Malaysian Birds - Silver-eared Mesia

The Silver-eared Mesia is a Babbler under its own grouping  - Leiothrixes. Under this small group, there are only 2 birds -Silver-eared and the Red-billed. Both equally popular among breeders with the latter better known as the Peking Robin.

The Silver-eared Mesia is a local resident, seems to have its beginning in the foothills of the Himalayas. With its preference for cool climate, it is also a resident of the sub-montane forest of Peninsula Malaysia. In fact the Silver-eared Mesia is the icon for the Frasers Hills. Like the residents in all other countries of Western China, Indochina and Sumatra, this Mesia live in bushes of forest edge. The stable food for the bird is insect but it does wait for certain berries of the under growth.

The bird travels in group, together with other type of birds in a bird waves or just by themselves. Their presence in the area is alerted by the loud call of the male. Otherwise most times, soft murmuring whisper as long as they are around.

The Peking Robin is an inexpensive and easier to breed bird when compared with the Silver-eared Mesia, I would say less beautiful too. Since we have the Silver-eared Mesia in the wild and plenty of them, let's enjoy watching the birds in freedom.

In most of the hill stations in Malaysia, you need not search or wait long, the bird will make its appearance. Of course, certain season, the birds are more readily available in greater numbers. In other times, frequency of meeting up are further apart and also less birds seen.

Silver-eared Mesia's picture No. 1

Silver-eared Mesia's picture No. 2

Silver-eared Mesia's picture No. 3

Silver-eared Mesia's picture No. 4

Silver-eared Mesia's picture No. 5

Silver-eared Mesia's picture No. 6

Silver-eared Mesia's picture No. 7

Silver-eared Mesia's picture No. 8

Silver-eared Mesia's picture No. 9

Silver-eared Mesia's picture No. 10

Silver-eared Mesia's picture No. 11

Silver-eared Mesia's picture No. 12

Silver-eared Mesia's picture No. 13

Silver-eared Mesia's picture No. 14

My personal jottings on this Silver-eared Mesia:-

The garden areas in this resorts hills were undoubtedly the home for Mesias. Here the bird would gather in flocks of 6-8 birds to enjoy the breakfast offered by the hotels, thereafter, they would be off to forage the low scrubs and bushes. Mesia would join other birds in a bird wave or quite often they by themselves was already a formidable forces. Rarely would see a single Mesia joining up with other birds.

In other places such as Awana and the Old Pump House Road, the situation was different. In these places, the lone Mesia would be hunting alone or part of the bird wave. Of course, there were also times when 2-3 Mesias gathered in group. Such incidences were low and the main point is, the birds has not bred so well in these places when compared with Frasers Hills.

Of late, Bird life in Frasers Hills has dropped dramatically and not surprising too that we do not get to see the Mesia as often as before. The old scene of the Mesia hunting in large group remains unchanged. The groups were getting smaller in numbers, example - around 4-5 birds and these groups are not met up so often as well. In a 6 hours birding trip, I would be glad to meet up with the bird wave at least once. There were trips, when I did not encounter a single gathering.