Gurneys PittaNicobar Pigeon Extension

TRIPLIST Gurney's Pitta/Nicobar Pigeon Extension February 2, 2008 to February 7, 2008 Rose Ann Rowlett with Yotin Meekaeo The Extension focuses on some charismatic specialties more easily found in southern Thailand than elsewhere. Foremost among them is the Critically Endangered--and exquisite--Gurney's Pitta, which occurs only in peninsular Thailand and adjacent Myanmar. Indeed, our fabulous views of a male of this species, foraging at length in a carpet of understory leaves, was the highlight of our extension. On successive mornings we saw Gurney's and the equally exquisite, though not globally threatened, Banded Pitta. And on our final morning we had wonderful views of the stunning Mangrove Pitta, glowing amid the stilt roots, its long bill still muddy from digging in the wet mud. Yes, it was a 3-pitta extension--with excellent views obtained by all. I wish I could say that for the enigmatic Nicobar Pigeon, which has co-starred on past extensions. This February it was seen by only one lucky participant despite much searching within Similan Islands National Park. I'm afraid we hit the island on a day with so many vacationers that the pigeons were flushed back into inaccessible sites for the middle part of the day, when we were there. It seems we would have to overnight on the island to guarantee seeing this shy pigeon during the peak tourist season. As consolation, however, we did have wonderful views of two other lovely island pigeons, Pied Imperial-Pigeon and Green Imperial-Pigeon. Perhaps this year's extension should have been titled "Gurney's Pitta & Oriental Bay-Owl Extension," for our unbelievable looks at this strange and notoriously difficult-to-see relative of the Barn Owl. An inhabitant of the understory of humid forest, this tytonid with the musical song, the strangely shaped face and big head, perched at close range for all to enjoy and even photograph! But then such a performance can't be guaranteed next year. Night-birding is a significant aspect of this extension, however, and other nocturnal forays produced scope views of an Oriental Scops-Owl and, ultimately, that many-plumed Javan Frogmouth. Daytime birding at Khao Nor Chuchi and in the mangroves near Krabi produced good looks at some 50 species that we had not seen on the Thailand tour. They ranged from impressive raptors like Blyth's Hawk-Eagle, Black Baza, and Oriental Hobby to such dazzlers as Green and Black-and-red broadbills and Ruddy and Brown-winged kingfishers. But the majority were bulbuls and babblers of more tropical, southern affinities than those on our regular tour, many of which are easily found in Malaysia. All of them were great fun to see. Wat, Jeed, Saney, and Pon continued in the south as our reliable support team, and we owe special thanks to local expert Yotin Meekaeo, who joined us for two full days at KNC. In the list below, the following abbreviations are used: K = Krabi area, including the mangroves by boat & boardwalk KNC = Khao Nor Chuchi area, including the wildlife sanctuary S = Similan Islands National Park List total: 139 bird taxa and 5 mammal taxa If marked to left of list, * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant gur08rar Guided by Field Guides Incorporated 800-728-4953 512-263-7295 fieldguides@fieldguides.com www.fieldguides.com Phalacrocoracidae LITTLE CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax niger) K Ardeidae LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) K PACIFIC REEF-HERON (Egretta sacra) S - one dark morph CHINESE POND-HERON (Ardeola bacchus) Actually, this one should read "pond-heron sp." as we didn't identify any of the several pond-herons we saw in the south. CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis coromanda) K STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) K - in the mangroves Accipitridae BLACK BAZA (Aviceda leuphotes) KNC - We watched a small group kettling on a thermal above the stream that feeds the lovely Emerald Pool. ORIENTAL HONEY-BUZZARD (Pernis ptilorhynchus) KNC BRAHMINY KITE (Haliastur indus) K, S N WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucogaster) S - There was an active nest on the Similans. BLYTH'S HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus alboniger) KNC - We had several views of this handsome raptor, including one sailing over at close range. Falconidae ORIENTAL HOBBY (Falco severus) K - Raven spotted one perched atop one of the impressive limestone outcrops, and then the pair flew overhead calling. * Rallidae WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN (Amaurornis phoenicurus) S Scolopacidae WHIMBREL (ASIAN) (Numenius phaeopus variegatus) K EURASIAN CURLEW (Numenius arquata) K - Foraging on the mudflats near Krabi. COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) K COMMON REDSHANK (Tringa totanus) K - including a flock in a mangrove tree during high tide b b b b b Sternidae LESSER CRESTED TERN (Sterna bengalensis) K - sitting beside Great Crested Terns for comparison GREAT CRESTED TERN (Sterna bergii) K b COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo) K, S Columbidae Gurney's Pitta/Nicobar Pigeon Extension 2 Field Guides Incorporated 800-728-4953 512-263-7295 fieldguides@fieldguides.com www.fieldguides.com I ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) K SPOTTED DOVE (Streptopelia chinensis) K, KNC EMERALD DOVE (Chalcophaps indica) S - One bird foraging on the ground walked out onto the trail briefly and then retreated. ZEBRA DOVE (Geopelia striata) K - on the hotel grounds NICOBAR PIGEON (Caloenas nicobarica) S - This monotypic species was seen only by Raven this year, when some tourists walking off the trail flushed one toward her. It perched low a couple of times before they flushed it further into the dense vegetation of the hillside. Sadly, we failed to relocate it. GREEN IMPERIAL-PIGEON (Ducula aenea) S - We had wonderful views of many individuals. N PIED IMPERIAL-PIGEON (Ducula bicolor) S - including one bird on an active nest in a tall fruiting tree over the clearing; quite common on the island (see cover photo) Psittacidae VERNAL HANGING-PARROT (Loriculus vernalis) KNC * Cuculidae BANDED BAY CUCKOO (Cacomantis sonneratii) ASIAN KOEL (Eudynamys scolopacea) S - one of the commonest, most conspicuous, and noisiest birds on the Similan Islands. * BLACK-BELLIED MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus diardi) KNC GREEN-BILLED MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus tristis) KNC RAFFLES' MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus chlorophaeus) KNC - Ultimately, we had good looks at this vocally responsive skulker. RED-BILLED MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus javanicus) KNC CHESTNUT-BREASTED MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus curvirostris) KNC - seen by RAR only; but it led us to the Green Broadbills! * GREATER COUCAL (Centropus sinensis) Tytonidae ORIENTAL BAY-OWL (Phodilus badius) KNC - Yip! Yip! Yip! What a view! And what a weirdly wonderful owl! Said to feed on small mammals, birds, lizards, snakes, frogs, and large insects, particularly beetles, this big-eyed owl perches sideways on vertical saplings in the understory (see cover photo), capturing its prey in flight. Its quavering, musical calls filled the forest--after the noisy cicadas piped down. b Strigidae ORIENTAL SCOPS-OWL (Otus sunia stictonotus) KNC - This wintering race, stictonotus, was silent, and we were very fortunate to have seen it. Scopes revealed its yellow eyes and blackish shaft streaks on the underparts. Podargidae GOULD'S FROGMOUTH (Batrachostomus stellatus) KNC JAVAN FROGMOUTH (Batrachostomus javensis continentalis) KNC - Yotin ultimately located an infrequently calling bird on a dark, quiet night. Yip! Yip! * Gurney's Pitta/Nicobar Pigeon Extension 3 Field Guides Incorporated 800-728-4953 512-263-7295 fieldguides@fieldguides.com www.fieldguides.com Apodidae GERMAN'S SWIFTLET (Aerodramus germani) KNC, K SILVER-RUMPED NEEDLETAIL (Rhaphidura leucopygialis) KNC BROWN-BACKED NEEDLETAIL (Hirundapus giganteus) KNC ASIAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus balasiensis) KNC, K HOUSE SWIFT (Apus nipalensis) K Hemiprocnidae GRAY-RUMPED TREESWIFT (Hemiprocne longipennis) K, KNC - Most memorable was seeing the bird perched in a bare tree right on our hotel grounds. All others were in flight. WHISKERED TREESWIFT (Hemiprocne comata) KNC - We had lovely scope views of a perched bird high in a bare tree (see cover photo). Trogonidae ORANGE-BREASTED TROGON (Harpactes oreskios) KNC - seen by one or two folks and heard by all Alcedinidae COMMON KINGFISHER (Alcedo atthis) K BROWN-WINGED KINGFISHER (Pelargopsis amauropterus) K - This specialty is fairly common in the mangroves along the coast, and we saw quite a few birds. RUDDY KINGFISHER (Halcyon coromanda) K - There was a whole group of them calling from the mangroves along the boardwalk. Fortunately, they were responsive to playback and would shoot past under us for dazzling views, even stopping for binocular views for a few folks. WHITE-THROATED KINGFISHER (Halcyon smyrnensis) K, KNC BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon pileata) S COLLARED KINGFISHER (Todirhamphus chloris) K Meropidae CHESTNUT-HEADED BEE-EATER (Merops leschenaulti) KNC Capitonidae GOLD-WHISKERED BARBET (Megalaima chrysopogon) KNC - nice views of a responsive bird well above us RED-CROWNED BARBET (Megalaima rafflesii) KNC - This big barbet, a specialty here, was seen well our first afternoon and heard daily. RED-THROATED BARBET (Megalaima mystacophanos) KNC - We had seen it so well on the tour that we made no real effort for it, and yet it was seen again anyway. It is perhaps the most common barbet here by voice. * * BLUE-EARED BARBET (Megalaima australis) KNC COPPERSMITH BARBET (Megalaima haemacephala) K Gurney's Pitta/Nicobar Pigeon Extension 4 Field Guides Incorporated 800-728-4953 512-263-7295 fieldguides@fieldguides.com www.fieldguides.com * Picidae GRAY-AND-BUFF WOODPECKER (Hemicircus concretus) KNC - Unfortunately, this cutie was heard only. Eurylaimidae BLACK-AND-RED BROADBILL (Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos) KNC - We called in a pair for dynamite scope views of a dynamite bird! BLACK-AND-YELLOW BROADBILL (Eurylaimus ochromalus) KNC - A lovely pair! GREEN BROADBILL (Calyptomena viridis) KNC - One of the aesthetic highlights of the extension, this species was seen well at close range--a pair of them! Pittidae BANDED PITTA (Pitta guajana) KNC - The race we saw was irena, of peninsular Thailand, perhaps the most beautiful of all the colorful pittas. Called "one of Nature's living jewels" by none other than Gould, this bird is the cover bird of the PITTAS, BROADBILLS AND ASITIES book by Frank Lambert & Martin Woodcock. The male literally glows in the dark of the forest floor. GURNEY'S PITTA (Pitta gurneyi) KNC - What an opportunity! To see this spectacular pitta at length from a blind as it foraged unconcernedly before us was an unbelievable treat. We'll hope the documentary on this species, to which we contributed, will help draw some additional protection for this Critically Endangered pitta and its habitat. MANGROVE PITTA (Pitta megarhyncha) K - As pittas go, this one was absolutely bold! It even flew across the channel, exposing the flashy silver dollars in its wings. Hirundinidae BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) KNC, K PACIFIC SWALLOW (Hirundo tahitica javanica) K - seen especially well at the boat dock where our Similan Islands trip started Motacillidae GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea) KNC Campephagidae BAR-WINGED FLYCATCHER-SHRIKE (Hemipus picatus) KNC Pycnonotidae BLACK-HEADED BULBUL (Pycnonotus atriceps) KNC BLACK-CRESTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus melanicterus) KNC GRAY-BELLIED BULBUL (Pycnonotus cyaniventris) KNC - This one was the most colorful--and seemingly one of the dirtiest!--of the bulbuls that came to bathe as we sat by the stream inside the forest. PUFF-BACKED BULBUL (Pycnonotus eutilotus) KNC - We had nice scope views of a bird from the clearing above the Emerald Pool. STRIPE-THROATED BULBUL (Pycnonotus finlaysoni) KNC YELLOW-VENTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus goiavier) K - mangroves OLIVE-WINGED BULBUL (Pycnonotus plumosus) KNC - near the restaurant Gurney's Pitta/Nicobar Pigeon Extension 5 Field Guides Incorporated 800-728-4953 512-263-7295 fieldguides@fieldguides.com www.fieldguides.com STREAK-EARED BULBUL (Pycnonotus blanfordi) K - There was a juvenile on the hotel grounds. CREAM-VENTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus simplex) KNC - Only one bird--the one with the white eye--was seen; it came to the bathing pool. RED-EYED BULBUL (Pycnonotus brunneus) KNC - Fairly common; seen repeatedly at the bathing pool and from the clearing. SPECTACLED BULBUL (Pycnonotus erythropthalmos) KNC - First at the bathing pool for most; and then everyone caught up in the clearing. OCHRACEOUS BULBUL (Alophoixus ochraceus) KNC GRAY-CHEEKED BULBUL (Alophoixus bres) KNC - Another new one for us. YELLOW-BELLIED BULBUL (Alophoixus phaeocephalus) KNC - This distinctive bulbul was seen only on our first afternoon, before the shower. HAIRY-BACKED BULBUL (Tricholestes criniger) KNC - seen well on two days BUFF-VENTED BULBUL (Iole olivacea) KNC STREAKED BULBUL (Ixos malaccensis) KNC - We had repeated good looks at this species, especially at the bathing pools. Chloropseidae LESSER GREEN LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis cyanopogon) KNC - Nice scope views of a female. * * Aegithinidae COMMON IORA (Aegithina tiphia) K - singing in the mangroves GREEN IORA (Aegithina viridissima) KNC GREAT IORA (Aegithina lafresnayei) KNC Turdidae BLUE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola solitarius) K - at the hotel Sylviidae COMMON TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus sutorius) K DARK-NECKED TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus atrogularis) KNC RUFOUS-TAILED TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus sericeus) KNC - A very confiding bird approached us quite closely in the palm plantation at the end of the road on our first afternoon's walk. ASHY TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus ruficeps) K - Another new one for us, it was seen well at the mangrove boardwalk. b b b YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER (Phylloscopus inornatus) KNC ARCTIC WARBLER (Phylloscopus borealis) KNC EASTERN CROWNED LEAF-WARBLER (Phylloscopus coronatus) KNC Muscicapidae Gurney's Pitta/Nicobar Pigeon Extension 6 Field Guides Incorporated 800-728-4953 512-263-7295 fieldguides@fieldguides.com www.fieldguides.com b b ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa dauurica) KNC, K SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN (Luscinia cyane) KNC - females from the blinds ORIENTAL MAGPIE-ROBIN (Copsychus saularis) K Rhipiduridae PIED FANTAIL (Rhipidura javanica) K Monarchidae BLACK-NAPED MONARCH (Hypothymis azurea) KNC - including a lovely pair that came to the bathing pools ASIAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone paradisi) KNC - at the bathing pools and elsewhere in the forest Pachycephalidae MANGROVE WHISTLER (Pachycephala grisola) K - One bird that sang back in the mangroves was eventually seen by some, but it was not a cooperative bird. Timaliidae FERRUGINOUS BABBLER (Trichastoma bicolor) KNC - seen well by some and heard by all * PUFF-THROATED BABBLER (Pellorneum ruficeps) KNC BLACK-CAPPED BABBLER (Pellorneum capistratum) KNC - We had spectacular looks at this handsome ground-dweller. MOUSTACHED BABBLER (Malacopteron magnirostre) KNC - One of the great whistlers, active in the early morning along the trail, it was seen well by all. * LARGE WREN-BABBLER (Napothera macrodactyla) KNC CHESTNUT-WINGED BABBLER (Stachyris erythroptera) KNC - seen well by all with the flock along the trail our second morn STRIPED TIT-BABBLER (Macronous gularis) KNC Acanthizidae GOLDEN-BELLIED GERYGONE (Gerygone sulphurea) K - in the mangroves Nectarinidae RUBY-CHEEKED SUNBIRD (Chalcoparia singalensis) KNC - We had nice looks at a male our first afternoon afield. PLAIN-THROATED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes malacensis) KNC - We're leaning toward this species for the male that sat in the shadows one afternoon. PURPLE-NAPED SUNBIRD (Hypogramma hypogrammicum) KNC - We heard several zipping past, but we finally had scopes on one that stopped long enough to feed at a lovely pink flower near the Emerald Pool. * OLIVE-BACKED (YELLOW-BELLIED) SUNBIRD (Cinnyris jugularis) K CRIMSON SUNBIRD (Aethopyga siparaja) KNC - A striking male in great light was breathtaking, even though we'd already seen it well on the main tour. THICK-BILLED SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera crassirostris) KNC - After several zipping past, one sat for scope views from the boardwalk near the Emerald Pool. Gurney's Pitta/Nicobar Pigeon Extension 7 Field Guides Incorporated 800-728-4953 512-263-7295 fieldguides@fieldguides.com www.fieldguides.com LITTLE SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera longirostra) KNC - Heard A LOT, but seen only by some. YELLOW-EARED SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera chrysogenys) KNC - Seen nicely at the clearing above the Emerald Pool. GRAY-BREASTED SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera modesta) KNC - fairly common and seen well * * Dicaeidae YELLOW-BREASTED FLOWERPECKER (Prionochilus maculatus) KNC CRIMSON-BREASTED FLOWERPECKER (Prionochilus percussus) KNC YELLOW-VENTED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum chrysorrheum) KNC ORANGE-BELLIED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum trigonostigma) KNC - Fairly common and seen well. SCARLET-BACKED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum cruentatum) KNC - also common * Oriolidae BLACK-NAPED ORIOLE (Oriolus chinensis) KNC Irenidae ASIAN FAIRY-BLUEBIRD (Irena puella) KNC * Prionopidae LARGE WOODSHRIKE (Tephrodornis gularis) KNC Dicruridae BLACK DRONGO (Dicrurus macrocercus) K, KNC CROW-BILLED DRONGO (Dicrurus annectans) KNC - First seen near the bathing pools, but our best look was at a bird over the trail on our second morning at KNC. Corvidae LARGE-BILLED (JUNGLE) CROW (Corvus macrorhynchos levaillantii) K, KNC Sturnidae ASIAN GLOSSY STARLING (Aplonis panayensis) We had nice scope views of adults at the town of Khlong Thom on our first afternoon. WHITE-VENTED MYNA (Acridotheres grandis) K COMMON MYNA (Acridotheres tristis) Common and widespread in edge habitats. Passeridae EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus) K MAMMALS FRUIT BAT SP. (Pteropus hypomelanus) S - A.k.a. Island Fruit Bat or Island Flying Fox, this species was conspicuous on Similan Island #4, where large groups roosted in the tall trees. Gurney's Pitta/Nicobar Pigeon Extension 8 Field Guides Incorporated 800-728-4953 512-263-7295 fieldguides@fieldguides.com www.fieldguides.com LONG-TAILED MACAQUE (Macaca fascigularis) K - Seen from the boat in the mangroves, RED-BELLIED SQUIRREL (Callosciurus erythraeus) KNC - This one's a pretty one! GRAY-BELLIED SQUIRREL (Callosciurus caniceps) S - The animals we saw on the Similans represent a smaller race than on the mainland. SMOOTH OTTER (Lutra perspicillata) K - The mammal highlight of the extension was seeing two of these playful otters along the shore from the boat. Good spotting, Lynda! A.k.a. Smooth-coated Otter. Gurney's Pitta/Nicobar Pigeon Extension 9 Field Guides Incorporated 800-728-4953 512-263-7295 fieldguides@fieldguides.com www.fieldguides.com