Photographic Guide to the Birds of Malaysia & Singapore. Morten Strange
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Usually solitary and not numerous anywhere. Seems to have declined in numbers. Rarely observed.
BLACK-NECKED STORK
Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus 132 cm F: Ciconiidae
Description: Note huge size, massive black bill and white back.
Voice: Silent.
Habits: Frequents marshes, monsoon-flooded savanna forest, and coastal swamps and lagoons; occasionally found in tidal mangroves. Feeds mainly on fish, but also takes frogs, reptiles and insects. Seems to require extensive, undisturbed wetlands to thrive, and has declined almost to extinction in Southeast Asia. In India and Australia, where it lives near villages and farmlands, it has adapted better to disturbed conditions.
GREATER ADJUTANT
Leptoptilos dubius 145 cm F: Ciconiidae
Description: Distinguished from following species by larger size, and grey panel in wing and neck pouch. Captive photo.
Voice: Silent.
Habits: Occurs around freshwater marshes and large lakes, also in fields and drier grassland areas. Feeds on carrion; also catches fish, reptiles and injured animals. An abundant bird in the 19th century, with millions reported in India and Myanmar. Even in the early 20th century it was numerous, entering villages to feed on garbage and resting on rooftops. Now numbers have decreased alarmingly and the species is considered endangered with global extinction.
LESSER ADJUTANT
Leptoptilos javanicus 114 cm F: Ciconiidae
Description: A large stork with massive build. Note diagnostic orange neck and dark under-wings.
Voice: Silent.
Habits: In SE Asia restricted to the mangrove habitat, feeding on exposed mudflats at low tide. Nests in trees in remote forest patches over the water, usually in small colonies near other water birds. Feeds on mudskippers, crustaceans and also carrion. A shy bird, but seen clearly when flying, sometimes flapping its huge wings slowly, at other times soaring high like an eagle.
BLACK-HEADED IBIS
Threskiornis melanocephalus 80 cm F: Threskiornithidae
Description: Unmistakable, as is the only white ibis in this region.
Voice: Silent.
Habits: Found in freshwater marshes and wet fields behind the coast, less often on tidal mudflats. Feeds on frogs and aquatic invertebrates, also some fish. Always moves in flocks; nests in colonies in tall trees such as coconut palms near water and sometimes in villages.
GLOSSY IBIS
Plegadis falcinellus 64 cm F: Threskiornithidae
Description: Small size and all-black colouration are diagnostic.
Voice: Silent.
Habits: Occurs in marshy areas, mainly shallow freshwater lakes and flooded fields, but also in coastal wetlands and tidal lagoons. Nests in colonies in tow trees near fresh water. A social species that breeds and feeds in flocks, often with other water birds. Walks along feeding on aquatic invertebrates, sometimes also small fish and frogs.
GREY-LAG GOOSE
Anser anser 84 cm F: Anatidae
Description: Distinguished from the rarer Bean Goose, A, fabalis, by its paler neck and breast, pink (not orange) feet and pale (not dark) bill. Distinguished in flight by distinctive pale forewing.
Voice: Honks like a domesticated goose.
Habits: The only goose in the region likely to appear regularly in any great numbers. Often found swimming in marshes and in nearby fields where it feeds on grasses and grain. This genus is one of the few groups of birds able to digest the cellulose in ordinary grass. An elegant flier, its flocks form characteristic V-shaped formations during their tong travels.
LESSER TREEDUCK (Lesser Whistling-duck)
Dendrocygna javanica 41 cm F: Anatidae
Description: Light brown plumage and scaly wings are diagnostic. Rounded wings in flight. Distinguished from other tree-ducks by lack of white streaks on flanks.
Voice: Its alternative name indicates a vocal duck, constantly uttering a high-pitched, three-note whistle during flight.
Habits: An attractive small duck found in freshwater habitats such as marshes, reservoirs and lakes with plenty of vegetation; visits ponds, but never brackish or tidal areas. Forms dense flocks outside of breeding season, locally numbering thousands. A crepuscular feeder that visits paddy fields at night. Its nest is built in trees or among dense lakeside reeds.
WANDERING TREEDUCK (Wandering Whistling-duck)
Dendrocygna arcuata 45 cm F: Anatidae
Description: Note dark rufous wing coverts and black flight feathers in flight. Previous species appears much paler brown. On the water white flanks show prominently.
Voice: A high-pitched whistle, often during flight.
Habits: Prefers freshwater habitats such as marshes and lakes; also fish ponds just behind the coast, but never saline water. Often feeds at night by dabbling for plant food on the water surface or just below. Roosts in tall grass near water, seldom in trees.
RUDDY SHELDUCK