Part 1 and 2 of the Chestnut-naped Forktail (Enicurus ruficapillus) can be viewed HERE and HERE.
“Second disclosure: I allowed myself one opportunity to photograph the nest when the chicks were inside on the 11th October 2014. Although, as I mentioned, the nest was easily accessible by climbing down the slope of the stream, I choose to avoid doing this as I felt my proximity would alarm the parents. I waded out into the stream from about 20 meters distance and stopped opposite the nest in the middle of the rushing stream about 8 meters away. I was soaked up to the lower chest. My camera was held by my Cotton Carrier to my chest and I leaned against some rocks to take a few quick images before leaving. I used the flash setting 5 times as the nest is in a dark location.
“The image above and below show one of the two chicks in the nest.
“The nest is located 1.5 meters above water level but the level here fluctuates depending on rains (below). It is located in the shade of a large tree truck, in a hollow cut into the bank by higher water levels. Measurements of the nest were taken much later on 21st October 2014 after two consecutive visits confirmed the chicks had fledged.
“Fledgling took place between the 14th and 19th of October 2014. The inner diameter is 6.5 x 5 cm and the external length is 12 cm. It is hard to determine the external breadth as the nest is sloping. The cup did not look particularly deep. The nest is primarily composed of mud with lots of moss used externally. Internally it is lined with leaf skeletons (especially at the base), dry grass and other fibres.
“A note I missed when talking about feeding: The chicks were never heard calling before, during or after any feeding episode. It is true that the river is loud but I think I would have heard some calls. The parents were also silent during feeding.”
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
October 2014
Location: Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: A trail through primary jungle adjacent to a rushing stream
One Response
Lovely reporting and great images. It would complete the series if pictures of the juvenile fledglings were capture. Great work.