Articles from November 2010



Sunda Cuckooshrike

You won’t have any problem to id this bird when in Mt Kinabalu.  The Sunda Cuckooshrike Coracina larvata is the only all dark plumaged cuckooshrike there.  It usually stays in the upper canopy but will descend to feed during the early morning hours.  I saw this male bird having an insect breakfast but it also feeds on fruits.

Great Slaty Woodpecker

Due the ambiguous status of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (S.E. United States), the Great Slaty Mulleripicus pulverulentus lays claim to the title of the world’s largest woodpecker.   Usually in pairs or family groups, this bird forages in the upper canopy of lowland primary forest and at times in riverine forest.  When in flight or moving around tree branches, it utters a loud and bubbly call.  Found in S.E. Asia to eastern Himalayas.

Plain Sunbird

Female sunbirds typically resemble each other closely while the metallic sheen of the males makes them easy to identify.  The Plain Sunbird Anthreptes simplex takes a bit more practice.  The male bird only has metallic purple on the forehead to show while the female seems equally drab and lacking the purple forehead.  Further examination of the female will reveal that while the rest of her plumage remains a drab olive-green, she has a greyish throat to distinguish herself from the other female sunbird species.

Plain Sunbird female

Plain Sunbird male