Wetlands

Cannot be seen in the photo as my hand phone does not have a zoom feature, but there are some Lesser Whistling Ducks frolicking in the water. Amazingly, this small patch of wetland is home to 30+ of these birds. Locally known as the Belibis. When my friend ask me whether I want to see some Belibis, I thought he was referring to Belimbing (starfruit)hehehe! This is much better than starfruit - definitely ;-)




- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Visiting insects

On occassions, I do get visits from a swarming flock of insects. Mainly the termites leaving their nest. Such are good occassions to close the doors and windows, switch on all lights on the patio wheee the birds are and voila! free food for the birds ;-)



When such insects visit during the daylight hours, it is an occassion to witness the "bird waves" often mentioned in birding books. Birds of various species flying and circling the sky catching the insects in mid air.

Then again, it shows that my area is prone to termite attacks :-( You can't have it all.

- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Zeus the Shama

Hmmm.... Quite worrying trend. Zeus dropped one of his primary tail feather today. 6 months from his last molt. A stress molt.



At slightly above 8", that would be as long as it grows for him.

- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Field Trip

For the past two Saturdays, I have been waking up at 5a.m., meeting up with friends and went off trapping birds. They were mostly interested in Tekukurs or the Spotted Doves while I was interested in observing them and looking for nests of the Straw-headed Bulbul (after a crash course on what to look out for over the phone). Found a family of 4 and a pair separately. Very interesting but could not locate their nest even though spent a few hours at each site. Hmmm need to call in the experts :-D

One of the outings brought me to a town forgotten by inflation. A big bowl of duck noodles at RM2.50.... (Bkt Gambir)





A typical favourite hideout for the bulbul...... near a stream



Managed to intrude into a nursery where we disturbed a group of workers tending to a plant nursery. And they in return disturbed my friends who were trying to catch Tekukurs by their activities ;-) managed to catch one though, on top of a grave where the bird flew off with the racik (loose soil) but fell down again a short distance away.




- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Cage cover for better security

Trying out a 3 sided cover to better tame a bird. Both side and back is covered with recycled advertisement buntings to provide a better & more cozy environment for the Straw-headed Bulbul. Will try to find a mate for this fella soon. This bird should make it to the TP (totally protected) list. So rare nowadays. Not much interest in the bird locally, mostly oversea demand I was told.


- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Bird Feed for Insectivore Birds

I have been asked a number of times which brand bird of food I use. Since Nov 2009, I have converted all my Shamas & Magpies (the true insectivores) to Nutra Pro.




- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Patience

Two bird trappers patiently waiting for the wild birds to come. The basket on the floor is to keep birds. The parang is one of the essestial tools.



- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Bird Traps

A favourite among trappers. A kneaded lump of latex that is strong enough to hold a bird sometimes up to the size of raptors. The best is taken from a particular tree which I have yet to ascertain the scientific name. Properly kneaded, it is strong enough to stick and hold down a bird that perches on it yet not too sticky to damage its feather. Best part is it lasts for years if properly taken care of. One trapper boasts 20 over years ;-)

I have one lump that has been with me for 3 years until a friend mix it with rat glue and spoil the latex. It became too soft and sticky. A useful item to have to recapture escaped birds.


- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Finding Nemo Pt. 2/3

Nemo (the Clown Fish) not yet in sight. Got some of his friends 1st. Will avoid live coral as they are difficult to keep alive.


- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Trimming toe nails

Testing out a with new DIY contraption to trim my Magpie's toe nails.
Another method is to line the bottom of the cage with wet newspaper & remove the perch. Thought I try a dedicated cage with sandy bottom & see how it goes.

After making one & another mouse trap size cage, my hands are blistering already ;-)






- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Death due to carelessness

There are things that I could not forgive myself and one of them is carelessness that leads to a loss of life.
In the early morning that I was suppose to rush off outstation due to a family emergency, I did check all the birds to ensure their cups are all full. My worry is basically on the Zosterops as they are quite voracious eaters for their size, however when I came home, the casualty happens to be a Shama.
Maybe due to the weather, this particular one drinks more. But I should have stuck to my previous setup of 2 cups of water & 1 cup of dry food. When I came back, he was substantially weaken due to thirst. After a bath & feeding of some live food, he develops fits. I tried feeding him some vit b complex, but it appears to be a little late.
All my fault. He was the up and coming fierce bird, a Shama with darker colouration on it's feet - sometimes known as the black feet shama.

Rest in peace, I owe you one.


- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Female Shama Pt.2

Definitely not the correct way to handle a bird, but that was the way she wriggles her body, so it has to do ;-)

An addition to the family. A long tail female Shama is hard to come by. She would have to do at the moment. Around 5.6" I was told, but definitely look as long as some of those 6" birds some people claim to own :-D

Come to think of it, I am now doubting whether those are actually as long as they claim. Anyway, I think I am off to a good start. I should name them soon for easy reference.

Hmmm...... maybe I should take it offline. After all, I am sure the Shamas want some privacy as well :-D






















- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Obituary

Ng Kok Chai - passed away on 6th March 2010.

A father in law, a friend and a teh tarik kaki ;-)


- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Another sign of breeding season

The birds and the bees are at it again ;-)
This time, a Hill Myna found by the Orang Asli (Natives in Malaysia). Often, they will sell them to hobbyists. A real gem to have, in my opinion, these Malaysian species.
This particular one I receive via MMS from a friend in Pahang.






Note: I must emphasise this, I do not trade in animals for a profit. I just happen to be very interested in Malaysian wildlife & the bird keeping scene. Don't bother to contact me if you want to buy any animals, the local pet shop is a better bet.

- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Cricket carrying case

Thanks One World Hotel, I have made your nice wooden pencil case into a convenient cricket carrying case for outings ;-)







It doubles as a musical box too, if you like the chirping of crickets. Put an adult one in the box and leave at any corner of the house and the acoustic would begin in a short while ;-)


- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Cockerels

Showcase of fighting roosters. Not mine, I got no place for these giants of a chicken :-D































































- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Carrier Basket for Chicken

A basket used to transport rooster - the fighting kind ;-)







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Female Shama Pt.1

Time to get started in breeding, in the wild, birds are ready preparing themselves, so I should follow suit.

Took back a female. Will let her acclimatise to my home first before deciding who to pair her with. She is a wild caught female, kept for some time & relatively tame.















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