Steve Happ Photography

March 28, 2020

Picidae Woodpeckers

Filed under: Birds — admin @ 3:18 am

Woodpeckers. – Family Picidae

“Woodpeckers are part of the family Picidae, a group of near-passerine birds that also consist of piculets, wrynecks, and sapsuckers. The Picidae are one of nine families in the order Piciformes, the others being barbets , toucans, toucan-barbets, and honeyguides. ” (wiki)

Common Flameback (Dinopium javanense)

Singapore. March 2020.

Buff-necked Woodpecker (Meilyptes tukki)

Sepilok. Sabah. Malaysia. February 2020.

Buff-rumped Woodpecker (Meiglyptes grammithorax)

sepilok. sabah. Malaysia. January 2020.

White-bellied Woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis)

kinabatangan river, sabah. Malaysia, January 2020.

Ashy Woodpecker (Mulleripicus fulvus)

Togian islands. sulawesi. indonesia, December 2019.

Sulawesi Woodpecker ( Yungipicus temminckii )

Tana Toraja. Sulawesi, indonesia. November 2019. Also known as the Sulawesi Pygmy-Woodpecker. It is endemic to Sulawesi.

checker-throated woodpecker (Chrysophlegma mentale)

Mount Kinabalu. Sabah, Malaysia. October 2016.

Rufous Woodpecker (Micropternus brachyurus).

Jerantut, Malaysia. May 2016.

Crimson-winged Woodpecker (Picus puniceus).

Baluran National Park, Bama, East Java. Indonesia, April 2012.

Indian sub-continent Picidae

Yellow-crowned Woodpecker (Dendrocopos mahrattensis)

baratpur, rajastan. india. July 2017.

Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalense)

This is race jaffnense, better known as the Golden-backed Woodpecker (Dinopium benghalense jaffnense), found in the north of Sri Lanka. Jaffna. Sri Lanka , April 2017.

American Picidae

Black-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes pucherani)

Spanish name is Carpintero Carinegro, Quepos, costa rica. June 2018.

Golden-olive Woodpecker (Colaptes rubiginosus)

Salento, Colombia. July 2018.

red-crowned woodpecker (Melanerpes rubricapillus).
santa marta, colombia. July 2018.

Hoffman’s Woodpecker (Melanerpes hoffmannii).

Jaco, Costa Rica. June 2018.

Pale-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis)

tikal, guatemala. April 2018.

Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons dubius)

Lanquin, guatemala. April, 2018.

Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus) male .

Coban, Guatemala. April 2018.

Acorn Woodpecker, female (Melanerpes formicivorus).

Atitlan Reserve, Panajachel. Guatemala. April 2018.

Chestnut-colored Woodpecker (Celeus castaneus)

Spanish name is carpintero castaño. Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico.

Yucatan Woodpecker (Melanerpes pygmaeus)

The spanish name is Carpintero yucateco. Merida, yucatan, mexico. March 2018.

Golden-breasted woodpecker (Colaptes melanolaimus)

Spanish name is Carpintero real común, Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires, Argentina. July 2010.

Middle East Picidae

Syrian Woodpecker (Dendrocopos assimilis)

Male is on the right, female on left. Selchuk, Turkey. January 2018.

Woodpeckers bird list

Buff-necked Woodpecker (Meilyptes tukki)
Buff-rumped Woodpecker (Meiglyptes grammithorax)
White-bellied Woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis)
Ashy Woodpecker (Mulleripicus fulvus)
Sulawesi Woodpecker ( Yungipicus temminckii )
checker-throated woodpecker (Chrysophlegma mentale)
Rufous Woodpecker (Micropternus brachyurus)
Crimson-winged Woodpecker (Picus puniceus)
Common Flameback (Dinopium javanense)
Yellow-crowned Woodpecker (Dendrocopos mahrattensis)
Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalense)
Black-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes pucherani)
Golden-olive Woodpecker (Colaptes rubiginosus)
red-crowned woodpecker (Melanerpes rubricapillus)
Hoffman’s Woodpecker (Melanerpes hoffmannii)
Pale-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis)
Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons)
Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus)
Acorn Woodpecker, female (Melanerpes formicivorus).
Chestnut-colored Woodpecker (Celeus castaneus)
Yucatan Woodpecker (Melanerpes pygmaeus)
Golden-breasted woodpecker (Colaptes melanolaimus)
Syrian Woodpecker (Dendrocopos assimilis)

Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodpecker

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March 25, 2020

Spoonbills and Ibis

Filed under: Birds — admin @ 2:44 am

Threskiornithidae – Spoonbills and Ibis

The family Threskiornithidae are large wading birds. They are within the order Pelecaniformes, which include Pelicans, Ibis, Spoonbills, and Herons. The family is classified into two sub-families, the ibises and the spoonbills. They are strong fliers and capable soarers. They have elongated bodies and necks, long legs, long bills.

Royal spoonbill (Platalea regia)

Ash Island, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. February 2009.

Yellow-billed spoonbill (Platalea flavipes)

Warren, NSW, Australia. October 2018.

Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)

Oualidia Lagoon. morocco. February, 2018.

Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)

corella dam. Queensland, Australia. June 2019.

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)

Murchison river. Western Australia, Australia. March 2019.

Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis mollucca)

Hunter Wetlands Centre, ShortlandN, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. October 2008.

Puna Ibis (Plegadis ridgwayi)

Huancavelica. Peru. September 2018. I had seen the Puna Ibis before at Lake Titica at the actual town of Puna, close to the border of Bolivia.

Bare-faced Ibis (Phimosus infuscatus)

Bogota. colombia. July 2018.

American white ibis (Eudocimus albus).

The spanish name is Ibis Blanco. Las Penitas, nicaragua. May 2018.

Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita)

Also known as the Hermit Ibis, or Waldrap. Imsouane, Morocco. February 2018.

Red-naped Ibis (Pseudibis papillosa).

Porbandar, gujarat. india. September 2017.

Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus) .

Kalamatiya. sri lanka. March 2018.

Hadada ibis, (Bostrychia hagedash)

Perdana Lakes Garden, Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia. May 2012.

Ibis and Spoonbill bird list

Royal spoonbill (Platalea regia)
Yellow-billed spoonbill (Platalea flavipes)
Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis mollucca)
Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
Puna Ibis (Plegadis ridgwayi)
Bare-faced Ibis (Phimosus infuscatus)
Hadada ibis, (Bostrychia hagedash)
Red-naped Ibis (Pseudibis papillosa)
Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus)
Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita)
American white ibis (Eudocimus albus)

Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threskiornithidae
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoonbill

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March 24, 2020

Tailorbirds

Filed under: Birds — admin @ 2:41 am

Tailorbirds – Orthotomus genus.

“Tailorbirds belong to the genus Orthotomus. The genus contains 13 species. Recent research suggests they belong in the Cisticolidae family. Tailorbirds have short rounded wings, short tails, strong legs and long curved bills. The tail is typically held upright, like a wren. Tailorbirds get their name from the way their nest is constructed. The edges of a large leaf are pierced and sewn together with plant fibre or spider’s web to make a cradle in which the actual grass nest is built.” (wiki)

Mountain Tailorbird (Phyllergates cucullatus)

Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, malaysia. March 2020. The Mountain Tailorbird has actually been moved to the Cettiidae genus.

Rufous-tailed Tailorbird (Orthotomus sericeus)

Mulu. sarawak. Malaysia, February 2020.

Ashy Tailorbird (Orthotomus ruficaps)

Also known as the Red-headed Tailorbird. Sepilok. sabah. Malaysia. January 2020.

Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)

Mayem, Goa, India. September 2017.

Dark-necked Tailorbird (Orthotomus atrogularis).

Siem Reap, cambodia. August 2012.

Tailorbirds bird list

Dark-necked Tailorbird (Orthotomus atrogularis).
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird (Orthotomus sericeus)
Ashy Tailorbird (Orthotomus ruficaps)
Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)

Mountain Tailorbird (Phyllergates cucullatus)

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March 22, 2020

Malaysian Tourist Photos

Filed under: General — Tags: malaysia — admin @ 6:45 am

Singapore to Pulau Pangkor

After a few days bird-watching in Singapore, I headed north to Mersing, then east towards Melaka, Port Dickson, and then north to the Cameron Highlands, and I am now at Pangkor Island.

Mersing

The river at Mersing. From here the boats go to Pulau Tioman.

Old Ship

An old ship replica at Melaka. I think it is a museum inside.

Hindu celebration

In Melaka I discovered a festival. I had no idea what it was for.

Smashing Coconuts

Everyone was having fun smashing coconuts on the road. It looked like fun.

Melaka River Cruise

A lot of the houses were colourful along the river. The cruise along the river cost thirty ringgit for foreigners.

A trawler

There were so many trawlers docked near where I am staying in Pulau Pangkor. Fishing is a big industry here.

Abandoned Resort

There were so many abandoned resorts on Pulau Pangkor. I have no idea why. This one was right next to the beach and had a beautiful jungle right behind it.

A beach

This is Teluk Nipah. There are a few beaches along this side of the island. I went for a swim at one and about chest height the bottom turned to mud. I was not impressed.

Rain from my guest house

In the morning it was drizzling a little bit and later I heard thunder in the distance. Luckily I made it back to shelter before it starting pouring rain.

Ghost ship

Coming out of the morning fog.

Heading for dock

It turned out it was not a ghost ship after all. Just a foggy morning.

mal200322p

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March 21, 2020

Pangkor Island 5

Filed under: Birds — Tags: malaysia — admin @ 9:06 am

Pulau Pangkor – Teluk Nipah

Yesterday afternoon I went up to the mountain between Sungai Pinang Kechil and Teluk Dalam. I stopped a few times and was rewarded with some good views of Cream-vented Bulbuls. This morning I went to Teluk Nipah and walked along the track to the waterfall. Not much there and it started to rain a little bit. Lucky I got back early beacause it poured later on.

Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis)

I think this one might be a male. I mistook it for an Oriental Pied Hornbill. Lucky I checked in the book. The last one i saw was in periyar, Kerala, india in 2017.

Cream-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus simplex)

The Malay Name is Merbah Mata Putih. You cannot mistake these ones with the huge white eyes.

Cream-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus simplex)

Red-eyed Bulbul (Pycnonotus brunneus)

Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus)

Thick-billed Green Pigeon (Treron curvirostra)

White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

grey glider

Not its real name. They are grey and they glide so gracefully.

Pulau Pangkor bird list

Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis)
Cream-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus simplex)
Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus)
Red-eyed Bulbul (Pycnonotus brunneus)
Yellow-vented Bulbul
Thick-billed Green Pigeon (Treron curvirostra)
White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
Striated Heron (Butorides striata)
Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)

mal200321

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March 20, 2020

Pangkor Island 4

Filed under: Birds — Tags: malaysia — admin @ 8:15 am

Pulau Pangkor – Hutan Lipur

I grabbed my rental motorbike at about 8am and set off around the island pas Telok Dalam to Hutan Lipur, a bit of forest that has been forgotten about with a wrecked road and a resort at the end of it that is deserted. After that, I kept going to Telok Nipah and found a few more birds. Nothing new today, it was actually a bit of a dud. But you never know.

Striated Heron (Butorides striata)

The striated heron (Butorides striata) is also known as mangrove heron or little heron.

Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica)

Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)

Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)

Dark-necked Tailorbird (Orthotomus atrogularis)

You would not know that this photo was out of focus, would you? Unless I told you.

Pulau Pangkor bird list

Striated Heron (Butorides striata)
Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus)
Yellow-vented Bulbul
Olive-backed Sunbird
White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
Brahminy Kite
Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica)
Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis)
Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)
Dark-necked Tailorbird (Orthotomus atrogularis)
Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)

Resources: Black-crowned Night Heron Identification.

mal200320

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March 19, 2020

Pangkor Island 3

Filed under: Birds — Tags: malaysia — admin @ 8:58 am

Pulau Pangkor 3 – Telok Dalam

I got on the motorbike early this morning and I had got to a track just after the sun would come up. The only problem was it was overcast so there were not that many birds around. Eventually after doing a lot of searching I came up with a couple of new birds and some relatively decent photos. So the morning was not a complete waste.

Forest Wagtail (Dendronanthus indicus)

“The Forest Wagtail (Dendronanthus indicus) is a medium-sized passerine bird in the wagtail family Motacillidae. It has a distinctive plumage that sets it apart from other wagtails and has the habit of wagging its tail sideways unlike the usual up and down movements of the other wagtail species.” (wiki)

Forest Wagtail (Dendronanthus indicus)

From the side, showing the two white wing stripes. From the front, they have two black bands.

Van Hasselt’s Sunbird (Leptocoma brasiliana)

Van Hasselt’s Sunbird used to be considered a subspecies of the purple-throated sunbird. The Malay name is Kelicap Belacan Biasa.

Van Hasselt’s Sunbird (Leptocoma brasiliana)

From the front showing the layers of colours.

Changeable Lizard (Calotes versicolor)

Also known as the oriental garden lizard or the eastern garden lizard.

Long-tailed Macaques

They used their tails to balance as they walked along the tight-rope wire.

Pulau Pangkor bird list

Forest Wagtail (Dendronanthus indicus)
Van Hasselt’s Sunbird (Leptocoma brasiliana)
scarlet-backed flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum)
common tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)
Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus)
Yellow-vented Bulbul
Olive-backed Sunbird
White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
Brahminy Kite

mal200319

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March 18, 2020

Pangkor Island 2

Filed under: Birds — Tags: malaysia — admin @ 12:38 pm

Pulau Pangkor – Sungai Pinang Kechil

I hired a motorbike this morning to go see around the island of Pangkor. I stopped at a few chinese cemeteries and got some photos of some bulbuls. There were heaps of Oriental Pied Hornbills around. Last night I counted more than twenty near the road just before sunset. I went right around the island. I was a bit late so I did not worry about chasing birds so much as discovering places that I could come back to later. I found quite a few. Let us see what tomorrow may bring.

Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)

Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis)

Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus)

Pangkor Island bird list

Red-eyed Bulbul (Pycnonotus brunneus)
Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus)
Javan or Jungle Myna ?
Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis)
White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)

Resources: Javan Myna vs Jungle Myna identification
https://ron-nature-adventure.blogspot.com/2012/03/javan-myna-versus-jungle-myna.html

mal200318

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March 17, 2020

Pangkor Island 1

Filed under: Birds — Tags: malaysia — admin @ 7:25 am

Pulau Pangkor – Sungai Pinang Kechil

I got the bus from the Cameron Islands really early, like 8am, and I did not get to Pulau Pangkor until late in the afternoon, 3pm. Such a massive journey. I found my guest house and settled in. This morning I was up a bit late, and went for a walk along the road that circles the island.

Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)

“Glossy black myna with bright yellow head wattles. Also note bright candlewax-orange bill and white wing patches that are most apparent in flight. A species of mature humid forest and forest edge, often seen in pairs or small flocks flying between or perched up in tall trees. Famed for its wide repertoire: gives a myriad of screams, squeaks, chirps, and whistles. Threatened by its popularity in the cage bird trade.” (ebird)

Germain’s Swiftlet (Aerodramus germani)

Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier)

House Crow (Corvus splendens)

Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)

White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster )

Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica)

“The Asian brown flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica) is a small passerine bird in the flycatcher family Muscicapidae. The word Muscicapa comes from the Latin musca, a fly and capere, to catch. The specific dauurica refers to Dauria, an area of south-eastern Siberia named after a local nomadic tribe.” (wiki)

Long-tailed Macaque

Pulau Pangkor bird list

Germain’s Swiftlet (Aerodramus germani)
Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja)
House Crow (Corvus splendens)
Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)
Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier)
Olive-winged Bulbul
Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)
Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)
Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica)
Black-naped Oriole
Jungle Myna (Acidotheres fuscus)
Common Myna (Acidotheres tristis)
Asian Glossy Starling
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster )
Brahminy Kite
Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Resources:
ID help for Common Sandpiper – https://www.hirenkhambhayta.com/gallery/common-sandpiper/

mal200317

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March 14, 2020

Trail 4.3

Filed under: Birds — Tags: malaysia — admin @ 5:48 am

Cameron Highlands – Tanah Rata Day Three

This morning I got up a bit later and wandered down to the start of the Trail 4. There were some black clouds up above the mountain, and it was a bit cold and windy. Consequently there were far fewer birds around than yesterday. All in all a very lean morning’s birding. And the photos are not that great either! Very low light and hard to get decent focus.

Silver-eared Mesia (Leiothrix argentauris)

Yellow-breasted warbler (Phylloscopus montis)

Mountain Fulvetta (Alcippe peracensis)

Yewww. Such a bad photo. I still have not got a good one of these Mountain Fulvettas.

Mountain Tailorbird (Orthotomus cucullatus)

Cameron Highlands bird list
Silver-eared Mesia (Leiothrix argentauris)
Mountain Tailorbird (Orthotomus cucullatus)
Yellow-breasted warbler (Phylloscopus montis)
Mountain Fulvetta (Alcippe peracensis)

mal200314

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