbet

9th March 2012, Ayer Itam Dalam, Pulau Pinang

Local Name: Takor Kukup Scientific Name: Megalaima lineata It is quite difficult to get clean shots  of this barbet as they usually tend to keep themselves between the leaves.

Laced Woodpecker

9th March 2012, Ayer Itam Dalam, Pulau Pinang

Local Name: Belatuk Bakau/ Hijau Scientific Name: Picus vittatus A female Laced Woodpecker on her morning round.

Banded Woodpeckers

9th March 2012, Ayer Itam Dalam, Pulau Pinang

Local Name: Belatuk Merah Scientific Name: Picus miniaceus

Mangrove Blue-Flycatchers

9th March 2012, Ayer Itam Dalam, Pulau Pinang

Local Name: Sambar biru bakau Scientific Name: Cyornis rufigastra   The male Mangrove Blue-flycatcher .     The female has distinctive white spots on the lores and cheeks.

Mangrove Pittas

10th March 2012, Ayer Itam Dalam, Pulau Pinang

Local Name: Burung Pacat Bakau Scientific Name: Pitta megarhynch Mention the word ’Pitta’ and your mind will  be flooded with images  of  strong colours   coming together  on a sleek beautiful body. The Mangrove Pitta is one of a few species of Pittas which can be found in the Peninsular and  as the name suggests they are most at home in the swampy mangrove  habitat , mainly along the west coast of the Malaysian peninsular. I don’t usually travel far for my birding but the lure  of the Pittas were simply irresistable since the oportunity to shoot a rare species  as the Mangrove Pitta is,  doesn’t come everyday. The first day was a big let down when the birds failed to show up. On the second day things began to hot up very early when we heard their repeated calls at about 9.00am. Finally there they were, a pair of Pittas right in front of our eyes in their full glory.

Hodgson’s Hawk-Cuckoo

9th March 2012, Ayer Itam Dalam, Pulau Pinang

Local Name: Scientific Name: Cuculus fugax It was my second sighting of the  migrant Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo and this one appears to be a juvenile.   The narrow  dark penultimate  tail bar can be clearly seen, the feature which differentiates her from the Malaysian Hawk Cuckoo