Saturday, February 16, 2013

First Sighting of Daurian Redstart in Singapore

Year 2013 seem to be a good year for birding in Singapore. We have first sighting of Asian Openbill last month and another visitor this month that have no record in Singapore - Daurian Redstart 黃尾鴝 (Phoenicurus auroreus)
Daurian Redstart 黃尾鴝 (Phoenicurus auroreus)
This photo was taken in Taiwan back in year 2010 on a rainy day. Never would I ever imagine that I could see it again back in Singapore!

Below are photos taken in Singapore :
Daurian Redstart 黃尾鴝 (Phoenicurus auroreus)

Daurian Redstart 黃尾鴝 (Phoenicurus auroreus)

Daurian Redstart 黃尾鴝 (Phoenicurus auroreus)

Daurian Redstart 黃尾鴝 (Phoenicurus auroreus)

Daurian Redstart 黃尾鴝 (Phoenicurus auroreus)

Daurian Redstart 黃尾鴝 (Phoenicurus auroreus)

Daurian Redstart 黃尾鴝 (Phoenicurus auroreus)
Although is the first visit to Singapore, this bird is adapting very well. Not sure how long this bird will remain here or why it appear here. The video below on the bird while relax and doing preening.






Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Mating Slaty-Breasted Rail

Although Slaty-Breasted Rail (Gallirallus striatus) are quite common, they are the very secretive birds that hardly out in the open. A slightest move can trigger the bird go into hiding in the thick vegetation.
Slaty-Breasted Rail (Gallirallus striatus)
Saw this two Slaty-Breasted Rail last week behave quite differently on the edge of the thick vegetation last week end. One bird try to "get close" to the other bird. I suspect that is the courtship move.
Slaty-Breasted Rail (Gallirallus striatus)
It seems that the bird on the right accepted the "offer" & guide the other bird to the other location
Slaty-Breasted Rail (Gallirallus striatus)

Slaty-Breasted Rail (Gallirallus striatus)
The bird on the left follow the other bird very closely.
Slaty-Breasted Rail (Gallirallus striatus)
And there it goes... the mating started!
Slaty-Breasted Rail (Gallirallus striatus)

Slaty-Breasted Rail (Gallirallus striatus)

Slaty-Breasted Rail (Gallirallus striatus)

Slaty-Breasted Rail (Gallirallus striatus)
It happens so fast that I don't have time to switch to video mode.  I just shoot it with sequential mode. More chicks in a months time?