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BIRD WAVES IN MALAYSIA’S CAMERON HIGHLANDS

on 21st June 2011

GOLDEN BABBLER…………………………………………BLUE NUTHATCH

Visiting Peninsula Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands (1,400-1,800 meters ASL) is always an exciting experience to a birdwatcher-photographer like Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS. Besides encountering new species that are not seen at lower altitudes, there are the bird waves that one often encounter, much more often than in the lowlands.

BLUE-WINGED MINIA………………………………………SILVER-EARED MESIA

Bird waves are mixed species foraging parties that move together in the forest to feed on the insects they dislodge. The birds move fast, flitting from branch to branch, feeding on the insects. Such rapid movements make photography difficult. Identification is similarly difficult unless one is familiar with the species. As Amar puts it succinctly, “The best way is just enjoy the experience and let them rush past you, often in close range.”

MOUNTAIN LEAF WARBLER………………………………YELLOW-BREASTED WARBLER

Just take a walk along the many forest trails and chances are you will encounter bird waves, sometimes as many as three in the space of an hour. However, Amar recommends walking up Gunung Brinchang once you get past the tea garden; the back road between Brinchang and Tana Rata; and the Robinson Falls trail.

“I have almost always seen the Golden Babbler (Stachyris chrysaea chrysops) as part of bird waves. Along the road between Brinchang and Tana Rata, the largest wave involved: a pair of Golden Babbler, a small flock of 4-5 Blue-winged Minla (Minla cyanouroptera sordidior), another small flock of 6-7 Silver-eared Mesia (Leiothrix argentauris tahanensis), a single Mountain Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus trivirgatus parvirostris), a pair of Yellow-breasted Warbler (Seicercus montis davisoni), a pair of White-throated Fantail (Rhipidura albicollis atrata), and a few other unidentified species. The White-tailed Robin (Myiomela leucura leucura) was also present but unsure if it participated.”
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WHITE-THROATED FANTAIL
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In another bird wave, seen on the same day (14th June 2011) but in a different location, Amar encountered: “A small flock of 5-6 Blue-winged Minla together with 6-7 Grey-chinned Minivet (Pericrocotus solaris montanus), a pair of Mountain Bulbul (Ixos mcclellandii peracensis) and a solitary Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike (Hemipus picatus).

Blue Nuthatch (Sitta azurea expectata) is another participant of the Cameron Highlands bird waves.

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
June 2011

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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