Romancing ‘Laura’ - the Yellow-vented Bulbul

There are several species of birds in Malaysia that are often seen flying in pairs. Some pair for life, some for several seasons and some just a single season only. The Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pyconontus goiavier) is just about the most frequently seen paired resident species in my area and this particular pair catches my eye for some particular reason (below). They became frequent visitors and nesters in my private garden balcony the last few years that we decided to name them Laurie and Laura. The birds took up residence besides a family of White-rumped Munias (Lonchura striata). Every hanging fern species that thrives in the balcony carries a nesting history. Some of the nests were made over from previous season. Last year, no nesting was observed. While the environment remained peaceful and conducive to raising their brood, Laurie and Laura did not bring in any nesting materials. I began wondering why and soon found out.

Since last September 2006, tinkling sounds, ‘tink.-tink-tink’ were heard coming from the driveway. Initially I passed then off to be a dribbling garden tap with droplets of water hitting a hollow tin can. It continued intermittently during the daytime and for several consecutive days until the sounds got into my nerves’ edge and I simply had to investigate.

A fascinating and entertaining observation of endearing avian showmanship followed. It was Laurie, the male Yellow-vented Bulbul who flew into the driveway and became fascinated with the winged mirror of my parked vehicle (above). He perched and stared so hard onto the shiny chromed mirror as though to say, ‘I wish, I wish… mm… Am I the most handsome guy in town?’ Laurie was not alone. He flew in with Laura but she decided to take to a more discreet and observation perch on the Christmas tree, about 15 feet away. Laurie with his broad and black loral stripe, stared into the mirror and saw another competitor, a look alike and furiously began pecking vigorously at the chromed mirror. He was pecking at a brown feathery bird - his own reflection! Over the period of weeks, Laurie became extremely obsessed with the winged mirror – his competitor. He continued relentlessly to impress Laura and showed off his skills of showmanship by roll flying around the mirror, performing balancing tricks, tap dancing and doing the flamenco, ballet and butterfly stance to just name a few (above). He was working and trying very hard to be the hero. Occasionally, Laurie would pause to await and listen for the approval of ‘Bravo! Bravo!’ coming from Laura’s chirping calls (above). Laurie would courteously give a bow showing his broad striped dark crown and threw a deep side glance at his ‘competitor’ as if to say, ‘Hey! This is my territory and that’s my gal, so clear off! Laurie did not fail to soil the mirror to get the message over and would end his performance by shining his yellow vent at my scope to ensure I did not miss out his bright rear plumage (above).

Is this a kind of challenging courtship display or is Laurie a weirdo with an obsession? I wonder if Laura is tired of seeing Laurie’s repeated performances. He was unperturbed by the family’s pet dog who had seen them all and more often than I had witnessed. She would just lie in the garage, her right ear cocked up and eyes rolled to the rhythm of Laurie’s performances just 8 feet away. At times, I could hear her sighed aloud as if to say, ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake not again, bird!’

My camera certainly did not give up that easily but provided additional silhouette shots through my spotting scope to look like an evening performance of a Yellow-vented Bulbul, romancing his beau with a repertoire of courtship tap dancing! I found out these birds disliked my ornamental Chinese bronzed bells with red tassels hung in the balcony garden, beginning of last year. I had them removed recently. Soon enough, they both flew in to prospect a new nesting site.

It was ‘Home Sweet Home….’

SUBMITTED BY: DAISY O’NEILL, PENANG, MALAYSIA.
21st January 2007

Check out our earlier postings on how birds react when they see their reflections on a mirror: (1 and 2).

Allobilling

Allan Teo submitted the above two images of a pair of Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) coming together and gently grabbing each other's beak.

According to Marzluff & Angell (2005), the mutual mouthing between two birds is known as allobilling. This often escalate into sharp jabs and brief fighting. This is commonly seen in ravens and less common in crows.

The question now is, are the kingfishers allobilling? Unfortunately Allan is not able to provide information on what actually happened before and after the birds started mouthing each other.

Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) indulge in bill-touching, but this happens when the female is trying to coax the male to regurgitate food. And this is not allobilling. Again, the mutual transfer of food is not allobilling.

So, is the image captured by Chan Yoke Meng of a pair of White-crested Laughingthrush (Garrulax leucolophus) as seen below, allobilling? Maybe. Maybe not. Or are the birds indulging in allopreening? Obviously more observations need to be done on this phenomenon. Birders are urged to make detailed observations when birds touch bills and report back. Only then can we slowly understand this seldom reported phenomenon outside ravens and crows. And I am not sure whether anyone has actually reported this happening with the local crows.

Reference:
Marzluff, J. M. & Angell, T. (2005). In the company of crows and ravens. New Haven & London: Yale University Press. (p166)

Input by YC, images of kingfishers by Allan Teo and laughingthrush by Chan Yoke Meng.

BESGroup’s Blog: Report for 2006

The Bird Ecology Study Group was formed in September 2005 to encourage local birders to observe birds rather than to just look at them. This weblog, highlighting various aspects of bird behaviour, was started with the aim of making such information available to everyone and anyone.

Postings initially came from a few supporters. Within a few months longstanding birders as well as newbies contributed their observations. Contributors included members of the Nature Society (Singapore) as well as non-members. Photographers were more than generous in allowing us to make use of their images, many being accidental students of bird behaviour.
The blog has so far proved successful beyond our wildest dream. We started off with one to two postings a week and getting around 30 hits a day. By the end of 2005 we had about 4,000 hits or an average of 1,000 a month. By 2006 birders around the region and the world became more aware of the blog (top). The chart above shows the global share of visitors accessing the blog.

Currently, we are experiencing up to 200 and above hits per day. Our postings have been increased to 5-7 a week. The total number of hits for 2006 is in excess of 35,000. The chart below shows the monthly hits or visits and the number of pages viewed for the year 2006. So far we have posted a total of 285 articles on bird behaviour – from nesting observations to interspecific relationship; and from feather maintenance to feeding strategies. Birders are now well aware that birds do get drunk, they use ants to remove parasites found on their feathers (anting), that many birds other than raptors cast pellets of indigestible matters from their food, and many more.

How has BESGroup influenced birders in general, you may ask? For starters, e-loop discussions nowadays do not always provide list after list of bird species sighted. On and off you may find these lists peppered with snippets of bird behaviour.

However, the best example of our success is the latest posting in the widlbird e-loop that gives an interesting account of the Oriental Honey-buzzard raiding a bees’ hive at Mount Faber (below). Although the loop discourages images, especially “pretty” images, Alan Owyong has thoughtfully directed viewers to a separate web album where viewers can see the exciting images.

Thank you Alan for taking this first step in sharing this sighting with other birders. BESGroup is gratified to know that there are more birders willing to share. After all, isn’t this the time of the year for sharing?

BESGroup wishes all out supporters (contributors, photographers, viewers, etc.) an interesting and successful birding in this new year. Thank you all.

Where do birds go when it rains? And what do they do then?

It has been raining on and off these few weeks and the birds have not been around. Have you ever wondered what happened to them when it rained? And what do you think they did at these times? Well, there is at least one perceptive birder around and he has the answer...
James Heng sent in this account of his encounter with Pink-necked Green Pigeons (Treron vernans) at the Bukit Batok Nature Park one rainy afternoon in December 2006 (above: male pigeon left, female right).

“The year end has always been amongst the wettest period of the year. While the rain may be an inconvenience for some birders, it is also a good opportunity to observe the birds’ behavior during the rain. “On the afternoon of 18th December 2006, it rained while I was bird watching at Bukit Batok Nature Park (above). That was when I came across a small flock of Pink-necked Green Pigeons. There were two males and three females in that flock. I sought shelter by a hut that happened to be just 10-15m from the trees that they were perched. “When it started to drizzle lightly, two of them snuggled together shoulder-to-shoulder on a Cassia tree (as shown above, but on the frond of a ceram palm). There was obviously insufficient cover so when the drizzle turned to a downpour, all of them flew over to a tall, large-leafed tree, the cabbage tree (Fagraea crenulate) (below).

“They tended to choose perches that were at the top third of the tree. Upon closer observation, each bird was seen to perch on a branch that was immediately below at least two large overlapping leaves (below, showing branches with leaves but no birds). By having such leaves above them, they would remain dry. Perhaps due to the scarcity of choice spots, all the birds were perched separately.

“At about 3pm, during the first five minutes of the downpour, all of these birds shook their body and fluffed out their feathers. It might be to aid the drying of the wet feathers or perhaps to trap their body’s heat. After that, they became relaxed and sat down on their respective branches. In the next five to seven minutes they began to yawn and their eyelids became very heavy. They fought very hard to keep their eyes open. Before 15 minutes was up, all five of them were soundly asleep. So birds do take siestas! All this occurred as it rained relentlessly.
“When the PNG pigeon sleeps, its long neck is relaxed and it appears to be drawn into the bird’s body. The neck appears almost non-existent as only half of its head appears to be above its body. In fact, the bottom of the bird’s eyes is just at shoulder level. Just imagine the silhouette of a large fat plum. The male PNG pigeon has grey, pinkish-purple and orange on its head and breast. When it is all “balled up” in that sleeping state, the colors make it look like a clown!

"You have got to see it to appreciate such adorable proportions.

“When the rain ended some 45 minutes later, the Yellow-vented Bulbuls (Pycnonotus goiavier) and drongos were happily sunning themselves in the open again. Only one member of this flock of pigeons woke up to sun itself. The remainder of the four birds continued with their siesta.

“So after a thunderstorm, do search the horizontal branches of some of the tall broad-leafed trees. You might just be lucky enough to see those adorable “furry balls” in deep snooze.”

Input by James Heng, images by YC.

Tailless Black-headed Munias

Johnny Wee sent in a pair of images of the Black-headed Munia (Lonchura malacca), an adult (above) and a juvenile (below), both without tail feathers. The birds were seen at Upper Peirce Reservoir around early May 2006. This was a few days before the 12th, which was Vesak Day.

The usual habitat of these birds include grassland, open field, parks and cultivated areas. Definitely not in the forested area where Johnny found them.

As the birds seemed out of place in a forested area, besides being tailless, Johnny was wondering whether someone had released them during Versak Day - after yanking out the tail feathers, for reasons best known to the devotee.

Can tail feathers be lost through natural moulting? Not according to ornithologist Wang Luan Keng: "Birds do not normally moult their complete set of tail feathers all at the same time. And these were not young birds…" Yes, in the tail, the central feathers are the first to be shed and as they grow back, successive feathers towards each side are moulted. Tail feathers function as a rudder, helping the bird to steer. They are also used in take-off and landing. When perching, these feathers help stabilise the bird in a wind. In the absence of tail feathers the bird can be disadvantaged in various ways, as when chased by a predator...

To release animals into a habitat that is alien to them does not help their survival. There have also been cases of marine animals being released into freshwater reservoirs and ponds. However, to yank out tail feathers from birds before releasing them is another matter. Comment by our bird specialist R. Subaraj: “Munias are regularly released, especially around our central reservoir areas where other munia species such as White-headed (Lonchura malacca) (above), Javan (Lonchura leucogastroides), White-rumped (Lonchura striata) and Scaly-breasted (Lonchura punctulata) (below) have also been noted. The loss of tail feathers is also a common sight and is probably due to their being housed in cramped, small cages with numerous other munias, as seen in various bird shops here. Buddhists are not likely to "yank" the feathers off during an act of kindness! Those who release animals into the wild mean well but are simply misguided, not realising the repercussions of their act."
Note: Vesak Day, also known as Buddha Day, is a major Buddhist festival usually celebrated in May, the month in which the Buddha was supposedly born, won enlightenment and passed into nirvana. During this period many Buddhists will release captive animals as an act of kindness, reflecting on the Buddha’s teaching of universal compassion.

Input by Johnny Wee; Images by Johnny (Black-headed), Dr Jonathan Cheah Weng Kwong (White-headed) and KC Tsang (Scaly-breasted).

Why do birds yawn?

James Heng brought back this account from his birding trip to Bach Ma National Park, Vietnam earlier this year:

“The ranger informed me about this pair of Brown Fish Owls (Ketupa zeylonensis), a cousin of our Buffy Fish Owl ( Ketupa ketupu) (left), that has been nesting at the same pillar at the gates of the park for several years.

“The pillar is about 4 m high, and is beside the road leading up to the summit. A small number of people use the road so the owls tend to hide amongst the large leaves of the trees to avoid detection. I've not seen them yawn even once when they are wary of people at that spot.

“But by mid-morning though, one would fly to a nearby branch about 3 storeys high where it feels safe. On that perch, it's eyelids will tend to droop and it begins a whole series of yawns before dozing off.

“After watching it yawn several times, I began to yawn too! It was really amusing.

“Hmm, wonder if the reverse it true - if we yawn repeatedly at them, would they yawn too?”

Now why do birds yawn?

Yawning may sooth an itchy throat. Maybe they yawn for the same reason we do, because they are sleepy. Or there is a need for oxygen intake. The yawning is most often triggered when one is tired. Yawning is common at night as our bodies prepare for sleep. The presence of foreign materials in the throat may induce yawn-like actions.

There are those who believe that yawning in birds help remove excess heat.

Very little has been studied on the sleeping habits of birds. We generally assume that, like people and other warm-blooded animals, they sleep when they are tired and full of food. And when they wake up, they yawn and stretch before flying off to forage.

Now, is the Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis) on the left yawning? Most probably not. Maybe it is casting a pellet?


If you need to see a Buffy Fish Owl yawning, go to our earlier posting.


Input by James Heng; top image by YC, bottom image by Johnny Wee.

Do birds sleep?

Yes, birds do sleep. Like all warm-blooded animals, they sleep when they are tired and full of food. After all, most birds cannot see well at night. Only a few, like the owls, have large eyes specially adapted for night vision. When they sleep their toes automatically lock tight, thus preventing them from falling while asleep. The above image of the Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia) snug in its nest, was taken by Cheong Weng Chun at night. Although it shows the back view, I am sure the bird was fast asleep. Many species like mynas, crows, starlings, Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica) and Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) (above) come together in the evening before dusk to roost on the branches of certain trees. During this period they generate much noise as they squabble over their favourite perch before settling down for the night. Although asleep, these birds are alert and will suddenly move off amidst much noise if disturbed. Early next morning, just before dawn, they wake up, yawn, stretch, refreshed but hungry. Then off they fly to forage.

Hole nesters like woodpeckers usually sleep in tree cavities. Ground nesters sleep on or near the ground.

Obviously nocturnal birds like owls and nightjars sleep during the day.

And many birds "talk" in their sleep and some even sing on moonlit nights.

Input by YC, image above by Cheong Weng Chun, below by YC.

Frolicking Black-naped Orioles

During the months of February and March 2006 there were always a few Black-naped Orioles (Oriolus chinensis) perched on the fronds of my palms every morning. Most mornings I was awaken by the loud fluty whistles of these attractive yellow birds. The duetting lasted at least 10-15 minutes before the birds flew off to some other trees to continue with their singing. On and off one or more birds would return during the late morning, making loud sounds or singing. Sometimes a small flock of up to eight birds would frolic around, flying from tree to tree. Two to three birds would frolic together, chasing one another as they expertly maneuvered with wings outstretched, flying between trees, to end up on either the palms in my garden or the wayside trees along the road. At times when I was around observing their antics, they would fly close to me, making high pitch sounds as they pass close by. On and off, two of the flying birds would make contacts, either in fun or otherwise.

When not making their maneuvers, a pair would duet, one making a short call to have a reply.

Whether they are playing, doing their courtship things or two males confronting each other, I do not know.

According to our bird specialist R. Subaraj, this was still the migratory season and the birds could possibly be migrants.

Input and images by YC.

Cats, dogs, squirrels and Javan Mynas

My neighbour’s cat has been roaming my garden for some weeks now, typical with most cats. It is rather tame and allows me to carry it. Many times the cat lies quietly in wait for some unsuspecting bird. I have even saw it stalking a myna on the ground. But so far the cat has not managed to catch any birds, or so it seems. I have yet to find the remains of any bird on the ground.

The Javan Mynas (Acridotheres javanicus) are trying their best to outwit the cat. They have ganged up to sound the alarm of harsh and loud calls whenever the cat is around. The birds will hover around just within harm’s way, following the cat, making their alarm calls all along until the latter is gone. Recently I was alerted to the loud calls of the plantain squirrel or common red-bellied squirrel (Callosciurus notatus singapurensis) sitting on a branch of my artocarpus tree. Each time it called, its long bushy tail was flicked upwards. This went on for about five minutes. Then I noticed the presence of the cat in the garden. Apparently squirrels also make alarm calls when they spot a cat prowling around. I wonder whether they make such calls when a dog is around.

Over at my neighbour’s house in front of mine, the little dog there has been harassed by these same mynas on and off. A group of mynas will take turns diving at the dog, always missing by centimeters. Intentionally? Anyway this scares the dog that usually scamper to safety every time. This can go on for about half an hour. I am not sure whether the birds are doing this for fun or can it be that a pair of birds is nesting nearby?

Dr Chang Li Lian told me that her dog is so scared of these mynas that flock to the latter's feeding bowl that it moves under the cover of the garden plants to reach its food.

Input and images by YC.

The call of the Asian Koel

From mid-October 2005 right through to February 2006, I had been hearing the call of the Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea) almost every morning at about 6.30 am or thereabout. Sometimes I would hear the call later in the morning and once in a while in the evening as well. I have had people complaining of being awaken by the call as early as 4.30 to 5.00 am but in my area the birds apparently wake up later. These birds, there must be more than a pair, roost among matured trees growing in an abandoned area between two housing estates, seldom visited by people. As such I never saw them but always heard their calls.

Asian Koels are extremely shy birds. Years ago they were always heard and seldom seen. More recently they had been making their presence known especially when they visited my Alexandra palms (Archontophoenix alexandrae) to feed on the ripe fruits. But they were still shy, flying off once they noted my presence.

From mid-February 2006 the call dried up to an occasional kwaking. Then around the end of June the call was again heard, but not as regularly as previously.During the first few days of July I had the opportunity to view them close-up. Four male koels flew in at around 5.30 pm and stayed for about an hour to an hour and a half. A bird would suddenly arrive and perch on a fruiting branch of my Alexandra palm accompanied by loud kwaking. Another would soon fly in to be followed by the remaining two. Sometimes they would fly to the Golden Penda (Xanthostemon chrysanthus) tree along the roadside.A pair, perching on different branches but facing each other, would then indulge in duetting. The perching appeared precarious as the birds rocked forward and backward, as if trying to balance themselves. Their tails would flare out somewhat and sometimes they would touch beaks. During this time one or more may regurgitate seeds from earlier feeds. After some time they would simply perch quietly, not moving much and not appearing to communicate. Then suddenly they would all fly off.


A lone male koel was recently seen perching on a branch of the Golden Penda and wailing continuously. As it belted out a series of koel-koel-koel calls, its wings flap up while the tail feathers flare out. This went on for up to five minutes before the bird flew off.

Account and images by YC.

Buffy Fish Owl: The big yawn

Connie Khoo of Ipoh, Malaysia came across a juvenile Buffy Fish Owl (Ketupa ketupu) at Kek Lok Tong in Ipoh, Perak recently. She was fascinated by the “yawning” behaviour of the bird and sent in this account to KC Tsang. Through the good office of KC, we got permission for this posting - on condition we include one of Connie’s cats.“This morning I went to check on the juvenile Buffy Fish Owl and saw that it was still on the same tree after fledging between 24-28 June 2006. By now it should be about 10-11 weeks old.

“…the juvenile started to show some 'action' by cleaning its face, stretching and flapping its wings and also stretching its long neck. It was yawning a bit, and a bit, and a bit again. That was at 8.30 am. I decided to stay a bit longer and ended up staying about 4 hours. "By 9.15 am I noticed something different in the yawning, because if we yawn, it lasts not more than 10 or maybe 15 seconds and we don't open our mouth that long. The juvenile bird kept yawning and yawning for long durations and at times held its mouth open for 10-15 seconds, then closed its mouth and yawned again and again. I then realized that it was not yawning but probably strengthen its ‘jaws’. Just like birds flapping its wings to strengthen them as well as the body.

“Finally I made notes of the number of seconds each yawn took and how long the bird held its mouth open. It could hold it open for as long as 20 seconds, showing off its tongue. Can you imagine, the bird was yawning (exercising) from 9.15 am and at the time I left the place at 11.30 am it was still yawning.

Note: Yes, birds do yawn, as do other animals, includingh fish. Now why do they yawn? Maybe to clear their ears as we do during descent on jet flights. Maybe their throat or ears are itchy. Or do they yawn for the same reason we do - to get extra oxygen?

PS from Connie: “Doesn’t Angel look like the owl? The first time I saw the Buffy Fish Owl, I thought it looked like my Angel… Just look at her eyes and forehead, don’t you see the similarity?”



Thank you Connie and KC for making this yawning post possible.

I and the Bird #27

The latest I and the Bird #27 is about birding and blogging. Do visit the site and read why people (1) watch birds, (2) blog, (3) blog about birds, and (4) watch birds and blog about them. Find out also why Bird Ecology Study Group started blogging...

Homosexuality in birds

An earlier posting on a pair of hornbills of different species, both females, prospecting for a nesting site, has raised the question of homosexuality among birds. But how aware are local birders of such behaviour among our feathered friends? Not much, I am afraid. But homosexuality among birds is a common phenomenon.

Thanks to Lin Yangchen who made an online search and alerted us of the presence of such literature, I have managed to read a few of such reports.

Many species of birds lack sexual dimorphism. Thus we cannot differentiate the male from the female. During courtship and any subsequent mating, there is no way to tell whether the two birds are of the same or different sex. However, among birds showing sexual dimorphism, same sex courtship and mating can be obvious.

People have always been aware of homosexuality in captive birds, especially parrots. Such behaviour here can be due to the circumstances of confinement and may not be normal. However, there have been accounts of homosexuality among wild birds.

A pair of male Orange-fronted Parakeets (Aratinga canicularis) was observed to indulge in courtship behaviour in the wild. Ultimately one bird attempted to mount the other. Both birds were collected for scientific examination and found to be adult males.

Homosexual copulation has also been recorded in feral populations of Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) (left), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) and Common Murre (Uria aalge). Although no cloacal contacts were mentioned in these cases, it was specifically observed in the case of Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor).

The above are instances of homosexuality between birds of the same species. Homosexuality between birds of different species has also been reported. Among Canada Geese (Brania canadensis), unisexual pairings of both males and females are common. What is uncommon was the instance of pairing between a male Giant Canadian Goose (B. canadensis maxima) and a male Snow Goose (Chen hyperborean). As both these birds were tagged and their sex had been determined earlier during handling, there was no question that they were a homosexual pair. The former assumed the female role, followed the Snow Goose everywhere and roosted close to him at night. However, there was no attempt at mating or nest building.

Another case of interspecific homosexuality was between a Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) and a House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) (right). The male sparrow mounted a male cowbird, grabbed its head feathers and attempted copulation. This was repeated twice before the former flew to a nearby fence. The cowbird flew to join the sparrow and nudged the latter until it mounted it a few more times. This behaviour continued for 5-8 minutes.

So, our Great Hornbill pairing with a Rhinoceros Hornbill and checking nesting cavities around Eng Neo is not all that strange after all.

Comment by R. Subaraj: Homosexuality - But then again, maybe it is still strange as most of the other cases mentioned involved males, not females.

References:
Brackbill, H (1941). Possible homosexual mating of the Rock Dove. Auk 58:581.
Buchanan OM (1965). Homosexual behavior in wild Orange-fronted Parakeets. Condor 68:399-400.
Griffin, DN (1959) Apparent homosexual behavior between Brown-headed Cowbird and House Sparrow. Auk 76:238-239.
Lombardo, MP, Bosman, RM, Faro, CA, Houtteman, SG & Kluisza, TS (1994). Homosexual copulation by male Tree Swallows. Wilson Bull. 106:555-557.
Starkey, EE (1972). A case of interspecific homosexuality in geese. Auk 89:456-457.

An encounter with a Lesser Coucal along the ECP

"I was just looking at the information regarding the Lesser Coucal (Centropus bengalensis) from Ria Tan's webpage. This is one bird that I have not seen in a long time.

"When I first moved to Loyang in 1987, it's distinctive three-note call was what haunted me. It was a sound that I used to hear as a kid in my grandma's place that came from the sprawling field of lallang grass (Imperata cylindrica) beyond the boundary of our large colonial bungalow. It was beyond my territory.

"Looking out from my bedroom window in Loyang Valley, a similar big expanse of lallang filled the landscape that was part of the old Selarang Camp. A few dead trees in the middle of the lallang and that was all there was. You can even hear the lallang blades swishing in the wind. It was here that I caught my first sight of the coucal. The final link of the haunting call to the bird was when I saw it call from the dead tree in the middle of the patch.

"I really liked the graceful way the bird flies – effortlessly, just above the lallang and then just dropping right into the thick of it and disappearing.

"Since then, whenever I hear that haunting three-note call, I would park myself at the window, scanning the lallang for a fleeting glimpse of the coucal.

"After they cleared the lallang and rebuilt the camp, I heard the call no more.

"Years passed. In 1999 I was on a cab from Changi Airport on the East Coast Parkway heading towards town. Just as we reached the point where Tanah Merah Golf Club and Laguna Golf Club border the ECP, I saw a bird attempting to fly across the expressway heading for Tanah Merah's side of the ECP. The distinctive gracefulness of the flight was unmistakable, as well as its tendency to stay low even in flight. That was its mistake.

"From the back seat of the cab, I was crossing my fingers. Its projected flight path took it right into the path of the taxi. I knew it was not going to make it. Anxious seconds passed. This was closest I had ever been to a coucal and yet I wished it was further away. The bird never knew what hit it. It hit the top right corner of the windscreen and as I turned back I wished it had hit harder. The poor bird was in its last throes of death right in the middle of the ECP. Its bright chestnut plumage that I so admired was a tangled mess flapping in the centre of the road. I wished its last moments had not been so drawn out.

"It was about that time that I had first thought of realising my lifelong dream of becoming a pilot. I sat in the taxi and thought that the bird's dramatic end was a sign for me to forget about becoming a pilot, that you are definitely not going to make it. If it was some pigeon or mynah, I might not have taken it seriously. And if it was a crow I probably would have gone straightaway to buy a lottery ticket. But the coucal, a bird that I so admired and have not seen in ages, was a different story."

Contributed by Jeremy Lee, image by Ashley Ng.

Excitement around the TV aerial

Television aerials are always mounted on the roof of houses or at the top of high-rise blocks for best reception. As such, they are found at the highest point of any location, whether a cluster of low-lying houses or a Housing Board estate.

Birds like to perch on any tall structure, whether the tallest tree around or the tallest man-made structure, in this case the TV aerial. Here, the birds get an excellent view of the surroundings, whether to just rest between flying from one point to another, to keep a look out for prey or just to group before going to roost. These aerials are favourites with mynas and starlings, grouping in the evening before flying to their roosting trees.

TV aerials are also useful points to look for birds. Just last month I was pleasantly surprised to see a pair of Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris convexus) perching on a TV aerial around my low-rise estate. These large birds regularly visit the gardens of houses to look for fruits and insects. On another occasion I was witness to a pair of Javan Mynas (Acridotheres javanicus) mobbing a Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus) perching quietly on my neighbour’s TV aerial. The latter soon flew off.

In February, Hung Ban Tang reported seeing a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) perching on a TV aerial mounted on the roof of the 24-storey block of apartments next to his condomonium. A few moments later the falcon suddenly made a dive towards a small flock of rock pigeons that flew close by his bedroom window. Unfortunately the falcon missed its prey and made a big loop round to return back to its perch on the aerial.




Input by Hung Bun Tang and YC, images by YC (top, centre) and Tang (bottom).