A common bird here that you will see many days and maybe not even notice at all is the Zebra Dove. This is often found on the ground, under trees, in car parks, on the edge of footpaths, scratching around for whatever it can find. Often they are in pairs as they generally mate for life, though this isn’t always the case and they may form new pairings if their original partner dies or if circumstances change. They are known to be very devoted and form strong pair bonds, with both parents caring for their young. Very easy to spot as they are not shy and, as the name suggests, pale in colour with dark stripes and pink flashes on the breast.
One of my favorites is the Indo Chinese Roller. These are stunning blue and grey birds similar size to an urban pigeon. You often see them high up on tree tops or power poles. They seem to like high points so they can have a good view of the surrounding area. Like the Zebra Dove, the Indochinese Roller forms long-lasting pair bonds and tends to be monogamous. Returning to the same partner each breeding season and forming strong pair-bonds that are often considered a symbol of marital fidelity. There has been a pair I see for the last three years always back to the same nest site each year. Always together during the nesting time, side by side.
Under threat
Another quite common bird here on Phuket, if somewhat hard to spot due to its colours, is the Red Throated Barbet. This bird is actually listed as under threat in Thailand and near threatened globally, although I have been lucky enough to see them a fair bit. The red-throated barbet is a species of bird in the Megalaimidae family, found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical swamps. It is threatened by habitat loss.
I see them a fair bit when in the hills above Patong. Normally in low trees in places like the trek to Freedom beach. The male and female are very different. The male has a lot more colour with red, blue, yellow on the face as well as the green body. The female is mostly green with more subtle reds on the face. Given the species is under threat globally, it is encouraging to see them a fair bit in Phuket and perhaps a nudge for over development to cease
A bird that is pretty common is the Greater and Lesser Coucal. These are found more in the less built up areas as they prefer the countryside, trees and open areas rather than the concrete city life. These are fair sized birds and, as the names suggests, the greater is bigger than the lesser. The Greater Coucal is a large crow like bird with a black body, chestnut wings, a long black tail and red eyes.
The Lesser Coucal is significantly smaller, has a dark eye and features silvery streaks on its wings and back. Both are non-brood parasitic Cukoos (in that they do not lay eggs in other bird’s nests like most cukoos) found in Asia, but the Greater Coucal is larger with a longer bill and a plain, dark wing, while the Lesser Coucal is smaller with silvery wing streaks and black eyes.
Lastly is the Blue Winged Pitta. There are several types of Pitta but the Blue Winged seems to be less shy and can be seen more often. A very colourful bird often bolder than other pittas and occasionally seen in city parks, especially while on migration. They prefer wooded areas but are often around the outskirts and back streets in the towns too.
Measuring 180 to 205mm (7.1–8.1 inches) in length, it is a colourful bird with a black head and a buff stripe above the eye, a white collar, greenish upper parts, blue wings, buff underparts and a reddish vent area. Its range extends from India to Malaysia, Indonesia, southern China and the Philippines. Its habitat is moist woodland, parks and gardens and it avoids dense forest. It feeds mainly on insects and worms. It breeds in the spring, building an untidy spherical nest on the ground, often near water and between tree roots. A clutch of about five eggs is laid and incubated by both parents, hatching after about sixteen days. Again, they can be typically found in areas where there are open spaces and gardens and can often be sighted in Phuket.
That covers a small selection of the more interesting birds that you can see just on the average day walking around the island without out having to go hiking through national parks. Yes, there are so many more which I will cover in future articles.
If anyone spots any other colourful, unknown or interesting birds, please let me know so I can and take a look myself. That also applies to all other wildlife, for example, the pure white squirrels that are rare but have been spotted in several areas.
So, if you like wildlife or photography, get yourselves out of the towns and into the hills with the camera as there really is so much to see.