tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30698623070700497732024-03-04T23:45:24.192-08:00Nature PageThis is my attempt to write about Philippine wildlife, especially the birds found in my neighborhood. And occasionally about my dogs.
Some of the articles in this blog were published the AAVA News, a neighborhood publication for the residents of Ayala Alabang Village.
My husband and I are amateur bird watchers and photographers. You can see more of our photographs of Philippine birds on our website www.tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com
Comments to this blog are welcome!Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-18453311791079680762012-02-22T04:42:00.002-08:002012-02-22T04:45:33.990-08:00New Blog!I have a new blog. Just because I don't think there can ever be too many blogs about birds or dogs or art!<br />
<br />
Here's a link to my new blog: <a href="http://dogsbirdsart.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Dogs, Birds, and Art</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKE4s3Bzq_M-R3B0Sq0BnkZMn0MmiMrYdAxwSLtc8n-EBirWw81-_Kt0wPqTUWlgyChgu7aFuD531Hc5ZBiym6OqfyeA7wcdeillrWeM8B6iR0UEL7g_cOCeX224M1liZ1RJLcxzNFT2fD/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-02-22+at+8.39.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKE4s3Bzq_M-R3B0Sq0BnkZMn0MmiMrYdAxwSLtc8n-EBirWw81-_Kt0wPqTUWlgyChgu7aFuD531Hc5ZBiym6OqfyeA7wcdeillrWeM8B6iR0UEL7g_cOCeX224M1liZ1RJLcxzNFT2fD/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-02-22+at+8.39.36+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvvQ3rtLwKjqsLklOIB5ZeCHGDoTwT86Bx0H1vwAy6q5-kSSwcYfZ3BHQb-1zEgbSsXv2xVzCNFxkBXN2nokyg8nD8FiT639iN7C8H4_grpPGR2MaiLTb6I6TRIU2RH89-5bT4QNB42D-/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-02-22+at+8.40.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvvQ3rtLwKjqsLklOIB5ZeCHGDoTwT86Bx0H1vwAy6q5-kSSwcYfZ3BHQb-1zEgbSsXv2xVzCNFxkBXN2nokyg8nD8FiT639iN7C8H4_grpPGR2MaiLTb6I6TRIU2RH89-5bT4QNB42D-/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-02-22+at+8.40.10+PM.png" width="365" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my maiden post on Dogs, Birds, and Art!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Hope to see you there!!Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-29949702307025791222011-10-24T22:03:00.000-07:002011-10-24T22:03:25.966-07:00Striated Grassbird<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxNDv7N6NI5s8rvo00omBkyqmrDAVuE9m4Cv9uRjk3q8J4LVnJcMxQyCLBi0SbFBcP23cXEh4i_j-jgRkBby0MnjxC5oklS1qYrAk3eWxElwAGH5gIv4IJ3Z_SokVrl9yn7oDROt1ISAK/s1600/2011_17_striated+grassbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxNDv7N6NI5s8rvo00omBkyqmrDAVuE9m4Cv9uRjk3q8J4LVnJcMxQyCLBi0SbFBcP23cXEh4i_j-jgRkBby0MnjxC5oklS1qYrAk3eWxElwAGH5gIv4IJ3Z_SokVrl9yn7oDROt1ISAK/s640/2011_17_striated+grassbird.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striated Grassbird</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Most birds are specialists. There are birds that prefer beaches or mountains or forests. There are birds that only eat fish or insects or nectar. The same is true of the birds found in the village. There are the garden birds that have adapted to humans and make their homes in our gardens. These birds sip nectar from our flowering plants, peck at the fruit from our fruiting trees, pick at the insects in the yard, and even build nests in our bushes. They will even visit our birdbaths and become tame enough to be fed. There are the water birds that are usually found along the creeks in the village, and occasionally near a pond or even a swimming pool. These birds will focus most of their attention on hunting for food in the creek. <br />
<br />
The Striated Grassbird (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Megalurus palustris</i>) is an interesting bird because as its name implies it is usually found in grasslands and rice fields. In the village, the equivalent of the grasslands are the vacant lots. You will not come across a Striated Grassbird in your back yard. Unless of course your back yard is covered in cogon and other wild grasses! <br />
<br />
In vacant lots, the Striated Grassbird is an easy bird to see because it is fairly large and usually sits out in the open while calling out loudly. It is around 10 1/2 inches long. Its plumage is rather drab though, similar to a Eurasian Tree Sparrow's or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">maya</i>'s plumage. Its other distinctive features are the dark brown streaks or striations on its creamy white chest and its long tail. It also has streaks on its wings. In Pilipino, it is called t<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">urtoriyok</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tirturyo</i>k. There is another, similar-looking grassbird found in the village. The Tawny Grassbird (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Megaluris timoriensis</i>) looks like the Striated Grassbird, except that it has a reddish brown crown and nape and a plain, un-streaked breast. However, it is much less common than the Striated Grassbird. The Tawny Grassbirds in the village were seen at the golf course, in the plantings of wild grasses there.<br />
<br />
Vacant lots are not as vacant as they seem! Nor should they be dumping grounds for garbage. A vacant lot can be mini wildlife refuge filled with bird songs and life in the middle of a busy village. The Striated Grassbird is just one of many birds that have found their special niche in the vacant lots of our village.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></div>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-15724466881442477762011-08-29T05:11:00.000-07:002011-08-29T05:13:46.255-07:00Top 5 Most Common Birds<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
span.yshortcuts
{mso-style-name:yshortcuts;}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style> <br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Telling birds apart can be confusing. Many of them look alike. A lot of the ones that are often seen in the village are roughly the same size. They also move around a lot and are difficult to observe. They constantly hop from branch to branch and hide within the foliage of the trees. How can a novice birdwatcher tell them apart?</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> One way to sort out the confusion is to just choose the top 5 birds that one is most likely to encounter and familiarize yourself with those birds first. Studying and memorizing the features of 5 birds is certainly much easier and less daunting than studying all 60 species found in the village or 500+ species found in the Philippines. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Birdwatchers use field marks to identify a bird. These are particular features of the bird that the observer looks for to differentiate one species from another. These are details like color of the legs or presence of rings around the eyes. In the early 19<sup>th</sup> century, British gentlemen who wanted to study birds went out and shot and skinned them so that they could view them in hand. It was not until binoculars and field guides were created could birds be studied without their being shot. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> The 5 species of birds most likely to be seen in the village are the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">maya</i> or Eurasian Tree Sparrow, the Yellow Vented Bulbul, the Pied Fantail, the Long Tailed Shrike, and the Olive Backed Sunbird. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> The most common backyard resident is the ubiquitous <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">maya</i> or <span class="yshortcuts">Eurasian Tree Sparrow (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Passer montanus</i>)</span>. This is the small brown bird with a short black bill that is usually seen in small flocks. It is the bird that usually gets attracted when people set out <span class="yshortcuts">bird feeders</span> or scatter birdseed or rice on the ground. The field mark to look for is the white patch on its cheek. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/w-eye-sparr-mun/Eurasian-Tree-Sparrow/ets2/805356812_SQ8Jx-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/w-eye-sparr-mun/Eurasian-Tree-Sparrow/ets2/805356812_SQ8Jx-L.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eurasian Tree Sparrow by Tonji Ramos</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> The Yellow-vented Bulbul (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pycnonotus goiavier</i>) or is bigger than a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">maya </i>. It is olive-brown with a black forehead, and white chest and belly. The field mark to look for is the white eyebrow and yellow undertail feathers. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bulbuls/yvb/yvb/811494420_RhSGT-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bulbuls/yvb/yvb/811494420_RhSGT-L.jpg" width="571" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-vented Bulbul by Tonji Ramos</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> The Pied Fantail (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhipidura javanica</i>) or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">maria cafra</i> is a black and white bird. Its distinctive features are its long black tail that is edged in white and white eyebrow. It frequently spreads its tail out like a fan, as befits its name. It has white underparts with a black band across its chest.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Fly-Fan/Pied-Fantail/pied-fantail/805760010_vAYPM-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Fly-Fan/Pied-Fantail/pied-fantail/805760010_vAYPM-L.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Fantail by Tonji Ramos</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> The Long-tailed Shrike (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lanius schach</i>) or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tarat </i>is a handsome bird with a long, slender tail. It has a black head, chunky bill, and white underparts. It is cinnamon colored on its back and the lower sides of its torso. The black, white, and cinnamon colors, plus its long tail give it its distinctive look. </span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wl0ST12sJwoeFG038K4iElWZ2Ohg2qjk3tlUlnzW_K1y-ggN5JXmb6ZtqTJfpOUHJ-ESPETdQfHijNFP-FPVSeTuI8W3cHunjnyIzIYlPrJ8QrKnf-_UaugvqvpoM55kFIhmCMSkTW3S/s1600/2011_6_top5most+common+birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wl0ST12sJwoeFG038K4iElWZ2Ohg2qjk3tlUlnzW_K1y-ggN5JXmb6ZtqTJfpOUHJ-ESPETdQfHijNFP-FPVSeTuI8W3cHunjnyIzIYlPrJ8QrKnf-_UaugvqvpoM55kFIhmCMSkTW3S/s640/2011_6_top5most+common+birds.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-tailed Shrike by Tonji Ramos</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> The Olive-backed Sunbird (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nectarinia jugularis</i>) is a small bird with an olive green back and yellow underparts. The males have an iridescent metallic blue throat. Its distinctive feature is its long, thin, pointed and downward curving beak.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
<br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/sunbfp/OBS/MG8658/857753574_9KFpE-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="514" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/sunbfp/OBS/MG8658/857753574_9KFpE-L.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olive Backed Sunbird by Sylvia Ramos</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> A surprising benefit this technique is that after taking the time to study the 5 most common birds, all the other birds will seem to easily fall into place. It’s like the roadmap for recognizing birds has been planted in your brain and it will become easier to see the distinctive features and field marks of all the different birds in the village.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-19108268623492013262011-08-26T03:22:00.000-07:002011-08-26T03:22:41.401-07:00The Colasisi <style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style> <br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlQIqhhyphenhyphenYX7gyq7l7mK1_Dw2oSqGuDglgrKDswUB_AqMkbErqwH0g3FNB5cGrT1Hwp8qONNxG3t5kx8VGM26GNA3meFUd2m5YYvSd7PMNHZ6KXcEPECbHKuUCh0lYR28nGqZ96FpouxHM/s1600/2011_4_Colasisi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlQIqhhyphenhyphenYX7gyq7l7mK1_Dw2oSqGuDglgrKDswUB_AqMkbErqwH0g3FNB5cGrT1Hwp8qONNxG3t5kx8VGM26GNA3meFUd2m5YYvSd7PMNHZ6KXcEPECbHKuUCh0lYR28nGqZ96FpouxHM/s640/2011_4_Colasisi.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo of a Colasisi in the Sierra Madre</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> First off, this is NOT an article about a mistress or a kept woman! This is an article about the Colasisi <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Loriculus philippensis</i>), a type of bird found in Ayala Alabang. Gilda Cordero Fernando wrote an article in Inquirer last March 22 about life during the American period. She said that back in the 1930’s the Colasisi was a popular house pet. People would keep them in bamboo cages in the yard so they could watch them sing and “dance”. The Colasisi is a brightly colored and lively bird. It has a vivid orange beak, pretty blue feathers around its eyes, brilliant green body and wings, striking orange legs, and just for added punch, a bright red rump. When an American author during that period wrote a primer for Filipino children called “The Happy Culasisi”, the name of the popular pet bird evolved into a euphemism for a kept woman. The term has persisted until the present day. A friend remembers her mother chiding her by saying, “Para kang colasisi, maraming colorete” (You’re like a colasisi, so made-up”) </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Colasisi is also known as the Philippine Hanging Parrot. Hanging Parrots are a family of parrots that are only found in Asia. They have the unusual habit of roosting upside down like a bat! The Colasisi is a Philippine endemic, meaning it is only found in the Philippines. It is the smallest of the parrots found in the Philippines. It is found all over the Philippines, in forests, cities, and gardens. The colasisi feeds on flowers as well fruit and flower nectar. In the village, they have been seen feeding on a mango tree. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sadly, Colasisis are still popular as house pets today. It is still common to see houses in the provinces that have a bamboo cage with a Colasisi hanging outside. Colasisis are easy to trap. One way to trap them is to put a caged Colasisi next to a trap. The call of the caged Colasisi attracts and lures other Colasisis into the trap. Most Colasisis that are for sale were caught this way and not captive-bred as the seller often claims. Gathering birds from the wild to make into house pets is illegal, cruel to the bird and depletes the wild population. Capturing birds from the wild is not quite the same as catching fish from the seas since there are much less birds than fish, the forests and areas where birds can live are much less than the oceans and places where fish can live, and most birds reproduce at a much slower rate than most fish.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There are three other parrot species that have been found in the village: the Umbrella Cockatoo, which is a big white bird with a crest and yellow under the wing, the Eclectus Parrot which looks green when perched but reveals a bright red, blue and black coloring under the wing when in flight, and the Rose-Ringed Parakeet which is green and has a long tail. All three of these birds are probably pets that have escaped and manage to survive in the village. The Umbrella Cockatoo is a protected species and an Indonesian endemic, the Eclectus Parrot is also from Indonesia, and the Rose-Ringed Parakeet is originally from South Asia. Unfortunately, pet birds like these that have escaped can be harmful to the native bird populations. They compete with them for food and other resources and may end up displacing them. The four parrot species found in the village draw attention to the illegal wildlife trade and how it harms birds in the wild. All residents of our bird sanctuary village should take heed to the long-running campaign of WildAid that says, “When the buying stops, the killing can too”.</span></div>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-18493171008562776412011-08-19T19:51:00.000-07:002011-08-19T19:51:53.903-07:00Zebra Doves in the Village <style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlVbdtMtIJEpw9o_QjNzzPvTmqU2-ZebhgUh0HH_OpZUqwyHOzE6vVMgv28PKRkhpINhooTcHyMeXHl0GK3DeXMpz-B178PIK8-ou4e3VYGF-J2egvsoed-oo535QrtblceyiFhHCqqTU/s1600/2011_3_zebra_dove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlVbdtMtIJEpw9o_QjNzzPvTmqU2-ZebhgUh0HH_OpZUqwyHOzE6vVMgv28PKRkhpINhooTcHyMeXHl0GK3DeXMpz-B178PIK8-ou4e3VYGF-J2egvsoed-oo535QrtblceyiFhHCqqTU/s640/2011_3_zebra_dove.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo of a Zebra Dove by Tonji Ramos</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Many people are familiar with the Zebra Dove and even know its local name “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bato-bato</i>”. The Zebra Dove or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Geopelia striata </i>is a very common bird found all over the village. It has the shape and manner of a domestic pigeon, but is smaller than a domestic pigeon. It has black and white barring or zebra stripes on the side of its neck and upper torso. It has a blue-grey throat and light blue eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like domestic pigeons, it coos.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> One reason why the Zebra Dove is so familiar to many people is that it is very approachable. It is not easily spooked. Often, instead of flying away when people approach, it merely hops a few feet away. One resident described how she became curious about the Zebra Dove after encountering several of them on the ground while she was out jogging. She was surprised that unlike most other birds, they did not fly away as she approached them. She thought that this was very unbird-like of them! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Zebra Doves are frequently found on the ground. This is another reason why they are so familiar to people. They’re very easy to see. In the village, you can see them walking on the roads, in open lots, and on the fairways of the golf course. They also like to perch on rooftops, trees and on the overhead wires. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Zebra Doves also have a talent for acting. Once, a Zebra Dove fall from a tree in front of my house and hopped on the ground with what appeared to be an injured wing. There was a crow that had just landed in the tree that the Zebra Dove fell from. It looked like the crow had attacked and injured the Zebra Dove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A car drove up the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I approached the Zebra Dove to move it out of the way of the car, the Zebra Dove flew away to another tree a few houses away! There was no limping or any sign of injury to its wing. The Zebra Dove had been feigning injury to distract the crow. It turned out that the Zebra Dove had a nest in the tree. Unfortunately for the Zebra Dove, its ploy did not work on the crow. The crow ate up the baby Zebra Doves.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> Aside from the Zebra Dove, there are 2 other kinds of dove species found in the village. The Red Turtle-Dove and the Spotted Dove. Both of these doves look similar to the Zebra Dove, but without the zebra-like black and white barring. The Red-Turtle Dove is slightly larger and has a solid black collar on the back of its neck. The Spotted Dove is also much larger than the Zebra Dove and has spots on the side of its neck instead bars.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Here are links to more dove pictures on our website:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Doves-and-Pigeons/ZD/7383191_rDoMs#787736313_FzUo6"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Zebra Dove</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Doves-and-Pigeons/Spotted-Dove/7339973_ydju9#564976442_gA5DA"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Spotted Dove</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Doves-and-Pigeons/Red-Turtle-Dove/7346724_cj7w9#1201252495_fLFWg">Red Turtle-Dove</a></span></div>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-91866835771406244432011-07-30T23:48:00.000-07:002011-07-30T23:48:23.533-07:00Bird Songs in Your Home<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.yshortcuts
{mso-style-name:yshortcuts;}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPx4LR8HUK8qanYIsp-G6BR1l_F65NbPKWL-Yt7IhXHpBI4b8-GPJHdEFj6iHgGggzL066PmUXVUtNOI8G2KF-YF3ZlW0U_-C7P3E4U11iIe3JNKZ7eReMcu1W6P1sd5RotDdgVwmgAqCl/s1600/2011_5_birdsongs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPx4LR8HUK8qanYIsp-G6BR1l_F65NbPKWL-Yt7IhXHpBI4b8-GPJHdEFj6iHgGggzL066PmUXVUtNOI8G2KF-YF3ZlW0U_-C7P3E4U11iIe3JNKZ7eReMcu1W6P1sd5RotDdgVwmgAqCl/s640/2011_5_birdsongs.jpg" width="532" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coppersmith Barbet </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Birds have the unique ability to fly. It is a skill shared only with bats, insects, and ancient pterosaurs. Because of this special ability, birds are not limited by geographical boundaries. They, unlike most other animals, can make the whole world their home. They can ascend a mountain in mere minutes. They can summer in Europe and winter in Asia. It is heartening then to discover that of all the possible places in the world, a bird has chosen your particular patch of garden to call home. What are these special birds that are living in your backyard? How can you identify them?<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One way to identify birds is by their call. Some birds are more easily heard than seen. Many birdcalls are difficult to remember because they are also difficult to describe. Birdcalls do not fall within the regular musical scale. They are more like sound effects. However, there are some birds whose calls are very distinctive, memorable, and easy to recognize. It also doesn't hurt that their calls are also very loud and usually repeated several times.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <span class="yshortcuts">Savanna Nightjar</span> is one of the easiest birds to identify by sound since it is the only bird active at night. There may still be Grass Owls in the village, but they have not been seen recently. The Savanna Nightjar's call sounds like "Tchwieeep! Tchwieeep! Tchwieeep!", but pronounced like a whistle. It is a stocky brown bird with big eyes, a tiny beak, and a broad white patch under the wing. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Coppersmith Barbet has a very unique and distinct sound. Unlike most other birds that chirp and tweet, the Copppersmith Barbet’s call sounds like a loud and steady “hoop, hoop, hoop” that is repeated for several minutes. The Copersmith Barbet is a chunky, gaily colored bird. It has a red crown, yellow face and chest, and green back and wings. Despite its bright colors, it is surprisingly good at blending into the leaves of trees. </span></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Black-naped Oriole's call sounds like a long whistle. It has many different kinds of calls, but all of them have a whistle-like quality. The Black-naped Oriole is a big yellow and black bird with a reddish beak. <br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <span class="yshortcuts">Olive-backed Sunbird</span> has a high-pitched, persistent call that sounds like zwiiit-zwiiit! It is a small, olive colored bird with a yellow chest. The males have an iridescent blue throat. They have a long, thin beak that curves downwards.<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The White <span class="yshortcuts">Collared Kingfisher</span> is the most common of the Philippine kingfishers. It is also unmistakable when seen. It is large and has a blue head and body with a white collar, chest, and belly. It has a large, heavy black beak and black legs. Its call is a loud, harsh squawking-like “waak, waak, wakk”! <br />
<br />
Getting to know the birds and bird sounds around your house can be rewarding. It is something that will add a different layer of color to your day. It's another way to connect with nature in your everyday life, even while living in a village like Ayala Alabang.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">To see a picture gallery of Ayala Alabang birds, <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/Birds-By-Location/Ayala-Alabang-Birds/7299588_74c5S#836518214_dyAQW">click here</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-81852754366443574992011-07-25T04:43:00.000-07:002011-07-25T04:53:09.522-07:00White-Breasted Waterhen<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRWyGKxfFlVMJNy7FIxD2FYUA-c-YDLHXszotV0-XxrmN6R75ibeYsaBHKm-5k2ADbBcA0CAcPn2pdaUkEvNpzTUCgfltJ4A8JSlPMJVr7tC4oMD_d1ayKVU7r-Q-Jwe4mhXaBHBLFEsy/s1600/2011_9_whitebreastedwaterhen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRWyGKxfFlVMJNy7FIxD2FYUA-c-YDLHXszotV0-XxrmN6R75ibeYsaBHKm-5k2ADbBcA0CAcPn2pdaUkEvNpzTUCgfltJ4A8JSlPMJVr7tC4oMD_d1ayKVU7r-Q-Jwe4mhXaBHBLFEsy/s640/2011_9_whitebreastedwaterhen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-Breasted Waterhen in Candaba, Pampanga<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="yshortcuts"> The White-breasted Waterhen</span> (<span class="yshortcuts"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amaurornis</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> phoenicurus</i>) is a chicken-like, 11-inch long bird usually found near water. In the village, it can be found in the near the creek of San Juanico park and by the <span class="yshortcuts">water hazards</span> of the <span class="yshortcuts">golf course</span>. Its back, crown, and wings are dark, its face and underparts are white, and its flanks and undertail are reddish-brown. In birding terminology, this reddish-brown color is usually described as rufous. It has a yellow bill and yellow legs with long yellow toes. The long toes help the White-breasted Waterhen walk on top of water plants.</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> <br />
Seeing a White-breasted Waterhen often requires a bit of patience. Most people usually imagine that birdwatching involves a lot of sitting around while patiently waiting for a bird to show up. Not all birdwatching is like that though. Sometimes, birdwatchers have to hike and pursue the birds they want to see. With the White-breasted Waterhen however, patience and quiet waiting work well. When they are relaxed and undisturbed, they can be observed walking in the open, feeding, and even frolicking in the water. The sight or sound of anything alarming however will send them running into the bushes for cover.<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> The creeks of the village and water hazards of the golf course attract all kinds of creatures. My husband and I once observed a huge monitor lizard stalking the White-breasted Waterhens in one of the ponds at the golf course. The White-breasted Waterhens were washing and preening themselves by the edge of the water. They were moving further and further out from the bushes, walking from one big half-submerged stone to another. They were unaware of the huge monitor lizard slowly swimming its way toward them, with only the top of its head showing. Then, just as a Lizard vs Waterhen battle seemed imminent, the Waterhens suddenly noticed the monitor lizard and ran for cover!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> One of the great things about birdwatching is that you can be safe and secure inside your very own village and still have an amazing "<span class="yshortcuts">Nat Geo</span>" moment. You can witness things that will make you think for a minute that you are in an exciting National Geographic wildlife documentary instead of a cozy suburban village</span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">See more photos of the White-Breasted Waterhen in </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/rallidae/wbw/7346687_KHKBU#1212316796_BcWQD"> this gallery</a> .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">See photos of the Monitor Lizard stalking the Waterhens in </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/Birds-Doing-Stuff/Look-Whos-Stalking/8310132_ur6KR#544311753_suMMk">this album !</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"> </span>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-6152981123011925132011-07-09T01:55:00.000-07:002011-07-09T01:56:51.876-07:00Shrikes<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
span.yshortcuts
{mso-style-name:yshortcuts;}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxo3ZJyCJk-O7z6_n4494qXZ2k81kMbftrfsVfA8atH5ZGkaIU0PxhfNFafBbeQIbHuL1qXsvgf0FHg7zl0JaOR6aifllHsiXKsVKNi-5vYqALErV_90g-c5AbLOlFRnqqVc7zaakjHRJK/s1600/2011_10_shrikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxo3ZJyCJk-O7z6_n4494qXZ2k81kMbftrfsVfA8atH5ZGkaIU0PxhfNFafBbeQIbHuL1qXsvgf0FHg7zl0JaOR6aifllHsiXKsVKNi-5vYqALErV_90g-c5AbLOlFRnqqVc7zaakjHRJK/s640/2011_10_shrikes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Shrike by Sylvia Ramos</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> There are two kinds of shrikes found in the village, the <span class="yshortcuts">Long-tailed Shrike</span> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lanius schach</i>) and the <span class="yshortcuts">Brown Shrike </span>(<i>Lanius cristatus</i>). Shrikes are a familiar sight to many villagers. They are known in Pilipino as "tarat". They are bold and striking-looking birds that are often seen perched arrogantly on an exposed branch or perch, as if surveying their own little kingdom. Shrikes are also known as butcher birds (different from butcherbird, another type of bird) because they are expert hunters with an unusual eating habit. Shrikes hunt even when they are full. Then, they save their food to eat later by impaling it on a sharp thorn or the barb of barbed wire. They drive their catch powerfully into the thorn or barbed wire until the tip of the thorn or barb shows through. Shrikes usually prey on insects. But, they are also known to prey on frogs, lizards, rodents, and even other birds! <br />
<br />
Shrikes look like little hawks. They have a powerful, raptor-like, hooked bill and sharp claws for holding down their prey. The Long-tailed Shrike has a black head, grey back bordered in cinnamon, long black tail, white underparts and cinnamon under the tail and at the flanks or the sides of the lower torso. The Brown Shrike looks similar to a Long-tailed Shrike except that it has a grey forehead, greyish-brown head, golden-buff breast and belly, and a shorter tail.<br />
<br />
Long-tailed Shrikes are <span class="yshortcuts">resident birds</span> and Brown Shrikes are migrants. Being a resident means that Long-tailed Shrikes live and breed in the Philippines the whole year round. They are also found in other countries. Their range extends from Iran to India, China, Taiwan, and <span class="yshortcuts">Southeast Asia</span> to New Guinea. Birds that breed and live exclusively in the Philippines are called Philippine endemics. Being a migrant means that Brown Shrikes breed in northern Asia and winter in the Philippines. It is amazing to think that the Brown Shrikes in the village flew all the way from China to feed in the gardens of Ayala Alabang.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">You can see more pictures of the <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/wss/Brown-Shrike/7315192_jwrHi#1212359017_XQseK">Brown Shrike</a> and <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/wss/Long-Tailed-Shrike/7302460_FLmk8#786591072_kaTPN">Long Tailed Shrike</a> on my website of Philippine birds.</span></div>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-23558693190160159932011-07-03T19:09:00.000-07:002011-07-03T19:09:40.077-07:00Pied Triller<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5utzmA8ytEb6hFVrW1ZjQ6zd7yvr6Q7NkHUBA1mx9zqFp7IcvnHC042b7pTeE2kXQHk_Y2qBB_bWb2l292cigAihyphenhyphenM1K-d-HXhMlV9zJNFHskrqrz__ig6cEcpiGEqDDiNitqzT8pam7/s1600/2011_8_piedtriller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5utzmA8ytEb6hFVrW1ZjQ6zd7yvr6Q7NkHUBA1mx9zqFp7IcvnHC042b7pTeE2kXQHk_Y2qBB_bWb2l292cigAihyphenhyphenM1K-d-HXhMlV9zJNFHskrqrz__ig6cEcpiGEqDDiNitqzT8pam7/s640/2011_8_piedtriller.jpg" width="516" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Triller in Ayala Alabang</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<br />
There are two kinds of black and white birds that are found in the village. One is the Pied Fantail (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhipidura javanica</i>), a very bold bird known for attacking dogs and cats that stray into its territory. The other black and white bird is the inconspicuous Pied Triller (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lalage nigra</i>). The Pied Triller has a very apt name. In birding terminology, Pied means black and white. Triller refers to the musical, quavering "che-che-che-che" call it makes.<br />
<br />
Male and female Pied Trillers can be told apart by their coloring. The males have all white underparts, while the females have grayish white underparts with fine barring. Both males and females have black heads, white eyebrows, black backs, and black and white wings. Like many other birds, the immature birds have similar coloring to the females. <br />
<br />
Pied Trillers are usually found on tree tops, picking off caterpillars from the branches. Aside from caterpillars, they also eat moths and other kinds of insects. They are found all over the village in different kinds of trees. <br />
<br />
Last summer, there was a Pied Triller nesting in a tree along our street. The tree was in front of or neighbor's house. One day, my husband and I approached the nest and were surprised when the usually low-key Pied Triller attacked us! It buzzed us -- flying straight at our heads as if it intended to hit us. It did this several times, swerving away at the last moment and calling out in alarm the whole time. Of course we shouldn't have been too surprised and should have known better than to approach a nesting bird. This is one of the golden rules of birding: do not disturb nesting birds! We quickly moved away from the nest and did not bother the bird again. <br />
<br />
A few days ago, we were sitting outside our front door enjoying the breeze and noticed a Pied Triller perched on the topmost branch of our neighbor's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">akasya</i> tree. It was just sitting quietly. Perhaps it was also enjoying the unusually cool breeze. We hope that this summer the Pied Triller returns to nest in our street again.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Click on <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Trillers-and-Minivets/Pied-Triller/7382461_SNGdk#857187244_zpLcM">this link</a> to see more pictures of Pied Trillers by Tonji and Sylvia Ramos<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span></div>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-89579427284493398972011-06-25T06:24:00.000-07:002011-06-25T06:26:35.895-07:00Golden-Bellied Flyeater<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHk2y3Tj7qqjpwKuSD5MTDHqq2qOF0rYPqwmHZhwnKFNFubvpwnMcxdAohEw-sUc8S8N7UTn5X5tyq32U5V76b5g8Wzg01mKCF0t3MPaR6VzFTrBxx2L6zJEiMbVewNxP7Aa9yN4fccC6J/s1600/2011_14_golden_bellied_flyeater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHk2y3Tj7qqjpwKuSD5MTDHqq2qOF0rYPqwmHZhwnKFNFubvpwnMcxdAohEw-sUc8S8N7UTn5X5tyq32U5V76b5g8Wzg01mKCF0t3MPaR6VzFTrBxx2L6zJEiMbVewNxP7Aa9yN4fccC6J/s640/2011_14_golden_bellied_flyeater.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden-bellied Flyeater by Tonji Ramos</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> My daughter and I used to go walking around the village every afternoon. While we were out on our walk one day, we were stopped in our tracks by a very unusual birdcall. The call was a 5-note tune, something like <i>whee-whee-wh-whee-woo</i>, repeated over and over again. It was so loud that we were sure that the bird was very big and very close by. We looked all around, eager to spot this great bird singer. But, we couldn't find it! We kept on hearing the bird calling. Soon it felt like the bird was mocking us. It sounded like it was singing, "<i>you-can-not-seeee-me</i>"! Some weeks later, I was out with some birdwatcher friends and heard the same, familiar call. I asked my friends what bird was making the call. I was expecting them to name some unusual bird. To my surprise, they said it was the Golden-bellied Flyeater.<br />
<br />
The Golden-bellied Flyeater is a very small, unassuming bird. It is only 4 1/2 inches long. From the looks of it, you would not guess that it has such a loud voice. Birds however are especially good at making sounds. They have air sacs all over their body that enable them to breathe very efficiently. Then, they have a very efficient sound box in their throat called a syrinx that can convert almost 100% of the air expelled into sound. The Golden-bellied Flyeater is also a ventriloquist. It can throw its voice so you cannot easily tell where the sound is coming from. <br />
<br />
Another thing that makes the Golden-bellied Flyeater hard to find is that it usually stays in the treetops. Instead of trying to find a tiny bird on top of a tree, it is better to just relax your eyes and try to spot some movement in the leaves. A closer inspection of the moving area with pair of binoculars will often reveal a bird. The Golden-bellied Flyeater is found all over the village. It is usually found either alone or in pairs. Some good places to see the Golden-bellied Flyeater in the village are along Country CIub Driver, at the parking lot on front of la Salle, and in Narra Park.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">You can see more pictures of Golden-bellied Flyeaters in my <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/f-w-g-t/gbf/7311422_ucFKE#805362735_e9V63">website </a></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Happy Birding!</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span><a href="mailto:sylviatramos@yahoo.com"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-50294331665410825272011-05-30T00:06:00.000-07:002011-05-30T00:06:41.496-07:00Swallows<style>
<a href="http://popcorn-hot-popcorn.blogspot.com/2008/11/true-love-story-of-bird.html">True Love Story of a Bird</a>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
span.yshortcuts
{mso-style-name:yshortcuts;}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Many villagers are familiar with the graceful shape of the swallow gliding gracefully through the sky, catching insects in mid-flight. There are two kinds of swallows found in the village: the <span class="yshortcuts">Barn Swallow</span> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hirundo rustica</i>) and the <span class="yshortcuts">Pacific Swallow</span> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hirundo tahitica</i>). Both kinds of swallows have glossy blue-black heads and backs, white bellies, and reddish foreheads, throats, and chests. Both also have long, narrow, pointed wings. The two swallows can be told apart by observing their tails. The Barn Swallow has a deeply forked tail. Its outer tail feathers are long and thin. The Barn Swallow also has a glossy blue-black breast band. Sometimes though, this breast band is partially missing or incomplete. The Pacific Swallow has a less deeply forked tail, without the long, thin outer tail feathers. Its belly is also grayish rather than the pale buff or white of the Barn Swallow. In Pilipino, both kinds of swallows are called layang-layang.<br />
<br />
The Barn Swallow is a world traveler. It is has been called "the most beloved bird in the world". <span class="yshortcuts">Barn Swallows</span> indeed have many things going in their favor. They are attractively colored, fly gracefully, eat insects, and nest near humans. What's not to love? A few years ago, a pair of Barn Swallows was featured in many websites and passed around in emails. The story was called, "True Love Story of a Bird" and showed one Barn Swallow grieving over the lifeless body of its mate. The Barn Swallow was shown bringing food to it's mate, trying to get it to move, and eventually just looking forlorn, standing on the ground by it's mate. Barn Swallows truly are faithful partners and form monogamous pairs. They breed all over North America, Africa and Eurasia and migrate to South America, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia for winter. <br />
<br />
<span class="yshortcuts">Pacific Swallows</span> are resident birds. This means that they live and breed in the Philippines the whole year round. Pacific Swallows build cup-shaped nests fastened to eaves of houses, undersides of bridges, and overhangs. Their nests are made mostly of mud, unlike the edible nests of swifts that are made of saliva. Oddly though, there are have been reports of maintenance personnel collecting swallow nests in the village! <br />
<br />
Barn and Pacific Swallows are found in many places all over the village. They are often found together, although the Pacific Swallow is usually found near water. They can be found in groups pursuing insects and catching them in mid-air. This type of feeding is called hawking. Some good areas to see them are in open lots, in the polo field, on the golf course, and the stretch of Country Club Dr. by the golf course. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzq6NPfbfcIRm5LjlZ9X88MblR5-tKKZ8Tl3oD0pkhtieOdZ_Mk-Wqr8cPkdpkxK6zUpwr6R2mrSCa76ITqrd7BbHLUc6yxxqDpWW94gzJ0SRq09zTsiFrY5uaPPDDVRX38JXJhHTxDMe/s1600/2011_11_swallows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzq6NPfbfcIRm5LjlZ9X88MblR5-tKKZ8Tl3oD0pkhtieOdZ_Mk-Wqr8cPkdpkxK6zUpwr6R2mrSCa76ITqrd7BbHLUc6yxxqDpWW94gzJ0SRq09zTsiFrY5uaPPDDVRX38JXJhHTxDMe/s320/2011_11_swallows.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo of a Pacific Swallow by Tonji Ramos</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">You can see more pictures of <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Swallows/Barn-Swallow/7363437_Vu5Jo#1261122971_CzKHZKQ">Barn Swallows in my website</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">You can also see more picture of <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Swallows/Pacific-Swallow/7314940_ekpNi#540058958_HSBdW">Pacific Swallows in my website</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Here's a link to <a href="http://popcorn-hot-popcorn.blogspot.com/2008/11/true-love-story-of-bird.html">True Love Story of a BIrd</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Happy Birding! <br />
</span>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-56653190320949228632011-05-20T20:14:00.000-07:002011-05-20T20:15:53.626-07:00Birdwatching Gear<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyw7wG4FR4YZttL05moKzOHUwSYCqkRTNFzKSkR-8U7KTtzEJ7cI3jVMumKMqxOSfvR25jkEeu1UTruVxCnXkGev4mM-NvrfKzIa82UVX_C5A6sevmdZSL5lGXeM9GL0fnrN7hRvfcvVtZ/s1600/2011_12_birdwatching_gear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyw7wG4FR4YZttL05moKzOHUwSYCqkRTNFzKSkR-8U7KTtzEJ7cI3jVMumKMqxOSfvR25jkEeu1UTruVxCnXkGev4mM-NvrfKzIa82UVX_C5A6sevmdZSL5lGXeM9GL0fnrN7hRvfcvVtZ/s400/2011_12_birdwatching_gear.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey-streaked Flycatcher in the Alabang Country Club</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
span.yshortcuts
{mso-style-name:yshortcuts;}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Do you need any special equipment to go birdwatching in the village? The short answer is: no, you don’t need any equipment at all. You can just go outside and look at the birds with your eyes. Sometimes, you don't even have to go outside at all! You can watch birds from your balcony, your bedroom window, or even from inside your car. However, there are some items that you can use that will make your experience more pleasant and fruitful.<br />
<br />
A pair of binoculars will allow you to appreciate the details of the bird's feathers. Birds come in an amazing variety of colors and patterns. There are birds with bars, spots, and stripes. Even the type of feathers in the bird varies -- from the small downy feathers around the eyes to the large, stiff <span class="yshortcuts">flight feathers</span> on the wings. Some birds even have bristles! The usual binoculars for birdwatching has a magnification of 8x42. In this example, the first number refers to the amount of magnification and The second number reeds to the amount of light that can enter the lens. There are many articles on the Internet on how to choose a good pair of binoculars. Any type of binoculars, even an inexpensive pair will do for a start.<br />
<br />
A field notebook and pen are useful items to have on hand when you go birdwatching. If you see a bird that you want to be able to identify, you can quickly jot down or even draw the details of the bird while it is still fresh in your mind. Then, later when you get home you can look up the bird online or in a guidebook. If you do this often enough, you will soon have nice personal records of the birds you have seen in the village. Later on, if you decide to join a formal organization like the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (<span class="yshortcuts">www.birdwatch.ph</span>), you can submit your birdwatching records to the club and they will become part of the official database of Philippine birds.<br />
<br />
A field guide is a book used by birdwatchers to identify birds. It shows photos or paintings of the birds, its diagnostic features, and descriptions of typical behavior and calls. There are two <span class="yshortcuts">field guides</span> of the birds of the Philippines that are still in print. "A Guide to the Birds of the <span class="yshortcuts">Philippines</span>" by Robert Kennedy and others is the <span class="yshortcuts">definitive field guide</span> of Philippine birds. It is considered the "bible" of Philippine birdwatchers. The other book is "A Photographic Guide to Birds of the Philippines" by Tim Fisher and Nigel Hicks. This book covers 215 out of the 600+ Philippine birds. While it is convenient to have a book that can be carried around and referred to while out birdwatching, it is also possible to just get information from the Internet. You can see photographs of the birds found in Ayala Alabang at <span class="yshortcuts">www.tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com</span>, under the section called "Birds by Location". You can also read more about birdwatching equipment in the section called “Equipment List”.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">You can see more pictures of Grey-streaked Flycatchers on my <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Fly-Fan/Grey-Streaked-Flycatcher/7372277_s9ThJ">website</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Tonji also wrote about our <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/Equipment-List/BG/16548901_FNNBD#1247771238_6cyZb">birding gear</a> and <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/Equipment-List/PG/16569072_hHuMk#1246169480_gBQ6T">photography gear</a>. With pictures!</span>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-82102632037868127642011-05-14T04:25:00.000-07:002011-05-14T04:25:41.039-07:00Lowland White Eye<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
span.yshortcuts
{mso-style-name:yshortcuts;}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJhyJEh-Dc3u2H74mFUAnhxD6UVYx_OK4v4TA6VRm3RcSoYsAv2N73EN66SsdurdAdYf4trnfb9qXb0gP6-Zj6ML_nLfLiXMmUlnHUm5_FmcUnwzSKmD1CwFv4FFdBrMiOBbrOLrOt9iP/s1600/2011_13_lowland_white_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJhyJEh-Dc3u2H74mFUAnhxD6UVYx_OK4v4TA6VRm3RcSoYsAv2N73EN66SsdurdAdYf4trnfb9qXb0gP6-Zj6ML_nLfLiXMmUlnHUm5_FmcUnwzSKmD1CwFv4FFdBrMiOBbrOLrOt9iP/s400/2011_13_lowland_white_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lowland White Eye by Tonji Ramos</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The <span class="yshortcuts">Lowland White-eye (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Zosterops meyeni</i>)</span> is a bird that is more easily heard than seen. Lowland White-eyes are small, yellow birds that fly from treetop to treetop in flocks twittering all the while. Although they make a lot of noise, they can be easy to miss because they are so small and quick. They also usually stay at the tops of <span class="yshortcuts">tall trees</span> and it takes a lot of neck straining to get a good look at them. <br />
<br />
There is a story about a photographer who was at the American Cemetery late one afternoon taking landscape pictures. He noticed a lot twittering sounds coming from one of the trees. He walked up to the tree to investigate the sounds. As he got near the tree, everything went silent. He went back to his photography. Then the twittering started up again only to fall silent as soon as he approached the tree where the sounds were coming from. This went on several times. The photographer began to get spooked. Then, just as he was about to think that the trees were haunted by invisible beings, a birdwatcher showed up and pointed out the Lowland White-eyes twittering in the treetops!<br />
<br />
Lowland White-eyes are only about 4 inches long. They have yellowish olive green upperparts, white bellies, and yellow forehead, throat, and under tail. Their most <span class="yshortcuts">distinctive feature</span> is the white ring around the eye that gives the bird its name. The white ring around its eye distinguishes it from other small birds found in the village.<br />
<br />
Lowland White-eyes can be found in the tall trees along Country Club Drive, in the portion near the golf course. They are also found in Narra Park and the parking lot in front of La Salle where the trees are not so tall. They eat insects, spiders, nectar, and berries.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnRsjEDAif8V-0QI49KNwraOWNNUE4wlrzPynKS_JhmSpO2UI_tzbS6L3GIPX-igN0tFF62qnl_6J3xR3Vj_Hr0my7OI1b4AaYJpADbXU_pepLgBkwSEE-NvVYZIT2flRCDOFcfliuFw9/s1600/IMG_9949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnRsjEDAif8V-0QI49KNwraOWNNUE4wlrzPynKS_JhmSpO2UI_tzbS6L3GIPX-igN0tFF62qnl_6J3xR3Vj_Hr0my7OI1b4AaYJpADbXU_pepLgBkwSEE-NvVYZIT2flRCDOFcfliuFw9/s400/IMG_9949.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lowland White Eye on an African Tulip Tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Happy Birding!</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">You can see more photos of Lowland White Eyes in my <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/w-eye-sparr-mun/lwe/7311600_ruCij">website</a> </span></div>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-51173617368779649902011-04-30T01:03:00.000-07:002011-04-30T01:09:30.227-07:00Pied Fantail<style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Arial";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
</style> <br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> The Pied Fantail (<i>Rhipidura javanica</i>) is a bird that has caught the attention of even non-birdwatchers. A lot of villagers have already noticed the antics and animated behavior of the Pied Fantail. This is the bird that attacks cats and dogs as they go into the garden to do their business or just walk down the street. This feisty bird even attacks its own reflection in a car mirror or house window! When it is not defending its territory from perceived threats, it can be seen hopping through the tree branches, holding its long tail spread out just like beautiful black and white fan.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> In birding terminology, the word “pied” means black and white. The Pied Fantail is a black bird with a white eyebrow, white throat and underparts, and black band across its chest. Its long black tail is edged in white. In Pilipino, this bird is known as <i>maria cafra</i>. It is about 7 ½ inches long. It has a many different metallic, chime-like calls.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HVq54cbE5uLeaKl_Yt62fj7k2Qk9zGGC2NCEGoF8Sh2Hu3THP5i-exN5corTL1yj30Bl9NBmpGO4pPEnM6LhPj7-GDkJ3UJMfb0EUsB6uMTQ36oDrEL39pjkWFqb5fqV0ZB18gEe8RkJ/s1600/2011_7_pied+fantail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HVq54cbE5uLeaKl_Yt62fj7k2Qk9zGGC2NCEGoF8Sh2Hu3THP5i-exN5corTL1yj30Bl9NBmpGO4pPEnM6LhPj7-GDkJ3UJMfb0EUsB6uMTQ36oDrEL39pjkWFqb5fqV0ZB18gEe8RkJ/s640/2011_7_pied+fantail.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Fantail with its tail folded. Photo by Tonji Ramos</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Pied Fantails usually frequent the same areas day in and day out. In the village, they are frequently found on mango trees and also near garbage cans. Pied Fantails are territorial. However, they have their own concept of a territory that does not follow manmade walls or borders. A Pied Fantail can nest in the mango tree of one house and still consider the yard of the neighboring house part of his territory. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Pied Fantails are interesting and amusing birds to observe. They are very active and noisy and constantly fan out and display their beautiful tails. They are one of the birds most likely to be nesting in a typical garden in the village.</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Two Pied Fantail links:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">View the photo essay<a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/Birds-Doing-Stuff/Bird-Attacks-Cat-and-more/8482806_47uaR"> "Bird Attacks Cat! And More!"</a><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/Birds-Doing-Stuff/Bird-Attacks-Cat-and-more/8482806_47uaR"></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">More Pied Fantail pictures from from our backyard and around the village on <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Fly-Fan/Pied-Fantail/7299196_5dAgx">our website</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-50287806399156562312011-04-22T20:09:00.000-07:002011-04-22T22:07:29.167-07:00What's In a Name? One of the things I really love about being a birdwatcher is knowing the names of the birds. I love having each bird's exact name lodged somewhere in my brain. And the names! Birds have such wonderfully descriptive names. Sometimes though, it isn't clear exactly what is being described. Like with a name like "Elegant Tit". But a lot of the time the name fits just right and is simple and to the point, like with "Cattle Egret".<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7X3HMLLyDw5KzwU6DC1upH7vvg9ikFvHyPR-UGyLN2sMkd9ejrK79P73OGx4Sfo2fB1y1WL8tmXz8KQm0-ENdqObOR5sccNdSRbQd31XTOjYCBCxXpoEkQ3hytESbcwUNsD3XXE3R198/s1600/IMG_8907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7X3HMLLyDw5KzwU6DC1upH7vvg9ikFvHyPR-UGyLN2sMkd9ejrK79P73OGx4Sfo2fB1y1WL8tmXz8KQm0-ENdqObOR5sccNdSRbQd31XTOjYCBCxXpoEkQ3hytESbcwUNsD3XXE3R198/s640/IMG_8907.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cattle + Egret = Cattle Egret</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Cattle Egrets (<i>Bubulcus ibis) </i>are commonly associated with cattle. They follow behind cows and carabaos, snatching up the insects that are stirred up by the cattle. This ability to exploit man-made feeding opportunities has allowed the Cattle Egret to expand their range as people have spread cattle farming throughout the world. They are found in every continent except Antartica.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3VHVFHr4VP5q5B16ki1ZMhkx9syYI9IwfikD4XB3G5HunwBF0BatDdW2vt1S-TKzw5jthd29t3VPcnJgl6HiOeyBONG2pLKeCsOrWiIroAZ5wKBDJffoteWIpra1UAqiDtfmY8s7r8Fn/s1600/IMG_8994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3VHVFHr4VP5q5B16ki1ZMhkx9syYI9IwfikD4XB3G5HunwBF0BatDdW2vt1S-TKzw5jthd29t3VPcnJgl6HiOeyBONG2pLKeCsOrWiIroAZ5wKBDJffoteWIpra1UAqiDtfmY8s7r8Fn/s400/IMG_8994.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6o0KuVoZxblLv4lfmyLrw4KwKLNuBCpemif5jbcX3IYDNG9NZRURSyqOEXPYLoZH6U2tU86RAH36JR6r8V5qUFBLDpUn_7oz8TUDZ2Zg03NdpXsjpTBEFpzAxFj-QO4yqfxT3hl4ikV0T/s1600/IMG_9026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6o0KuVoZxblLv4lfmyLrw4KwKLNuBCpemif5jbcX3IYDNG9NZRURSyqOEXPYLoZH6U2tU86RAH36JR6r8V5qUFBLDpUn_7oz8TUDZ2Zg03NdpXsjpTBEFpzAxFj-QO4yqfxT3hl4ikV0T/s400/IMG_9026.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Cattle Egrets are around 19" long. When they are not breeding, Cattle Egrets are entirely white. During breeding season, they come into their breeding plumage. The white on the head, neck and chest are replaced with long golden-buff feathers. They also acquire long plumes on their backs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7QzzUsomRMMNP7AFKL9QqWiAbsBFgBIVgzZ0zgTnEkvmbzBbV6fl5fPD4DqNQaiSHc2Z9D-WokTk4qBt39iIfXZwaJ0kokf6zItvDFdko0vSPxeM1Rg_Ub8d0eyoS66Lg9g_64BgWStv/s1600/IMG_9114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7QzzUsomRMMNP7AFKL9QqWiAbsBFgBIVgzZ0zgTnEkvmbzBbV6fl5fPD4DqNQaiSHc2Z9D-WokTk4qBt39iIfXZwaJ0kokf6zItvDFdko0vSPxeM1Rg_Ub8d0eyoS66Lg9g_64BgWStv/s640/IMG_9114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The first time I saw a Cattle Egret was in December 2008. We were in the car on the way to Caylabne when we saw them in the fields by the side of the road. At first, I didn't even want to stop the car to look at them. I thought they were domestic ducks! They looked so tame, walking alongside the cows. That, plus their thick bills and white feathers convinced me they were "just" ducks. I was still a newbie birder at the time, and new to the idea that if you look, you'll find wildlife everywhere. Even in a field of cattle!<br />
Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-86783458830279104732011-04-22T05:50:00.000-07:002011-04-22T19:31:11.679-07:00Hello 2011!Today I decided to start writing in this blog again. Even if I'm having problems getting my articles published in the AAVA News. So, here goes.<br />
<br />
I have been walking the 3 dogs every afternoon. I don't usually bring my binoculars with me, but I do look and listen for birds. The usual birds I see are Eurasian Tree Sparrows, Yellow Vented Bulbuls, Long Tailed Shrikes, Brown Shrikes, Olive-backed Sunbirds, and Pied Fantails. Starting about a week ago though, I've been seeing other birds! <br />
<br />
Last week, I saw a Crow on the street behind my house. This was just the second time I've seen a crow outside the Club. In the past week, I've also seen a Crested Myna, Bee-eater, and 2 Coppersmith Barbets. Then, there was also the strange sighting of a chicken-like bird in one of the empty lots near my block. It was strange since the bird looked like a domestic chicken, yet there was no sign of a chicken coop or cage. And the vacant lot where I saw the "alleged chicken" was very overgrown with weeds and even a mango tree that is leaning on its side with its branches almost touching the ground. It's a very wild looking vacant lot and its back wall is along Daang Hari. So, perhaps my eyes were deceiving me and the chicken is actually a wild bird. Worth further investigation.<br />
<br />
Another area to check out is the vacant lot beside the polo field. There were very loud and unusual sounds coming from some of the trees. Summer is a busy time for birds. It is breeding season for a lot of them, and they are more active and visible than usual.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa4KekAmIlmKBWVsf2fqxz0UGt_jW2giXwbBrM66h6T55-W3tcYWKcLgleFEHG3Ea5iTuwpHhMd8r-G_DvCApXIQ2dOKCQkDSbQiNkpdyACWn-ZaPK2SL0aNm7rgOiuhy7IOcOA4mU_9c/s1600/IMG_9886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa4KekAmIlmKBWVsf2fqxz0UGt_jW2giXwbBrM66h6T55-W3tcYWKcLgleFEHG3Ea5iTuwpHhMd8r-G_DvCApXIQ2dOKCQkDSbQiNkpdyACWn-ZaPK2SL0aNm7rgOiuhy7IOcOA4mU_9c/s320/IMG_9886.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barkley and Momo in the vacant lot beside the Polo field</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-15688527456529630842010-05-28T20:24:00.000-07:002011-04-22T18:57:28.255-07:00NESTS and YELLOW-VENTED BULBULS<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> The Yellow-vented Bulbul (<i>Pycnonotus goiavier</i>) is one of the most common birds in Ayala Alabang. Yellow-vented Bulbuls can be seen perched on branches of trees in most gardens and parks all over the village. They are bold birds and are not easily frightened by people or other birds. They are relatively easy to observe. Sometimes they flock together in one tree in a boisterous group of up to 20 individuals. A close inspection of a noisy tree or shrub will often yield a group of Yellow-vented Bulbuls making a variety of musical “chup-chup-chup” calls. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> The Yellow-vented Bulbul is bigger than a <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/White-Eyes-Sparrows-and-Munias/Eurasian-Tree-Sparrow/ets2/805356812_SQ8Jx-XL.jpg">Eurasian Tree Sparrow</a> or<i> maya</i>. It is about 7 ½ inches long. When seen from behind, the Yellow-vented Bulbul looks very non-descript and it can be mistaken for many other bird species. The back of its head, tail, and throat are an undistinguished looking olive-brown color that is common to many other birds. In birding terminology, the distinguishing features that help identify a bird are called field marks. The field marks of the Yellow-vented Bulbul are the black stripe on the top of its head, broad white eyebrow, black mask-like rings around its eyes, white breast and belly, and yellow below the belly, right before the tail. This is the yellow vent that gives it its name. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bulbuls/yvb/yvb/811494420_RhSGT-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bulbuls/yvb/yvb/811494420_RhSGT-X2.jpg" width="572" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> photo by Tonji Ramos</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Yellow-vented Bulbuls nest at this time of the year. They make cup-shaped nests in dense bushes usually 3-5 feet off the ground. Like many small birds, the male and female bird both share in parenting duties. They take turns sitting on the eggs and later feeding the young. They parents keep the nest clean by carrying out the fecal sac of the nestlings. The fecal sac is the feces of the nestlings that are neatly wrapped in membrane. The parents continue feeding and caring for the baby birds even when they have fledged or left the nest. The fledglings stay in the area of their nest, taking short flights from branch to branch under the watch of the parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bulbuls/yvb/MG0617/879293160_EvTnN-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bulbuls/yvb/MG0617/879293160_EvTnN-XL.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Unfortunately, despite all the care and attention parents give to their young, some nests fail. When people approach a nest to do gardening or just out of curiosity, the nestlings can get so frightened that they jump out of the nest. Once they do this, it is impossible to return them to the nest. When parent birds feel threatened by people or predators that are approaching their nest, they will stay away from it to keep it from being discovered.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bulbuls/yvb/MG0631/879304019_jn4kv-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bulbuls/yvb/MG0631/879304019_jn4kv-X2.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Seeing birds nest in the village is a good sign that Ayala Alabang truly is a bird-friendly village. Sadly though, there are still incidents of bird cruelty in the village. A few weeks ago, a resident of Saranggani St. saw several maintenance men running in a suspicious manner towards a <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Orioles-and-Crows/Black-Naped-Oriole/bno1/553823165_ZGdVt-XL.jpg">Black Naped Oriole</a> nest. They were carrying a long bamboo pole, presumably to rob the nest. The men were maintenance workers of the Ayala Alabang Country Club. Thankfully, the resident was able to stop the men and report them to the club.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> It is likely though that most people in the village do not want to intentionally harm or disturb a nest. The best thing to do when you come across nest is to simply leave it alone. If there is some gardening work that needs to be done in the area where the nest is, it is best to just put it off temporarily until the nest has been abandoned. This will not take too long, not more than 3 weeks for small birds like the Yellow Vented Bulbul. Areas that are known to be popular nesting sites should not be altered to encourage the birds to nest there again. If you want to observe a nest, it is best to do so from a distance or a place where the birds cannot see you so that the bird family will continue with their natural behavior.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bulbuls/yvb/yvbbcon/875874203_NpMXx-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bulbuls/yvb/yvbbcon/875874203_NpMXx-X2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">a fledgling, photo by Tonji Ramos</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Just a little care and consideration will go a long way in making Ayala Alabang a place where all kinds of families, including Yellow-vented Bulbul families, can grow and be nurtured. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Check out my links to more pictures:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bulbuls/yvb/7302349_YLH8k#811494420_RhSGT">More pictures of Yellow-vented Bulbuls</a></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bulbuls">Other types of bulbuls found in the Philippines</a></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/">Tonji and Sylvia's website of Philippine birds</a></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/Birds-By-Location/Ayala-Alabang-Birds/7299588_74c5S#836518214_dyAQW">Photo List of Alabang Birds </a></span></span></li>
</ul>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-32718566239589043792010-05-17T00:08:00.000-07:002010-05-17T18:41:44.825-07:00Meet the Olive-Backed Sunbird<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> It comes as a surprise to many people that there are no hummingbirds in the Philippines. A lot of people have seen a small, brilliantly colored bird darting in and out of the flowers in their gardens. They assume this is a hummingbird. The bird they’ve seen is actually an Olive Backed Sunbird (<i>Nectarina jugularis</i>).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Sunbirds-and-Flowerpeckers/OBS/obs4/789585022_G7aFu-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Sunbirds-and-Flowerpeckers/OBS/obs4/789585022_G7aFu-XL.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">male Olive-Backed Sunbird on Tabebuia flowers, photo by Tonji Ramos </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Like hummingbirds, Olive-backed Sunbirds feed on nectar and small insects and <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Sunbirds-and-Flowerpeckers/OBS/IMG0899v2/568167211_iPkdD-L.jpg">spiders</a>. They can be found in gardens all over Ayala Alabang. They have a long, thin, pointed beak that curves downwards. This type of downward curving beak is described as “decurved”. When they feed on nectar, they either thrust their entire beak into the center of the flower or they use their sharp beaks to pierce a flower near its base and sip the nectar. They have long, thin, tubular tongues that they use to sip the nectar. Unlike hummingbirds that can hover like tiny helicopters, Olive-backed Sunbirds can only hover for brief spurts. They are very agile and fly quickly from flower to flower. They can also snap up insects while perched on treetops.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Sunbirds-and-Flowerpeckers/OBS/MG8677/857775789_cv8h3-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Sunbirds-and-Flowerpeckers/OBS/MG8677/857775789_cv8h3-XL.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">female piercing an African Tulip tree flower</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Olive-backed Sunbirds are often found in pairs, especially during breeding season. The male and female are easily told apart because the male is more colorful and showy than the female. The male has a shiny, iridescent, metallic purplish-blue throat and upper breast while the female’s throat and upper breast are yellow. Both male and female have olive colored backs and heads, brown and olive wings, and yellow stomachs. The male Olive-backed <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Sunbirds-and-Flowerpeckers/OBS/sa/718790307_37UvR-XL.jpg">Sunbirds found Palawan</a> however are colored bright orange below the chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Sunbirds-and-Flowerpeckers/OBS/MG6738/807444143_pNSrd-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Sunbirds-and-Flowerpeckers/OBS/MG6738/807444143_pNSrd-XL.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">metallic throat and chest feathers of the male Olive-Backed Sunbird</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Sunbirds are known in Pilipino as <i>pipit</i>. There are many kinds of sunbirds and the Olive-backed Sunbird is known as <i>pipit- parang</i> or <i>pipit-puso</i>. They are noisy and active throughout the day. Their call is a loud and persistent “tch-wiiiip” and also an insistent, high-pitched, repeated “chii-chii-chii-chii-chii”. Often, they will perch on the top of a tree calling out “Tch-wiiiip” loudly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Sunbirds-and-Flowerpeckers/OBS/MG6698/807446199_ELiDZ-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Sunbirds-and-Flowerpeckers/OBS/MG6698/807446199_ELiDZ-XL.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">female</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> At home, I see the Olive-backed Sunbirds from my 2<sup>nd</sup> floor windows feeding on the pale pink flowers of the Tabebuia trees and the bright orange flowers of the African Tulip trees. One of my neighbors attracted a lot of Olive-backed Sunbirds to her garden by planting a lot of Chinese Hat plants. I have also seen them on hibiscus (<i>gumamela) </i>flowers and <i>Cassia</i> trees. They seem to be attracted to all kinds of nectar-rich flowers. It’s pleasing to find that the plants and flowers that bring shade and beauty to the garden also provide food and shelter to colorful and musical birds like the Olive-backed Sunbird.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Please visit the following links to see more pictures:</span></span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/">Tonji and Sylvia's website of Philippine birds</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Sunbirds-and-Flowerpeckers/OBS/7303763_Hme8U#807444143_pNSrd">more Olive-Backed Sunbird pictures</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Tonji and Sylvia's photo list of <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/Birds-By-Location/Ayala-Alabang-Birds/7299588_74c5S#836518214_dyAQW">Ayala Alabang birds</a></span></span></li>
</ul><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Galleries of pictures of other kinds of sunbirds found in the Philippines</span></span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Sunbirds-and-Flowerpeckers/Lovely-Sunbird/8590522_EVvEE#566370723_nVb8p">Lovely Sunbird</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Sunbirds-and-Flowerpeckers/Flaming-Sunbird/8037536_WKKsa#523216901_tUWAv">Flaming Sunbird</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Sunbirds-and-Flowerpeckers/Purple-Throated-Sunbird/7383021_qqHYn#803121713_2m2Tt">Purple Throated Sunbird</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Sunbirds-and-Flowerpeckers/Plain-Throated-Sunbird/7953767_xqpGn#802254219_oAc4d">Plain Throated Sunbird</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Sunbirds-and-Flowerpeckers/mws/11413063_kGu3J#802182062_mzfEj">Metallic Winged Sunbird</a></span></li>
</ul><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-66998917852920022122010-05-07T19:53:00.000-07:002010-05-16T05:12:37.854-07:00Meet the Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Most Filipinos who are not birdwatchers will readily admit that they don’t know many Philippine birds beyond the <i>maya </i>or <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/White-Eyes-Sparrows-and-Munias/Eurasian-Tree-Sparrow/7286784_Vm2tb#805356812_SQ8Jx">Eurasian Tree Sparrow</a>. What’s surprising though, is that many Filipinos are more familiar with foreign birds than Philippine birds. Even non-birdwatchers can easily identify birds like swans, flamingoes, penguins, cardinals, and woodpeckers. So it comes as a surprise to many people to discover that there are woodpeckers inside Ayala Alabang village. “Really?” they say. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Woodpeckers are not just American birds. There are <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Woodpeckers">6 species of woodpeckers</a> that are found in the Philippines. The woodpecker species that is found inside Ayala Alabang is the Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker (<i>Dendrocopos maculatus</i>). It is the smallest of the woodpeckers found in the Philippines. It is also a Philippine endemic species, meaning that it is found only in the Philippines. It measures about 5 ½ inches in length with a black and white barred throat and chest, black back with white bars or stripes, and brown wings with white spots. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Woodpeckers/ppw/3-13-wp1/811460311_XEpM8-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Woodpeckers/ppw/3-13-wp1/811460311_XEpM8-XL.jpg" width="606" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> © Tonji Ramos 2010</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> With its small size and muted colors of brown and black, the <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Woodpeckers/ppw/7346643_ajKNE#811460311_XEpM8">Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker</a> can be difficult to see. It is also easy to mistake it for a <i>maya. </i>This is where the sense of hearing comes into play. It is usually easier to listen for the bird first and then try to locate the bird by sound. To see a Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker in the village, first go to a place where they are likely to be found. Then, listen for their sound, try to pinpoint where the sound is coming from, and look for movement in the area. When it is feeding, it makes a tap-tap-tapping sound as its beak strikes the tree. It is known in Pilipino as <i>Karpintero-maliit </i>(small carpenter) because of the distinctive hammering sound it makes on the tree branches. It also has a call that sounds like a high-pitched, rapid-fire “tri-i-i-i-i-i-i”. It sounds like a tiny, trilling jackhammer. Two good areas to see these birds are Narra Park and the parking lot across from La Salle Zobel.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Philippine Pygmy Woodpeckers are fascinating to watch. They use their feet to grasp and their tail to brace against the branches or trunk of a tree and they hop up and down the tree searching for insects. They can even walk upside down! They also constantly bob their heads up and down to get at the insects that are lodged within the crevices of the bark.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Woodpeckers/ppw/wp5/811738420_PpMjd-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Woodpeckers/ppw/wp5/811738420_PpMjd-XL.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"> Walking upside down! © Tonji Ramos 2010 </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Philippine Pygmy Woodpeckers also use their powerful beaks to make nesting holes, usually in dead branches. This is something that should be kept in mind when gardening or landscaping. Those dead branches that seem useless are actually likely homes for birds like the Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Click on the links to see more:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Woodpeckers/ppw/7346643_ajKNE#811460311_XEpM8">Philippine Pygmy Woodpeckers</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Woodpeckers">6 species of woodpeckers found in the Philippines</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/">More Philippine Birds</a></span></li>
</ul>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-47478283357304734252010-05-03T02:19:00.000-07:002010-05-07T20:03:12.515-07:00Meet the Blue Tailed Bee Eater<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Summer is a busy time for many birds. They are noisier and more active than usual. The summer months are breeding time for many birds. They are chirping to one another to establish territories and find mates. Then, they fly back and forth from one tree to another to feed, gather nesting materials, and later on to gather for food their young.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bee-Eaters/Blue-Tailed-Bee-Eater/MG9431/834334160_n6XRS-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bee-Eaters/Blue-Tailed-Bee-Eater/MG9431/834334160_n6XRS-L.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">perching on a telephone wire</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> A summer visitor to Ayala Alabang that is relatively easy to see and observe is the Blue Tailed Bee Eater (<i>Merops philippinus</i>). It is about 11 ½ inches long and brightly colored. It has a rusty red throat, greenish-yellow belly and chest, olive-green back, long, sky blue tail feathers, and a long thin curved beak. In Pilipino it is known as <i>pirik-pirik</i>. Unlike some birds that are hard to spot because they hide within tree branches, the Blue Tailed Bee Eater is easy to see because it perches on telephone wires and exposed branches. Blue Tailed Bee Eaters often travel in flocks. In Alabang, they have been seen in groups of 8 or 15 or sometimes solo. It is usually their loud “churrp” call that first alerts one to their presence. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bee-Eaters/Blue-Tailed-Bee-Eater/MG9563/834335731_CfWXu-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bee-Eaters/Blue-Tailed-Bee-Eater/MG9563/834335731_CfWXu-L.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">it catches insects in mid-air</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> As its name implies, the Blue Tailed Bee Eater eats bees. It also eats other flying insects like <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bee-Eaters/Blue-Tailed-Bee-Eater/IMG7087/532846695_B6PiM-L.jpg">dragonflies</a>. The Blue Tailed Bee Eater sits on a high perch like a telephone wire, keeping an eye on the flying insects. Then, when it spots its target, it swoops into the air and deftly captures the insect in its beak. It then returns to its perch with the insect. If its prey is a bee with a stinger, it will knock the bee against the perch to remove the stinger before eating the bee.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bee-Eaters/Blue-Tailed-Bee-Eater/MG9421/834333535_MMk78-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bee-Eaters/Blue-Tailed-Bee-Eater/MG9421/834333535_MMk78-L.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">back on the wire with its prey</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Blue Tailed Bee Eaters are a colorful and beautiful summer visitor to our village. They add to the diversity of wildlife that can be found inside Ayala Alabang. It is wonderful to know that they are welcome here. In other places, such as Tagaytay, commercial beekeepers consider the Blue Tailed Bee Eaters pests. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The commercial beekeepers introduced imported European honeybees to the area. These bee colonies attract bee eaters and other bee eating birds which the beekeepers then shoot down to protect their hives! </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">However, shooting bee-eaters that are near a beehive is not only criminal, but also very cruel. It doesn’t actually do much to protect the bees since they can still get caught and eaten while they are out foraging. Bees can fly up to 3 km away from their hives in search of pollen. Many Bee Eaters are needlessly being killed just to provide businessmen with honey, candles and soap to sell. Thankfully, they are admired and appreciated here!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Blue Tailed Bee Eaters are not usually seen in Alabang at other times of the year. Last month, they were seen in various parts of the village such as: Champaca corner Country Club Dr., Country Club Drive, Taysan St., Batangas St, and the golf course.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Click on the links to see</span></span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> more pictures of <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Bee-Eaters/Blue-Tailed-Bee-Eater/7372179_Rw6oF#834333535_MMk78">Blue Tailed Bee Eaters</a> </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> our website <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/">tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com</a></span></li>
</ul><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-28696005115131509702010-04-26T20:15:00.000-07:002010-05-07T19:30:18.406-07:00Bird Sanctuary<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 9.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Our village calls itself an official bird sanctuary and has done so for many years. For the villagers, this mostly means that they shouldn’t shoot or harm any of the birds found inside the village. But, what does it mean for the birds? Does our village really provide sanctuary to the birds?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.3pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 19.3pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Yes, it is possible that many birds do consider our village a place where they can take safe refuge. Back in October 2009 when Typhoon Santi hit Manila, more than 300 Whiskered Terns took shelter in the polo field of Alabang Country Club. This was unusual since the open fields are not their usual habitat. In the city, Whiskered Terns (<i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Chlidonias hybridus)</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">can usually be found in Manila Bay, Coastal Lagoon, and the Pasig River. Outside the city, you can usually find them in areas with big fishponds, rice fields, marshes, or lakes. They are migrants so perhaps the group that took a break in the polo field was on their way to the bay when the typhoon struck. They saw a big patch of empty land and decided that it was the safest place to take a break from the strong winds of a typhoon! Aside from the Whiskered Terns, there was also a Common Sandpiper (<i>Actitis hypoleucos)</i>, Asian Golden Plover (Pluvi<i>alis fulva</i>), and White-Winged Tern (<i>Chilidonias leucopterus)</i> mixed in the flock. These are birds that are also usually found near bodies of water. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/Birds-Doing-Stuff/typhoon/091031wt10/698089443_qQpFL-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/Birds-Doing-Stuff/typhoon/091031wt10/698089443_qQpFL-L.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The birds were in the middle of the field</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> More recently, in April 2010 my husband Tonji spotted a Chinese Pond Heron (<i>Ardeola bacchus</i>) inside the village. This bird is a migrant and is not frequently seen in the Philippines. There were 3 records of this bird in the Philippines before 2000 and a handful of sightings after that. It is usually found in wetlands, lakes and marshes. The Chinese Pond Heron in the village was stalking insects and fish in the canal by the La Salle parking lot. It was probably on its way back to China when it stopped by our village to eat and rest before continuing on its long journey back home.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Herons-and-Bitterns/cph/cph2/835641118_2ZNpP-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Herons-and-Bitterns/cph/cph2/835641118_2ZNpP-L.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">© Tonji Ramos 2010<br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Another bird that you would not expect to find in the village is the snipe. Many people are familiar with snipes cooked and served in adobo sauce. It is another bird that is usually found in marshes and ricefields that has surprisingly found its way into our village. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Curlews-Godwits-Sandpipers/Snipe/snipe2/811773557_orwma-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/Curlews-Godwits-Sandpipers/Snipe/snipe2/811773557_orwma-L.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">© Tonji Ramos 2010<br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> It is encouraging to think that all the open spaces, trees, and canals in the village are benefit not only the residents by making our village more pleasant and beautiful, but the birds as well by giving them life, food, and a place to shelter.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Please visit my website <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/">tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com</a> for more pictures of Philippine birds</span></span></div>Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069862307070049773.post-83872701874045600222010-04-24T05:21:00.000-07:002010-05-07T20:04:37.056-07:00Meet the Crested Myna<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><br />
<br />
There are many different species of birds found inside the village. So far, I have seen 55 different species. One of the species that has made its home in our village is the Crested Myna (<span style="font-style: italic;">Acridotheres cristatellus</span>). It is known locally as <span style="font-style: italic;">martines</span>. It is a large black bird, measuring about 10”. It has a yellowish bill and a white patch on each wing that is visible when it flies, and a small crest of feathers at the base of its bill. It is common throughout Luzon and Negros and was introduced into the Philippines in 1850.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/wss/Crested-Myna/crested-myna1/822476417_MRJiR-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/wss/Crested-Myna/crested-myna1/822476417_MRJiR-L.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">@ 2010 Tonji Ramos</div> <br />
<br />
The Crested Mynas in the village have been very active and visible in the past weeks. They can be seen walking on the sidewalks and even in the middle of the main roads such as Acacia Avenue and Country Club Drive. They use their keen eyesight to pick out small green caterpillars from the piles of dried leaves that accumulate at the edge of the sidewalk and the street.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/wss/Crested-Myna/crested-myna2/822477153_Ep3ti-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/wss/Crested-Myna/crested-myna2/822477153_Ep3ti-L.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">@ 2010 Tonji Ramos </div><br />
Crested Mynas are good mimics and can copy the calls of other birds and other sounds. Unfortunately, because of this they are frequently captured from the wild and sold as pets. Many people do not realize that there is a law, Republic Act No. 9147 The Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act that prohibits the capture, buying or selling wildlife. Not only is it against the law to buy wildlife, it also harmful to the environment. Buying wildlife encourages hunters to capture even more birds and further decimates the country’s already dwindling and threatened wildlife population.<br />
<br />
The more famous relative of the Crested Myna is the <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/wss/Hill-Myna/10379918_HXsjo#734300310_HHy3L">Hill Myna</a>. The Philippine population of Hill Mynas is found only in Palawan. The Hill Myna has a yellow patch of skin below the eye and wattles on the nape. Sadly, they are so popular as pets that in some areas their entire population has been wiped out. Hunters look for the birds’ nests in the wild and extract the baby birds when they are old enough to be hand-reared.<br />
<br />
Please visit my website <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/">tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com</a> for more pictures of Philippine birds.<br />
You can also see more pictures of Crested Mynas in the <a href="http://tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/List/wss/Crested-Myna/7340014_KnafT#822477153_Ep3ti">Crested Myna gallery</a> on my website.Sylviahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02365011319128167416noreply@blogger.com2