Month: March 2019

In August 2018 HBW.com updated their content, one of them is the Black-winged Myna (Acridotheres melanopterus).

Splitted into three species such as the earlier nominate race, Grey-backed Myna (A. tricolor), and Grey-rumped Myna (A. tertius).

Three of them placed as Critically Endangered by IUCN-redlist, the most problems of declining population is massive hunting and poaching in their wild habitat.

Read: One-day Birding Trips in Baluran National Park

We have good news of Grey-backed Myna this month by encountering their successful breeding in one of the remaining safe areas.

For two days at the end of the rainy season, we get good and clear weather.

This endemic to the eastern part of Java island is known to be nested in February and June in east Java island and there is no more information about the breeding period (hbw.com).

The birds that we encountered used a hole in a dead palm tree, around Baluran NP, East Java on March 15-16, 2019. Height of the nest is about 10 meters away from ground level.

The nest hole is not circular, instead it tends to be rectangular with dimensions of around 8 x 17 cm. Inside the nest hole we saw 2 young birds, those who are ready to fledgling can be seen from their complete feathers.

We observed quite far from the nest.

Adults are always close to the nest and look for meals for their chicks no more than a 500-meter radius from the nest.

We saw one of the adults pick small insects like a cricket on the ground around the palm trees.

On the last day, the chicks actively looking out around the nest. Respond to the call of their parents.

Read: Easy encounter of Grey-breasted Partridge (Arborophila orientalis) in this site!

According to our predictions, the chicks will leave the nest for the next 3-4 days.

Hopefully, there will be no disruption until they learn to fly and then live independently and the population in nature will continue to increase.

Almost all endemic birds in Java island can be found in western part of this island. Birders will stay longer to swipe up on them in Gede Pangrango NP, Halimun Salak NP, around Carita and north-coast of Jakarta-West Java.

Even so, still left 2 species to catch up in eastern Java to complete all endemics. There are Grey-backed Myna Acridotheres tricolor and Grey-breasted Partridge Arborophila orientalis.

The myna is relatively easy to find. You can put effort in Baluran or Alas Purwo NP to find it.

The partridge is another exception.

You can hear it sounds loudly, but it is very difficult to see. So damn elusive species.

This species lives from Yang to Ijen mountains. Most birders came to Ijen, which is close to other main birding areas, so much data of this species is even heard-only or sight.

Yesterday (March 13, 2019) I visited Mt. Ijen took some pictures of the partridge.

Local guides at their successful made feeding site for this species that is also known as White-faced / Grey-breasted Hill / Horsfield’s Hill-partridge.

As his information, the birds show up about 3 times such as at around 06.00-07.00, 13.00-14.00, and 15.00-16.00.

Heavy rainfall in the morning until 11.30 then becomes shower rain.

We entered the site at 12.00.

While waiting for the rain to stop, we enjoyed our coffee.

At 13.30 the rain stopped for a while, so we tried to play the sound records.

15 minutes later, a medium sized-bulky bird (about 28 cm) climbed up to a big fallen tree in front of us.

Then followed by 5 other birds, it was a very clear view and just about 8 meters away from us was blocked by a camouflage tent.

A group of Grey-breasted Partridge foraging the meals which we have put before.

We’re just silent while clicking the shutter of the camera.

They spent 10 minutes foraged then disturbed by other birds, such as Javan Whistling-thrush, Horsfied’s Thrush, and Snowy-browed Flycatcher.

The final encounter that day was a single female almost eaten by Javan Mongoose at 16.30. It’s run away then we also pack our stuff, out from the hide and head back to home.

Now this elusive partridge is stable and easy to see, drop us a message if you want to encounter this mega target of East Java endemic.