The Banded Broadbill (Eurylaimus javanicus) is a colourful bird that was once a rare resident in Singapore. It has not been recorded in Singapore since the 1920s. However, it can still be found across the causeway.
Irfan Choo is sharing with us his images of the Banded Broadbill collecting nesting materials of leaves and fern stems that he documented in Malacca, Malaysia . The bird above is seen among a growth of epiphytic dragon’s scales fern (Pyrrosia piloselloides) growing in the fork of an old tree.
The male, with a distinct blackish breast band (below left) has a mass of the fern’s dead stems in its bill together with what looks like pieces of dead leaves. The female, lacking this breast band (below right) is collecting fresh leaves for the nest they are building.
The untidy, pear-shaped nest with a distinct tail is suspended from a side branch of a large tree, often close to the main trunk. The entrance, completely covered by a long, slanting porch, is at the upper half of the nest.
Nest materials include twigs, bamboo and other leaves, grass and fern stems and roots. The outside of the nest is decorated with bryophytes, lichens and cobwebs while the inside is lined with leaves.
Input and images by Irfan Choo – www.irfanchoo.com
wengchun
it is good to see photographers sharing their images for record observation. this is an advantage to the birding circle. well done irfan! keep it up…
irfanchoo
thanks wengchun..
Susan Wong Chor Mun
“birding” this terminology should not stop by just taking good photos of birds , ID the spp, jump for joy if it they are good shots. It can go beyond this….. Keep it up Choo
YC
I will drink to that Susan. My observations are that Malaysian birders generally study birds while our local birders mostly look at the plumage.
wengchun
there are many things that are still in store for us to learn. when you observe something, you also take photographs. then, you identify the species and the surrounding and analyze behavior. next, you share it out with everyone. when you do all of these, not only that you get more people interested in the topic, but you sharpen your skills/knowledge anything related to photography, environment and observation. cheers!
irfanchoo
thanks for all your encouragement, especially Susan, who always help me id the bird, i do learning bird watching slowly, when i can’t get close to them.
cheers,
irfan choo
epiphytic lichens
[…] lichens, orchids and mosses which grow on the boughs of giant trees, and supports a flora …Bird Ecology Study Group Banded Broadbill: nesting materialsThe bird above is seen among a growth of epiphytic dragon’s scales fern (Pyrrosia piloselloides) […]