13-12-2016 MONTE CORONA, ADOR - BLACK REDSTART (FEMALE) (Phoenicurus ochruros)

The Black redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is a small passerine bird in the genus Phoenicurus. Like its relatives, it was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family (Turdidae), but is now known to be an Old World flycatcher (Muscicapidae).

The adult male of this species is overall dark grey to black on the upperparts and with a black breast; the lower rump and tail are orange-red, with the two central tail feathers dark red-brown. The belly and undertail are either blackish-grey (western subspecies) or orange-red (eastern subspecies); the wings are blackish-grey with pale fringes on the secondaries forming a whitish panel (western subspecies) or all blackish (eastern subspecies). The female is grey (western subspecies) to grey-brown (eastern subspecies) overall except for the orange-red lower rump and tail, greyer than the common redstart; at any age, the grey axillaries and underwing coverts are also distinctive. There are two distinct forms in first calendar year males at least in western subspecies, with the first ('carei') being similar to females and the second ('paradoxus') approaching adult males but lacking the whitish wing panel that does only develop during post-breeding molt of wing feathers in the second calendar year. This second form is much rarer than the first.

Population size

32.8-57.1 Mln

Life Span

up to 8 years

Weight

12-20

goz

g oz 

Length

13-14.5

cminch

cm inch 

Black redstarts breed in south and central Europe and Asia and north-west Africa, from Great Britain and Ireland (where local) south to Morocco, east to central China. They are resident in the milder parts of their range, but north-eastern birds migrate to winter in southern and western Europe and Asia, and north Africa. In some areas, birds that breed in mountains move to lower elevations in winter. Black redstarts inhabit stony ground in mountains, particularly cliffs and stony slopes with xerophytic vegetation. They are also found in villages, and urban areas and often occur in large industrial complexes that have bare areas and cliff-like buildings.

Black redstarts are diurnal birds. They spend daytime hours searching for food or perching in trees or bushes. They usually feed on the ground hopping around searching for insects or catching passing insects in flight, and may also use a “sit-and’wait” tactic. During winter Black redstarts are usually solitary but may be seen in pairs or small groups. With the start of the breeding season, they spend time in mated pairs and become territorial. Male Black redstarts have a rattling song and a ‘tick’ call.

Black redstarts are mainly carnivores (insectivores, vermivores) feeding on various insects such as grasshoppers, flies, bugs, beetles, wasps, bees, ants, spiders, earthworms and even tiny crustaceans. They may also supplement their diet with seeds, berries, and fruits.

Black redstarts are usually monogamous. They form pairs and males perform “dances” to attract the female. Black redstarts start breeding in mid-April. The nest is built by the female and is typically placed in a crevice or hole in a rock or a wall or on a ledge of a building. The nest consists of a loose cup of grass and stems and is lined with hair, wool, and feathers. The eggs are laid daily. The clutch consists of 4 to 6 eggs that are usually white but can also be pale blue. Beginning after the final egg is laid, the eggs are incubated by the female for 13-17 days. The young are cared for and fed by both parents and fledge after 12-19 days. Pairs may raise two broods during the year.

13-12-2016 MONTE CORONA, ADOR - LONG TAILED TIT (Aegithalos caudatus)

The Long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus) is a common bird found throughout Europe and the Palearctic. The genus name Aegithalos was a term used by Aristotle for some European tits, including the Long-tailed tit.

The Long-tailed tit is a round-bodied tit with a short, stubby bill and a very long, narrow tail. The male and the female look the same and young birds undergo a complete molt to adult plumage before the first winter. The plumage is mainly black and white, with variable amounts of grey and pink.

Long-tailed tits are globally widespread throughout northern Europe and the Palearctic, into boreal Scandinavia, and south into the Mediterranean zone. These birds don't migrate and inhabit deciduous and mixed woodland with a well-developed shrub layer, favoring edge habitats. They can also be found in scrub, heathland with scattered trees, bushes, and hedges, farmland and riverine woodland, parks, and gardens.

Long-tailed tits are social birds. From July to February, the non-breeding season, they form flocks of relatives and non-relatives, roosting communally. When the breeding season begins, the flocks break up, and the birds attempt to breed in pairs. Males remain within the winter territory, while females usually wander to neighboring territories. At the end of the breeding season, in June and July, the birds reform the winter flocks in their winter territory. Long-tailed tits are diurnal energetic and noisy. When in flocks they issue constant contact calls and are often heard before they are seen. They have three main calls, a single high-pitched 'pit', a ‘triple trill’ eez-eez-eez, and a rattling 'schnuur'. The calls become faster and louder when the birds cross open ground or if an individual becomes separated from the group.

28-11-2016 JURONG, SINGAPORE - WHITE COLLARED KINGFISHER (Todiramphus chloris)

The collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris ) is a medium-sized kingfisher belonging to the subfamily Halcyoninae, the tree kingfishers. It is also known as the white-collared kingfisher, black-masked kingfisher or mangrove kingfisher. It has a wide range extending from the Red Sea across southern Asia to Polynesia. A number of subspecies and subspecies groups have been split from this species including the Pacific kingfisher, the islet kingfisher, the Torresian kingfisher, the Mariana kingfisher, and the Melanesian kingfisher.

The kingfisher is a colorful small to medium bird generally found near to water. The Collared kingfisher is a very widespread species and has numerous subspecies, belonging to the Halcyoninae subfamily, the tree kingfishers. They occur on three continents, namely Australia, Asia, and Africa, occupying a wide range within those continents. The subspecies vary slightly in size but the plumage color is the main variation, with upperparts being greener or bluer, the underparts ranging from buff to white, and the size of the white loral spot differing. Males and females are similar, but the upperparts of males usually are slightly bluer than those of females. Juveniles have a duller color than adults, a black collar band and very small, black scaling over the breast.

The Collared kingfisher occurs from the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea throughout southern and south-eastern Asia, Indonesia, New Guinea, northern Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and the Solomon Islands. It occupies a variety of coastal habitats, from sandy beaches and harbors to mangroves, tidal areas, and mudflats. In the west part of the range, it is mostly confined to mangroves, but may also occur in coconut plantations in Southeast Asia. It sometimes follows large rivers to reach open woodlands, gardens, parks and roadsides, often flying upstream as far as 40 km.

An able predator of fish, being a perch-and-wait type of predator, the Collared kingfisher sits on a branch near water, of one to three meters in height, swooping down to capture its prey on sand or mud. It sits and waits on its perch for a long time, and take its prey back to its perch, where it beats it to death. This species is solitary and highly territorial, locating a prime area according to the food available, desirability of trees for perching and safety of roosting sites. They search for food during mornings and evenings. In cooler weather they hunt for food during the middle of the day as well. Cleanliness is important to them, and they can be seen diving into the water in order to bathe, then flying to a perch where they preen themselves and let their feathers dry in the sunlight. Some even clean their heads with their wings. They use a branch for cleaning their impressive beaks, wiping them back and forth.

28-11-2016 JURONG, SINGAPORE - WHITE THROATED KINGFISHER (Halcyon smyrnensis)

The White-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) is a tree kingfisher, widely distributed in Asia. This kingfisher is a resident over much of its range and can often be found well away from water where it hunts a wide range of prey.

The adult White-throated kingfisher has a bright blue back, wings, and tail. Its head, shoulders, flanks, and lower belly are chestnut, and the throat and breast are white. The large bill and legs are bright red. The flight of the white-throated kingfisher is rapid and direct, the short rounded wings whirring. In flight, large white patches are visible on the blue and black wings. The male and the female are similar, but juveniles are a duller version of the adult.

White-throated kingfishers are found in Asia from the Sinai east through the Indian subcontinent to China and Indonesia. They are mainly resident over much of their range, although some populations may make short-distance movements. White-throated kingfishers live in a variety of habitats, mostly open country in the plains with trees, wires, or other perches; however, they have also been seen in the Himalayas. These birds also occur in tropical forests, mangrove edges, swamps, ponds, plantations, rice fields, and farmland.

White-throated kingfishers are usually seen singly or in pairs. They are active during the day spending their time foraging or perching conspicuously on wires or other exposed perches within their territory. White-throated kingfishers are watch-and-wait hunters which dive onto potential prey from a perch.

White-throated kingfishers are monogamous and form pairs. They begin breeding at the onset of the Monsoons. During this time males perch on prominent high posts in their territory and call in the early morning. The tail may be flicked now and in its courtship display the wings are stiffly flicked open for a second or two exposing the white wing mirrors. They also raise their bill high and display the white throat and front. The female in invitation makes a rapid and prolonged ‘kit-kit-kit...’ call. The nest building begins with both birds flying into a suitable mud wall until an indentation is made where they can find a perch hold. They subsequently perch and continue digging the nest with their bills. The nest is a tunnel in an earth bank. The female then lays a single clutch of 4-7 round white eggs. The eggs hatch in 20-22 days and the altricial chicks fledge in 19 days.

28-11-2016 JURONG, SINGAPORE - RED BREASTED PARAKEET (Psittacula alexandri)

The red-breasted parakeet (Psittacula alexandri ) is among the more widespread species of the genus and is the species which has the most geographical variations. It is easily identified by the large red patch on its breast. An alternative name is the moustached parakeet depending on subspecies. Most of the subspecies are confined to minuscule islands or a cluster of islands in Indonesia. One subspecies occurs in the Andaman islands, and one subspecies occurs in continental Southeast Asia and partly extending to northeastern parts of South Asia along the foothills of the Himalayas. Some of the island races may be threatened by the wild bird trade. The nominate race, which occurs in Java, is close to extinction.

Feral populations of this species have now established themselves in cities like Mumbai and small numbers occur in other cities such as Chennai and Bangalore in India.

This species has been uplisted from Least Concern on the basis of new information about its population trend. It is listed as Near Threatened because it is suspected to be undergoing a moderately rapid population decline owing to on-going trapping pressure, persecution and habitat loss.

This species uses a variety of forest and wooded habitats, including human-altered areas, usually below 2,000 m (Juniper and Parr 1998). Habitats utilised by the species include dry forest, moist deciduous secondary forest, mangroves, cultivated areas with trees and human settlements. Its diet includes wild and cultivated fruits, berries, flowers, nectar, nuts and seeds, leaves and cereals such as rice and maize, thus it frequently causes damage to crops. It nests in tree cavities and lays a clutch of 2-4 eggs. Breeding generally takes place from December to April, although almost year-round on Java (Juniper and Parr 1998). In Nepal, the species is regarded to be easiest parakeet to catch for the pet-trade because of its flocking behaviour and relatively sluggish nature (C. Inskipp and H. S. Baral. in litt. 2016).

28-11-2016 JURONG, SINGAPORE - GOLDEN PHEASANT (MALE) (Chrysolophus pictus)

The Golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) is a colorful bird native to forests in mountainous areas of China. The genus name of this bird comes from Ancient Greek khrusolophos which means "with golden crest", and pictus - Latin for "painted" from pingere, "to paint".

The adult male of this species is unmistakable with its golden crest and rump and bright red body. The deep orange "cape" can be spread in display, appearing as an alternating black and orange fan that covers all of the face except its bright yellow eye with a pinpoint black pupil. The female is much less showy, with a duller mottled brown plumage. The female's breast and sides are barred buff and blackish brown, and the abdomen is plain buff. She has a buff face and throat. Some abnormal females may later in their lifetime get some male plumage. Both males and females have yellow legs and yellow bills.

28-11-2016 JURONG, SINGAPORE - GOLDEN PHEASANT (FEMALE) (Chrysolophus pictus)

The Golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) is a colorful bird native to forests in mountainous areas of China. The genus name of this bird comes from Ancient Greek khrusolophos which means "with golden crest", and pictus - Latin for "painted" from pingere, "to paint".

The adult male of this species is unmistakable with its golden crest and rump and bright red body. The deep orange "cape" can be spread in display, appearing as an alternating black and orange fan that covers all of the face except its bright yellow eye with a pinpoint black pupil. The female is much less showy, with a duller mottled brown plumage. The female's breast and sides are barred buff and blackish brown, and the abdomen is plain buff. She has a buff face and throat. Some abnormal females may later in their lifetime get some male plumage. Both males and females have yellow legs and yellow bills.

Golden pheasants are found in western China. They prefer dense conifer forests in mountainous regions but can also be found in mixed forests with thick shrubs.

Golden pheasants are sedentary and generally solitary birds; outside of the breeding season, they prefer to stay singly. These are mainly terrestrial birds. While they can fly clumsily in short bursts, they prefer to run and spend most of their time on the ground. They feed on the ground but roost in trees at night. During winter, flocks often forage close to human settlements at the edge of the forest, taking primarily wheat leaves and seeds. If startled, they can suddenly burst upwards at great speed and with a distinctive wing sound. Golden pheasants communicate with a wide range of calls that are used in different situations. Their main call sounds as 'chack chack' and in the breeding season males produce a metallic call.

28-11-2016 JURONG, SINGAPORE - TURQUOISE TANAGER (Tangara mexicana)

The turquoise tanager (Tangara mexicana ) is a medium-sized passerine bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is a resident bird from Trinidad, much of Brazil (despite its scientific name, it is not found in Mexico), Colombia and Venezuela south to Bolivia. It is restricted to areas with humid forest, with its primary distribution being the Amazon, while a disjunct population occurs in the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil. The latter population is sometimes considered a separate species, the white-bellied tanager (Tangara brasiliensis ).

It occurs in forest, woodland and cultivation. The bulky cup nest is built in a tree or shrub, and the female incubates three brown-blotched grey-green eggs.

These are social birds usually found in groups. They eat a wide variety of fruit and also take insects, often gleaned from twigs.

28-11-2016 JURONG, SINGAPORE - SCARLET IBIS (Eudocimus ruber)

The Scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) is a species of ibis found in tropical South America and part of the Caribbean. In form, it resembles most of the other twenty-seven extant species of ibis, but its remarkably brilliant scarlet coloration makes it unmistakable. It is one of the two national birds of Trinidad and Tobago, and its Tupi–Guarani name, guará, is part of the name of several municipalities along the coast of Brazil. This medium-sized wader is a hardy, numerous, and prolific bird, and it has protected status around the world.

Adult plumage is virtually all scarlet. The feathers may show various tints and shades, but only the tips of their wings deviate from their namesake color. A small but reliable marking, these wingtips are a rich inky black (or occasionally dark blue) and are found only on the longest primaries - otherwise, the birds' coloration is "a vivid orange-red, almost luminous in quality." Scarlet ibises have red bills and feet however the bill is sometimes blackish, especially toward the end. They have a long, narrow, decurved bill. Their legs and necks are long and extended in flight. A juvenile scarlet ibis is a mix of grey, brown, and white. As it grows, a heavy diet of red crustaceans produces the scarlet coloration. The color change begins with the juvenile's second molt, around the time it begins to fly: the change starts on the back and spreads gradually across the body while increasing in intensity over a period of about two years.

The Scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) is a species of ibis found in tropical South America and part of the Caribbean. In form, it resembles most of the other twenty-seven extant species of ibis, but its remarkably brilliant scarlet coloration makes it unmistakable. It is one of the two national birds of Trinidad and Tobago, and its Tupi–Guarani name, guará, is part of the name of several municipalities along the coast of Brazil. This medium-sized wader is a hardy, numerous, and prolific bird, and it has protected status around the world.

Adult plumage is virtually all scarlet. The feathers may show various tints and shades, but only the tips of their wings deviate from their namesake color. A small but reliable marking, these wingtips are a rich inky black (or occasionally dark blue) and are found only on the longest primaries - otherwise, the birds' coloration is "a vivid orange-red, almost luminous in quality." Scarlet ibises have red bills and feet however the bill is sometimes blackish, especially toward the end. They have a long, narrow, decurved bill. Their legs and necks are long and extended in flight. A juvenile scarlet ibis is a mix of grey, brown, and white. As it grows, a heavy diet of red crustaceans produces the scarlet coloration. The color change begins with the juvenile's second molt, around the time it begins to fly: the change starts on the back and spreads gradually across the body while increasing in intensity over a period of about two years.

Scarlet ibises are found throughout South America and the Caribbean islands. Native flocks exist in Brazil; Colombia; French Guiana; Guyana; Suriname; and Venezuela, as well as the islands of the Netherlands Antilles, and Trinidad and Tobago. There is an outlying colony in the Santos-Cubatão mangroves of the Baixada Santista district in southeastern Brazil, which is considered critically endangered. Scarlet ibises perform seasonal shifts and migrations within their range. they inhabit wetlands and other marshy habitats, including mudflats, mangroves, freshwater lakes, and rainforests.

Scarlet ibises are social and gregarious birds. They live in flocks of thirty or more. Members stay close, and mating pairs locate their nests in close proximity to other pairs in the same tree. For protection, flocks often congregate in large colonies of several thousand individuals. They also regularly participate in mixed flocks, gaining additional safety through numbers: storks, spoonbills, egrets, herons, and ducks are all common companions during feedings and flights. 

Scarlet ibises are highly migratory and are able to fly on very long distances; during migration, they move as flocks in a classic V formation. When flying the birds soar and glide usually at great heights and speeds. Scarlet ibises are active during the day and spend most of their time foraging. When feeding, they use their distinctive long, thin bills to probe for food in soft mud or under plants. When they need to communicate with each other, the birds will make a honking noise. The nestlings have a shrill cry used to let parents know that they are hungry.

28-11-2016 JURONG, SINGAPORE - SCARLET IBIS (Eudocimus ruber)

The Scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) is a species of ibis found in tropical South America and part of the Caribbean. In form, it resembles most of the other twenty-seven extant species of ibis, but its remarkably brilliant scarlet coloration makes it unmistakable. It is one of the two national birds of Trinidad and Tobago, and its Tupi–Guarani name, guará, is part of the name of several municipalities along the coast of Brazil. This medium-sized wader is a hardy, numerous, and prolific bird, and it has protected status around the world.

Adult plumage is virtually all scarlet. The feathers may show various tints and shades, but only the tips of their wings deviate from their namesake color. A small but reliable marking, these wingtips are a rich inky black (or occasionally dark blue) and are found only on the longest primaries - otherwise, the birds' coloration is "a vivid orange-red, almost luminous in quality." Scarlet ibises have red bills and feet however the bill is sometimes blackish, especially toward the end. They have a long, narrow, decurved bill. Their legs and necks are long and extended in flight. A juvenile scarlet ibis is a mix of grey, brown, and white. As it grows, a heavy diet of red crustaceans produces the scarlet coloration. The color change begins with the juvenile's second molt, around the time it begins to fly: the change starts on the back and spreads gradually across the body while increasing in intensity over a period of about two years.

Scarlet ibises are found throughout South America and the Caribbean islands. Native flocks exist in Brazil; Colombia; French Guiana; Guyana; Suriname; and Venezuela, as well as the islands of the Netherlands Antilles, and Trinidad and Tobago. There is an outlying colony in the Santos-Cubatão mangroves of the Baixada Santista district in southeastern Brazil, which is considered critically endangered. Scarlet ibises perform seasonal shifts and migrations within their range. they inhabit wetlands and other marshy habitats, including mudflats, mangroves, freshwater lakes, and rainforests.

Scarlet ibises are social and gregarious birds. They live in flocks of thirty or more. Members stay close, and mating pairs locate their nests in close proximity to other pairs in the same tree. For protection, flocks often congregate in large colonies of several thousand individuals. They also regularly participate in mixed flocks, gaining additional safety through numbers: storks, spoonbills, egrets, herons, and ducks are all common companions during feedings and flights. 

Scarlet ibises are highly migratory and are able to fly on very long distances; during migration, they move as flocks in a classic V formation. When flying the birds soar and glide usually at great heights and speeds. Scarlet ibises are active during the day and spend most of their time foraging. When feeding, they use their distinctive long, thin bills to probe for food in soft mud or under plants. When they need to communicate with each other, the birds will make a honking noise. The nestlings have a shrill cry used to let parents know that they are hungry.

28-11-2016 JURONG, SINGAPORE - STRAW NECKED IBIS (Threskiornis spinicollis)

The straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis) is a bird of the ibis and spoonbill family Threskiornithidae. It can be found throughout Australia, New Guinea, and parts of Indonesia. Adults have distinctive straw-like feathers on their necks.

Straw-necked ibises are commonly found throughout Australia, nesting at least occasionally in all mainland states and territories, except in the arid interior. They are most abundant on the east coast, and are vagrant to New Zealand, Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. They are less frequently seen in New Guinea, Indonesia, and occasionally in Tasmania and other islands of the Bass Strait.

Found around shallow freshwater wetlands, cultivated pastures, edges of swamps and lagoons, and wet or dry grasslands. They tend to avoid arid and saltwater areas, and coastal mudflats. They are extremely nomadic, and are constantly on the move searching for suitable habitats. They are frequently seen standing on high branches of bare trees, silhouetted against the sky.

Straw-necked ibises are large birds, around 59–76 cm (23–30 in) long, with a bare black head and a long, downcurved black bill. They have a distinctive, highly iridescent plumage, which can appear fairly uniform dirty dark brown in indifferent light; the wings are dark, with an iridescent, multicoloured sheen in sunlight. They have a shiny blue-black back, with a metallic purple, green and bronze glow, and a dark collar. The upper neck is white, as are the underparts and the undertail; their legs are usually red near the top and dark grey toward the feet. Adults have straw-colored feathers on the neck, giving the bird its common name. Their wingspan is about 100–120 cm (39.5–47 in) and weight is generally 1.1–1.5 kg (2.5–3.5 lb).

Sexes are similar, although males have longer bills and females have a dark band across their upper breast. Juveniles have duller colors and shorter bills with less curvature, and lack the straw-like plumes on the neck.

Straw-neck ibises are partly migratory: some birds are sedentary, while others make seasonal or erratic movements when water conditions vary. Seasonal migrations are recorded from south-eastern and northern Australia, as well as from coast and inland wetlands in central Australia, and across the Torres Strait between north-eastern Australia and southern New Guinea. Non-breeding migrants arrive in western Australia and leave in autumn, the arrival dates are closely correlated with rainfall during the preceding spring. They typically fly in line or in V formation, reaching high altitudes during long-distance movements.

Vocalizations are made mainly around breeding colonies; calls are composed of croaks, barks and grunts. In flight, at intervals, they may produce a hoarse grunt. They feed in flocks of up to 200 birds; they probe in soil, mud, crevices, vegetation or shallow water.

Straw-necked ibises feed primarily on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, although their diets can vary. In shallow waters, straw-necked ibises feed on aquatic insects, molluscs, frogs, freshwater crayfish (Cherax) and fish. On land, they thrive on insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and locusts, and are often called the Farmer's Friend because they eat pests that would otherwise eat farm crops. They also eat skinks and other small lizards, and small reptiles, as well as rodents.

Compared to the Australian white ibis, they have not adapted to a wide variety of food and are only rarely opportunistic scavengers of human waste. Citizen scientists have reported seeing them eat cane toads (Bufo marinus), avoiding being poisoned by flicking the toads about until they release the toxin which is their defence mechanism, then taking them to a creek to wash them.

Breeding season is highly variable, mainly influenced by water conditions. In southwestern Australia, it normally occurs from August to December; occasional breeding takes place in the north, but on a very small scale. Breeding has been observed for all months throughout the central and northern regions, usually occurring over the year following heavy rain in some areas.

They build a large, rough, cup-shaped nest of sticks and trampled plants among reeds, paperbarks, bulrushes, or trees over water. They breed in colonies, often with the Australian white ibis. Nests are used year after year. Clutches vary from 2–5 eggs, with an incubation period of around 24 to 25 days, by both parents. Both parents feed and care for the young, about 35 days after hatching. Feeding is by regurgitation and continues up to two weeks after leaving the nest.

28-11-2016 JURONG, SINGAPORE - ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)

The Roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) is a gregarious wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family, Threskiornithidae. It is a resident breeder in both South and North America. Plume hunting in the 18th and 19th centuries almost drove these beautiful birds to extinction.

Adult Roseate spoonbills have a bare greenish head and a white neck, back, and breast (with a tuft of pink feathers in the center when breeding), and are otherwise a deep pink. The colors can range from pale pink to bright magenta, depending on age, whether breeding or not, and location. Unlike herons, spoonbills fly with their necks outstretched, and they alternate groups of stiff, shallow wingbeats with glides.

Roseate spoonbills are resident breeders in South America mostly east of the Andes and in coastal regions of the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, the Gulf Coast of the United States, and from central Florida's Atlantic coast at least as far north as South Carolina's Myrtle Beach. These birds inhabit coastal marshes, bays, lagoons, mangroves, and mudflats. They usually nest and roost in trees and shrubs near water.

Roseate spoonbills are gregarious birds and prefer to feed and fly in groups. They are active during the day spending many hours foraging in shallow fresh or coastal waters. The birds feed by swinging their bill from side to side as they steadily walk through the water, often in groups. Their spoon-shaped bill allows them to sift easily through mud feeling and looking for prey. The bill has sensitive nerve endings and once the birds feel the prey touch their bill they snap it closed. Roseate spoonbills roost in colonies often with other waders. They sleep standing, often on one leg with their head hidden under a shoulder. These birds are usually silent but when alarmed they will produce a low-pitched 'huh-huh-huh'; when feeding they may utter a very low, guttural sound.

28-11-2016 JURONG, SINGAPORE - RAINBOW LORIKEET (Trichoglossus haematodus)

The Rainbow lorikeet is a medium-sized colorful parrot. Its head is deep blue with a greenish-yellow nuchal collar, and the rest of the upper parts (wings, back, and tail) are green. The chest is orange/yellow in color. The belly is deep blue, and the thighs and rump are green. In flight a yellow wing-bar contrasts clearly with the red underwing coverts. The males and the females in this species are similar in appearance and juveniles have a black beak, which gradually brightens to orange in the adults.

Rainbow lorikeets are found along the eastern seaboard, from northern Queensland to South Australia. They live in rainforests, mangroves, woodlands, coastal bushes, and in urban areas.

Rainbow lorikeets are social, active, and noisy birds. They often travel together in pairs and occasionally respond to calls to fly as a flock, then disperse again into pairs. They are territorial and each pair defends its feeding and nesting area aggressively against other Rainbow lorikeets and other bird species. They chase off not only smaller birds but also larger birds such as the Australian magpie. Rainbow lorikeets feed and roost in treetops and rarely come to the ground. They are very strong flyers and daily travel up to 30 km between feeding and roosting sites.

Rainbow lorikeets are monogamous and remain paired for long periods, if not for life. In southern Australia, breeding usually occurs from late winter to early summer (August to January). In other parts of Australia, breeding has been recorded every month except March, varying from region to region due to changes in food availability and climate. Rainbow lorikeets may nest in various sites including hollows of tall trees such as eucalyptus, palm trunks, or overhanging rock. Pairs sometimes nest in the same tree with other Rainbow lorikeet pairs or even other bird species. The female lays a clutch of between 1 and 3 eggs, which she incubates alone for around 25 days. The chicks hatch altricial (helpless) and are tended by both parents. They fledge at 56-64 days of age but continue to be fed by their parents for another 2-3 weeks. Rainbow lorikeets start to breed when they are 12-15 months old and may produce up to 3 broods per season.

Despite being widespread throughout their native range, Rainbow lorikeets are threatened by habitat loss and capture for the international parrot trade.

According to IUCN, the Rainbow lorikeet is common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing.

28-11-2016 JURONG, SINGAPORE - 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.

28-11-2016 JURONG, SINGAPORE - ORIENTAL MAGPIE (Pica serica)

The Oriental magpie (Pica serica ) is a species of magpie found from south-eastern Russia and Myanmar to eastern China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and northern Indochina. It is also a common symbol of the Korean identity, and has been adopted as the "official bird" of numerous South Korean cities, counties and provinces. Other names for the Oriental magpie include Korean magpie and Asian magpie.

In Korea, the magpie (까치, "kkachi") is celebrated as "a bird of great good fortune, of sturdy spirit and a provider of prosperity and development". In the same vein of bringing fortune and luck, Korean children were also taught that when you lose a tooth, to throw it on the roof singing a song for the magpie; 까치야 까치야 헌이 줄게. The bird will hear your song and bring you a new tooth.

Similarly, in China, magpies are seen as an omen of good fortune. This is reflected in the Chinese word for magpie, simplified Chinese: 喜鹊; traditional Chinese: 喜鵲; pinyin: xǐquè, in which the first character means "happiness". It was the official ‘bird of joy’ for the Manchu dynasty.

In Japan, it is found in all the main islands except Shikoku. It is called Kasasagi 鵲, the same name as is used for the Eurasian magpie (Pica pica ).

Compared to the Eurasian magpie, it is somewhat stockier, with a proportionally shorter tail and longer wings. The back, tail, and particularly the remiges show strong purplish-blue iridescence with few if any green hues. They are the largest magpies. They have a rump plumage that is mostly black, with but a few and often hidden traces of the white band which connects the white shoulder patches in their relatives.The Oriental magpie has the same call as the Eurasian magpie, albeit much softer.

28-11-2016 JURONG, SINGAPORE - MAGPIE GOOSE (Anseranas semipalmata)

The magpie goose (Anseranas semipalmata ) is the sole living representative species of the family Anseranatidae. This common waterbird is found in northern Australia and southern New Guinea. As the species is prone to wandering, especially when not breeding, it is sometimes recorded outside its core range. The species was once also widespread in southern Australia, but disappeared from there largely due to the drainage of the wetlands where the birds once bred. Due to their importance to Aboriginal people as a seasonal food source, as subjects of recreational hunting, and as a tourist attraction, their expansive and stable presence in northern Australia has been "ensured protective management".

Magpie geese are unmistakable birds with their black and white plumage and yellowish legs. The feet are only partially webbed, and the magpie goose feeds on vegetable matter in the water, as well as on land. Males are larger than females. Unlike true geese, their moult is gradual, so no flightless periods result. Their voice is a loud honking.

The magpie goose is found in a variety of open wetland areas such as floodplains and swamps, where they wade and swim. They eat mostly vegetation such as dry grass blades, grass seeds, spike rush bulbs and wild rice.

It is fairly sedentary apart from some movement during the dry season. They are colonial breeders and are gregarious outside of the breeding season when they can form large and noisy flocks of up to a few thousand individuals. Its nest is on the ground (also in trees 5 m or more high), and a typical clutch is 5-14 eggs. Some males mate with two females, all of which raise the young, unlike some other polygamous birds. This may be beneficial when predation of young is high as chicks raised by trios are more likely to survive.

This species is plentiful across its range, although this is significantly reduced in comparison to the range at time of European settlement. The range once extended as far south as the Coorong and the wetlands of the southeast of South Australia and Western Victoria. For Australia as a whole, it is not threatened and has a controlled hunting season when numbers are large. However, most of the southern populations were extirpated in the mid-20th century by overhunting and habitat destruction. The species has been subject to reintroduction projects such as Bool Lagoon between Penola and Naracoorte. Populations in more northern areas have again reached a level where it can be regularly utilized by hunters, although not in the example provided. The magpie goose was listed as near threatened on the 2007 advisory list of threatened vertebrate fauna in Victoria. In the December 2007 Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act list of threatened fauna, it is also listed. As of early 2008, an Action Statement for the recovery and future management of this species had not been prepared.

With the advent of climate change, and more frequent seawater inundations of the current extensive freshwater floodplains, CSIRO scientists argue that magpie geese populations may be at risk.