A Trip to the Munias

Saturday, my wife and I decided to take a trip to see Scaly-breasted Munias. Actually, or plan was to go birding at the Palos Verdes subdivision in Antipolo City - a place only 15 kms away from our home though roads that relatively has lesser traffic (emphasis on the word "relatively"). And the species that could be seen there with certainty was the Lonchura punctulata.

Sure enough as soon as we entered the subdivision we were greeted by a flock of these tiny brown birds. Throughout the two-and-a-half hours we spent there, we encountered flock upon flock of munias.

Of course, there were other birds, too. Another species seen here regularly is the Spotted Dove. This one was limping as it crossed the road ahead of us. Other than that it looked healthy enough and even flew quite well.

One surprise was a Chinese Sparrowhawk being harassed by four Black-naped Orioles. I was only able to get a couple of shots (and not good ones either) as it quickly evaded the bullying of the yellow birds.

I was telling Cynthia that the migrant Grey Wagtails seem to have not arrived yet but as we turned a corner, there on the ground was one aggressively looking for food.

One of the highlights on that day was the Golden-headed Cisticola. A few of them were singing their hearts out as they enjoyed a beautiful sunny morning.

The other highlight was the Pied Bush Chat. This species is not that common here and we were surprised to find a young male.

Near the gate we got the mature male.

Later, after leaving Palos Verdes, we decided to go to the Heritage Park Cemetery to try for the Paddyfield Pipit. Target acquired just a few minutes after we got there. 

Even before we saw the pipit, a female Pied Bush Chat completed our family portraiture of this flycatcher.

We planned a trip to the munias but ended up chatting along the way.