Hume's White-eye

 Passeriformes - Zosteropidae - Zosteropidae auriventer (Kelicap-Kacamata Rimba Melayu)

Sociable little yellowish bird. Very similar in appearance to other white-eyes; note the yellow band running down the center of the breast and belly, connecting the throat with the vent. In areas of overlap with similar-looking subspecies of Indian and Swinhoe’s White-eye, identification may be very difficult; best separated by range and habitat. Roves about in active, noisy flocks in hill and submontane forests and forest edges. Gives a sweet, buzzy “tsee, tsee”, as well as higher, more metallic short whistles.

Be mindful of what's seen, what's perceived.

Plaintive Cuckoo

 Cuculiformes - Cuculidae - Cacomantis merulinus (Sewah Perut Jingga)

A small and slender cuckoo, far more often heard than seen; the male's accelerating song, which decreases in volume as it progresses, is composed of a few whistled long notes followed by shorter, breathy notes. Adult male and typical (non-hepatic) female show orange belly, gray head, and brown back and tail. Hepatic, or rufous-morph, individuals are rusty brown above and white below, with black barring all over the body. Inhabits open woodlands, edges, and agricultural areas.

(eBird)

Each encounter may be a familiarity but see, and there arises one's amazement with creation.

Verditer Flycatcher

 Paaseriformes - Muscicapidae - Eumyias thalassinus (Sambar Verditer)

Beautifully vivid turquoise-blue flycatcher. Adult male has dark lores. Juvenile is duller, with noticeably grayer underparts. Sits upright on exposed perches. Found in lowland and hill forests and forest edges. Song is high and undulating phrase of burry or trilled notes. Most common call is a strident “wheet!”

(eBird)

Be not led by what is seen for light plays tricks.

Malayan Black Magpie

 Passeriformes - Corvidae - Platysmurus leucopterus (Burung Temenggang)

Glossy black bird with a long tail, a heavy hooked bill, and a weak tuft of a crest. Also note the bright white stripe on the wing. Inhabits lowland and foothill forests. Moves in pairs and flocks, calling to keep in contact. Sometimes moves with mixed-species flocks. Quite vocal, giving a range of odd calls, including raucous and vibrant chatters given in series of varying speed, as well as hoarse rasping notes. Formerly grouped with Bornean Black Magpie under the more generic “Black Magpie.”

(eBird)

How the eyes may easily forget but reconnect as emotion recalls.

Sunda Brush Cuckoo

 Cuculiformes - Cuculidae - Cacomantis sepulcralis (Mantinak Dada Jingga Biasa)

A medium-sized cuckoo, with a warm buff colored throat, chest, and belly. Gray eyering and heavily barred tail. Some females are quite different, a rich reddish brown with heavy black barring. Similar Plaintive Cuckoo is generally paler, with a contrasting gray hood. Most frequently encountered by its incessantly given song, an even series of high-pitched clear whistles that are slightly upslurred.

We see differently, and we fear differently, all the more sorrowful.

Dark-necked Tailorbird

 Passeriformes - Cisticolidae - Orthotomus atrogularis (Perenjak Leher Hitam)

A brightly-colored tailorbird of lowland tropical forests, forest edges, and gardens. Long-billed with olive upperparts, pale underparts, and a rufous crown. Dark neck patch is only present in males and is unique if seen well but is sometimes concealed and difficult to see. Can be a shy species, staying deep within tangled vegetation; listen for its song, often given in duets, a series of trilled phrases. Also gives a high-pitched nasal “daydayday.” Common Tailorbird is similar but has a less extensive rufous crown and lacks yellow vent and black neck patch.

(eBird)

Craft the eyes and ears when sighting misleads.

Abbott's Babbler

 Passeriformes - Pellorneidae - Malacocincla abbotti (Kekicau-Belukar Biasa)

Plain, sandy-brown babbler with distinct orange-tan tones to the sides. Note grayish tones to the face and the large heavy bill with a hooked tip. Prefers degraded and secondary forest, where it forages quite slowly and methodically on or near the ground, without the frenetic energy of some other babblers. Moves singly or in pairs. Call repertoire is wide, and includes harsh churrs as well as smooth whistles. Song consists of melodic whistles, usually 3-4 notes.

(eBird)

When the eyes turn away, turn not away the intent.