 wetlandsa publication of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve |
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10 No 1 Dec 2002 snakes: myth & reality fell & fly: about poems finding & growing native plants merope angulata glochidion littorale the kingfisher experience wetland rainforest the sungei buloh mangroves how sungei buloh 'got' me world environment day: 5 jun 02 back home again |
The residents... Bright and colourful plumage Kingfishers are renowned for their vivid plumage. These range from all shades of blue to green, orange-brown to ginger, and even black and white. Not surprisingly, Kingfishers have been featured at an early stage of history as illustrated by a 14th century BC Egyptian painting of a Kingfisher against a marshland setting. In the Far East, the ritual classic of the ancient Chinese Chou Dynasty (approximately 1050-256 BC) describes the use of Kingfisher feathers in the third of six ceremonial dances, apparently for the purpose of blessing the four quarters of the realm. The reference to the striking plumage of Kingfishers by Li Shang Yin, a famous poet of the late T'ang Dynasty, in his "No Title" poem, is just one among many sculptures, paintings, embroidery and other works of art that featured these magnificent birds since the Chinese T'ang Dynasty (approximately 7 to 10AD). Habitat by the Water, Swift Movement and Dives for Prey The Kingfisher species recorded at SBWR generally live in habitats that are close to water. They have a reputation for direct and swift movement, whether it is in switching from one perch to another, defending territory, hovering momentarily before an attack, capturing insects in mid-air, diving for aquatic prey or swooping down for land prey. When hunting, a Kingfisher would typically be sedentarily perched on a snag, tree or service wire overhanging an open area or water surface providing it with a clear view of potential prey. On locating its prey, it plunge-dives off the perch, captures the prey with its bill and returns to the perch position - all in a flash of single-minded resolve. Such swiftness has not escaped the attention of man and it has been depicted in various anecdotes: The socio-cultural transition of the Malay Archipelago from the Hindu-Buddhist era to the Islamic era led to a change in the construction and use of the kris. The Garuda-shaped hilt was replaced with the form of a Kingfisher (pekaka), perhaps to emphasize the swiftness which was necessary as the kris assumed a more prominent role as a weapon. Some of the Vimanas (airships described in ancient Indian writings) were named after Kingfishers in the Vedas, a collection of ancient Hindu poems. The swift movement of Kingfishers has been featured in the folklore of several tribes of the North American Indians, including the Sioux and the Arikara tribes. This has more recently been used symbolically in Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem which opens with the words "[a]s kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flames" (in the study of counterpoints in language) and Charles Olson's "The Kingfishers" (in the examination of compartmentalization of information). Distinctive Call and Bill Kingfishers have comparatively distinctive calls; ranging from thin shrill squeaks to harsh discordant shrieks or cackles. The Koreans have long noticed the distinctive calls and bills of Kingfishers and an explanation was attempted. In a folklore, the lengthy bill of a Kingfisher was the consequence of a physical confrontation with the locust (more likely to be a cicada) that arose from a dispute between them. This dispute has not been resolved and is regularly heard at SBWR. In fact, Kingfishers have distinctively long and straight dagger-like bills in order to hold fast their prey upon capture. A firm grip on the captured prey is important as it is not immediately consumed. Once the Kingfisher has returned to its perched position, the prey is struck and battered against a hard object (which may take up to 30 minutes) before it is swallowed, usually headfirst. Solitary and Solidarity Kingfishers are particularly territorial and are usually seen alone, except during the breeding season when they can be sighted in pairs. This observation may have inspired the moving story in Greek mythology between Alcyone, daughter of Aeolus, King of the Winds, and Ceyx, son of the Morning Star. When Ceyx was drowned at sea, the distraught Alcyone cast herself into the sea in order to be with her husband. Moved by her devotions, the gods transformed both Alcyne and Ceyx into Kingfishers so that they could be together again. Due in part to the Greek myth, it was once thought that Kingfishers built their nests out at sea. However, it is now known that their nests are found on land and are burrows excavated in the ground, usually near a river or some form of water body, in a termite mound or in decayed tree trunks. A Walk through the Wetlands SBWR provides wonderful opportunities for every visitor to share in this wealth of natural and cultural "Kingfisher experience" that has so enriched our ancestors. The colours that dazzled, the swiftness that marveled, the calls that astounded and the solidarity that inspired can still dazzle, marvel, astound and inspire today. All of these in a casual stroll through the Reserve.
Provided by James Gan, Senior Conservation Officer Source of Bird Data are from SBWR Bird Ringing Programme. Those marked with * are taken from The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula by David R Wells |
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© Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve |
