Javan Myna drinking water puddles on the road

Javan myna (Acridotheres javanicus)

Spotted this Javan Myna drinking water puddle in front of my house.

Birds, like all animals, need water for survival, and their water intake is crucial for various bodily functions, including nutrient transport, temperature regulation, and waste removal. Water intake can vary depending on factors like age, environmental conditions, and species.

close up of the beak

Initially, I thought it was a Jungle Myna, but when googled the internet, it is not a jungle but a Javan.

"Possibly the best feature is the bluish colour of the base of the Jungle Myna bills (dark looking in the field). Even this can be hard at times." - Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS - 

Bird Ecology Study Group  < link

The Javan myna is native to Java, Indonesia, and has been introduced to southeastern Thailand, southern Malaysia (now widely spread through Peninsula Malaysia), Singapore, Sumatra, the Lesser Sundas, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Japan and Nepal. It is found in cities and cultivated areas.

(info Wikipedia)

~Bird and Nature Photography~

Brown Shrike in the rain

These two pictures were taken on 12 January 2025 during the northeast monsoon raining season.

Brown Shrike shaking its body to dry

AI Overview

A long-distance migrant passerine, the Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus) typically winters in Southeast Asia (Malaysia) and is expected to return to its breeding grounds in northern Asia (like Mongolia and Siberia) as spring approaches.

Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)

Behavior:

Individuals are sedentary during winter, each occupying a restricted area and exhibiting territorial behaviour. 

Fidelity to Wintering Sites:

Studies have shown that Brown Shrikes often return to the same wintering locations each year, demonstrating high fidelity to these areas. That's why I see this species perch on top of the bamboo every year. in my backyard

Current Date:

As of March 15, 2025, the Brown Shrikes would be expected to be in the process of migrating back north to their breeding grounds.

(info from AI)

How do birds keep their feathers waterproof?

Birds achieve feather waterproofing through a combination of their feather structure and the use of oils from their preen gland, which they apply through a process called preening.

(AI overview)