Answering the morning call of the Chestnut-breasted Malkoha

Female Chestnut- breasted Malkoha has red-orange iris and a broader grey band from chin to ear-coverts.
(Note: In the male of the species, the iris is pale blue) 

Pale green bill

 Upon hearing the familiar  call of the Malkoha I decided to hunt for it. About 300 meters away from where we stayed I heard the dull low call of the Malkoha which sounded like 'Oak' repeated at regular intervals.  To get a good picture of Malkoha is extremely difficult because it is a shy bird that moves at the higher tree canopy areas.  I had to wait about 30 minutes to get a better glimpse of the bird from among the branches and leaves.  It is essential to have the bird come out closer to the end branches and leaves so that I can get some good lighting for better pictures.  There was only one bird to be seen and it happened to be a female Chestnut- breasted Malkoha. Here are some images taken during this morning photo shoot session.

Back, wings and tail have  blue-green colours

The Chestnut-breasted Malkoha ( Cenok Birah  - Malay)
Phaenonicophaeus curvirostris
Location : Botanic Island Two, The Kambatik Park, Bintulu.