Gray-and-buff Woodpecker

 Piciformes - Picidae - Hemicircus concretus (Belatuk-Daun Dahi Merah)

Small stout woodpecker with an oversized crested head and black-and-white scaling on the back. Males have a brilliant red front to the crest that females lack. Agile and active, frequently foraging in the upper canopy or on exposed snags. Crawls along trunks, sometimes descending headfirst like a nuthatch. Found in lowland and hill forests. Gives high-pitched squeaks, descending “peer” notes, and rattles.

(eBird)

Small, almost tiny

Unceasing squeaks.

Too tantalising

Knowingly futile

yet irresistible

Appeasing the heart

not the mind.

Gold-whiskered Barbet

Piciformes - Megalaimidae - Psilopogon chrysopogon (Takur Jambang Emas)

Bright yellow cheek stands out like a sunburst on the muddy-looking face of this barbet. Traces of red and blue also brighten the head of this heavy-billed green bird. Inhabits lowland and foothill forests. Like many other barbets, forages sluggishly high up in the forest canopy, and can be difficult to see; listen instead for its song, a series of echoing rhythmic “woo-ooh” notes, sometimes combined with trilled hoots.

(eBird)

Distinctive

Unmistakable

Stout and proud.

When desire over-rides

what's sacrificed?