Birdwatching Tips In Tropical Rainforest
Birds concentrate around particular features in the forest-fruiting and flowering trees are the best known. Look on the ground for telltale mounds of rotting figs signifying a fruiting tree above. If it is in a position where you can see comfortably into the canopy, just sit and watch; over a few hours probably every type of fruiteater-pigeons, hornbills, barbets-will pay it a visit. The same goes for flowering trees and nectar-drinkers. Fruiting bushes and shrubs along river banks or forest edges are another magnet for fruiteaters, particularly bulbuls, and in the dry season, small pools on forest streams are good spots to stake out at midday when birds come down to drink or bathe. Midday is also the time to find a vantage point- a clearing or ridge top with a view over the forest-to scan for raptors.
In any forest you will come across gaps where a rainforest giant has come crashing to the ground-because of wind, lihgtning strike or just old age-smashing an opening. Struggle through the debris and onto the fallen trunk; the pocket of still, sunlit air above is full of flies and dragonflies and these attract tree swifts, flycatchers and folacanos, which survey the from an exposed perch on a broken branch. Patches of forest that have died off, because of fire or flooding, are always good for woodpeckers.
Finally, if you are one of those lucky birders with the ability to mimic bird calls, make full use of your talent. Many species (notably babblers, pittas and trogons) are relatively easy to imitate and the real owner of the call is very likely to approach to investigate. Knowing the birds and habitats is what it is all ways have additional tips for finding a particular species. A little background research-talking to people or reading the specialist trip-reports that circulate in birding circles-always pays dividen.
Taken from birding Indonesia, Periplus Publishing, Singapore