bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

A male is calling from a coconut tree. Not sure whether this male was the same one recorded in XC437596 and XC437597, earlier that morning.

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

male in mid-storey flitting around seemed quite agitated

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

With advancing age I find that hearing the calls of some of these species with high pitched notes is difficult for me, the Crimson Sunbird included. I had good observations of this male and was even able to do some videos of the bird preening and calling, using a wall as a support for the long lens (see video here: https://youtu.be/nqNipRcCS2c). Wells (2007) notes that the song/calls are undescribed in the review area of his book (at the time of publication) but I am sure many local bird watchers have heard and recorded the song/calls since. A recording of some songs and calls of the bird I observed can be found here. The song is described by Cheke, Mann and Allen 2001, in their comprehensive account on Sunbirds, as a “chirping trill or a loud sharp trill, often uttered on the wing”. The sonogram of the song shows that it is a high frequency sound and the upper limit is above the audible range of hearing (> 20 000 Hz). I observed that the song often comprised three notes, repeated frequently (occasionally 2 notes). One type of call made was a high frequency note, single and uttered infrequently, here while preening. Reference: 1. Robert A Cheke, Clive F Mann, Richard Allen (2001). Sunbirds: A Guide to the Sunbirds, Flowerpeckers, Spiderhunters and Sugarbirds of the World. Helm Identification Guides 2. Wells, D.R. (2007). The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula: Vol. 2 (Passarines). Christopher Helm, London.

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

bird-seen:no

playback-used:no

Adult male Crimson Sunbird, recorded in the morning. Identified by red head, mantle and upper breast. The individual’s song was a repeated series of varied 4-5 note calls that is distinct from other sunbirds. Also made some ‘chwee’ and ‘tsip’ calls between song bouts and when feeding. Was observed in a patch of vegetation by the walkway right outside the toilet. It flew back and forth between trees and bushes and did not stay perched for long. The Crimson Sunbird was also joined by Ornate Sunbirds, Pin-striped Tit Babblers and some unidentified female sunbirds (may be a mixed flock?). Fed on some Leea rubra flowers. Was easy to approach as it was at eye level at many instances and was also not shy. This audio was edited for clarity (removed part with Black-naped Oriole overlapping call).

A male is foraging among a coconut tree by the roadside.

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

90% confident based on field experience and comparison with sonograms from this and other species. Previously noted in in this site: Crimson and Purple; Plain, and Ruby-cheeked are possible (rarely if ever found Olive-backed in this district). The degree of 'squeak', cadence, frequency, pattern (also notice the bird in background on sonogram), and shape of note all indicate Crimson. See XC96673 and XC78909 - granted one is a subspecies on Borneo and the other in India.

Male eclipse and female, mobbing response to playback of Ashy Drongo.

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:yes

Mystery species (munia??) in thick 50 cm high fresh grass just a metre from the microphone.

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

bird-seen:no

playback-used:no

Response to mobbing / alarm calls of Ashy Drongo and other species.

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:yes