Raining Birds

Despite the heavy downpour and flash flood yesterday, we proceed with our planned birding trip to Pulau Ubin. We share a cab in order to reach Changi Jetty before 7.30am, CHL stay furthest, so he get a cab first and pick me up before we pick Ling. We arrive at Pulau Ubin as planned right before 8am.
The first bird that I saw was this very shy Lesser Coucal. It may looks very similar to Greater Coucal from far, however Lesser Coucal is smaller and with the very distinctive white streaks which Greater Coucal don't haveOne of the reason we want to reach Ubin early is to catch this pair of White-bellied Sea Eagle. They will perch here early in the morning and will flew off when the temperature rises.

A curious Yellow-Vented Bulbul checking on us.I saw this Blue-throated Bee-eater last week being fed and is now hunting his own food today.

A Common Myna that once very common now are found usually near coastal area. The weather changed rather fast and it was drizzling and we know is time we head back to the mainland.

Once back to mainland at Changi Village, we go for breakfast while waiting for the sky to clear. Saw these flocks of Rock pigeon fly in a straight line so I just took a shot of it.

There is no sign that the rain will stop so we proceed with our birding with umbrella around the Changi Village. AS usual, is not difficult to locate this very noisy but beautiful Pink-breasted Parakeet.
This pair of Tanimbar Corella in a lovey dovey mood...

Not a bad idea to go for birding in a raining day!

Feeding Behavior of Bee-eater

As the name suggest bees and wasps formed main diet of bee-eaters but they also feed on most flying insect such as dragonfly. I’m particularly delighted to watch the bee-eater ‘process’ their prey before consuming it or feed it to their juvenile.

When the bee-eater caught a bee or wasp, the bee-eater will repeatedly hit and rub them on the tree branch and at the same time add pressure onto the prey. This will remove most of the venom from their prey. Only then the prey is considered safe for consumption.

I saw this pair of Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis) last week during my trip to Pulau Ubin.

The juvenile (just fledged and without the brown caped) on the left patiently waiting while the parent is processing the bee.

The adult bee-eater hold the prey in the bill and hit it against the tree branch that she perched on several time.
The bee-eater will at the same time add pressure onto the prey to force most of the venom out from the prey.

Only when the prey is considere safe for consumption, the adult bee-eater will feed it to their juvenile.
The adult carefully place the bee into the open bill of the juvenile.

The adult will just watch the juvenile slowly consume the processed food.
What a beautiful sight! "Like father like son!" or you may say "Like mother like daughter!
"

Another Exciting Pulau Ubin Trip

It was quiet than usual when I arrived at Pulau Ubin (a small off-shore island at the north of Singapore) this morning. Perhaps the World Cup match between Germany & Uruguay finish at local time 4.30am partly the reason. Since the traffic is low, I suppose it will be a better chance to spot more birds?

I did have a really fruitful trip this morning and below are some of the photos that I have taken this morning. Just a few minutes walk once I off from the main road I saw a flock of Red-Breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri) Being a noisy birds, is not difficult to spot them when they are nearby.

Saw this huge wasp at the side of the road and perhaps this also explain the high number of Bee-eaters around this area.
A pair of mother and juvenile Blue-throated Bee-eater were spotted just a few steps from where I saw that wasp.

A very colourful Pink-neck green pigeon hiding among the leaves. If the pigeon stay still, it will not be easy to spot them.

A Little Tern was spotted flew pass on top of meHuge red bill Stork-billed Kingfisher patiently perch on the tree waiting for prey.

Oriental Magpie Robin, bird that almost go extinct due to cage bird industry sometimes ago make a comeback after it was re-introduced.

Peaceful Dove taking sun bath under the morning sunlight.

As the temperature soar, this Scaly-Breasted Munia take shelter under the leaves.

A juvenile Scaly-Breasted munia is taking shelter from the hot sun too.

A really tiny bird that less than 9cm, a Scarlet-Backed Flowerpecker.

As the temperature continue to soar, I decided to call it a day as I also need to catch some sleep to be ready for tonight World Cup final at 2.30am local time.