14-1-2016 OLIVA MARJAL, VALENCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

The Little egret (Egretta garzetta) is small elegant heron in the family Ardeidae. As an aquatic bird, it feeds in shallow water and on land, consuming a variety of small creatures. At one time common in Western Europe, the Little heron was hunted extensively in the 19th century to provide plumes for the decoration of hats and became locally extinct in Northwestern Europe and scarce in the south. Around 1950, conservation laws were introduced in southern Europe to protect the species and their numbers began to increase.

Population size

660,000-3.1Mln

Life Span

up to 22 years

Weight

350-550

goz

g oz 

Length

55-65

cminch

cm inch 

Wingspan

88-106

cminch

cm inch 

The plumage of the Little egret is normally entirely white, although there are dark forms with largely bluish-grey plumage. In the breeding season, the adult has two long plumes on the nape that form a crest. These plumes are about 150 mm (6 in) and are pointed and very narrow. There are similar feathers on the breast, but the barbs are more widely spread. There are also several elongated scapular feathers that have long loose barbs and may be 200 mm (8 in) long. During the winter the plumage is similar but the scapulars are shorter and more normal in appearance. The bill is long and slender and it and the lores are black. There is an area of greenish-grey bare skin at the base of the lower mandible and around the eye which has a yellow iris. The legs are black and the feet yellow. Juveniles are similar to non-breeding adults but have greenish-black legs and duller yellow feet, and may have a certain proportion of greyish or brownish feathers. The subspecies nigripes differs in having yellow skin between the bill and eye, and blackish feet. During the height of courtship, the lores turn red and the feet of the yellow-footed races turn red.

4-1-2016 HONG KONG - FAWN BREASTED BOWERBIRD (Chlamydera cerviniventris)

The fawn-breasted bowerbird (Chlamydera cerviniventris) is a medium-sized, up to 32 cm (13 in) long, bowerbird with a greyish brown spotted white plumage, a black bill, dark brown iris, yellow mouth and an orange buff below. Both sexes are similar. The female is slightly smaller than the male.

The fawn-breasted bowerbird is distributed throughout New Guinea and northern Cape York Peninsula, where it inhabits the tropical forests, mangroves, savanna woodlands and forest edges. Its diet consists mainly of figs, fruits and insects. The nest is a loose cup made of small sticks up in a tree. The bower itself is that of "avenue-type" with two side-walls of sticks and usually decorated with green-colored berries.

A common species in its habitat range, the fawn-breasted bowerbird is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Medium-sized bowerbird found in a diverse range of habitats across northern Cape York and New Guinea, usually in tropical moist forest but also in shrubland, parks, and gardens. Primarily grayish brown with subtle orange wash in belly, diffuse streaking in throat and breast. Unlike in other similar bowerbirds, sexes alike. Compare larger Great Bowerbird, which has pink crest in male and lacks orange-toned underparts. Males build an impressive "U" shaped bower of sticks that they decorate with green fruit and leaves. Male song includes great variety of harsh notes and imitations of other birds.

The Fawn-breasted Bowerbird is a small to medium-sized bird, measuring approximately 25 to 30 centimeters in length. It has a slender and compact build, with a rounded head and a short, straight bill. The bird’s body is covered in soft feathers, which are predominantly olive-green in color.

One of the most distinctive features of the Fawn-breasted Bowerbird is its fawn-colored breast, which gives the species its name. This area is adorned with intricate patterns and markings, varying from individual to individual. The upperparts of the bird are mostly olive-brown, while the underparts are a paler shade of greenish-yellow.

Living habits of the Fawn-breasted Bowerbird revolve around its bower. Males spend a significant amount of time maintaining and decorating their bowers to make them more attractive to potential mates. They collect colorful objects such as flowers, fruits, feathers, and even man-made items like bottle caps or shiny objects, which they carefully arrange around the bower. These decorations, combined with the male’s elaborate courtship dance and vocalizations, create a captivating display for the female.

The Fawn-breasted Bowerbird is diurnal, meaning it is active during the day. It spends its time foraging for food, engaging in courtship displays, and maintaining its bower. This bird is highly territorial, defending its bower and the surrounding area from other males. It uses vocalizations, aggressive postures, and sometimes physical combat to protect its territory and potential mates.

When it comes to sleep patterns, the Fawn-breasted Bowerbird roosts in trees or dense foliage at night, seeking protection from predators. During this time, it remains relatively inactive, conserving energy for the following day’s activities. Rest is essential for the bird’s overall well-being and helps maintain its physical and mental health.

4-1-2016 HONG KONG - RED WHISKERED BULBUL (Pycnonotus jocosus)

The red-whiskered bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus ), or crested bulbul, is a passerine bird native to Asia. It is a member of the bulbul family. It is a resident frugivore found mainly in tropical Asia. It has been introduced in many tropical areas of the world where populations have established themselves. It has a loud three or four note call, feeds on fruits and small insects and perches conspicuously on trees. It is common in hill forests and urban gardens.

The Red-whiskered bulbul is a frugivorous songbird native to Asia. It has brown upperparts and whitish underparts with buff flanks and a dark spur running onto the breast at shoulder level. It has a tall pointed black crest, red face patch, and thin black moustachial line. The tail of this bird is long and brown with white terminal feather tips, but the vent area is red. Juveniles lack the red patch behind the eye, and the vent area is rufous-orange.

Red-whiskered bulbuls are found in India, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar, China, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam. These birds don’t migrate and prefer to live in lightly wooded areas, more open country with bushes and shrubs. They also occur in agricultural areas, suburbs, and urban areas.

When not nesting Red-whiskered bulbuls spend their days in flocks and roost communally in loose groups of a hundred or more birds. During the breeding period, they will defend territories of about 3,000 square meters (32,000 sq ft). Red-whiskered bulbuls are noisy birds. Their loud and evocative call is a sharp ‘kink-a-joo’ and the song is a scolding chatter. They are more often heard than seen, but will often perch conspicuously especially in the mornings when they call from the tops of trees.

Red-whiskered bulbuls are herbivores (frugivores, nectarivores) and carnivores (insectivores). They feed mainly on fruits including those of the yellow oleander that is toxic to mammals, berries, and nectar. Young birds feed on caterpillars and insects which are replaced by fruits and berries as they mature.

The breeding season of Red-whiskered bulbuls peaks from December to May in southern India and March to October in northern India. They may nest once or twice a year. During this time the males perform courtship display that involves head bowing, spreading the tail, and drooping wings. The nest of these birds is cup-shaped and is built on bushes, thatched walls, or small trees. It is woven of fine twigs, roots, and grasses, and embellished with large objects such as bark strips, paper, or plastic bags. Females usually lay 2 or 3 eggs that have a pale mauve ground color with speckles becoming blotches towards the broad end. Eggs take 12 days to hatch and both parents take part in raising their helpless chicks. The young typically fledge at about 14 to 18 days after hatching. Red-whiskered bulbuls have an interesting defensive behavior when they sense danger at the nest. Adults (possibly the female) may feign injury to distract potential predators away from the nest.

4-1-2016 HONG KONG - MASKED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax perspicillatus)

The masked laughingthrush (Pterorhinus perspicillatus ) is a species of laughingthrush found in China and Vietnam. It is often seen in small noisy flocks of seven. Its Chinese name means 'seven sisters'.

This species was formerly placed in the genus Garrulax but following the publication of a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study in 2018, it was moved to the resurrected genus Pterorhinus.

A rowdy and sociable inhabitant of gardens, parks, and shrubby thickets, this long-tailed, black-eared bird is unmistakable. Upper body is dark gray overall, with brown primarily on the belly but also with some in the wings. Vent area is a dirty rufous color, often seen as the bird intermittently pumps its tail while foraging. Bold, often foraging out in the open on lawns and field edges, but even when hidden, its harsh chattering will give it away.

Masked Laughingthrush has a conspicuous black mask on its face. It favours forest undergrowth and usually gathers in small flocks. It is featured with its loud, scolding calls of 'piaw-piaw'.

About 30 cm long. Mainly brown in plumage with black mask and cinnamon vent. Often appears in small noisy parties of about 7 (colloquial Chinese name is “seven sisters”) in thick undergrowth. Loud and strident calls.

Resident in Hong Kong. Often seen in countryside undergrowth and major urban parks.

Often gathers in small flocks in undergrowth and on the ground feeding on insects and fruits.

3-1-2016 HONG KONG - ORANGE SPOTTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus bimaculatus)

The orange-spotted bulbul (Pycnonotus bimaculatus ) is a species of songbird in the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is endemic to Java, Bali and Sumatra.

Attractive bulbul of foothill and montane forest edges and clearings. Endemic to Sumatra, Java, and Bali; introduced to Lombok. Brown above and white below, with bright orange patches on the face and a golden-yellowish tinge to the wings and cheeks. Also note the weak crest, which is not always raised.

Generally unmistakable in its range; only confusion species is Aceh Bulbul, but note present species’ pale belly and range differences. Often gathers at fruiting trees. Call is a hard, decisive-sounding “tjik”, often given in series. Song is a bubbly series of bright fluid notes, often given with a somewhat hesitant quality.

It favors forest edges and open meadows in mountain forests.

Up to 20 cm long. It is a dark-colored and active bulbul with a rounded tail.

It breeds throughout the year. Nesting occurs year-round, peaking in May. Nests are robust and cup-shaped.

This eye-catching bird stands out with its vibrant orange facial patches. Sadly, its population is believed to be declining due to trapping for the cage-bird trade.

3-1-2016 HONG KONG - ALEXANDRINE PARAKEET (Psittacula eupatria)

The Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria) is a medium-sized parrot from South and Southeast Asia. It is named after Alexander the Great, who transported numerous birds from Punjab to various European and Mediterranean countries and regions, where they were prized by royalty, nobility, and warlords.

The Alexandrine parakeet is predominantly green with a light blue-grey sheen on the cheeks and nape (back of the neck), a yellow-green abdomen, a red patch on the shoulders, and a massive red beak with yellow tips. The upper side of the tail passes from green at the top to blue further down and is yellow at the tip. The underside of the tail is yellow. Adult males have a black stripe across their lower cheeks and a pink band on their nape. Adult females lack both a black cheek stripe and a pink nape band. The young are similar in appearance to adult females but have shorter tails.

Alexandrine parakeets are widespread in South and South-East Asia where they live in forests, woodlands, agricultural lands, and mangrove forests.

Alexandrine parakeets are diurnal social birds. They usually live in small flocks but form larger groups in areas where food is abundant or at communal roosts. They are very noisy and loud making a variety of calls, including a ringing 'trrrieuw', loud 'kree-aar' or 'keeak', deep 'klak-klak-klak-klak', and resonant 'gr-aak'. Their calls are usually deep, harsh, and very resonant. Their voice becomes harsher when alarmed, and they shriek loudly when mobbing predators. Flocks occasionally excitedly vocalize together. Alexandrine parakeets are even known to imitate human speech in captivity.

Alexandrine parakeets breed from November to April. They usually nest in tree hollows, but sometimes use tree holes excavated by themselves or cracks in buildings. Females lay 2 to 4 white, blunt oval-shaped eggs, measuring 27 to 34 mm (1.1 to 1.3 in). The average incubation period is 24 days. The chicks hatch blind and helpless and fledge at about 7 weeks of age. They are dependent on their parents until 3 to 4 months of age.

3-1-2016 HONG KONG - BLACK CAPPED LORY (Lorius lory)

The black-capped lory (Lorius lory ) also known as western black-capped lory or the tricolored lory, is a parrot found in New Guinea and adjacent smaller islands. It is a colourful and relatively robust lory (31 cm (12 in)). There are seven subspecies, all with green wings, red heads and body around the wing, a black cap, grey-black cere, yellow underwings, and blue legs and belly. Most also have a blue nape and mantle (area between wings on the back). It remains overall widespread and common, but the subspecies cyanuchen is relatively rare, with fewer than 5,000 individuals remaining.

The Black-capped Lory, also known as the Western Black-capped Lory or the Tricolored Lory, is a vibrant parrot native to New Guinea and its surrounding islands. This species is a robust lory, measuring approximately 31 cm (12 inches) in length. It boasts a striking plumage with green wings, a red head, and body around the wing, complemented by a distinctive black cap. Its cere is grey-black, and it has yellow underwings, with blue legs and belly adding to its colorful appearance. Most subspecies also feature a blue nape and mantle, the area between the wings on the back.

When identifying the Black-capped Lory, look for the characteristic black cap and the combination of red, blue, and green in its plumage. The yellow underwings and blue legs are also key features. Subspecies vary in the extent of blue and red distribution, with some having more extensive blue mantles and napes, while others may have red mantles or different shades of blue.

The Black-capped Lory is found in primary forests and forest edges, predominantly in lowland areas up to 1,000 meters, and occasionally up to 1,750 meters. It does not inhabit monsoon forests or coconut plantations.

This species is widespread and common throughout New Guinea and adjacent smaller islands. However, the subspecies cyanuchen from Biak island is relatively rare.

Black-capped Lories are typically observed in pairs or small groups, sometimes forming gatherings of more than ten individuals. They are not commonly seen in large flocks.

The diet of the Black-capped Lory consists of pollen, nectar, flowers, fruit, and insects. They are known to visit various flowering and fruiting trees to feed.

The Black-capped Lory is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. While it remains overall widespread and common, the subspecies cyanuchen is relatively rare, with fewer than 5,000 individuals remaining, warranting particular attention for conservation efforts.

3-1-2016 HONG KONG - BLACK CAPPED LORY (Lorius lory)

The black-capped lory (Lorius lory ) also known as western black-capped lory or the tricolored lory, is a parrot found in New Guinea and adjacent smaller islands. It is a colourful and relatively robust lory (31 cm (12 in)). There are seven subspecies, all with green wings, red heads and body around the wing, a black cap, grey-black cere, yellow underwings, and blue legs and belly. Most also have a blue nape and mantle (area between wings on the back). It remains overall widespread and common, but the subspecies cyanuchen is relatively rare, with fewer than 5,000 individuals remaining.

Their black-capped lory inhabits the primary forest and forest edges in most lowland areas up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) (sporadically to 1,750 m (5,740 ft)), but not monsoon forest or coconut plantations. It is usually found in pairs and occasionally in groups of 10 or more. Their diet includes pollen, nectar, flowers, fruit and insects.

This parrot lives in Papua – New Guinea and the neighboring archipelagos. It is found in forests and their fringes, as well as in wooded wetlands.

Stays in small groups or in pairs. It sits on flowering trees and shrubs, where it looks for food. Foraging birds are quiet and try to be invisible. However, they can be screaming and learn to imitate sounds easily.

It feeds on insects at all stages of development, fruit, flowers, pollen and nectar.

Females do not differ from males in appearance. These birds nest in hollows; females lay two eggs and incubates them for about 24 days.

The tongue of the blue-bellied lady is specially adapted to the collection of nectar – on the tip of the tongue there are brushes characteristic for loris, which help to collect the liquid food.

3-1-2016 HONG KONG - RED VENTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus cafer)

The red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer ) is a member of the bulbul family of passerines. It is a resident breeder across the Indian subcontinent, including Sri Lanka extending east to Burma and parts of Bhutan and Nepal. It has been introduced in many other parts of the world and has established itself in New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga and Fiji, as well as parts of Samoa, Australia, USA and Cook Islands. It is included in the list of the world's 100 worst invasive alien species.

The Red-vented bulbul is a medium-sized songbird that can be found across the Indian subcontinent. It can be easily identified by its short crest giving the head a squarish appearance. The body of this bird is dark brown with a scaly pattern while the head is darker or black. The rump is white while the vent is red. It has a long black tail, tipped in white. The males and the females of this species look similar, but young birds are duller than adults.

Red-vented bulbuls occur across Sri Lanka extending east to Burma and parts of Bhutan and Nepal. These birds don’t migrate and inhabit dry scrub, open forests, plains, cultivated areas, parks, and gardens.

Red-vented bulbuls are diurnal social birds. Outside of the breeding season, they like to form large flocks and gather together in communal roosts. The typical call of Red-vented bulbuls has been transcribed as ginger beer, but they also produce a number of sharp single-note calls sounding like a pick. Their alarm calls are usually responded to and heeded by many other species of bird.

Red-vented bulbuls are monogamous and form long-lasting pair bonds. They breed from June to September and lay 2 or 3 eggs in a typical clutch. The eggs are pale-pinkish with spots of darker red denser at the broad end. Red-vented bulbuls build their nests in bushes at a height of around 2-3 m (6.6-9.8 ft). However, they may occasionally nest inside houses, in a hole in a mud bank, or in tree cavities. Their nests are small flat cups made of small dry twigs and spider webs. The eggs hatch after about 14 days and both parents take part in feeding their chicks.

4-1-2016 HONG KONG - COMMON SHELDUCK (FEMALE) (Tadorna tadorna)

The common shelduck resembles a small short-necked goose in size and shape. It is a striking bird, with a reddish-pink bill, pink feet, a white body with chestnut patches and a black belly, and a dark green head and neck. The wing coverts are white, the primary remiges black, and the secondaries green (only showing in flight) and chestnut. The underwings are almost entirely white. Sexes are similar, but the female is smaller, with some white facial markings, while the male is particularly crisply coloured in the breeding season, his bill bright red and bearing a prominent knob at the forehead.

Fossil bones from Dorkovo (Bulgaria) described as Balcanas pliocaenica may actually belong to this species. More likely, they are an extinct species of Tadorna (if not a distinct genus) due to their Early Pliocene age; the present species is not unequivocally attested from the fossil record until some 2–3 million years later (Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene).

Ducklings are white, with black cap, hindneck and wing and back patches. Juveniles are similarly coloured, greyish above and mostly white below, but already have the adult's wing pattern.

The call is a loud honk.

3-1-2016 HONG KONG - BLACK CRESTED BULBUL (Rubigula flaviventris)

The black-crested bulbul is generally about 19 cm in length. As the name suggests, the head of this bulbul is black while the rest of its body is different shades of yellow. Both the male and female are similar in plumage. One can make out a younger bird by its slightly duller coloring.

This is a bird of forest and dense scrub.

It builds its nest in a bush; two to four eggs are a typical clutch. The black-crested bulbul feeds on fruit and insects.

3-1-2016 HONG KONG - BLACK CAPPED LORY (Lorius lory)

The black-capped lory (Lorius lory) also known as western black-capped lory or the tricolored lory, is a parrot found in New Guinea and adjacent smaller islands. It is a colourful and relatively robust lory (31 cm (12 in)). There are seven subspecies, all with green wings, red heads and body around the wing, a black cap, grey-black cere, yellow underwings, and blue legs and belly. Most also have a blue nape and mantle (area between wings on the back). It remains overall widespread and common, but the subspecies cyanuchen is relatively rare, with fewer than 5,000 individuals remaining.

3-1-2016 HONG KONG - CRESTED PIGEON (Ocyphaps lophotes)

The Crested pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) is an Australian species of pigeon. Only two Australian pigeon species possess an erect crest, the Crested pigeon and the spinifex pigeon. The Crested pigeon is sometimes referred to as a Topknot pigeon, a common name shared with the reddish crested Lopholaimus antarcticus of Eastern Australia. Common names for the species, aside from crested or Topknot pigeon, characterize them as a 'bronzewing' or 'dove' that is likewise distinguished by the crest.

 

Population size

Unknown

Weight

147-250

goz

g oz 

Length

30-34

cminch

cm inch 

The Crested pigeon is grey with tinges of brown and green. It has a feathered but slender, black spike on top of the head. It runs with the crest erect. The periorbital skin is bright orange. Wings have black stripes and are bronzed, while the primary feathers have colorful areas of brown, purple, blue, and green. Immature birds have duller colors with no bronzing on the wings. The birds can be normally seen in two sizes, they can be thin or plumped. It is almost impossible to tell if a Crested pigeon is male or female because they have the same plumage.

Crested pigeons are found throughout mainland Australia except for the far northern tropical areas. They live in lightly wooded grasslands in both rural and urban areas, and can also visit watercourses, homestead gardens, grain farming areas, pastoral areas, sports grounds, and golf courses.

Crested pigeons are highly social birds and often gather in flocks of varying sizes. They are active during the day but prefer to forage in the morning and in the evening. They forage in small to large groups, which also gather to drink at waterholes. The most distinctive behavior of Crested pigeons is the beating and whistling sound their wings make when they take off. This is most likely to draw the attention of predators to birds on the wing, and away from any birds remaining on the ground, and as an alarm call to other pigeons. When the birds land, their tails tilt upwards and the flight patterns are similar to those of the Spotted turtle dove. If startled, Crested pigeons take to the air producing a distinctive whistling 'call'.

4-1-2016 HONG KONG - ZEBRA DOVE (Geopelia striata)

The zebra dove (Geopelia striata ), also known as the barred ground dove, or barred dove, is a species of bird of the dove family, Columbidae, native to Southeast Asia. They are small birds with a long tail, predominantly brownish-grey in colour with black-and-white barring. The species is known for its pleasant, soft, staccato cooing calls.

The birds are small and slender with a long, narrow tail. The upperparts are brownish-grey with black-and-white barring. The underparts are pinkish with black bars on the sides of the neck, breast and belly. The face is blue-grey with bare blue skin around the eyes. There are white tips to the tail feathers. Juveniles are duller and paler than the adults. They can also have brown feathers. Zebra doves are 20–23 centimetres in length with a wingspan of 24–26 cm.

Their call is a series of soft, staccato cooing notes. In Thailand and Indonesia, the birds are popular as pets because of their calls and cooing competitions are held to find the bird with the best voice. In Indonesia this bird is called perkutut. In the Philippines they are known as batobatong katigbe ("pebbled katigbe") and kurokutok ; in Malaysia this bird is called merbuk, onomatopoeic to their calls. They are also known as tukmo in Filipino, a name also given to the spotted dove (Spilopelia chinensis ) and other wild doves.

The native range of the species extends from Southern Thailand, Tenasserim, Peninsular Malaysia, and Singapore to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java. It may also be native to Borneo, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, and the Philippine islands.

The zebra dove is popular in captivity and many populations have appeared outside its native range due to birds escaping or being deliberately released. It can now be found in central Thailand, Laos, Borneo, Sulawesi, Hawaii (introduced in 1922), Tahiti (1950), New Caledonia, the Seychelles, the Chagos Archipelago (1960), Mauritius (before 1768), Réunion, and Saint Helena.

It inhabits scrub, farmland, and open country in lowland areas and is commonly seen in parks and gardens. Trapping for the cagebird industry has led to them becoming rare in parts of Indonesia but in most parts of its range it is common. Zebra doves are among the most abundant birds in some places such as Hawaii and the Seychelles.

3-1-2016 HONG KONG - GREEN IMPERIAL PIGEON (Ducula aenea)

The green imperial pigeon is a large, plump pigeon, 45 centimetres (18 in) in length. Its back, wings and tail are metallic green. The head and underparts are white, apart from maroon undertail coverts. Sexes are similar. The bird's call is deep and resonant, and is often the first indication of the presence of this treetop species.

This is a forest species which is a widespread resident breeding bird in tropical southern Asia from Nepal and India east to Indonesia. It has several subspecies, including the distinctive Celebes form, chestnut-naped imperial pigeon (Ducula aenea paulina ).

This is an arboreal dove, feeding on plant material in the tree canopy. Its flight is fast and direct, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general. It builds a stick nest in a tree and lays a single white egg. The birds are not very gregarious, but will form small flocks.

3-1-2016 HONG KONG - ASIAN EMERALD DOVE (Chalcophaps indica)

The common emerald dove is a stocky, medium-sized pigeon, typically 23–27 cm (9.1–10.6 in) in length. The back and wings are bright emerald green. The flight feathers and tail are blackish, and broad black and white bars show on the lower back in flight. The head and underparts are dark vinous pink, fading to greyish on the lower belly. The eyes are dark brown, the bill bright red and legs and feet rufous.The male has a white patch on the edge of the shoulders and a grey crown, which the female lacks. Females will tend to have a browner complexion with a grey mark on the shoulder. Immature birds resemble females but have brown scallops on their body and wing plumage.

Emerald doves usually occur singly, pairs or in small groups. They are quite terrestrial, often searching for fallen fruit on the ground and spending little time in trees except when roosting. They eat seeds and fruits of a wide variety of plants and are generally tame and approachable.Its flight is fast and direct, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general. It often flies low between the patches of dense forest it prefers, but when disturbed will frequently walk away rather than fly. 

They are particularly good weavers when flying through forests. When flying they expose a buff underwing and a chestnut colour of their flight feathers.

The call is a low soft moaning cooing consisting of about six to seven coos starting quietly and rising. They also call a nasal "hoo-hoo-hoon". Males perform a bobbing dance during courtship. The population trend is downwards.

6-1-2016 HONG KONG - BALI MYNA (Leucopsar rothschildi)

The Bali myna (Leucopsar rothschildi ), also known as Rothschild's mynah, Bali starling, or Bali mynah, locally known as jalak Bali, is a medium-sized (up to 25 cm (9.8 in) long), stocky myna, almost wholly white with a long, drooping crest, and black tips on the wings and tail. The bird has blue bare skin around the eyes, greyish legs and a yellow bill. Both sexes are similar. It is critically endangered and in 2018, fewer than 100 adults were assumed to exist in the wild.

The Bali myna is a beautiful almost wholly white bird with a long, drooping crest, and black tips on the wings and tail. The bird has blue bare skin around the eyes, greyish legs, and a yellow bill. Both males and females are similar in appearance. The Bali myna is one of the rarest birds in the world. It is critically endangered and fewer than 50 adults are assumed to currently exist in the wild.

Bali mynas are native to the island of Bali (and its offshore islands) in Indonesia. They inhabit dry forest, shrubland, tree and palm savanna, and flooded savanna woodland. In the past, they also inhabited coconut groves near villages.

Bali mynas are diurnal but very secretive birds. In their natural habitat, they are inconspicuous. They use treetops for cover and usually come to the ground only to drink or to find nesting materials; this would seem to be an adaptation to their noticeability to predators when out in the open. Bali mynas often gather in groups when they are young to better locate food and watch out for predators. At night, they roost communally in small groups of up to 6 birds. These birds communicate with a variety of sharp chattering calls and an emphatic twat. When alarmed, they utter tschick, tschick, tschick.

Bali mynas are monogamous and form long-term pair bonds. The birds breed during the rainy season and at this time males attract females by calling loudly and bobbing up and down. Pairs nest in tree cavities lined with leaves and feathers. The female lays and incubates 2-3 eggs during the 12-15 days. The chicks are altricial; they are born helpless, naked, and blind. Both parents bring food to the nest for their chicks. The young usually fledge between 15 and 24 days, but still, depend on parents for food for a few weeks more. Reproductive maturity is usually reached at one year of age.

Bali mynas are critically endangered, and the wild population has been close to extinction since at least 1994. The main threat to these beautiful birds is poaching for the caged bird market. Trade even in captive-bred specimens is strictly regulated and birds are not generally available legally to private individuals. However, experienced aviculturists may become affiliated with captive-breeding programs, allowing them to legally keep mynas. The number of captive birds bought on the black market is estimated to be twice the number of legally acquired individuals in the captive breeding programs. Other important threats include habitat destruction, diseases, and natural predation.

According to the IUCN Red List, the total Bali myna population size is fewer than 50 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.