Juvenile Chestnut-breasted Malkoha? Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo (1 Viewer)

[dixonlau]

Location: Sibu (lowland), Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo
Date: 19-Dec-2021

My previous thought of this is Juvenile Chestnut-breasted Malkoha but when I go thru it again today, I notices the color around its eyes are blue instead of red. Now I have second thought of my first finding result. The only malkoha with blue eye ring I could think of is Red-bellied Malkoha which is very rare seen.

Appreciate for any help in checking this ID. Thanks.

 

[andyb39]

It's clearly a Red-billed Malkoha. The species has a chestnut belly and vent as well as the throat and upper breast.

 

[dixonlau]

It's clearly a Red-billed Malkoha. The species has a chestnut belly and vent as well as the throat and upper breast.

Thank you so much Andy. Sorry my previous typo error "Red-bellied" instead Red-billed. I cross-checked it again, it is an adult, right? My initial thought it could be juvenile/immature because of its dull plumage.

 

[andyb39]

Thank you so much Andy. Sorry my previous typo error "Red-bellied" instead Red-billed. I cross-checked it again, it is an adult, right? My initial thought it could be juvenile/immature because of its dull plumage.

It looks fairly normal to me. Looking at images on OBI, it seems a juvenile should show a dark tip to the bill and pale tips to the greater coverts - see Oriental Bird Club Image Database : Red-billed Malkoha » Zanclostomus javanicus.

I'm very jealous by the way - I haven't seen this beauty yet.

 

[dixonlau]

It looks fairly normal to me. Looking at images on OBI, it seems a juvenile should show a dark tip to the bill and pale tips to the greater coverts - see Oriental Bird Club Image Database : Red-billed Malkoha » Zanclostomus javanicus.

I'm very jealous by the way - I haven't seen this beauty yet.

Thank you very much Andy. That is very helpful info to recognize juvenile.

Turn your jealousy into motivation, new mission for 2022