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New flame-Headed Bird Species Found in Cambodia Capital
(AFP)
PHNOM PENH — A new species of bird with a distinctive orange-red coloured tuft of feathers on its head has been found in Cambodia’s populous capital city, conservationists said on Wednesday.
The remarkable discovery of the Cambodian tailorbird, or orthotomus chaktomuk, in Phnom Penh — and several other locations including a construction site just outside of the city of 1.5 million people — has astounded conservationists.
“The modern discovery of an undescribed bird species within the limits of a large populous city… is extraordinary,” Simon Mahood of the Wildlife Conversation Society told AFP.
“It’s very surprising,” he added.
Cambodian tailorbird, recently discovered in Cambodia’s populous capital city, Phnom Penh
The small bird, which has a black-feathered throat and is the size of the more common wren, lives in thick, lowland scrub in Phnom Penh and other sites in the nearby floodplain, which the WCS said had kept it concealed for so long.
Known for its “distinct plumage and a loud call”, the bird was discovered by scientists from conservation groups, including WCS and BirdLife International.
The bird was named after a Phnom Penh riverfront area “chaktomuk” — the conjunction of three rivers — where it was found, the (WCS) said in a statement.
“The discovery indicates that new species of birds may still be found in familiar and unexpected locations,” Mahood added.
Mahood said scientists started the research on the bird in June last year explaining it is currently not a threatened species despite its habitat in the city of 1.5 million people.
But WCS recommended that the species is classified as “Near Threatened” under the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because the bird’s “habitat is declining” due to agricultural and urban expansion.
Hong Chamnan, a Cambodian forestry official who has worked with the team, told AFP the discovery brought great “pride” to the country.
“I believe that we may have this new bird in other areas in the country,” he added.
Steve Zack, WCS coordinator of bird conservation said more study was needed to understand “the distribution and ecology of this exciting newly described species to determine its conservation needs”.
Old Images of Siem Reap and Angkor from Early 1900’s
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Queen & Children Cambodia 1871
A drawing of Angkor Wat by Henri Mouhot from May 15, 1826 – November 10th, 1861 _
A drawing of Angkor Wat by Henri Mouhot from May 15, 1826 – November 10th, 1861 _
A drawing of Angkor Wat by Henri Mouhot from May 15, 1826 – November 10th, 1861 _
Old Photo of Elephant near angkor
Old Photo of Elephant in Cambodia
Old Photo of Elephant in Cambodia
Old Photo of Elephants in Cambodia
Old Photo of Elephant in Siem Reap Cambodia
Elephant in Cambodia
Old Photo of Elephant with howdahs in Cambodia
Old Photo of Elephant with howdahs in Cambodia
- Elephant Old Photo Cambodia
1907 Cambodia – Siem Reap Young Monks smoking cigarettes
Siem Reap River in 1948
Chinese-funded, Siem Reap-Angkor Airport, published 1969
The administrative delegate of Siem Reap and his staff
Sisowath King of Cambodia Escort Paris France 1906
Old Photo of The Raffles Hotel in 1947
1907 Cambodia – Angkor Wat Pilgrimage
1907 Cambodia – Angkor Wat Buddhist monks
Siem Reap Village and river near the ruins of Angkor postcard c-1910
The racing boats, or pirogues, resemble those shown in the bas-reliefs at Angkor, and are propelled, not by means of oars, but by vessels held in the hands of the rowers resembling shallow wash-bowls.
In the distance are the smooth, bare trunks of the flamboyant tree, or “flame of the forest” Other trees of this region are the teak, dipterocarpus, kapok, sao, tamarind, etc. The bullock cart in the foreground is the kind in common use. In the trees alongside every road are hundreds of monkeys. These animals are never harassed by the Cambodians, who have an almost religious respect for them. The monkeys pay no attention to passerby.
The roof of the inclosing gallery and the side of the great temple are shown. Outside of and below the gallery is the outer gallery. Each gallery is quadrilateral, surrounding the main temple, and its inner walls are covered with bas-reliefs.
Tonle Sap – between 1946- 1962
Old Banteay Srei Temple Photo
Ta Prohm Temple Old Photo
