Moulting Pied Fantail

In July 2011, Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS posted a moulting Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica longicaudata that was not his resident pair but another one nearby his home in Tambun Interior, Perak, Malaysia (above left). “Odd plumage with pale rump, lack of under-surface white tail feathers in midline and paler feathers across upper breast,” wrote Amar. “Either moulting adult or juvenile transformation to adult.”

In September 2011, Amar photographed another that he saw in the Tambun area (above right). According to Amar, it was “Either moulting adult or juvenile transformation to adult. My ‘gut’ impression is a juvenile in transition. The sun was behind the bird so allowed the tail feathers to be better displayed. …a close up of the tail. Can see the shafts of the new feathers. On the under-surface notice the development of the white tipped feathers.”