Saturday, 10 March 2018
28-12-2015 MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM - COMMON CROW BUTTERFLY (Euploea lewiniip)
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Euploea core, the common crow, is a common butterfly found in South Asia to Australia. In India it is also sometimes referred to as the common Indian crow, and in Australia as the Australian crow. It belongs to the crows and tigers subfamily Danainae (tribe Danaini).
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E. core is a glossy-black, medium-sized 85–95 mm (3.3–3.7 in) butterfly with rows of white spots on the margins of its wings. E. core is a slow, steady flier. Due to its unpalatability it is usually observed gliding through the air with a minimum of effort. As caterpillars, this species sequesters toxins from its food plant which are passed on from larva to pupa to the adult. While feeding, it is a very bold butterfly, taking a long time at each bunch of flowers. It can also be found mud-puddling with others of its species and often in mixed groups. The males of this species visit plants like Crotalaria and Heliotropium to replenish pheromone stocks which are used to attract a female during courtship.
Friday, 9 March 2018
7-1-2016 HONG KONG - GREAT EGGFLY BUTTERFLY (Hypolimnas bolina)
Hypolimnas bolina, the great eggfly, common eggfly, varied eggfly, or in New Zealand the blue moon butterfly, is a species of nymphalid butterfly found from Madagascar to Asia and Australia.
H. bolina is found in Madagascar in the west, through to South and Southeast Asia, Cambodia, the South Pacific islands (French Polynesia, Tonga, Tuvalu, Samoa, and Vanuatu), and occurs in parts of Australia as far south as Victoria during summer and autumn, Japan, and New Zealand. Appearances in New Zealand appear to be linked with favourable winds during April–June migratory periods in Australia, with the butterfly being recorded in 1956, 1971, and 1995. No populations have established locally in New Zealand.
H. bolina is a generally common butterfly across most tropical and sub-tropical habitat types, including wet/dry woodland (such as tropical savanna), rainforest, and shrubland. It is a common visitor to suburban back yards and other areas of human disturbance. In the Australian tropics, H. bolina is particularly common along tracks, streambeds, and the corridors formed between remnant gallery forest and cultivated sugar cane fields. Both sexes are invariably found in association with one or more larval hostplant species, especially disturbance species such as Synedrella nodiflora, Sida rhombifolia, and Commelina cyanea.
30-12-2015 HOI AN, VIETNAM - PHILIPPINE GROUND ORCHID (Spathoglottis plicata)
Spathoglottis plicata, commonly known as the Philippine ground orchid, or large purple orchid is an evergreen, terrestrial plant with crowded pseudobulbs, three or four large, pleated leaves and up to forty resupinate, pink to purple flowers. It is found from tropical and subtropical Asia to Australia and the western Pacific including Tonga and Samoa.
Spathoglottis plicata is an evergreen, terrestrial herb which forms tall clumps. It has crowded pseudobulbs 40–60 mm (1.6–2.4 in) long and 20–40 mm (0.8–2 in) wide, each with three or four pleated leaves 50–90 mm (2–4 in) long and 8–15 mm (0.3–0.6 in) wide on a stalk 80–150 mm (3–6 in) long. Up to forty deep pink to purple resupinate flowers 35–55 mm (1–2 in) long and wide are borne on a hairy flowering stem 50–100 cm (20–40 in) tall. The dorsal sepal is 20–30 mm (0.8–1 in) long and the lateral sepals are slightly narrower. The petals are about the same length as the sepals but significantly wider. The labellum is T-shaped, a similar size to the dorsal sepal and has three lobes with the side lobes close to vertical. At the tip of the column there is a cap, under which masses of yellow pollen grains can be seen.
Thursday, 8 March 2018
6-1-2016 HONG KONG - BALI MYNA (Leucopsar rothschildi)
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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.
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Population size
50
Life Span
5-15 years
Weight
70-115
goz
g oz
Length
25
cminch
cm inch
Wingspan
52-56
cminch
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.
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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.
3-1-2016 HONG KONG - ORANGE SPOTTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus bimaculatus)
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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.
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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 - YELLOW FACED MYNA (Mino dumontii)
The yellow-faced myna (Mino dumontii) is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is found in New Guinea and nearby smaller islands, where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. The long-tailed myna was formerly included as a subspecies. One of the largest species of starling, this species attains 23 to 26 cm (9 to 10 in) in length and weighs around 217 g (7.7 oz).[2] They have dark plumage with a metallic lustre and bright orange facial markings and beak. These birds are social and omnivorous. Their diet consists of fruit and insects for which they forage high in the canopy. They are common birds with a wide range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed their conservation status as being of "least concern". It was named after Charles Dumont.
4-1-2016 HONG KONG - JAVA SPARROW (Lonchura oryzivora)
A small, plump finch with a very thick pink bill. The black head and white cheek patch are distinctive. Juveniles have a similar color pattern but are grayer. Social; forages in flocks and roosts communally. Forages in rice fields, grasslands, meadows, and urban and suburban areas (in introduced range). Call consists of one or more musical chirps. Native to the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali, where now quite rare. Introduced widely across the globe including India, Philippines, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and the Hawaiian Islands.
The Java sparrow (Padda oryzivora) is a small passerine bird. It is a popular cage bird and has been introduced into many other countries.
The adult Java sparrow is unmistakable, with its grey upperparts and breast, pink belly, white-cheeked black head, red eye-ring, pink feet, and thick red bill. The male and the female are similar. Immature birds have brown upperparts and pale brown underparts, and a plain head. Very young birds have a black beak with a pink base.
These birds do not migrate and are found throughout the year in Java, Bali, and Bawean in Indonesia. They inhabit open woodlands, open grasslands, savannas, cultivated areas, villages, and towns.
Java sparrows are diurnal and very gregarious birds that live and forage in flocks. Outside of the breeding season flocks may travel short distances in search of better feeding areas. The call of Java sparrows is a ‘chip’, and their song is a rapid series of call notes ‘chipchipchipchipchipchip’.
Java sparrows are monogamous birds that form pairs. During the breeding season, males sing songs in order to attract females. Java sparrows construct their nests in a tree or building. Females lay up to 8 eggs and incubation takes approximately 14 days. The chicks are protected by both parents and start to breed when they are 1 year old.
The main threats to the Java sparrow include an ongoing loss of natural habitat, hunting in some areas, and trapping (as a pest) in others. These birds are also severely threatened by the illegal exotic pet trade as they are sought after for their distinctive song.
According to IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Java sparrow is 1,000-2,499 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are decreasing.
6-1-2016 EDWARD YOUDE AVIARY, HONG KONG - BALI MYNA (Leucopsar rothschildi)
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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.
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Population size
50
Life Span
5-15 years
Weight
70-115
goz
g oz
Length
25
cminch
cm inch
Wingspan
52-56
cminch
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.
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.
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.
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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'.
Crested pigeons are monogamous and form pairs. They breed throughout the year, with the peak in the warmer months. Males perform a courtship display to attract the female by displaying an elaborate mating dance; they bob their bodies up and down while opening and closing their wings like a fan with each bob. This is accompanied by a soft hooting which is timed with the bobbing. Crested pigeons usually nest in shrubs or trees constructing a platform of twigs. The female lays 2 oval, white, glossy eggs and both parents incubate them for about 3 weeks. For another 3 weeks, both parents will feed and protect their chicks until they are ready to leave the nest.
3-1-2016 HONG KONG - ASIAN EMERALD DOVE (Chalcophaps indica)
The common emerald dove (Chalcophaps indica ), also called Asian emerald dove and grey-capped emerald dove, is a widespread resident breeding pigeon native to the tropical and subtropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The dove is also known by the names of green dove and green-winged pigeon. The common emerald dove is the state bird of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Pacific emerald dove and Stephan's emerald dove were both considered conspecific.
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.
This is a common species in tropical forests and similar dense wet woodlands, farms and mangroves. It builds a scant stick nest in a tree up to five metres and lays two cream-coloured eggs.
3-1-2016 HONG KONG - BLACK CAPPED LORY (Lorius lory)
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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.
Wednesday, 7 March 2018
20-12-2015 JURONG, SINGAPORE - WHITE NAPED CRANE (Antigone vipio)
The white-naped crane (Antigone vipio ) is a bird of the crane family. It is a large bird, 112–125 cm (44–49 in) long, about 130 cm (4.3 ft) tall, and weighing about 5.6 kg (12 lb), with pinkish legs, a grey-and-white-striped neck, and a red face patch.
The White-naped crane is the only species of crane with pinkish legs and a neck that is white and dark gray striped. Its hind neck and nape are white, surrounded by a large reddish face patch. The plumage of the adult is dark gray, the wings and wing coverts being silvery gray. Both genders look the same, although in breeding pairs the males are usually slightly larger. Like other species of crane, the White-naped crane engages in beautiful courtship displays with elaborate calls.
20-12-2015 JURONG, SINGAPORE - EURASIAN GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)
A heavyset seabird with a long, thick neck, blocky head, and heavy hooked bill. The legs are short, the tail fairly long, and the wings broad.
Adults are blackish overall with white throat and yellowish skin around the bill. When breeding, adults have a square patch of white on the thigh and white neck feathers. Juveniles are brownish with a whitish throat and belly, with some brownish streaking at the edges.
20-12-2015 JURONG, SINGAPORE - ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)
The roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) comes from the United States and South America. This bird is raised in colonies which serve as a defence against predators.
They have a spoon shaped bill to catch food, from which their name is taken. At the start of the 20th century, populations of this species suffered tragic reductions due to the women’s fashion of wearing their eye-catching feathers in hats.
The roseate spoonbill spends a lot of its time in shallow water feeding. It sweeps its open bill from side to side in the water to sift up food like small fish, shrimp, mollusks, snails, and insects. It has touch receptors in its bill that help it feel its prey. Like the flamingo, the roseate spoonbill's pink color comes from the food it eats. Some of the crustaceans it feeds on eat algae that give the spoonbill's feathers their rosy pink color.
The most distinctive characteristic of the roseate spoonbill is its long, spoon-shaped bill. It has a white head and chest, light pink wings with a darker pink fringe, and very long pink legs. The roseate spoonbill is about 2.5 feet in length with a wingspan of about 4.5 feet. Both males and females have the same plumage and coloring. The male is slightly larger than the female, and his bill is a little longer.
The roseate spoonbill is found on the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, and southern Florida. It is also found in the Caribbean and in Central and South America.
Roseate SpoonbillThe roseate spoonbill lives in mangrove swamps, tidal ponds, saltwater lagoons, and other areas with brackish water.
Roseate spoonbills are very social. They live in large colonies with other spoonbills, ibises, storks, herons, egrets, and cormorants. Roseate spoonbills fly in flocks in long diagonal lines with their legs and neck stretched out.
The roseate spoonbill population was once threatened by hunting. In the mid-to-late 1800s, its feathers were used in ladies' hats and fans. The population was also threatened by loss of habitat due to drainage and pollution. By the early 20th century, the population had shrunk to only a few dozen nesting pairs in the United States. Special protected areas were set aside for them, and in the 1940s they were made a protected species. Over time the population recovered and today the roseate spoonbill is no longer a protected species.
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