Strange M. - Tropical Birds of Southeast Asia

Published by Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.

Copyright 1998 Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Printed in the Republic of Singapore
ISBN: 978-1-4629-1391-6 (ebook)

Publisher: Eric M. Oey
Design: Peter Ivey
Editor: Julia Henderson
Production: Agnes Tan
Cover photographs: Morten Strange
Additional photographs by Lassie Laine,
Pete Morris, Ong Kiem Sian, Atsuo Tsuji,
Eric Woods and Alan Ow Yong

Distributors
Indonesia
PT Wira Mandata Pustaka
(Java Books-Indonesia)
Jalan Kelapa Gading Kirana,
Blok A14 No. 17,
Jakarta 14240

Singapore and Malaysia
Berkeley Books Pte. Ltd.
61 Tai Seng Avenue, #02-12
Singapore 534167
Tel: (65) 6280 1330
Fax: (65) 6280 6290
Email: inquiries@periplus.com.sg
Web site: www.periplus.com

United States
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Tel 1 (802) 773 8930
Fax 1 (802) 773 6993

Index of Common Names

Adjutant, Lesser 8

Argus, Great 14

Babbler,

Scaly-crowned 50

Sooty-capped 50

Barbet, Blue-eared 40

Red-throated 40

Bee-eater,

Blue-tailed 37

Blue-throated 37

Broadbill,

Long-tailed 42

Bulbul,

Yellow-vented 46

Coucal, Lesser 30

Crake,

Ruddy-breasted 17

Crow, House 48

Large-billed 48

Cuckoo, Indian 29

Plaintive 31

Dove, Spotted 24

Zebra 25

Drongo, Greater

Racket-tailed 47

Egret, Cattle 6

Chinese 6

Great 6

Little 6

Plumed 6

Flowerpecker,

Orange-bellied 62

Yellow-breasted 62

Fruit-Dove, Jambu 22

Greenshank,

Common 20

Heron, Javan Pond 5

Chinese Pond Little 4

Hornbill, Brown 38

Great 38

Oriental Pied 38

Rhinoceros 38

Wreathed 38

Junglefowl, Red 14

Kingfisher, Banded 34

Blue-eared 34

Collared 34

Common 34

Oriental Dwarf 34

White-throated 34

Kite,

Black-shouldered 13

Brahminy 11

Laughingthrush,

Sunda 50

Leafbird,

Blue-winged 45

Greater Green 45

Malkoha,

Chestnut-bellied 28

Mesia,

Silver-eared 50

Myna, Common 58

Hill 58

White-vented 58

Nightjar,

Large-tailed 33

Oriole,

Black-naped 49

Paradise-Flycatcher,

Asian 56

Parakeet,

Long-tailed 27

Parrot, Blue-crowned

Hanging 26

Peacock-Pheasant,

Bronze-tailed 14

Palawan 14

Peafowl, Green 14

Pigeon,

Green Imperial 22

Green-Winged 22

Little Green 22

Pink-necked 22

Thick-billed 22

Pitta, Blue-winged 43

Plover, Malaysian 19

Quail,

Blue-breasted 14

Redshank,

Common 20

Reef-Egret, Pacific 6

Robin, Magpie 52

Sandpiper,

Common 20

Marsh 20

Terek 20

Wood 20

Scops-Owl,

Collared 32

Sea-Eagle,

White-bellied 12

Serpent-Eagle,

Crested 10

Shama,

White-rumped 53

Shrike,

Long-tailed 57

Tiger 57

Starling, Philippine Glossy 58

Stork, Marabou 8

Sunbird,

Brown-throated 60

Crimson 60

Olive-backed 60

Ruby-cheeked 60

Swallow, Pacific 44

Barn 44

Tailorbird, Ashy 55

Tern, Black-naped 18

Little 18

White-winged 18

Thrush,

Chestnut-capped 54

Orange-headed 54

Tit-Babbler,

Striped 50

Tree-Duck, Lesser 9

Trogon, Diard's 36

Turnstone, Ruddy 20

Waterhen,

White-breasted 16

White-eye, Oriental 63

Wood-Partridge, Crested 14

Ferruginous 14

Woodpecker,

Crimson-winged 41

Introduction

Southeast Asia is home to a remarkable array of bird speciesthe most diverse on Earth. These birds range in size from the tiny Orange-bellied Flowerpeckers living deep within the rainforest, to massive White-bellied Sea -Eagles soaring high above the open seas. They vary in color from drab, olive babblers, to exquisitely-hued kingfishers. Lively sandpipers run on the open mudflats, while inert, enigmatic trogons perch motionless just below the rainforest canopy.

Three well-defined, zoogeographical realms lie within Southeast Asia: the Oriental region (extending from Pakistan across southern China, Taiwan, the Philippines and into Indonesia); the Australasian region (reaching from the island of New Guinea, south-east across Australia including New Zealand); and a transitional subregion, known as Wallacea, located between the Oriental and the Australasian regions (covering central Indonesia). Taxonomic research carried out in 1996 by the Oriental Bird Club showed that the Oriental region alone was found to contain a staggering 2,586 bird species. Some are endemic to specific areas or single islands, especially in the Philippines and Indonesia, while others are widespread and found in most countries.

Residents and visitors alike are taking an increasing interest in the birdlife around them, however birdwatching (or "birding") is not that easy in Southeast Asia. Evergreen tropical rainforests are usually the natural vegetation cover and inside these thickly-canopied forests the birds are usually difficult to find and see clearly. These forest birds occupy narrow niches in a complex and static ecosystemthey reproduce slowly and the nests of many have never been found. An alarming number are in danger of extinction. Consequently, national parks and nature reserves have been created throughout the region to protect bird habitats that are, in many cases, disappearing.

The majority of species native to Southeast Asia are unable to adapt to life in villages and gardensthose that do adjust are mostly coastal mangrove residents. A mature garden can be visited by up to fifty of these species during a year and more can be attracted if the right vegetation or a feeding table with fruits and meal worms is provided. The birds we have selected for this Nature Guide are mainly the easy-to-find species that have adapted to living in disturbed habitats near human habitation. These familiar birds are interspersed with some of the more specialized individuals found only in forest habitats. All are presented in conventional taxonomic order.

It is our hope that this introductory guide will help you enjoy the birdlife found in your everyday surroundings and in Southeast Asia's many excellent nature reserves.

Morten Strange

Little Heron

Butorides striatus

The most widespread and common member of the Ardeidae family, the Little Heron is resident throughout Southeast Asia. Like all other family members, it has long legs and a strong beak used for catching fish and other aquatic prey. This heron can be found on coastal mudflats and beaches as well as near reservoirs and rivers far inland, usually seen as solitary individuals or in pairs. However during the northern winter individuals from the subtropical regions migrate south and this species then becomes more numerous, forming loose flocks around the coastlines.