Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia)

OTHER NAMES: Indian Iora, Black-winged Iora, Small Iora, Ceylon Iora
Latin Etymology: Aegithina (a mythical bird mentioned by Aristotle) tiphia (possibly "tiara")

Non-breeding Adult female Common Iora (subspecies A. t. horizoptera) at Ang Mo Kio, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Aegithinia tiphia horizoptera
Weight: 13.5g  /  Length: 12.5-13.5cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

Despite the cosmetic similarity to the sunbirds, the iora are a small family of just four species that seem to be fairly detatched from other passerines.  The Common Iora is as it's name suggests, the most common species of the four, found throughout much of South Asia. The male is a bit more a striking bird with high contrast plumage of yellow, black and white.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Aegithinidae
Genus: Aegithina
SUBSPECIES: A. t. multicolor, A. t. deignani, A. t. humei, A. t. tiphia, A. t. septentrionalis, A. t. philipi, A. t.  cambodiana, A. t. horizoptera, A. t. scapularis, A. t. viridis, A. t. aequanimis

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE 
A reasonably common resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: One in Ang Mo Kio.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Van Hasselt's Sunbird (Leptocoma brasiliana)

OTHER NAMES: Maroon-bellied Sunbird
Latin Etymology: Leptocoma ("delicate hair") brasiliana ("Brazilian")

Adult male Van Hasselt's Sunbird (subspecies L. b. brasiliana) at Ang Mo Kio, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Leptocoma brasiliana brasiliana
Weight: ?  /  Length: 10cm  /  Wingspan: ?
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Though this picture doesn't even begin to do this species credit, Van Hasselt's sunbird is a stunning looking species - the males have patches of iridescent plumage of magenta, turquoise and blue, on an alreadt striking scarlet chest and black back.  They have been slightly through the taxonomic mix, having been formerly lumped with the Purple-throated Sunbird of the Philippines, and bizarelly havign ended up with "brasiliana" in their latin name despite having precisely nothing to do with Brazil.  A vague mention in my taxonomic references suggests that Brisson who named it somehow got Java and Brazil mixed up.  It's common name honours Johan Conrad van Hasselt, a Dutch ecologist who travelled to South East Asia in the 1820s.

ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Nectariniidae
Genus: Leptocoma
SUBSPECIES: L. b. brasiliana, L. b. emmae, L. b. mecynorhyncha, L. b. eumecis, L. b. axantha, L. b. oeopa 

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - Fairly Common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: A pair seen in Ang Mo Kio.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus)

OTHER NAMES: Western Koel
Latin Etymology: Eudynamys ("fine power") scolopaceus ("woodcock")

Adult male Asian Koel (subspecies E. s. malayana) at Ang Mo Kio, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Eudynamys scolopaceus malayana
Weight: 190-327g  /  Length: 39-46cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Asian Koel is one of the most common avian residents of Singapore, but you are far more likely to hear one than see one unless you put the effort in.  You may very well in more wooded areas hear a "buWoo, buWOO, BUWOO" getting louder and higher pitched with each repetition.  It took me a few attempts to track down the instigator of this call - they seem to favour hiding in the canopy most of the time, but a bit of persistant and I finally tracked down a pair.  They are actually members of the cuckoo family, and, like that family is generally thought of, they are brood parasites.

Related Species:
Order: Cuculiformes
Family: Cuculidae
Genugs: Eudynamys
SUBSPECIES: E. s. scolopaceus, E. s. chinensis, E. s. harterti, E. s. malayana, E. s. mindanensis

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - Common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Fairly commonly heard in various locations, though only seen on one occassion.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Caprimulgus ("goat sucker") macrurus ("long-tailed")

Adult Large-tailed Nightjar (subspecies C. m. bimaculatus) at Ang Mo Kio, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Caprimulgus macrurus bimaculatus
Weight: 55-78g  /  Length: 25-29cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A widespread and fairly common species of Nightjar in Southern and South East Asia.  They are far more abundant than equivalent species in Europe, and can be found in human settled habitat.  In Malaysia, their local name translates to "graveyard bird", a title which I find appeallingly gothic, although it is merely because they tend to often live in graveyards.  I initially encountered this bird while hearing a bizarre, almost electronic sounding "pyonk pyonk" call repeating from the tree tops during an evening walk.  After returning to the spot a little later, I was able to record the call to confirm the ID and very faintly see one moving onto an exposed branch.

Related Species:
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Caprimulgidae
Genus: Caprimulgus
SUBSPECIES: C. m. albonatatus, C. m. bimaculatus, C. m. johnsoni, C. m. salvadorii, C. m. macrurus, C. m. schlegelii 

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - Common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: One seen and several heard at Ang Mo Kio after dark.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot (Loriculus galgulus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Loriculus (diminutive of "lorius") galgulus (small bird mentioned by Pliny)

Adult Male Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot (Loriculus galgulus) at Ang Mo Kio, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 28g  /  Length: 13cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

The Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot is a tiny bird, and one of the few native parrot species in Singapore.  The hanging parrots have a unique ability amongst all birds in that they are capable of sleeping while hanging upside down, and while I didn't personally witness this behaviour, they did seem very acrobatic in the way they clambered through the trees to search for food.

Related Species:
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Loriculus
Subspecies: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - A fairly common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: A fairly regular sighting in locations with trees

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Pink-necked Green Pigeon (Treron vernans)

OTHER NAMES: Pink-necked Pigeon

Latin Etymology: Treron ("timid/dove") vernans ("blossoming")

Four Adult Male Pink-necked Green Pigeon (Treron vernans) at Malacca, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 105-160g  /  Length: 25cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

A fairly common species found throughout much of South East Asia, the Pink-necked Pigeon is an arboreal species best found in the tops of trees.   They are the only green pigeon in much of its range to be found in urban environments, including as in this case, the centers of fairly large cities.  The colouration is distinctive in the males though can be confused with the similar Orange-breasted Pigeon while the females are a much more uniform green which requires a closer inspection to be sure of.

Related Species:
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Treron
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic* 

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Malay - Punai Gading ("Ivory Pigeon")

A locally common resident

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: A single flock of around 15-20 birds feeding in central Malacca

SINGAPORE - A common resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Seen around Ang Mo Kio

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

*This is an unusual case - there are up to eight subspecies of the Pink-necked Green Pigeon described, but none have been accepted by the usual major authorities. .

Ornate Sunbird (Cinnyris ornatus)

OTHER NAMES: Yellow-bellied Sunbird

Latin Etymology: Cinnyris (a bird named by Hesychius of Alexandria) ornatus ("ornate")

Adult female Olive-backed Sunbird (subspecies C. j. ornatus) at Malacca, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Cinnyris orantus ornatus
Weight: 7-8g  /  Length: 11cm  /  Wingspan: 14-17cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The sunbirds fill the same niche in the Old-World as the Hummingbirds do in the New - a group of nectar feeding specialists with long curved beaks, though some also eat insects and spiders.  The Ornate Sunbird is one of the more common and widespread species of the family within its range - being found in even urban settings like parks.  Though the female here is a very drab bird which looks broadly similar to females of several other sunbirds, the male has an iridescent dark blue mask and bib that make it a lot more distinctive

Related Species:
ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Nectariniidae
GENUS: Cinnyris
SUBSPECIES: C. o. andamanicus, C. o. klossi, C.o. proselius, C. o. flammaxillaris, C.o. ornatus, C. o. rhizopharae, C. o. polyclystus

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - ចាបកន្លង់

 A common resident

 - Seen at Ta Prohm

MALAYSIA - Malay - Kelicap Bukit ("Hill Hummingbird")

A widespread and fairly common species.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: A single female seen in Malacca, a male seen briefly in KLCC Park in Kuala Lumpur

SINGAPORE - A very common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: One at Sungei Buloh and common at Ang Mo Kio

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto  .

Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus)

OTHER NAMES: Chinese Pond-Heron

Latin Etymology: Ardeola ("small heron") bacchus (after Bacchus - for wine coloured breeding plumage)

Adult non-breeding plumage Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus) at Ang Mo Kio, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: ?  /  Length: 46cm  /  Wingspan: 75-90cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

This is a fairly average sized small heron species found broadly over continetal East-Asia, but perhaps notable most for the identification headache it causes - it is part of a group of three species, the other two being Javan Pond Heron and Indian Pond Heron that while in the non-breeding plumage appear functionally identical to each other, though distinct when breeding.  Fortunately for me, this bird isn't *quite* in full on non-breeding plumage and the identification can just about be made by the hint of maroon plumage around the face.  All three species can be found in Malaysia though, so care must be taken.

Related Species:
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae 
Genus: Ardeola 
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - កុកក្រកក្បាលត្នោតចាស់ ("Cinnamon, old brown head")

A locally abundant resident

 - Abundant at Prek Toal

MALAYSIA - Malay - Pucung Cina ("China Heron")
A fairly common non-breeding migrant.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: A single individual in Kuala Lumpur in the central gardens.

SINGAPORE - Common

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Seen around the Lower Pierce Reservoir area

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto    .

Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutoris)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Orthotomus ("straight piece") sutoris ("fasten together")

Adult Common Tailorbird (subspecies O. s. maculicollis) at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Orthotomus sutoris maculicollis
Weight: 6-10g  /  Length: 12cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small active bird, I first encountered this species not far from where I got off the taxi at Genting Highlands, but spent longer that I would have ideally liked to trying to photograph them.  I'd encountered a small flock which unfortunately didn't want to sit still long enough for me to photograph them, and took a number of attempts for me to get something identifiable. The individuals I saw appeared to be young birds - the adults gain a distinctive rust coloured cap and a long tail as they mature.

Related Species:
ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Cisticolidae
GENUS: Orthotomus
SUBSPECIES: O.s. guzuratus, O. s. patia, O. s. luteus, O. s. fernandonis, O. s. inexpectatus, O. s. longicauda, O. s. maculicollis, O. s. edela

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Malay - Perenjak Pisang ("Banana Warbler")

A fairly common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: A small group seen in Genting Highlands

SINGAPORE - A common resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Seen around Ang Mo Kio and Gardens by the Bay

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata)

OTHER NAMES: Nutmeg Mannikin, Spice Finch, Spotted Munia

Latin Etymology: Lonchura ("spearheaded") punctulata 

Adult Scaly-breasted Munia (subspecies L. p. fretensis) in Malacca, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Lonchura punctuata fretensis
Weight: 12-16g  /  Length: 11-12cm  /  Wingspan: 20-25cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A distinctively patterned bird which gives it it's name, the Scaly-breasted Munia is a very widely distributed species with a range that covers all of South-East Asia and India, a substantial portion of China with some extra introduced populated in Australia, the US and certain islands around the world.  They have the powerful seed-eating beaks, similar to greenfinches in the UK.  Due to their ease of breeding in captivity, they are popular as cage-birds but have also been subject to extensive study.

Related Species:
ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Estrildidae
GENUS: Lonchura
SUBSPECIES: L. p. punctulata, L. p. subundulata, L. p. yunnanensis, L. p. topela, L. p. cabanisi, L. p. fretensis, L. p. nisoria, L. p. sumbae, L. p. blasii, L. p. particeps, L. p. baweana, L. p. holmesi 

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Malay - Pipit Pinang ("Areca Nut Sparrow")
A reasonably common resident of less built up areas.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Two adults seen in Malacca

SINGAPORE - A reasonably common resident of less built up areas.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Two birds seen in Ang Mo Kio
 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: A single dead bird seen in Ang Mo Kio

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Edible-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus)

OTHER NAMES: White-nest Swiftlet, German's Swiftlet, Oustalet's Swiftlet

Latin Etymology: Aerodramus ("air run") fuciphagus ("seaweed eating")

Adult Edible-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) at Malacca, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Aerodramus germani germani
Weight: 13-14g/kg  /  Length: 12cm  /  Wingspan: 27cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Until 2024 it was regarded as two separate species - Germain's Swiftlet and the White-nest Swiftlet, however these species were lumped together, which is convenient in so much as separating those populations in the field is near impossible.  It struck me an interesting at the time that the swiftlet species I saw far more resembled what would be a martin's shape in Europe - far more compact and without that same scythe-blade like wings that defines the full on swifts. 

Related Species:

Order: Apodiformes

Family: Apodidae

Genus: Aerodramus

SUBSPECIES: A. f. germani, A. f. amechanus, A. f. omexpectus, A. f. perplexus., A. f. fuciphagus, A. f. dammermani, A. f. micans

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - ត្រចៀកកាំមធ្យម
Common.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Common over Siem Reap

MALAYSIA - Malay - ?

Common

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Seemingly abundant throughout at Kuala Lumpur and Malacca, specific identification difficult.
SINGAPORE - Common.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Seemingly abundant, specific identification difficult.
 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Seen in Ang Mo Kio.

Further Notes:  BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto  

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White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)

OTHER NAMES: White-breasted Kingfisher*, Smyrna Kingfisher 

Latin Etymology: Halcyon ("kingfisher") smyrnensis ("of the town of Izmir")

Adult White-throated Kingfisher (subspecies H. s. perpulchra) at Bishan Park, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Halycon smyrnensis perpulchra
Weight: 60-88g  /  Length: 26-28cm  /  Wingspan: 40-43cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Coming from Britain with our single small and elusive species of kingfisher, the White-throated Kingfisher is both surprisingly large and surprisingly ubiquitous.  Most notably perhaps of the contrasts though is that it is not strictly associated with water - while I did see them along rivers and streams, I also saw them in such incongruous locations as on a lamp-post over a motorway or on the power-lines over a railway.  This is a result of their more varied diet - unlike the fish specialist Common Kingfisher, here they are more general predators who also hunt lizards and invertebrates.

Related Species:
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Alcedinidae
Genus: Halycon
SUBSPECIES: H. s. smyrnensis, H. s. fusca, H. s. saturatior, H. s. perpulchra, H. s. fokiensis, H. s. gularis* 

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Malay - Pekaka Dada Putih ("White-Chested Kingfisher")

Fairly common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Seen in small numbers throughout the trip in many locations including Kuala Lumpur
SINGAPORE - Fairly common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: One at Bishan Park and a later bird in Ang Mo Kio.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto    

*This is another case of name confusion based on splits - the White-breasted Kingfisher is a Philippine equivalent Halycon gularis, which is either regarded as a full species of a subspecies of this one. .

Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Pycnonotus ("strong back") goiavier ("guava")

Adult Yellow-vented Bulbul (subspecies P. g. jambu) in Ang Mo Kio, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Pycnonotus goiavier jambu
Weight: 60g  /  Length: 18cm  /  Wingspan: 20-25cm
 NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

As only my second ever species of bulbul, the yellow-vented came as a bit of a contrast to the brown-eared ones of Japan.  While certainly one of the top ten most common birds I saw on the trip, it wasn't ubiquitous in the same way the brown-eared is and certainly considerably quieter.  Unlike in Japan though, there are a number of species of bulbul present which makes identification slightly more effort, especially as there are a few similar looking species - the yellow rump but otherwise fairly drab colouration is distinctive here.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pycnonotidae
Genus: Pycnonotus
SUBSPECIES: P. g. jambu, P. g. personatus, P. g. analis, P. g. gourdini, P. g. goiavier, P. g. samarensis, P. g. suluvensis

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - ចាបក្រួច

A common resident..

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Common in Siem Reap

MALAYSIA - Malay - Merbah Kapur ("Lime Bulbul")

Common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Seen regularly in Kuala Lumpur, though intermittently. 

SINGAPORE - Common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Common in Ang Mo Kio.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Lesser Grass Blue (Zizina otis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Zizina (?) otis (?)

Adult Lesser Grass Blue (Zizina otis - subspecies unknown) at Ang Mo Kio, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: unclear
Weight: ?  /  Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 1.8-2cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A tiny butterfly species that is the most common of the grass blue species in Singapore - it lacks the distinctive underwing markings of the other species, which are fairly faint in this species.  An intriguing case in some ways - although like all butterflies it flies, it rarely goes higher than a few centimetres off the ground, making it a far more subtle presence than most butterflies.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Zizina
SUBSPECIES: Z. o. annetta, Z. o. aruensis, Z. o. caduca, Z. o. indica, Z. o. kuli, Z. o. lampa, Z. o. lampra, Z. o. luculenta, Z. o. mangoensis, Z. o. oblongata, Z. o. oriens, Z. o. otis, Z. o. oxleyi, Z. o. parasangra, Z. o. riukuensis, Z. o. sangra, Z. o. soeriomataram, Z. o. tanagra

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - Common resident

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Several seen at Ang Mo Kio

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .