This is a followup to my previous blogpost, showcasing some of the wonderful birdlife which may be encountered at the Kebun Raya Balikpapan (Balikpapan Botanical Garden).
Collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)
This lovely bird was remarkably unperturbed by my presence, and darted down from its branch several times to catch insects from the forest floor. After 5 minutes – and 65 photos – it flew off….
Asian red-eyed bulbul (Pycnonotus brunneus)
The Asian red-eyed bulbul is often seen getting grubs in lowland forests on the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, as well as here on the island of Borneo.
I like the creamy out-of-focus green blur in the photo below. Like a bird perched in the general idea of a forest.
Banded woodpeckers (Chrysophlegma miniaceum)
They make distinctive ‘klok-klok’ sounds as their beaks strike repeatedly against the tree trunks.
This attractive (and rather raffish-looking) pair of birds were searching for ants, termites and insects.
Greater racket-tailed drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)
These birds have a massive repertoire of songs, including perfect imitations of other forest birds. They sing sweet and loud, just beside the tracks on which I walk at the Kebun Raya – as if to attract my attention. Well, they succeed.
They are locally known as ‘Sri gunting’ (Scissor birds), because of the pair of long tail feathers.
Brown barbet (Caloramphus fuliginosus)
These birds are endemic to Borneo, where they are a ‘common resident’.
Black hornbill (Anthracoceros malayanus)
This female was seen (and heard squawking raspily) at the Kebun Raya Balikpapan. Apparently they are particularly fond of eating fruit of the forest durian
Oriental dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)
It was quite distant, but nicely lit by a few minutes of bright sunshine. A 560mm lens helped too…
Green imperial pigeon (Ducula aenea)
They are locally known as ‘Burung Pergam’.
For a few weeks, they were regular visitors to some trees near the Information Centre at the Kebun Raya, as they feasted (alongside a band of Long-tailed macaques) on ripe fruit of Alseodaphne elmeri.
Sooty-headed bulbul (Pycnonotus aurigaster)
Asian glossy starlings (Aplonis panayensis)
These ones are juveniles. When they grow up they take on a very shiny green-black colour – but they retain those striking red eyes.
