| Birds in Panti Forest Reserve |
| Between the period of 19 May 2002 to now, i paid numerous trips to various parts of Panti Forest Reserve to survey birds, accumulating data on numbers and behavious of some 210 species from 31 visits.All of the species recorded were based on sight records, with the exception of 4 nighbirds, Great Argus Pheasant Argusianus argus and Large Wren Babbler Napothera macrodactyla. A summary of every species recorded during this survey period is given below: Sequence used here follows Sibley and Monroe. (Nomenclature and reference numbers follow Birds of South East Asia, Craig Robson 2000) |
| No. Species (English Name) / (Latin Name) / (reference number) 1. Crested Partridge Rollulus rouloul (21) 1 female flushed from forest floor at Bunker Trail by a streamside. 11/5/03 2. Great Argus Pheasant Argusianus argus nominate (45) Probably the most regular and conspicuous phasianid due to its far carrying vocalisations. recorded on almost every single visit, mostly an average of 2 birds heard. Maximum of 3 birds heard on 20/6/04. 3. Malaysian Honeyguide Indicator archipelagicus (86) Recent records from Panti extends the range of this rare/low density bird south to Johore. Only record is of a non-vocal bird, probably a female perching quietly on an exposed perch on 26/7/04. 4. Rufous Piculet Sasia abnormis nominate (90) This tiny woodpecker is probaly un-recorded due to its small size and hence inconspicuousness. 2 records, both of singles on 29/9/02 and 26/7/2004. Both are of birds moving and pecking on thin liana stems and quiet. 5. White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis nominate (102) This bird is the commonest large woodpecker from Panti, furthermore made conspicuous by its call. Studies from elsewhere have shown that this species benefitted from selective logging, which leaves dead standing trees this species prefer. 2 birds were at 270 trail on 28/7/02, 1 at bunker on 11/8/02, 4 at bunker on 6/04/03, 1 there again on 25/05/03. 3 heard (1 seen) at 270 on 24/6/04 , 2 heard at bunker on 27/6/04 and 1 seen there on 20/9/2004. Loud drumming. 6. Banded Woodpecker Picus mineaceus malaceensis (103) Due to competition with numerous other woodpeckers, this species is not so abundant as it is in Singapore. From personal observations, the following 2 species are commoner than it in Panti. 1 present on 27/5/02, and another on 16/6/02 (both singles) 1 heard on 29/6/02 and on 11/8/02, both at bunker. Recorded on 9 out of 14 trips in 2004, mostly of one bird and never more than 2. 7. Crimson-winged Woodpecker Picus puniceus observandus (105) A commonly occuring woodpecker, again mostly of solitary birds or of pairs. Keeps to the middle storey and occasionally strays to the canopy. 1 bird was observed feeding on ants on a nest 8 m up a tree at bunker on 26/7/04. Recorded on Recorded on 5 out of 14 trips in 2004, again with max of 2 birds seen on all occasions. 8. Checker-throated Woodpecker Picus mentalis humii (107) This could be the commonest and most widespread Picus, and possibly of all woodpeckers present in Panti. Sometimes, occurs in small family groups with about 5, containing 2 juveniles present on 20/9/04. One of the 5 birds seen were peeeling bark 1.5 m above the ground and attempting to consume the resin flowing out of the bark. Recorded on 12 out of 14 trips in 2004, often in pairs and sometimes solitary. 9. Great Slaty Woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus nominate (129) This is easily the largest woodpecker present in Panti and certainly, the largest trees are necessary to support viable populations of this bird, a commodity that is increasing rare here.3 records over the entire 2 year period, including 2 seen on 27/5/02. Otherwise, mostly of distant birds heard. Loud drumming. 10. Olive-backed Woodpecker Dinopium rafflesii nominate (114) During the 2 year survey period, only one record of this low density species is recorded, at 270 trail on 24/6/04 of 1 pair by a small steamside.Call is distinctive though and somewhat resembles the 'laughter' on Rufous-fronted laughing-thush from west Java. 11. Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus squamigularis (101) One of the smaller medium sized woodpeckers, this one is fairly common in Panti and also has a distinctive call. Rufous Woodpecker are more gregarious than others, many times occuring in small family groups of up to 5-6 birds. One one occasion, this species was also seen mingling with 4 other species of woodpeckers all on the same tree, including Orange-backed, Crimson-winged, Checker- throated and Buff-rumped, feeding on further than 4 m away from one another, by all at different heights A regular 'family' of this bird is found at the 'elephant trail'. 12. Maroon Woodpecker Blythipicus fuliginosus nominate (121) A frequent participant in mixed bird waves in Panti, often among the later birds to appear during feeding Flocks. Sometimes, this bird is observed feeding on ants up a tree trunk. Not very common in Panti. 1 recorded on 27/5/02, 1 near an Orange-backed woodpecker on 21/7/02 and 1 on 29/9/02. Recorded on 4 out of 14 trips in 2004. 13. Orange-backed Woodpecker Reinwardtpicus validus xanthopygius (123) The third largest woodpecker present in Panti. An uncommon bird, but when seen, always present as a pair or small party, very occasionally does one encounter a solitary bird. Prefers to stay in the upper reaches, especially in the upper middle storey to canopy. 1 pair at bunker on 21/7/02 and 11/8/02. In 2004, seen on 4 out of 14 trips. 14. Buff-rumped Woodpecker Meiglyptes tristis grammithorax (124) This is the commoner of the small woodpeckers present in Panti, sometimes seen participanting in mixed flock. The call of this bird is a soft trilling note, vaguely reminiscent of the Sunda Pygmy woodpecker in Singapore. Small group of 2-4 birds are usually seen. Recorded in bunker trail on 22/5/02, (3 birds ) on 29/6/02, 1 on 21/7/02. Recorded on 4 out of 14 trips in 2004. Seems to be more regular at the 270 trail. Panti Main Next Page |