Sultan Tit (Melanochora sultanea) 20.5 cm

Even seasoned birders will tell you how 'difficult' it is to get a good close look at this skittish and hyperactive bird. Nonetheless it is always a good challenge to play catch-up when they appear, usually a flock within a bird wave. Seldom idle they move from one location to another at great speed and agility.

My encounter with this specie on this birding trip was quite different. Whilst observing other species foraging on a fruiting tree nearby in flew a flock of about 5 to 6 Tits very close to my position. I was then standing under the canopy of  some trees and the whole area around me was shaded and hence lighting was low. I had to keep still and not make any sudden movements whilst the Tits flew above and around me.

I seize opportune moments to made quick moves to snap pictures of one of them which gazed down directly above with an  inquisitive look! It stayed just long enough for me to take a vertical shot. Another one flew past me and perched within 4 meters in front offering a rare opportunity for full frame shots! :-)

   

Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorbinus montanus) 19 cm

This birding trip was a case of a near miss in the morning and a small consolation later in the afternoon. The Scimitar Babbler was within 30 yards from my position. It was skirting around a bamboo crop which had many young bamboo shoots between me and the Babbler! As I  frantically tried to shift my position from left to right and back to left in sync with the Babbler's movements it decided to fly further into the thicket and disappeared. 

Disappointed as I was I mentally consoled myself that maybe, just maybe I would have another shot at it later in the day. It was not until around 3 pm in the afternoon when photographing a small bird wave consisting of Sultan Tits, Striped Tit Babblers, Brown Barbets and Leaf Birds did I notice that the Scimitar Babbler was amongst them but foraging alone!

It was 'sandwiched' between two large size forked tree branch and the lighting was poor due in part to the thick foliage around the area and a cloudy sky. Determined not to be disappointed again I took aim and triggered the camera's shutter. All this while it decided to remain partially hidden and in the shadows. :-( Nonetheless I came away glad I managed to get record shots of this lifer and reminding myself to look out for it again next time. :-)   

Siamangs aka Black-furred Gibbons (Symphalangus syndactylus) of Malaysia

A friend and I were up in the cool clime of the sub to montane hills of Bkt Tinggi, Pahang, Malaysia over the weekend. It was destined to be a normal birding trip, not until we were visited by a family of 4 Siamangs or the Malaysian Black Furred Gibbons. We stopped all activities just so that we could watch and follow these four super apes swing effortlessly and almost silently from tree to tree.
 

I observed that the leader, an alpha male was showing the rest, most probably the mama and 2 siblings 'the way' as one by one all 3 followed the leader's 'route' from one tree branch to the next. The petai or bitter bean botanical name Parkia speciosa is in season and the gibbons were feasting on the ripe ones. After peeling open the sleeve to get at the beans the sleeves were then discarded  and strewn all over the ground below. 

Siamangs are found in various parts of Malaysia, Thailand and Sumatra, Indonesia.  

While the illegal pet trade takes a toll on wild populations, the principal threat to the siamang is habitat loss in both Malaysia and Sumatra. The Palm oil production industry is clearing large swaths of forest, reducing the habitat of the siamang, along with that of other species such as the Sumatran Tiger. Ref: Wikipedia.

Here are photos of the family. 

              Mr. BIG - the Papa 

                The Mama

             
                       A Sibling

                    Another sibling

The Black & Yellow Broadbill (Eurylaimus ochromalus) 15 cm

It is one of  7 species of Broadbills to be found in West Malaysia. This colorful bird never fails to create a stir amongst bird watchers whenever one is sighted. In a recent birding trip we were in luck when a pair flew close to our position. As if checking us out they flew 'sorties' above and around us before perching on branches nearby.

Here are photos for sharing.