Thread: Thailand bird photos

Have you considered a parabolic reflector to increase the volume of birdsong recordings?

I came across this DIY video of how to make one from a plastic plant-pot. The guy is a serious birder/nature recorder and he says his reflector works well for him. Might be a fun project to do.

Originally Posted by Neverna

Have you considered a parabolic reflector to increase the volume of birdsong recordings?

Interesting. I did previously search Lazada for "Parabolic Microphone" but this Rode was the nearest thing they showed. I had also thought about using something smaller, maybe teacup sized, around just the mic, so the whole unit would attach to the phone. I got no further than an idea. Perhaps a very lightweight disposable food bowl would work? It would need to be somewhat parabolic in shape, light in weight and in a workable material.

I hadn't thought of plant pots. Good idea.

To be fair, I think the failings are in the app rather than in the hardware. I can probably go outside now and get a tree sparrow, a tailorbird and a purple sunbird, the app seems to identify them easily. Plus the ever-present chickens. Other birds it gets with difficulty even when they are singing clearly, that magpie robin for example, the app identifies it only occasionally. This is not a complaint, the app is a massive undertaking with over a thousand Asian birds in its database. It could become brilliant over time. I can hear maybe half a dozen different birds calling right now but if I step outside I'll probably see only one or two without binoculars, so a good sound ID would be really useful.

Originally Posted by Shutree

To be fair, I think the failings are in the app rather than in the hardware. I can probably go outside now and get a tree sparrow, a tailorbird and a purple sunbird, the app seems to identify them easily. Plus the ever-present chickens. Other birds it gets with difficulty even when they are singing clearly, that magpie robin for example, the app identifies it only occasionally.

I might have to revisit that opinion. After writing that post I heard a magpie robin close to the front door, very loud. I went out and the app got it immediately. So volume and clarity do influence the results significantly.

I'm having a super week here in the garden. Four birds never before seen here. Yesterday it was a Black-winged cuckooshrike, that cannot be common around here. This morning was some brown and grey job a little larger than the House sparrow with it in the same hedge, no idea what it was. Then this afternoon a Scarlet-backed flowerpecker, what a striking, tiny bird that is. I know this is the photo thread so I'll try to get back on topic. (Don't hold your breath.)

Can you see what it is yet? Bright sunshine, dark shadows, the phone is trying to focus on different parts of the bush.



Well, it is a tiny thing.



Yeh, probably not an award winning shot.

The Internet has some (slightly) better pictures:

Here is a White hooded babbler with the juvenile reddish brown head:

And the Black-winged cuckooshrike.
(Credit to those who have the skills to capture these images. It is currently 43.3C outside, even if I had good equipment I don't think I'd be sitting out with it just hoping that an interesting bird would hop into view.)

Originally Posted by Neverna

I prefer a zoom lens to binoculars. Zoom in and scan the locations you are most likely to find the birds.

I like to use my zoom lenses as well but the 500mm needs to be on a tripod for me and is okay for the garden and surrounding area but not for ad hoc bird spotting. I would like a pair of binoculars to get a better ID on some of the birds I've spotted. I'm also into the idea of digiscoping, using the phone camera to see through the binoculars. An 8x40 or 10x40 set has plenty of magnification and it's less equipment to haul around. The quality may not be as good but the idea is a lot more versatile.

BTW, I tried Merlin in Germany over the last couple of weeks and am happy with it as another tool for locating birds. Several times it picked up a bird song and gave an idea of what we were looking for. Wife is a great spotter, just need to tell her a rough size and area to look, just don't give her a sling or bow and arrow or it will end up as dinner.


BTW Shutree and Nev, did you sign up for inaturalist? I think it's a good idea for all who are interested in nature to get an account.

Originally Posted by Troy

BTW Shutree and Nev, did you sign up for inaturalist?

I have had a look at the website although not yet signed up. I suspect it might be more useful for someone like yourself who can take a decent photograph.

Meanwhile, the week in the garden continues to throw up surprises. All the more surprising because it is so ridiculously hot that I spend almost no time at all outside. The latest first was a Brown throated sunbird. Here is a picture, not mine!

Originally Posted by Shutree

This morning was some brown and grey job a little larger than the House sparrow with it in the same hedge, no idea what it was.

Actually, I have some idea, most likely a bulbul. One without any distinguishing features.

Originally Posted by Troy

BTW Shutree and Nev, did you sign up for inaturalist?

No, I didn't. Like Shutree, I looked at the website but didn't sign up. It looks like a good idea but I quite like trying to identify things myself.

Originally Posted by Shutree

I have had a look at the website although not yet signed up. I suspect it might be more useful for someone like yourself who can take a decent photograph.

I wouldn't let photograph quality worry you too much, The ones you post are perfectly adequate for others to confirm or advise on your initial ID. Audio recordings can also be uploaded on their own if you want confirmation of a Merlin ID.

I noticed that there are not a lot of data provided for NE Thailand and some sites don't show birds or butterflies in the region because they are not being reported. The site also allows you to identify other people's photos to help and this could be something that some might enjoy on a rainy day.

I uploaded several bird photos from a few years back (the date is retained in the EXIF file and used by the site) and they were identified by some keen spotter within a couple of hours.

Some Scaly breasted munias in the garden. It is mostly a desert, there is just a small patch of green grass growing where the house drains go. At least the birds are happy.