Oriental Pied Hornbill Picky About Snail

While on my way to Hide 1D from the Main Bridge of SBWR, spotted this Oriental Pied Hornbill caught an african snail. Like other hornbill, as their bill is much longer than other birds they can't manipulate their food with their tounge. So they have to toss the food caught directly to their throat.

Seeing an Oriental Pied Hornbilll on the ground is uncommon and getting to see this male hornbill catch the prey on the ground is even epic.

After the 1st toss, the hornbill manage to move the snail to the middle of his bill.

The hornbill continue to jerk his head and move the snail further in.

The hornbill crushed the shell of the snail in the process. Not sure if this is by purpose to de-shell it or accidentally.

The hornbill repeat the tossing process with the half 'naked' snail.

The hornbill miss the snail and fell off it's grip.

The hornbill pick it up again and I didn't realise is the different snail until I take a closer look while processing the photos.

This time round, the hornbill decided to go somewhere else to enjoy his meal lead me one big question unanswered. Is the hornbill dropped the half 'naked' snail by purpose or accidentally. Could it be the hornbill become picky when the food is abundant?

Migratory Birds Arrived at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

I was told that migratory birds have started to arrive at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR). Is rather early this year, so I made a trip there on 2 September.

 Is getting easier to spot crocodile in  SBWR. I saw this huge crocodile at the main bridge.

 Not just one but 2 at the main bridge.

 This very colorful Purple heron patiently waiting for fish to swim near the river bank.

 Different from the Purple heron, this little egret is more active in finding food.

 Painted stork taking a rest with both leg down.

 This Red Shank is one of the early batch of migratory birds that arrived in Singapore.

 Other than migratory birds, I saw a pair of Collared Kingfisher.

 A flying dragon

Twice a year, Sea almond tree shed their leaves. This is closet to autumn that we can get here in tropical.

Last Birding Stop Before Leaving for airport at Pak Phli

After 5 days of birding in Thailand, is time to go back to Singapore. While on our way to airport, we have about 2 hours to spare so we make a pit stop at Pak Phli.

There are 2 different habitats in this area. We should be able to see open country birds.

As well as water birds since this is also a paddies field.

One of the most common lapwing in Thailand is this Red-wattled lapwing. You will not miss it in any open country area.

Another common open country bird that we saw is this Green bee-eater.

Migratory Blue tailed bee-eater has also arrived here in Thailand.

Asian pied starling may not be common in Singapore, but they are very common here in Thailand.

Little Cormorant getting sunlight to help speed up the drying of the feathers.

Pond heron is fishing from the top of lotus leaf.

This Black drongo took few attempts before able to perch steadily on top of the lotus flower bud.

Another common bird of prey of open country is this Black-shouldered kite.

One of the rare find of this trip will be this Watercock in breeding plumage! Can't wait to coma back to Thailand for more birding soon.

Day Trip to Khao Yai National Park

I can't exactly remember how many times have I visited Khao Yai National Park. Every visit is unique and we get to see different wild life in this very popular national park.

August is the low season in the national park due to the monsoon and the weather is usually wet. We arrived at the view point around 7.45am. There are high chance to see hornbills fly pass the view point.

 Green bill malkoha was the first appear right in front of us.

Is our lucky day and we saw the Wreathed Hornbill fly pass the view point.

 Hornbill after hornbill... Oriental Pied Hornbill also made their appearance.

 We are spoil for choice. Rather be late than never, Great hornbill made its appearance too.

This blue pitta cross the road at the right time! Just when we stop for our morning coffee, so lucky to see the pitta crossing the road!

After the rain, is the show time for butterfly. This is the same butterfly, view from the top and the bottom is so much different.

 Follow the loud territorial call, we managed to locate this Pileated gibbon family.

 They are here for the fruits.

Sambar deer is the larger deer in the park.

Barking deer ( Muntjac ) is the smaller deer in the park.

Although it rain in the morning, not a bad day after all. We get to see so many wildlife.

Backyard Birding at Pak Chong

After the excitement at Hup Pa Tat, we move to our next stop - Pak Chong. It will be at least another 4 hours journey.

As usual, we stop along the way for buying some local fruits and lunch. It was about 2.30pm when we reached Pak Chong. After check-in to our accommodation and left our luggage. We start our birding around Pak Chong.

What an unexpected find of this Greater Coucal out in the open. There is another bird on top of the tree - a Hoopoe. Fly away before I could take any shot.

 Another unexpected find! This Spotted Owlet was out from the nest to greet us!

The temperature rising after the rain and these birds just know how to cold themselves off. SUch as this Sooty-headed Bulbul.

 More birds join the fun - flock of Scaly Breasted Munia.

 This Red-wattled Lapwing as noisy as usual. From far we know her existence.

Just before we go to our next destination - Pak Chong Market, we saw this Indian Roller pose nicely for us to shoot. Not bad for a short birding session at Pak Chong.

Hup Pa Tat Limestone Cave of Thailand

After the wet day at Huai Kha Kheang Wildlife Sanctuary. The weather seem clear this morning and we are going to Hup Pa Tat to look for an elusive bird that only forage for food around limestone wall.

Limestone cliff can be seen from the junction to Hup Pa Tat.

A very traditional gate on the way to Hup Pa Tat.

Is always a good idea to know the assembly area in the event of emergency.

There are actually quite a number of things to see here, due to time constraint our only target for today is an elusive wren babbler.

There are lots of cycad plants on to wall on top of us.

To get to the potential birding area, we need to follow the trail to lead us straight to the limestone.

Nice scenery along the trail.

The potential birding spot is in the valley and we will need to go through a cave that is about 200m long.

There are lots of bats on top of our heads and we try not to wake them up.

Is a short walk and we see light at the other end.

We meet a local resident and he point us the birding location. And true enough we get to see our target bird - Greyish Limestone-babbler (Turdinus crispifrons) in less than 5 minutes.

We have a bonus bird - White-rumped shama

This is our target bird - Greyish Limestone-babbler (Turdinus crispifrons). We get our job done and happily we start our long drive to Pakchong to get ready for Khaoyai tomorrow!