My
luck with forest bird photography did not improve much from my last excursion
as I ended up with another “one-bird” trip. This time it was at the forest of Sungai Sedim in eastern Kedah state. Forest birding is indeed very challenging and forest bird
photography, even more so. But it is only in the forest that one will get to
witness some of the true wonders of the natural world – like the stunning Green
Broadbill. Since I do not have anything else to post for this trip, I will
dedicate it to the Green Broadbill.
The
Green Broadbill occurs in both primary and secondary forests of Southeast Asia. Occasionally, it might wander into
adjacent orchards and plantations as well. It is not a rare bird but typical of
the genus and like most other denizens of the forest, it is more often heard
than seen. The call, like the bird itself, is rather unique and that makes
identification rather straightforward. What is complicated is the fact that the
bird is about the size of a leaf, has colours like a leaf and the tendency to
remain still among the leaves at the canopy level. Successfully locating a
Green Broadbill among a sea of leaves is an achievement all by itself.
Obtaining reasonably good photographs is another matter altogether. I will not
be going into detail about the habits and characteristics of the bird. This
will be more like a personal account of this fascinating and beautiful species.
I
recorded my very first Green Broadbill at Air Itam Dam in my home state and it
was the year 1990. In fact, the Green Broadbill is the only broadbill to occur
in Penang Island. Its unique call was the first
thing that caught my attention. At that time I was still quite new to birding
and did not know that this call belonged to the Green Broadbill. Intrigued, I
slowly trace the call to its source. Then a "leaf" suddenly took off
from the tree in front of me and darted through the forest. In a blink of an
eye, it was gone but the image of the striking emerald green plumage remained
fresh at the back of my mind till this very day. A little homework helped me
identify this forest gem on wings. Determination and luck helped me obtain
better views of this species at this locality in the years to follow after that
faithful day.
Throughout
my bird photography life (which is after more than a decade after being converted
into birding), I have successfully captured images of the Green Broadbill only
on a handful of occasions. Not exactly a record I can be proud of but it is the
honest truth never the less. Here is a male bird in his comfort zone - at the
very top of the canopy level and well away from any intruding birders. This
image was my first of this species and was taken at Merapoh Taman Negara back
in 2009.
My next
photographic opportunity, if I can call it an opportunity, came about 2 years
later. The forest at Sungai Sedim in Kedah is one of the strongholds of this
species and it has been recorded here on a regular basis. Despite all my
efforts, this was the best I could manage of a male bird foraging at the very
top of the canopy level.
In 2012,
the confiding nature of a female bird absolutely took me by surprise. Green
Broadbills are omnivorous by nature and the availability of food at a fruiting
tree was the reason for her memorable performance. But her mate was not as
obliging and remained partly hidden most of the time. This encounter took place
at Bukit Palong in Kedah and I made an entry into my blog about that trip
entitled The Natural Bird Magnet.
My
latest Green Broadbill encounter took place last Saturday at Sungai Sedim again.
It was a male bird, in all his glory, belting out his territorial call from a
relatively low and exposed perch. The breeding season must have made him a
little bolder than usual and I was lucky enough to enjoy his performance before
he hopped back into the cover of the canopy. My only qualm is that I did not
have time to adjust the exposure on my camera before he disappeared from view.
But it is by far my best effort and I guess it will do – for now.
6 comments:
An absolute gem of a bird! Thanks for sharing your brilliant images and story.
Thank you, John!
Nice write up. Andy Lee
Thanks, Andy!
Thanks for a reminder of a great species; a "jewel" it certainly is !
Yup, John. I just adore this little fella.
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