It has to happen and it did happen - a photographer documenting a new species for Singapore. This elusive bird appeared for just about 15 minutes, after which it has yet to be sighted again. With hard evidence in the form of images, there can be little doubt that the pigeon has to be what it is claimed to be.

In the past there were always doubts in the minds of so-called “experts” when such claims were made by newbies. And new sightings were only recorded long after, when actually seen by these “expert” birders. A new trend is emerging where photographers would be at the forefront of new sightings.

Dr Jonathan Cheah Weng Kwong was at the Japanese Garden in Jurong on 22nd December 2007 when he spotted a lone bird at the salam tree (Syzygium polyantha). It was quietly eating the fruits for about 15 minutes before it flew off. He posted his best image in Avian Watch Asia (above) and there it would have remained forgotten except that it attracted the attention of birder Albert Low.

On 23rd December Albert wrote: “…What I see, and incidentally what Ding Li sees, in the picture, is a possible Orange-breasted Green-pigeon (Treron bicincta). This species, ironically, was a lifer for both of us when we visited Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka just last week. The significant ID feature missing from the picture is the vent colour. For the uninitiated, this species has been recorded as far south as Port Dickson in Penisular Malaysia and a part of me has suspected that just like Jambu Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus jambu), could occur in Singapore, particularly during big figging seasons.

“…I would strongly urge all birders and photographers visiting this area particularly over the Christmas Break to scan the tree diligently for Treron pigeons and attempt to take more shots should there be one or more similar birds around. If it is indeed a OBGP, it would mark a significant range extension for the species, obviously pending debate on its origin.”

As an update, Albert wrote on 24th December: “Just an update for the seekers. Jonathan has kindly sent another picture of the bird in question (above). In addition, he has mentioned that the pictures were taken last Saturday and at the entrance to Japanese Garden, thus it is not from overseas and isn’t that dated either.”

This is the first sighting of the Orange-breasted Green Pigeon in Singapore, a male bird. The bird looks like the Pink-necked Green Pigeon (Treron vernans) except that the forehead, face and throat are greenish yellow. Also, the mauve-pink upper breast area is smaller and does not extend to the neck. The outer feathers of the tail is blackish, with a broad pale grey subterminal band.

According to Wells (1999), it is found as far south of the Malay Peninsular as Port Dickson. The bird is fairly common in eastern Java and northern Bali.

Images by Johathan.

References:
1. Baptista, L. F., Trail, P. W. & Horblit, H. M. (1997). Family Columbidae (pigeons and doves). Pp. 60-245 in: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. eds. Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 4. Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Barcelona: Lynx Editions.
2. Gibbs, D., Barnes, E. & Cox, J. (2001). Pigeons and doves: A guide to the pigeons and doves of the world. Sussex: Pica Press.
3. Wells, D.R. (1999). The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsular. Vol. I, Non-passerines. Academic Press, London.

Jambu Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus jambu) is an uncommon non-breeding visitor. Apparently it visits any time of the year. Thus when a pair was sighted on 19th December 2007, news spread wide and fast. Photographers and birders flocked to the Japanese Garden in Jurong, the former to record the event and the latter to gawk at the birds.

The strikingly handsome male with a crimson face and a pink patch on the upper breast is shown above. The less striking but just as attractive female, shown below, is about to swallow the salam (Syzygium polyanthum) fruit. In the crop the flesh is stripped off and the seed sent on its way to be ejected at the other end of the bird.

This year’s arrival of the doves coincided with the fruiting of the salam tree, a common roadside tree whose fruits are a favourite with birds. A single male bird was sighted last year in another such fruiting tree nearby. The fruits of the salam obviously provide much needed sustenance to these birds after their long flight.

Normally found in forests, this fruit eating dove congregate in the crowns of small trees making up the lower to middle storey. Their appearance in a park thus allowed photographers excellent opportunities to get their perfect shots.

Input by YC, Meng and Melinda Chan; images by Meng.

For the last six months, Johnny Wee had been noticing a pair of Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) at around noon, especially when the weather was hot. They would arrive to perch along the metal bar that formed part of the boundary fence of his house (left). There, the birds rested, shaded from the hot sun. They stayed for about half an hour each time, silently doing their own comfort activities – not a sound was heard while they were there. There were no flapping of wings, no bobbing of heads and no sign of copulation.

All the birds did was preen. Sitting slightly apart and with feathers fluffed, each bird would indulge in self-preening. Every now and then they would sit close and allopreen. One bird (male? female?) would stretch out and preen the head of its partner, then stretch further across the neck to reach the other side of the head and neck. It is noted that the preening bird often had its eyes closed or partially closed. The bird that was preened had its eyes fully open (below). [Should it not be the other way round?]

Is this part of the courtship ritual of the Spotted Dove? Or is it a normal bonding activity between a pair of doves? Normally, the onset of breeding would see the birds prospecting for suitable nesting sites before actual nest building takes place. And courtship displays may involved one or more of the following: strutting with accompanying wings-tail movements, feeding and aerial displays. The sad fact is that we are mostly ignorant of what actually happened during this period – I may be wrong here and by all means please prove me wrong. And this bird is relatively common and easy to observe in urban areas. On top of it the bird is easy to recognise from the trademark patch of black and white chequer on the sides of the neck.

While prospecting new birding sites for material opportunities to substantiate bird article writings, I came across a Malaysian kampong (village) in a rural area. It supports a small Malay community with traditional values, living the comforts of 20th Century semi-concrete jungles (left).

It was a delight to see a substantial species of healthy birds. Fruits and flowering trees abound and the environment provides a peaceful, safe haven for avian breeding. However, there was something strange about this village. My bird checklist shows the absence of two bird species that should and would normally be seen commonly in the wild, and in my part of the world - Malaysia.

The Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) was no where to be seen (above left). Neither was smaller cousin, Zebra or Peaceful Dove (Geopelia striata) (above right).

Strolling further along the village path, I stumbled into what I would describe to be a small colony of feathered friends. It looked like all the Spotted and Peaceful Doves of the village have been rounded up to form a nuclear family - an ‘Alcatraz’ of spots and stripes to placate the human joy of keeping birds as house pets.

Let’s visit Spotty, the Spotted Dove and Zee the Peaceful Dove and be introduced to their inmates and listen to their conversation, to know what their avian world is like - to be restrained and caged (right).

“I’m bored, I’m bored!” cooed Spotty, swaying repeatedly from his opened Cell 102, of rattan and wood, suspended under the canopy of a matured, flowering star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) tree.

A reply came from Spotty’s closest neighbour Zee, also known as Zebra Dove from her rectangular Cell 101 (below left).

“Well, at least your cell is open-air and gives a feel of ‘freedom come’. Mine…? A wired looking coffin, I’ve resigned my fate too.”

“Besides, I have no cause to complain as our guardians top up our grain pots and we never have to worry nor go hungry. See? I’ve got two varieties of potted grains and a water tub. Erh…. a bit green, but ‘ok’ I suppose…” (above right).

Just then, the conversation was interrupted by rattling sounds coming from Cell 103. The owner, mad George Jr. - the adolescent Peaceful Dove was rattling his cage (left top). “I must fly! I must fly!” squeaked George Jr., flying restlessly in circles inside his rectangular cage and sheltered by a roof of recycled zinc sheet (left middle).

“I wanna be a man! I wanna be a man!” sang George Jr., standing up like a man and continued his frenzy, flying act (left bottom).

George Jr. reminded me of my youth days when the big circus claiming to be ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ came to town. One of the highlights was the ‘Flying cycles’.

A giant, hollow, rattan ball inside the enormous tent top was set up. The organisers had two motorbikes inside the ball. Two hell riders were sent into it and had them flying in circles, criss-crossing each other in their roaring machines, in deafening super speed.

Ah… I imagined those riders who took up such dare devilled assignments, must have in time, succumbed to brain death prior to collapsing into their coffins!

“That’s just George Jr. gone mad. Poor chap! Consumed by excessive levels of testosterone.” remarked Spotty in mid conversation.

He rolled his eyes at George Jr. From the corner of his eye, he noticed a new inmate’s cage under the next tree.

“And who are you, young child? How did you end up here?” asked Spotty.

“I am Pickle, the juvenile Zebra Dove.”

“I flew into a trap set underground and had my feet caught on those fish nettings. I thought I heard Mom calling me for breakfast. The next thing I knew, I was picked up by a pair of walking trousers who untangled me and brought me here,” she explained.

“Now, I don’t have to look for my food in the wild anymore nor be afraid of predators who hunt me down for their supper. It’s kind of good life here, like staying in a 4-star hotel room that comes with cleaning services and a room number too,” the naïve juvenile added (right).

“Ha! You mean Cell 104?” retorted Knobby, the Spotted Dove. Take a look at my left ankle. I’ve been shackled to this darn circular, see-through rattan dish labelled, ‘Cell 105’ and assigned sentry duties for life” (left).

“I get parked here in the dark, front-corner door entrance. I earn my keep having to look left, look front, look right and right again. It’s a twenty-four, seven job. I’ve lost my will to take on the ‘Great Escape’. Just get fat, perching and looking,” sighed Knobby (below).

“Well, at least you’re not looking like a pathetic candidate staggering out from ‘Schindler’s List.’ cooed a voice in unison from Cell 106. It was Herman and Hilda, a pair of Peaceful Doves housed in a large, metal cage roofed with an empty, polythene rice bag.

They were very much resigned to their cell even though their drinking vessel remained unchanged and greened with algae (below left).

“You haven’t got that Hulky feeling yet, you guys?” chirped Ernie, the lonely Peaceful Dove from his rotunda Cell 107 (below right).

“Oh, you saucy little fella! Just leave them alone.” came a deep voice from Cell 108.

“I know you…” the voice said.

“Ha! You were that ‘lover boy’. The one, who fell straight into a racket trap when those trappers strung Suzie up a bamboo pole to coo for a lover!” announced Liberace, the flamboyant Spotted Dove (below).

“Ok, ok you can’t keep secrets can you?” Ernie felt revealed.

“Now you know mine, how about you telling your secrets of how you got here, handsome boy? Surely it’s got to do with your good looks. Come on…… tell, tell!” coaxed Ernie.

Liberace just could not resist displaying his vanity. With his ‘diamond studded’ spots and matching furry, feathered coat, he was too keen to pose for photographers - those that came with huge bazooka-looking lens. They decided it was fun to flash the daylights out of him.

“The humiliating part was that those weirdoes with two walking legs were carrying three more skinny legs. Men and women turning into talking birds were walking up and down the lane, cooing from a machine planted in the palm of their hands, sending out sweet nothing. I was curious to see who those freaks were and responded to their call. I was desperate for a duet. To ‘add salt to my wounds’, they left hurriedly after their shoot, paid me nothing for all those fine adornment!” lamented the songbird.

“A bird trapper watched the performances. He decided to string up a mist net to get me for free too! I felt cheated and so ashamed. And to end my life, what the heck, I made a suicidal dash flight into the net” he added.

“I did not die… but found myself ended up in a pet shop, sold for fifty bucks!” he said tearfully.

“Oh! So sad… and I am sorry to hear that,” cooed Ernie, softly.

Every inmate in the colony went quiet and understood why Liberace’s cooing was always a melancholy tune - ‘wu-bwrroo…wu-bwrroo’.

A desperate guttural ‘coo’ yearned to be heard from the far end of the owner’s house. It was from CELL 109, George Sr. the Spotted Dove.

He has gone a bit hard of hearing; always having his back turned and looking towards the sunset. But, still has a little spunk left to squawk out his last three worded vocabulary repeatedly, day in, day out.

“Al dam bastards! Al dam bastards!” (left).

This last paragraph concludes to spare a thought for birds in captivity. It is a review of bird pet ownership and how caring birders and bird-photographers can further contribute to protection and ‘cushion’ birds in the wild.

At time of writing, the Spotted Dove and Peaceful Dove were not yet enlisted in the defunct, outdated ‘Protection of Wildlife Act 1972 of Malaysia.’

All images presented are mainly derived from digiscopy. Flash photography preferred not used.

SUBMITTED BY DAISY O’NEILL (Avian Writer), PENANG, MALAYSIA.

Sometime in November 2006, KC Tsang posted the image on the left (top) and noted, “We need a forensic expert here to find out who was the victim of this very explosive feeding frenzy. And who is the possible perpetrator of this crime most foul? Scene of the crime, not in KL, but in our very own backyard.” Note that the above consists of different feather types that lead one to conclude that the bird was a victim of a predator. Was it a cat? A raptor? The jury is still out.

My experience during November 2006 was different. I kept finding in my garden and driveway a large number of most probably belly feathers (left bottom). I have not seen them before, maybe because I did not look closely or because they were not around.

My guess was that the feathers belonged to the Pink-necked Green Pigeons (Treron vernans) that were around my pair of ceram palm (Rhopaloblaste ceramica). This was the time of the year when these pigeons regularly perched along the midribs of the palm fronds in the early mornings and late evenings.

At first I thought a pigeon might be victim of a predator and the scattered feathers were evidence of what happened. But then there were no other types of feathers around. Then the possibility of moulting came to mind. Intrigued, I sent an image to our field ornithologist, Wang Luan Keng for her opinion.

Her reply: “Those are not pure down feathers but semiplumes and they are the belly feathers of the green pigeon. The distal part of the feather helps to fill up the contour of the bird where the downy part is mainly for insulation and are covered by the feather on top. These belly feathers are quite loosely attached to the bird and can drop out easily - an adaptation to scare predators. These pigeon feathers that you found underneath your palms may not be due to moult.

“Birds do have a period to moult, usually after their breeding season. In Singapore, most birds breed from Feb/March till July/Aug, maybe Sep. Many species here overlap moult and breeding slightly so they will start moulting in July/Aug and end by Oct/Nov when the NE monsoon starts. Many species, especially passerines, have straight forward sequential moult; others like cuckoos, hawks, herons, fruit doves etc have very complicated multiple moult series and yet some species like rails, grebes and probably bitterns moult all feathers at once and go flightless during that period. And mind you, we are only talking mainly about primary feather moult. We know even less about other flight feather moult and almost nothing about body feather moult.”

Input by KC Tsang, YC and Wang Luan Keng. Images by KC (top) and YC (bottom).