Lesser Cuckooshrike

  Passeriformes - Campephagidae - Lalage fimbriata (Selancang-Kelabu Melayu)

Medium-sized gray bird (small for a cuckooshrike) with considerable geographic variation. Male averages darkest on the wings, throat, and breast, contrasting more heavily with the rest of the plumage than in the fairly uniform-looking male Indochinese Cuckooshrike. Female is pale gray with fine barring on the underparts. Undertail is black with white-tipped feathers concentrated at the end of the tail; does not appear as evenly graduated as in the larger Black-winged Cuckooshrike, and is less extensively white-tailed than Indochinese Cuckooshrike. Forages in the upper levels of forests and forest edge in lowland and hilly areas, often as part of mixed-species flocks. Song begins with a few clear tinkling notes, then transitions into a loud, insistent “jeh, jeh, jeh, jeh”.

(eBird)

A life always lived in vigilance, a survival, a lifestyle, a burdened wisdom.

Brahminy Kite

 Accipitriformes - Accipitridae - Haliastur indus (Helang Merah)

A medium-sized raptor with a rounded tail unlike other kites. Adults are unmistakable with a white head and breast contrasting with otherwise brick brown plumage. Juveniles are a darker brownish-black with a paler head and prominent white patches under the wings. Usually associated with both inland and coastal wetlands in tropical Asia, but it is largely restricted to coastal wetlands in Australia where it is alternately known as “Red-backed Sea Eagle.” Call is a distinctive nasal, drawn out, “Kyeeerrh.”

(eBird)

A lesson in respite when one feels alienated, overwhelmed in a crowd.

Pied Harrier

Accipitriformes - Accipitridae - Circus melanoleucos ( Helang-Sawah Hitam-Putih)

A spectacular harrier patterned in black and silvery white. The male is distinctive with black head, striking yellow cere and eyes, and black shoulders, breast, and wingtips, contrasting with its silvery-white underparts and forewing. The female is gray-and-brown above and lighter below, with a small white rump. Females superficially resemble female Pallid and Montagu’s Harriers, but have a paler underwing with narrow dark barring and sparse streaking on underwing coverts. The species hunts by quartering suitable habitat on buoyant wings. It eats mostly small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and insects.

Patience is always a game when it comes to closer encounter with the avian kind, if one's game! 

Eastern Marsh Harrier

 Accipitriformes - Accipitridae - Circus spilonotus (Helang-sawah Biasa)

A common patroller above reedbeds, flying with wings raised in a shallow V-shape. Adult males are predominantly pale gray with a dark-speckled head, blackish back with pale-edged feathers, and black wingtips. Adult females are brown and streaky and lack the bold white rump patch of the similar female Hen Harrier. Juveniles are brown with paler heads and breasts. Extremely similar to Western Marsh-Harrier, but range overlap is minimal.

(eBird)

possibly immature male

Time when one plus one doesn't equal two, and a challenge lives rent free in the mind, and foolishly refuses to bow to counsel.

Black-headed Bulbul

Passeriformes - Pycnonotidae - Microtarsus melanocephalos (Merbah Kepala Hitam)

 Olive-yellow bulbul with a black head and unsettling sapphire eyes. Broad black band across the tail is especially noticeable when seen from below. No other bulbul in its range sports a crestless dark head, but look out for the slenderer and longer-billed leafbirds, whose dark throats may cause confusion when seen from below. Extremely rare gray morph replaces all yellow with gray, and intermediate birds have both yellow and gray patches. Inhabits broadleaf and mixed forests as well as edges, often in areas close to water. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks in the upper layers of lowland and foothill forest. Unlike many other bulbuls, not particularly vocal; gives occasional “chew” or “chep” notes, often while flying.

(eBird)

"Distance means so little when (you mean) so much."

Grey-headed Fish-Eagle

Accipitriformes - Accipitridae - Icthyophaga icthyaetus (Helang Kanguk-Besar)

Fierce-looking brown-and-white fish-eater. Note adult’s contrasting white belly and white tail with a broad black bar across the tip. Juvenile is paler overall, with a streaked brown breast and barred underwings. Smaller Lesser Fish-Eagle has a less contrasting tail pattern and typically a more jagged-edged white belly patch in adults; juveniles average paler below overall. Gray-headed forages around rivers, lakes, and swamplands. Vocal; often detected by its hoarse yelping screams.

(eBird)

Different but of the same, so, so what if we meet again?