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Post by Billit-tuleng on Mar 28, 2008 15:52:36 GMT
I regularly visit a small hill in the barrio (Tarlac) to shoot morning landscape. Last saturday I almost step on a bird on my way up. The bird flew so these were the only photos I manage to take - a newly hatched chick.     I am speculating, the bird laid/ hatched her eggs in the ground bare. There was no nest or covers. The adult bird is grey and color with black stripes on the wings, the size of a pegion. I thought it was an owl but it wasn't. Thanks. |
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Post by Neon Rosell II on Mar 28, 2008 16:13:51 GMT
Mon, Wow!! :oThat's a Nightjar's chick!! what species? I don't know, but most probably a Savanna Nightjar. You must get back and take a picture of the parent bird. This time be careful not to flush it. This might be the first clear and sharp photos of a Nightjar's egg and chick!! Congratulations for this find ;D
And if possible to document how this chick grows!!
Your morning landscape is also awesome!!
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Post by Billit-tuleng on Mar 28, 2008 16:33:13 GMT
Mon, Wow!! :oThat's a Nightjar's chick!! what species? I don't know, but most probably a Savanna Nightjar. You must get back and take a picture of the parent bird. This time be careful not to flush it. This might be the first clear and sharp photos of a Nightjar's egg and chick!! Congratulations for this find ;D And if possible to document how this chick grows!! Your morning landscape is also awesome!! Wow! thanks for the info. It looks like the Nightjar, (based on Wiki and Google). I'll check on Sunday if they're still there. /m |
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Post by tina mallari on Mar 28, 2008 17:32:32 GMT
 Mon !!!! Very sharp and clear photos of the nightjar chick. Congratulations on the find. I hope and pray that the mother comes back though... if not 
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Post by Romy Ocon on Mar 29, 2008 1:12:45 GMT
Congrats on the rare capture, Mon!
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Post by Bob Kaufman on Mar 29, 2008 2:48:51 GMT
Congratulations on documenting the nightjar chick, Mon!
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Post by steve pryor on Mar 29, 2008 10:38:17 GMT
Yes, I agree - lots of Nightjars ground-nest and just find an inviting space among rocks, old tree branches, etc. That this is a Nightjar pullus is evident by the conformation of the bill.
You might try and get a shot of the parent - should be on the nest during the day. Could be something not documented in the Philippines. Possibly identifiable from the egg - but not even I have that many strange bird books!
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Post by Billit-tuleng on Mar 31, 2008 11:22:41 GMT
Thanks guys, I went on to check on the birds yesterday just before the sunset -  The bird's nest is facing west, few meters where I would normally park my bike.  Using the only available tele 70-200, I'm relieved to find the birds on the same spot.  I made a few steps further nearer...  Took several shots using 40D's live view (silent mode)...  Then, the mom woke up..  She flew several meters away...  Flying very low, I realized she hardly see at daytime.  The bird kept watching at me or maybe to her chicks even from afar... I observed she made several gestures (display of plumage) similar to a mother hen when agitated.  Taking advantage, I moved closer to the chicks to photograph them again at a closer distance...  |
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Post by Billit-tuleng on Mar 31, 2008 11:33:35 GMT
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Post by Billit-tuleng on Mar 31, 2008 11:48:38 GMT
While rolling my bike down the hill, I was very happy and much relieved that still I was able to see them and had them photographed. The hill had become a favorite spot to me, (I don't even know who owns it) and in the past two visits, it treated me to something more experiential. Perhaps, I can always go back to photograph the lone tree...  watched the pseudo fogs formation in the morning over Sta. Ignacia...  Or wait for the illusive sunrise each Sunday morning...  But I may never have the chance see or photograph these birds again.  Note: I showed the bird's photo to my grandfather and he immediately recognized the bird - Locals call it "Kung-kong" in Ilocano after the sound it produces at night. "You must have heard of it, he said, they used to be abundant in the farmlands before (together with Pugo and Tukling, leaving their eggs in the open rice paddies but decline as the years passed by. Those birds are easily caught because it cannot see during the day, poachers and hunters catch them by using a flashlight" he added. |
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Post by Neon Rosell II on Mar 31, 2008 12:18:07 GMT
Mon Nice shots!!  Glad you had time to go and document this species. I think it is a Savanna Nightjar ( Caprimulgus affinis) due to the broad and long white spot on its wings. This is the most detailed and complete life history captures of this species right from the egg up to the adult. Keep up the good work and please do visit and photograph the chicks as it grows. Just bear in mind not to disturb the place by going there on a daily basis, the chicks would grow fast and in approximately two to three weeks it would fledge already. And can we please borrow you pictures to be included to our growing collection? Beautiful landscape photos too!! showing the general environment/habitat of this species. |
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Post by Billit-tuleng on Mar 31, 2008 12:45:55 GMT
Mon Nice shots!! Glad you had time to go and document this species. I think it is a Savanna Nightjar ( Caprimulgus affinis) due to the broad and long white spot on its wings. This is the most detailed and complete life history captures of this species right from the egg up to the adult. Keep up the good work and please do visit and photograph the chicks as it grows. Just bare in mind not to disturb the place by going there on a daily basis, the chicks would grow fast and in approximately two to three weeks it would fledge already. And can we please borrow you pictures to be included to our growing collection? Beautiful landscape photos too!! showing the general environment/habitat of this species. Sure thing Sir, by all means, do let me know how these photos are put to good use. Here's the complete set. Knowing about this bird, I will be more careful next time in visiting the place. |
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Post by Romy Ocon on Mar 31, 2008 12:51:05 GMT
Wow... excellent documentation, Mon...... must be among the first of this species locally. Very nice landscapes too, keep up the great work!
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Post by steve pryor on Mar 31, 2008 12:53:05 GMT
Yes, I agree - affinis.
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Post by steve pryor on Mar 31, 2008 12:56:31 GMT
I thought it was an owl but it wasn't. Just as a point of general information - most Owls (including to my knowledge all of the Philippines resident breeders) are cavity-nesters. You will not find them ground-nesting ever. |
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Post by Billit-tuleng on Mar 31, 2008 13:06:52 GMT
Thanks for the info Sir cuckooroller.  This is the first time I get to a bird in the wild that near. |
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Post by Neon Rosell II on Mar 31, 2008 13:23:42 GMT
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Post by tina mallari on Mar 31, 2008 13:32:03 GMT
Fantastic documentation photos Mon. The best ever of a nightjar that I have seen so far too. Thank you so much for sharing these excellent photos. It's always nice to see our fine feathered friends with their growing families. Looking forward to your next photos. |
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Post by Ding Carpio on Mar 31, 2008 21:54:06 GMT
Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. What an artful documentary. You also mentioned Kungkong after the sound the birds make. If we're talking about the same sound, then I hear lots of those in Antipolo, too. I recorded the sound and, with Neon's help, de-noised and isolated it. Pls click on the link below then click on the file nightbirdSolo.mp3 . Do you mind having your grandfather listen to it to confirm? Thanks! tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/philippine_bird_photography/files/Note: I showed the bird's photo to my grandfather and he immediately recognized the bird - Locals call it "Kung-kong" in Ilocano after the sound it produces at night. "You must have heard of it, he said, they used to be abundant in the farmlands before (together with Pugo and Tukling, leaving their eggs in the open rice paddies but decline as the years passed by. Those birds are easily caught because it cannot see during the day, poachers and hunters catch them by using a flashlight" he added. |
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Post by Farmer Nestor on Apr 1, 2008 1:13:15 GMT
Artistic documentation indeed  well done |
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Glad you had time to go and document this species. I think it is a Savanna Nightjar (Caprimulgus affinis) due to the broad and long white spot on its wings. 
