Olive-back Sunbird (Nectarinia jugularis)

March 27th, 2010

Nesting Sunbirds in the Firecracker plant

Here in our house we have a lot of flowers because of the cool atmosphere. A particular plant we have is the Firecracker plant which may have as many as thousands of flowers. Small and tubular flowers are perfect for Olive Back Sunbird. And so the birder in me was hungry for some bird shots I aimed at the male Olive Back Sunbird while it gave out its loud territorial call. This way it sort of warded off other Olive Back Sunbird pairs.

Armed with a feeble 90-300mm f/4.0-5.6 with no absolutely no image stabilizer I aimed away at that tiny zipping Avian beauty. *Click* and another *click!* and then I think I got it.

Male Olive back Sunbird

Since I am merely using a 300mm I had to be really careful with shooting because I was very near the bird. One wrong move and my chance would fly away. While waiting a little longer the bird decided to do its territorial song.

Sunbird Singing

As if it couldn’t get any cuter the cute lil thing decided to show its beautiful throat.

Stretching it a little further

I also chanced upon a young female within the area (I know its young because I saw the dominant male feeding it).

Far away Female

The ecosystem would not be complete if there were no possible predators: the Long Tailed Shrike (Lanius scach)

The Long Tailed Shrike

The Olive Back Sunbird are actually related to the hummingbirds and also have that peculiar ability to hover and fly backwards. Them being part of the nectar feeding group of birds, they have a strong tendency to forage among flowers. They are territorial birds (as I’ve seen one male noisily chasing other males of the same species). They also go by pairs nesting in bushes and other secure areas. Contrary to what people think (that they feed only on nectar), the Sunbird lives not on nectar alone. It will feed on insects too to supply for their other needs.

I’ve always enjoyed these beautiful backyard birds as they are what greet me early in the morning with their loud tweets. Should you want to see them in your backyard you can try planting more flowers as these are actually common in the Philippines and South East Asia.

Variable Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx lepidus)

March 18th, 2010

A Variable Dwarf Kingfisher on my hand

They say a bird in the hand is worth two in a bush. All I can say is that having a wild bird sit in your hand is a very rewarding experience. Our worker in the house caught a Variable Dwarf Kingfisher. I saw it outside our house in a makeshift cage and I felt pity towards it.

I decided to ask it from him so I could take some shots before I release it once more into the wild. The Variable Dwarf Kingfisher was still rather weak from being caged too long.

Spreading the wings

Variable Dwarf Kingfisher

This small bird, despite being caged for a long time was actually pretty active.

Variable Dwarf Kingfisher

A Variable Dwarf Kingfisher is an insect feeder and lives in high trees going in pairs and perching in branches while foraging. They are excellent fliers and even more excellent divers. Diving in to the water to catch fishes or other forms of prey.

A Variable Dwarf Kingfisher

I believe I am ever lucky to have had the opportunity to hold such a beautiful bird in my hand. Bird Photography is still possible for me after all, despite the lack of the 18-200mm f/2.8L lens.

Brush Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus)

March 16th, 2010

Immature Brush Cuckoo

One clear day after I returned from a half day of school I chanced upon a brown creature that was on the floor. I went near it curious as what this Eurasian Tree Sparrow was doing here. After a close look I realized it was a larger bird.

After confirmation from the Birding Master: Romy Ocon I discovered that this bird is actually an Immature Brush Cuckoo.

another shot to get it's beautiful pattern

It was a curious thing to happen because in all my time of birding around my place here in Busay I’ve never encountered the Brush Cuckoo. From what I read about this particular bird this feeds on insects and other grub. Birding Master Romy Ocon had a picture of this bird with a caterpillar in its mouth.

I still can't believe how tame it was

Unlike the other photos of wild birds, this one did not hit a window. I’m guessing it was still new to flight so it couldn’t fly away. I’m actually surprised that the immature Brush Cuckoo was very tame as I only had to slightly push its abdomen for it to climb on to my finger.

MMe and the cute lil cuckoo

After I finished taking shots I decided to let it go. However I kinda think I should have kept it and raised it till it was old enough to fend for itself. I guess there is still a lot more that I should learn about birds. If you have any wild bird, always allow it to rest 1 hour before releasing it to the wild.

Another shot of the beautiful bird

Calmly perched and curious of its surroundings

The Dorsal Side of the Immature Brush Cuckoo

Pitta Erythrogaster (Philippine Red Bellied Pitta)

July 19th, 2009

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The Philippine Red Bellied Pitta, falls on my collection of Wild Philippine Birds that crash into our window. Now we do not intend for these local or endemic species found in the Philippines to come crashing into our humble home. But since they do crash then it is incidental that I get to take these pictures.

The Photoblogger