Birds And Stuff

[David006]

We have many beaut birds around our farm in the south but I was wondering if anyone has seen flocks of parrots anywhere in Thailand. Love to see 'em down here , did they poison them all to protect the crops or what..very strange not see any.

My favorite birds are the turquoise Kingfishers? ....and our friendly raptors that look like bald eagles circling our mountain screaming.... they are all named Eric of course...

.....saw what looked like a big canary last year..brilliant yellow..not seen it since

We have what looked like tiny humming birds feeding on male Papaya tree flowers..one got inside our bedroom and on close inspection was more like a moth.....fascinating LOS!

[mitmig]

There are no humming birds in Thailand, what you saw was a sunbird which come in different types. The yellow 'canaries' would be an oriole (black-naped or hooded). The turquoise kingfisher could be the collared kingfisher but there are also many types in Thailand.

[F1fanatic]

I'm v jealous of the OP!

Lots of birds where I live (Phuket) as I'm surrounded by trees, but the vast majority are the 'every day' types although I do get Kingfishers and Sea Eagles. As you say, the Kingfishers are stunningly beautiful until... I saw a video somewhere showing how they drown their competitors .

I've never seen any parrots and only once (on holiday on Koh Phi Phi) saw what I thought was a humming bird as it was hovering and feeding off Hibiscus nectar. Interested to learn that it was actually a sunbird. We learn something every day .

[Goshawk]

We have many beaut birds around our farm in the south but I was wondering if anyone has seen flocks of parrots anywhere in Thailand

you're in the South? How far? Most of the Parrot/Parakeet species (7) in Thailand are found in Central to Northern parts of the country & reside mainly in the forests.

The larger National Parks like Khao Yai, Nam Nao or Doi Inthanon are good places to visit if you would like to see them.

a couple of my favourites....

Vernal Hanging Parrot (as the name suggests, these guys can hang upside down while feeding. amusing to see)

Red breasted Parakeet

[mitmig]

I had a red breasted parakeet in the garden (Koh Samui) the other day and I thought it was an escaped cage-bird

[mitmig]

I had a red breasted parakeet in the garden (Koh Samui) two days ago and I thought it was an escaped cage-bird

[Goshawk]

^ not beyond the realms of possibility, they are very popular as pets. Most on sale at JJ etc.. have dubious (wild) origins.

[David006]

thanks guys ..so a Sunbird is what? ..a nectar feeding bird that hovers like a humming bird.?.any pics..probably have them too.

I am thinking that what I have watching this pm are more like bees of some type but definitely hum an multiple wings a long straight proboscis or whatever it is....dull brown with a small spade shaped tail? Ideas? They are about the size of an average moth....

will try some googling anyways..

cheers

d

[mitmig]

Most sunbirds feed largely on nectar, but also take insects and spiders, especially when feeding young. You can find pictures of the sunbirds in my gallery. The creature you are describing is the hummingbird hawk moth.

Edited April 24, 2012 by mitmig

[Goshawk]

thanks guys ..so a Sunbird is what? ..a nectar feeding bird that hovers like a humming bird.?

that is a perfect description of a Sunbird, but that's where any similarity ends. They belong to a quite separate Order / Family of birds.

[David006]

thanks guys ..so a Sunbird is what? ..a nectar feeding bird that hovers like a humming bird.?

that is a perfect description of a Sunbird, but that's where any similarity ends. They belong to a quite separate Order / Family of birds.

okay my things are therefore bugs not birds..will attempt to get a photo with my phone since the camera has been ts up for a while....

cheers

d

[AjarnNorth]

OP...

Your "raptors that look like bald eagles" are most probably adult Brahminy Kites. In flight, white head, light brown body.

As for parakeets, I lived in lower Isaan for many years and didn't see any. I've recently relocated to Chonburi and there is a flock of 40-50 Red-breasted Parakeets in my small beachside town that can be seen daily.

I've also had two Alexandrine Parakeets here... both males... pretty rare and endangered at this point in Thailand. Possible they were both escapes. A sighting of a female or two and/or some juveniles would certainly help me settle that question... no luck thus far.