Revenge Birding!!!

After I wasn't satisfied with my visit to Monas, I decided to make another birding trip on the next day. Not to Monas but to Ragunan Zoo that located at South Jakarta. At this time, I tried something different. I installed my Go Pro camera on my lens tripod collar because I’m thinking to make a bird photography footage. The first species I saw was the White-breasted Waterhen, I took some pictures of it as a warm up. Not long after that, I saw a flock of Pink-necked Green Pigeon.

A headless Waterhen. :P

Posing for me. Hehehe

Female Japanese Sparrowhawk

One of the Pink-necked Green Pigeon

After done with the Pigeons, I saw a lonely Juvenile Female Japanese Sparrowhawk. She was on her way to the wintering zone somewhere in Indonesia. Not long after that, an adult and juvenile Velvet-fronted Nuthatch gave me a superb view as they creep from tree to tree for small insects. Lucky for me, the tree isn’t really tall so they’re always on my reach.

Nuthatch Juvie from above.

Looking for insects.

Are you taking a picture of me?

Typical Nuthatch pose.

Nuthatch Juvie side pose.

A photogenic Spotted Dove.

Deeper inside, I found another Velvet-fronted Nuthatch. There were not just one bird but five birds. Although I wasn't able to take all of them, at least one of the Nuthatch stayed close enough to me. Then, I heard a Cockatoo calling not too far from my position that attract me because I want to take pictures of any less-common species that I found. Three different species of Cockatoos were found. The time shown 08.30AM when I'm finished with my Cockatoos.

Upside Down Pose.

Hybrid Cockatoo?

One more pose before flying away.

Same group with additional hybrid Cockatoo.

A group of Tanimbar Corella

As the time became less and less, I decided to end my visit to Ragunan Zoo at around the crocodile pen for Blue-eared Kingfisher. It doesn’t take a long time for me to find the Kingfisher because they’re always there. It’s high-pitched note “trreee-tee” or its appearance like a mini rocket with orange and blue color will help you to find them. And also I saw a three-foot-long Monitor Lizard nearby.

Looking for something to eat.

With tongue out.

Close up.

A Female Blue-eared Kingfisher.

To show how long it is. :)

Not far from the crocodile pen, there was a dry pond that usually always full of water. It attracts several Monitor Lizards, and Pond Herons. I thought I might find something else so I decided to wait. Bingo!!! A pair of Javan Kingfisher were attracted by the puddle in the middle of the dried pond. I stalked them slowly as they’re very sensitive with human. Inch by inch, step by step I moved closer, then one of them flew away. I thought it was because of me, but seems like its own choice because the other stayed. I observed them for almost one hour because it was a rare moment that Javan Kingfisher allows human to get close to them. I decided to leave when a "love bird" flushed it away.

A Monitor Lizard with Plastic Bag.

A couple of Javan Myna.

Looking for other fishy.

Finally with a fish.

The friendly individual.

The individual that flew away.

With its nictitating membrane.

In the end, the trip was well beyond my expectation because I never thought that I got some pictures of the uncommon species like Velvet-fronted Nuthatch (They're usually stay high in the canopy), and Javan Kingfisher (They're way too skittish) easily. Even, the common species that I thought will be easy to find like Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, I don’t see any of them. Another common species like Red-breasted Parakeet, they also keep their distance from my lens. One more thing, I just find out that the Javan Kingfisher is my #64th birds on my Big Year List.

One of the myna feeding on Gecko.

A juvie male Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker.

Another Blue-eared Kingfisher.