“A stroll survey along village road caught my attention of fresh canine excreta. My presence flushed small flocks of three munia species foraging along roadside of overgrown grass lallang (Imperata cylindrical).
“A pair of Bornean endemic – Dusky Munia (Lonchura fuscans) featured here (above).
“Cousin Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata) flew onto the road and with much curiosity decided to peck at the canine poo (above).
“Having tasted the 1st section, I had no idea what the Estrildidae thought of it, but… let readers pursue further by its actions (above).
“Looking around to check if there were any accomplice to be had, Scaly reached for a brown, large looking curled up leaf that appeared to have fallen and scattered on ground behind poo (above).
“Readers …get creative and examine features of canine excreta in three parts. See if you have an imaginative mind to visualise a wrapped up doll, lying down with tuft of golden hair on first section – Poo A.
“The second section -Poo (B) on extreme right is a fallen Pinocchio with face that had lost its nose.
“The last section- Poo (C) had canine poo finished off like a Bishop’s hat with looks of a lady with mid-length hair, wearing puffed armed sleeves and sitting, looking down with hands placed front at waistline level over a long, broad skirt. Got it?
“Now, Scaly sat and thought about the brown foliage and brought it closer for examination (above).
“The bird decided to pick up and tossed the foliage several times in the air. Was bird tossing for some loose change of seeds (above, below)?
“A small flock of Chestnut Munias (Lonchura atricapilla) kept their distance (below). ‘Eeek….! What is Scaly dooo…ing?’ asked Chestnut.
“’I think cousin is trying to ‘bungkus’ a take-a-way.’ whispered a reply from partner’s beside.
“Third bird behind with conical bill peeping through murmured, ‘Looks like we are heading for bad times…’
“Just then a vehicle roared by, flattened the canine excreta and sent all birds to flee for cover.
“Show over…”
Avian Writer Daisy O’Neill
Penang, Malaysia
21st July 2015
Copyright article and all copies of Images – Courtesy Contribution from Daisy O’Neill Bird Conservation Fund
Leave a Reply