Search

Lesser Shortwing – male

on 3rd August 2018

“Shortwings are not easy birds to see, often in dark undergrowth, and this makes appreciation of the plumage difficult. The male Lesser Shortwing (Brachypteryx leucophris wrayi) from E-central range are prominently brown (Wells 2007) while those in the region I was watching are described as having dark smoky-blue or slaty-blue upper-parts with black flight feathers and tail. The neck and breast are smoky grey (Wells 2007, HBW 2018).

“I have seen them occasionally in the highlands and on most occasions the males I spotted have a brown wing.

“Wells (2007) states that ‘In at least some males, full development of blue is spread over more than one moult bout, intermixed with an adult female-type plumage’. This is a possible explanation for what I am seeing and the bird I saw could a first year male. However a search for images of males taken in the region shows that 80% of male have a brown wing (I have ignored those that are obviously juvenile or moulting).

“Looking at those with brown wings, there is also much variation in intensity of colour (could partially be due to lighting) and some have a little brown in the tail.

“I suspect that there is a possibility of intergrades or colour variations in the region.

“Of course I could be completely wrong and most of us seem to image predominantly 1st year male birds.

“Appreciate opinions.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
18th October 2017

Location: 1,600-1,700m ASL, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia
Habitat: Trail through primary jungle

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.

Other posts by YC Wee

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
1039
17516
Visitors Today
51732404
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)