Tiong Bodoh.... Yellow-faced Myna

Ah! found the name of this specie...... the Yellow-faced Myna

Training the Spotted Dove

Yesterday was the rare occasion that I manage to squeeze in time to train a friend's Spotted Dove. It has been with me for moons now & this is the second time I took him on an outing. 2 other Spotted Dove trapper was with me. Catching up with them on what is happening in their circle of members & manage to test out my new foldable chair from Coleman. Next to include in the accessories is a cooler box to chill some beer ;-)





foot note: the Spotted Dove is a popularly kept bird in this region. There are two types being kept. One for its song for competition purposes. Another for purposes of catching the wild birds. The wild Spotted Dove is of no value in song competitions. They are kept for home listening purposes and to be trained as a "pikat"- lure to catch the wild birds.
To the undiscerning, their voice sounds similar, but to an aficionado, there are many varieties of call.
Training as a "pikat" simply entails getting the bird used to travelling, pitched on the ground or a trap cage depending on preference. The bird should sing almost immediately to call for the wild birds in the area and change its tempo & calling tones as the wild bird approaches. Finally , luring the wild birds for a one on one fight on the ground which is booby trapped with tiny lassos ;-)
...... I can't resist telling this.... the hardcore trappers of such birds could be out in the jungle/field from morning till dusk at every available opportunity. From stories, they were likely the ones who find bodies of murdered victims dumped in jungles, second only to the local workers in the area :-D
The wild caught Spotted Dove are worthless monetarily, selling them would often not enough to even cover the fuel cost of travelling (unless you use mist net to mass harvest). But its in the fun and joy of trapping them that hobbyists are addicted to. Addicted in the real sense of the word ;-)


- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Tiong Bodoh?

I enjoy a challenge or two one in a while. Today, it's to find out what specie of Myna is seen in a shop below ;-)







If I were to make a prediction, they can be taught to talk base on their low base rumbling vocal. Sounds like they are mumbling to each other.

Less active in the bird forum nowadays. Focusing on off forum bird matters like bird watching - in the shop that is hahaha!

- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -

Bird Food

I always seem to have problem keeping my Jambuls and mata Puteh in good form. Other than human error on my part, I strongly suspect that the bird food is partly to blame. The last straw is opening a moldy packet of food. In fact it wasn't the first instance. I have thrown out a similarly degraded packet if food before.

Now, identifying a grossly deteriorated food is easy. But how about those that are already deteriorated but not to an advance level as to be able to physically see it or even smell it. Some packets of food are more aromatic than others. So, those that don't smell as good, are they any more good for the birds. Jambuls don't eat a lot, so will it be worse after exposure to air when placed in the cup. To change the food daily or give enough to consume for the day is both risky and too much work.

Could it be this uncertainty in food quality that is causing some birds to drop in form, molt before it's time, fall sick etc. I think I can't rely on the food available locally for Jambuls and Putehs. Will be making my own fortified food base on chicken feed from now on for both these species. Until I can find a commercially viable alternative, my own concoction should be a safer bet.


- Time you enjoy wasting wasn't wasted -