Steve Happ Photography

May 6, 2020

Birds from the wharf

Filed under: Birds — Tags: malaysia — admin @ 7:02 am

Backyard Birding in Pulau Pangkor

These photos are all that I have taken in a week or so. I have taken photos of all the birds except the Black-naped Terns.

Black-naped Tern (Sterna sumatrana)

These tern were out in the middle of the channel, about half a kilometer away. I was lucky to get a semi-usable photo. I thought they may have been White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) but the good folk at #BirdTheFeckAtHome facebook group set me straight.

Black-naped Tern (Sterna sumatrana)

Striated Heron (Butorides striata)

House Crow (Corvus splendens)

Whingeing in the rain.

Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)

Javan Myna ( Acridotheres javanicus )

Smooth-coated Otter ( Lutrogale perspicillata)

A pair of Smooth-coated Otter frolicking around in the shallows near my guest-house. They are pretty wary, but. As soon as you stick your head out and they see you, they are off.

Smooth-coated Otter ( Lutrogale perspicillata)

Pulau Pangkor bird list

Black-naped Tern (Sterna sumatrana) yes
Striated Heron (Butorides striata)
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
House Crow (Corvus splendens)
Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)
White-bellied Sea-eagle
Javan Myna ( Acridotheres javanicus )

Water Monitor , Biawak in malay.
Smooth-coated Otter ( Lutrogale perspicillata)

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April 21, 2020

Quarantine Island

Filed under: Birds — Tags: malaysia — admin @ 2:54 am

Lockdown from the Backyard

These are some of the photos from the last few days here at Pangkor Island, Malaysia. I have seen most of these birds every day, it is almost like groundhog day. The only exception today was that I saw a pair of Collared Kingfishers.

Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)

A very common bird and considered a pest in a lot of places.

White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

Just after catching a fish. I have been trying to get a shot of a sea eagle catching a fish. Still not quite there yet. I can do better.

Collared Kingfisher ( Todiramphus chloris)

This is the first time I have seen these around here.

Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica)

Sunrise

Amazing sunrise this morning. I should get up early more often.

Pangkor Island bird list

Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica)
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
Collared Kingfisher ( Todiramphus chloris)
Striated Heron (Butorides striata)
House Crow (Corvus spendens)
White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis)

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April 19, 2020

Two Islands

Filed under: General — Tags: malaysia — admin @ 3:58 am

Pulau Pangkor and Pulau Banggi

I have been in lockdown now in Malaysia for a month and it looks like continuing until the end of April at least. So, for something to do I dug out all the orphan files I took on my DSLR and here I present them to you.

Small boat

This is a small fishing boat heading out to sea from Pulau Pangkor, on the west coast of mainland Malaysia, in the state of Perak. That is the mainland in the background.

Larger trawler

These larger trawlers are made here on the island from wood. I can see a couple right now being built from my guesthouse.

Another trawler

Cleaning nets

This is the fish farm out the front of my jetty.

Monkey beach

This is the beach on Banggi Island right at the tip of Sabah in the north.

Looking for shellfish

At low tide, the locals would go out looking for shellfish on the reef just out from the river-mouth.

Fishermen at river-mouth

Looking for molluscs

Dragging along the sand looking for what I call pippies.

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April 15, 2020

Striated Heron Butorides striata

Filed under: Birds — Tags: malaysia — admin @ 3:44 am

Pulau Pangkor in lockdown

“The striated heron (Butorides striata), also known as the little heron, is a small heron, about 44 cm tall. Striated herons are mostly non-migratory. Their breeding habitat is small wetlands in the Old World tropics from west Africa to Japan and Australia… This bird was long considered to be conspecific with the closely related North American species, the green heron, which is now usually separated as B. virescens, as well as the lava heron of the Galápagos Islands (now B. sundevalli).”

Striated Heron (Butorides striata)

“Adults have a blue-grey back and wings, white underparts, a black cap, a dark line extends from the bill to under the eye and short yellow legs. Juveniles are browner above and streaked below.

These birds stand still at the water’s edge and wait to ambush prey, but are easier to see than many small heron species. They mainly eat small fish, frogs and aquatic insects.” (wiki)

Striated Heron (Butorides striata)

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April 13, 2020

Quarantine Birding 2

Filed under: Birds — Tags: malaysia — admin @ 7:02 am

Sungai Pinang Kecil – Pulau Pangkor

More backyard birding from my wharf. The same birds have been turning up day after day, so it is a bit like groundhog day. I am trying to get a bit more detail out of my photos and get something different or unusual.

Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) – portrait

This male Oriental Hornbill hangs around the guest house most evenings waiting for a feed. They seem to eat fruits and small lizards from what I have seen. There is a female and a young one but I have not seen them yet.

Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) – BCU

Check out the eye-brows on the same bird. Amazing. I have never noticed anything like that before.

Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)

And a standard shot of him on the roof next door. There are so many Oriental Pied Hornbills on this island. I reckon there might be a hundred or more. But that is just a wild guess.

White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

There are heaps of White-bellied Sea-eagles circling around all day. I counted about six at one time, all circling over the water. They seem to catch lots of fish, so I do not think they go hungry. I have no idea what this guy has caught. It sorta looks like a crab but sorta not. doh!

White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

House Crow (Corvus spendens)

House Crows are quite common. They hang around the wharf squwarking and carrying on.

Pulau Pangkor bird list

House Crow (Corvus spendens)
Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)
White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
Striated Heron (Butorides striata)

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April 11, 2020

Quarantine Birding in Malaysia

Filed under: Birds — Tags: malaysia — admin @ 7:27 am

Backyard Birding in Pangkor

It has been three weeks since I have taken any photos. I have been locked down in Malaysia since the 18th March and the Movement Control Order has been extended until the end of April. I have moved to another guest house down the road which is on the waterfront, so I can go out on the wharf and take some photos of the birds around my backyard, which is the ocean.

Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis) – adult

Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis) – juvenile

Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)

White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica)

You can tell them apart from the Barn Swallow because the Pacific Swallow has no dark blue chest band.

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

Striated Heron (Butorides striata)

Also called the Little Heron in South-east Asia sometimes.

Pangkor Island bird list

White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)
Striated Heron (Butorides striata)
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis)
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica) no dark blue chest band
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)
House Crow (Corvus spendens)
Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)

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March 28, 2020

Picidae Woodpeckers

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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