“The Striated Grassbird (Megalurus palustris forbesi) is an ‘immigrant’ from the Philippines, first noted in 1982 in north east of Borneo (Sabah). Since then spreading slowly down the island (left).
“I saw it on all three outings 9-11th September 2013 at three different locations in and around Miri, Sarawak. It is easy to spot from afar as it tends to bring notice to itself by its strident calls HERE, recorded in Miri, Sarawak on 11th September 2013 and HERE, recorded in Marina, Miri, Sarawak on 11th September 2013 (below left).
“One unusual behaviour I noted was a ‘wing flapping’ that I saw a number of times (below right). One episode is caught in the first part of the video below. The bird would flap one wing vigorously. I am unsure of the significance.
“Another odd behaviour I saw was the disappearance of the bird into a large pile of cut casuarina trees/branches. See composite below.”
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
11th September 2013
Location: Marina, Miri City, Sarawak, Malaysia
Habitat: Beach with extensive development nearby
