Birdwatching pre-MCO 2021 - Gold(en)-Whiskered Feathered Friend

I am so glad this Yellow-vented Flowerpecker gave me the opportunity to take a picture of it. It was perched quietly in this flowering tree by the river of Sungai Selangor in Kuala Kubu Bahru. The Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker was much more active than this Yellow-vented, the former calling away in "zzitt-zzzittt"manner and flying from one end of housing estate orchard gardens into this tree. Another view of the Yellow-vented above, before it disappeared from my view. I had arrived slightly before 3pm in Kuala Kubu Bahru, after making a short stop in Ulu Yam Bahru to buy some local cakes that the uncle sells by the roadside. The peanut mochi balls that he makes are soft, fluffy and I bought the last 4 from his stall. As soon as I started walking along the riverside, I was gasping with excitement when lo and behold, I saw two Gold-Whiskered Barbets perched on the tallest Papaya Tree. This barbet species is quite common in Malaysia and Asia, but to me, seeing this pair of beautiful barbets after having to wait for almost a year without seeing a non-Garden species (aka the Coppersmith Barbet), I almost whooped for joy. The Gold-Whiskered was looking at this strange human being, who nearly let out a loud whoop when it was just out enjoying its afternoon tea. One of the Gold-whiskered flew to a different papaya tree, whilst the second started feeding on a deliciously ripe papaya fruit, whilst the strange birdwatcher (me) continued to marvel at its colourful head, neck and cheeks! Patches of yellow on both sides of its cheeks make this Gold-Whiskered look so auspicious!

Gold-whiskered Barbet picks at the pulp of ripe papaya fruit

The big bill of the Gold-Whiskered is as long as its head and neck. It swallows the pulp and rests for a few seconds before.....plunging its bill right into the papaya fruit again, for yummy chunks.

The Gold-Whiskered inspects the ripe fruit and positions itself accordingly.

It chooses to pick at the sides of the papaya fruit this time. 

The Gold-Whiskered enjoying every chunk of the papaya flesh extracted by its marvelous bill.

Tiny black bristles from the base of Gold-whiskered's bill - am wondering about the function of those bristles.

The red colours on the base of the bill and top of the head were striking. The Greenish plumage overall with tinges of blue really make this Gold-whiskered Barbet look outstanding. The Borneo species correct name is the Gold-faced Barbet. Changes to names of bird species in Malaysia in accordance with Clements checklist in an article by Mr David Bakewell can be read in eBird Malaysia HERE. 

"Gold-coined" Barbet would be an alternative name for this beauty.

This Gold-Whiskered didn't allow the Yellow-vented bulbul to join it for afternoon tea in the same papaya tree. It was very territorial and chased the bulbul away from this tree. The ripe papaya fruit belonged solely to this Gold-Whiskered that afternoon! All species seen that sunny afternoon by the riverside of Kuala Kubu Bahru, Selangor is available in eBird Malaysia HERE. Malaysia went into the second lockdown in 2021 by 13th January 2021, due to rising cases of Covid-19. The 2-week MCO version 2.0 is scheduled to end by 26th January 2021.