The Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher, once classified as an Old World flycatcher due to its peculiar characteristics such as an unusual crest, yellow hues, and distinct vocalization, has undergone a reevaluation through molecular phylogeny studies. These investigations revealed marked differences from true Flycatchers, leading to its placement in the Stenostiridae family, affectionately known as "Fairy Flycatchers." This species exhibits a close kinship with Tits and Penduline-Tits and is characterized by a brief, squelching “ti-rip” trill in its vocal repertoire.

Breeding primarily in upland to montane Oak and other broadleaved forests, as well as similar wooded areas across temperate to tropical southern Asia, from Pakistan and Central India to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and southern China, this bird demonstrates a range of behaviors. While many populations are resident, some Himalayan individuals engage in partial migration, wintering in peninsular India and occasionally venturing into arid habitats. Altitudinal movements are also observed, particularly in regions like Bhutan in the eastern Himalayas.

The Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher is a year-round presence, thriving in elevations reaching and surpassing 2,000 meters above sea level. During the non-breeding season, these birds descend to the plains and lower elevations, favoring well-wooded areas in relatively mature secondary forests, abandoned plantations, and overgrown gardens, often in proximity to water sources and streams, including wooded gorges. Throughout the day, their activity and vocalization persist, as they forage energetically at all levels of the forest.

Size & diagnostic markings:-

12Cm. In the appropriate season this bird is all over the forest from lowland to montane. More often in lowland. Its call is continuous but the bird may not be sighted. It's not difficult as the bird is in a small confine signaled by the call and remain there for some time. Quite often in the open forest edge at low attitude.  The upper side of the body is olive green while the upper part of the tail and under part yellow, with an unmistakable Grey head and grey breast. The under part of a brighter shade of yellow.

Distribution :-  

In the lowland region south of the Himalayas Mountain and in Sunda. Could be common resident in Malaysia but seen more in the sub-montane region during migratory period. Seen the bird nesting on a couple of occasions in the lowlands.

My personal jottings :-

I like this bird particularly in the migratory seasons. It is constantly calling and assuring of good bird life present. However at this period perhaps being a migrant the bird is very shy. On the contrary those in the lowland give a feeling that it is well domesticated showing no sign or fear or flight. Returning to its low perch every time despite of the presence of human.

This bird is much smaller when compared with most other Flycatchers and could in fact be mistaken for as a Warbler. This is another bird from the southern slopes of the Himalayas, from the west of India to west of china. Then down to the island of Sri Langka [Ceylon]. A montane bird but in Malaysia, a sub-montane to lowland bird. Could not ascertain which level  the bird prefers but when seen in breeding season, they would be at the middle storey.

This is a small group of birds under this category which covers Fairy Bluebirds and Leafbirds.

World wide there are only 10 species and out of which 6 are in South east Asia. The 5 Leafbirds had a page on their own and to bring in some similarity to the Leafbirds, I made that past and remote link

This Bluebird is now reclassified as a Irenidae

These birds Bluebirds and Leafbirds are known to feed on berries, insects as well as nectar but more so on berries at times hunting nectar

Leafbirds are medium sized birds with the same body profile as the very common Bulbul birds, so should be easy to spot. However as the name of most birds implies, these are green leaf birds. Birding in tropical forest is a region where all leaves within our forest are green throughout the year. This common name stays - denoting that the natural camouflage for the birds was so good that it is rather a task to spot the bird, let alone getting pictures of the bird among the green foliages.

Most species as I know of have the habit of making continuous calls while foraging. It is always these calls that alert birders to their presence in the area.

Among the whole lot of birds shown, only the Lesser and the Greater Green Leafbirds have plain colors and also presented some problems to spot. The male species of the remaining 2 Leafbirds are colorful and with the vibrant tones on their bodies, it is easier to weed out the birds among a field of green.

Most species with the exception of the Golden-fronted are plentiful in Malaysia and among the first birds to be spotted in the forest edges. As common as Yellow-vented Bulbul in our backyards, Leafbirds are encountered readily i.e  if you can spot their whereabouts.

The only bird which belong to this same family and excluded from this group of greenish shaded bird would be the Asian Fairy Bluebird.

Among the Weaver bird's family , the Baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus)  found across the Indian Subcontinent, south and south-west China, down to Sumatra and Java. In Southeast Asia, it is an uncommon bird in Indochina but rather common resident in Peninsula Malaysia.

The bird practiced community living where by a flock would together and build their own nest. Their choice of environment as I can see, perhaps near to human habitat but with one important point. The host tree is inaccessible. These could be some precarious slopes, thick under grown or amidst a wetland. Normally the surrounding would also have grasses with long blade where they could harvest their leafy materials. manually.

  These nest colonies are usually found on thorny trees or palm fronds and the nests are often built near water or hanging over water where predators cannot reach easily. They are widespread and common within their range but are prone to local, seasonal movements mainly in response to rain and food availability.

 A lot of follow-up has been done on their method of weaving and found that an average nest would have a combined usage 3,300 blade of grasses. The nest would be completed in 2 stages. First the male would build an inverted cup shape nest. When completed, a selected female would be asked to inspect the construction. If approved, both birds would then complete the lower portion which would incorporate an exit funnel facing down wards.

To make the nesting period interesting, the male with their breeding plumage of bright yellow is very colourful