Avian Sighting Jun2026 - 2 Nuthatches sighting

Seeing the two species of Malaysian nuthatches  in Frasers was so exciting. They came in a birdwave amongst the minivets, leafbirds, sunbird, ioras,  flycatcher-shrike and others. My gang was hunting the Wedge-tailed Pigeon at Hermant's trail side but alas the pigeon was a no show that morning to our dissappointment as many of the trees were fruiting but only started to ripen I think. This  attracted Asian Glossy Starlings and other fructivorous to the locale. 

Blue Nuthatch in its somersault attics

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch are rarely seen in  highlands while the Blue not commonly seen below 800m ASL forest.

 

Avian Behaviour - Feeding Habit of the Velvet-fronted nuthatch

 A couple of Velvet-fronted Nuthatch were sighted in a birdwave at Awana hunting for grubs amongst the many fern tree. They have an uncanny ability to search out the insects, pupa or caterpillars in the creavices of the tree trunk and underneath of leaves. As you notice they take all kind of grubs where ever they find them.

All the photos were shot using my Fuji  XT-2 & XF100-400mm lens. TV1/60 F5.6 ISO3200 Heavily cropped and processed from a distance of 40-60ft away. The AF of the camera managed to keep up with the bird's frantic feeding and movement. Tried to use my other camera Nikon P1000 but opportunity of sharp focus picture was near impossible.

This is my first time seeing this specie in the highland circa 500-600m ASL. The Blue Nuthatch is more common here in Awana.

This is the female without the postular line above its eyes

They are really acrobatic in nature and can climb upside down while feeding. They usually in a pair and when they have fledglings they would feed together for quite a period in matter of months before being harrassed to leave.

The Male got a spider 

This the male

The ritual of the male offering of  catch to its mate was also observed once or twice during my encounter. January onward is mating season?

NUTHATCH 2/2 - Velvet-fronted Nuthatch

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch

This Nuthatch is the lowland cousin of the Blue. Both are striking and beautiful treecreeper.

NUTHATCH 1/2 - Blue Nuthatch

Blue Nuthatch

  

Among the common species of Awana Genting that I liked is this Blue Nuthatch which was a lagger in the communal fly over. It came close to 15-20 feet from me darting up down clinging to the tree trunk I was standing under. Always try to be still so as not to spook them. That is why I prefer to bird alone. At times you have to do bird call or mimic them

Look at the claws gripping to the bark. The feather pattern on its wing is simply gorgeous don't u think. Native to Malaysia & Indonesia

Latest sighting at Awana 160515