J.B. Bird Competition

On 6th Sept 2009, I went with Hock to Tmn Ungku Tun Aminah to participate in the bird competition there. Since I followed him, I was undecided whether to take Zeus (Shama), Ten (the ten year old Jambul) or Kekek (the Jambul with long kekek). Finally decided to take Kekek. We met at 5.30a.m. and off we go for an early breakfast in Bakri then reaching Tmn Ungku Tun Aminah around 9a.m. Hock brought along his Magpie (champ in previous comp in Batu Pahat on 1st Aug).

The place didn't change much since I was there 2 years ago. Met up with Mr. John Yim and just manage to register our birds in the nick of time before the competition starts at 9.30a.m.



To make a long story short, Hock's Magpie got 8th place, Kekek didn't get any placing (out of 60 Jambuls competing) and along the way home, I manage to pick up a Spotted Dove in Yong Peng. This Dove has an eye missing. I just felt sorry for him. Anyway, this is the best way to ensure that he remains in my home for long. Can't let him go, can't sell him hahaha!

Looks like he is stuck with me and I with him, for good, for bad, in sickness and health...... till death do us part ;)

I called him "Lanun" which means pirate. Now, where can I get an eye-patch for him?

Spotted Dove (2)

The above 2 eggs was found 2 days ago and was laid by what I thought was a male Tekukur. He turns out to be a she ;)
Anyway, might as well keep her for home listening as she appears to be a hardworking singer. The below is a previous write up on her:

Natural Acoustic Machines: Spotted Dove

Tekukur (Spotted Dove)

Took possession this Spotted Dove today. Supposed to be a good pikat but was retired to the aviary after some wing injury. Anyway, the first thing he did after being tied to his cage is to eat and eat. Hmmmm...... curiously, he must not have been eating properly in the aviary. Hope he settles down soon...... but looking at his body sign, it would be quite fast ;)

Update on the hatched Merbok (Zebra Dove) - first hatchling is doing well, the 2nd egg did hatch but the chick did not survive. They are being fostered by a pair of Tekukur Jawa.

Spotted Dove

Bought on 1st Feb 2009......



Will try this fella out in competitions should there be any organised - that would be the fastest way to learn how to appreciates the finer point of its song. Otherwise, I should be contented enough to have him at home.

The noisy fella in the background is the blue-crowned hanging parrot a.k.a. Serindit

Stock Check

Well, the festive season is just round the corner. When most business organisations do a periodic stock check, so must I, to be more manageable.

Lets see......
1) Quail returned to the wild
2) Rompin juvenile Shama returned to owner
3) Spotted dove to be returned (as in video below) to owner (next week)

4) 2 Zebra doves

Less 5 birds to worry about, this coming Chinese New Year my home would look less like a bird park hahahaha!

As to the bird food, I tried a new instant variant last week because the raw ingredients are out of stock and I have to disappear for a few days for a meeting.
Pounded some dog biscuits and mix with chicken feed (50% mix). Next time, I would use the blender to save some labour ;)

When I came back yesterday, 2 birds (1 Magpie & 1 Shama) is in various stages of molting. Due to the food? I must presume not as the Shama has been showing sign of beginning a molt. Anyway 2 out of so many is just not statistically significant :)