BIRDWATCHING
From muddy mangroves to misty mountain ranges, Malaysia’s diverse tropical landscape teems with hundreds of resident bird species. The country’s location on the Australasian crossmigratory paths also makes it a host to over 250 or so migratory birds. All in all, with over 795 species, Malaysia has emerged as a birdwatching haven. There are a total of 55 Important Bird Areas (IBA) throughout the country.
Well over half of Malaysia’s land mass is covered in rainforest environments or at least plantations. With the diversity of habitats, there are many places having abundant bird life to choose from. As the various birdwatching and nature sites around the country are easily accessible, it is easy to understand why bird lovers are drawn to Malaysia.
AVIAN HABITATS
Many birds are common to both Peninsular Malaysia as well as Sabah and Sarawak but some species, known as endemics, are unique to a BIRDWATCHING certain location, such as the Malayan Whistling Thrush in the peninsula. In Borneo, there are about 59 endemics including the Bornean Bristlehead and Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker in Sabah.
The Malaysian rainforests can be generally divided into three distinctive habitat types – coastal mangroves, lowland rainforests and montane or mountain forests. Swampy mangrove forest ecosystems where salt and freshwater environs meet on the coastline fringe are home to birds such as the Collared Kingfisher. Lowland rainforests, including freshwater swamp, peat and hill dipterocarp forests, remain the most extensive habitat for over 200 birds and are crucial to Storm’s Stork and Green Imperial Pigeon.
Mountain forests generally occur above an elevation of 900m, where species such as the Mountain Peacock-Pheasant and Mountain Blackeye thrive in the cool damp climates and stunted trees of these high altitude regions.
While each habitat provides an excellent concentrated birding experience, in Malaysia it is not difficult to visit several sites in different ecological zones to enjoy the variation in birdlife.
POPULAR BIRDING SITES
With the increase in nature and environmental awareness, more and more sites have been identified where birds can be observed and there are also bird sanctuaries designated around the country.
For the serious enthusiast, a comprehensive itinerary spanning the peninsula and Borneo could include: Kuala Selangor, Fraser’s Hill, Taman Negara, Bako National Park in Sarawak, Kinabalu Park and Danum Valley in Sabah.
For beginners or those who stay around Kuala Lumpur, there are several excellent birdwatching sites within a few hours’ drive from the city. A new area that has made a name for itself in birding circles is Putrajaya Wetlands, a human-enhanced wetland environment. Less than an hour south of Kuala Lumpur, it has begun to attract both birds and bird watchers.
For a pleasant day trip, check out the Kuala Selangor Nature Park, a mangrove swamp along the west coast that supports 157 bird species and some seasonal migrants including the rare Spoonbilled Sandpiper. Fraser’s Hill and Cameron Highlands both offer lush green hill surroundings with panoramic views and hiking trails where bird life is astounding.
Those with more time may want to travel further inland into Malaysia’s premier national park, Taman Negara, where dense ancient lowland forests are home to over 300 bird species. Another popular site is Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary on the Perak coast, where endangered Milky Storks congregate. Over in Borneo, the Kota Kinabalu City Bird
Sanctuary, a feeding ground for many species of resident birds and several migratory species from Northern Asia is easily accessible from the capital of Sabah. Kinabalu Park, a World Heritage Site with its own endemics such as the Kinabalu Warbler, is just a two hours’ drive away from the city. Many good birding sites can be found in Sarawak, such as Gunung Mulu National Park. Sarawak endemics such as Hose’s Broadbill can also be found in the Kelabit Highlands.
BIRDWATCHING SEASON AND ADVISORY
Malaysia’s tropical climate allows bird watching to be a year-round activity. Take note of the rainy season when planning excursions and bring along rain gear or a poncho. In the West Coast of the peninsula, rain usually falls heaviest from September to December. There is a distinct monsoon in the East Coast from December to February, while the rainy season occurs a bit earlier in the year in Borneo.
Migratory birds use Malaysia’s West Coast flyway to travel to Sumatra and beyond with peak movements in April and October.
As with all wildlife, all possible care and respect is to be given to the birds and their habitats. It is illegal not only to shoot or capture any bird in a gazetted bird sanctuary, but even to harass or disturb them. Trafficking in protected species is also prohibited under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 in Peninsular Malaysia, with separate acts enforced in Sabah and Sarawak. Entry permits from the Forestry Department of the various states may be needed at some bird sanctuaries. Birdwatchers are advised to check with their guides or tour agent.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR BIRDWATCHERS
- Read or find out as much as you can about both the site and the bird species likely to be found in it before hand.
- A pair of binoculars helps to locate and identify distant and high flying birds.
- Most birds are active in the morning and late afternoon when the temperature is cooler. Consult your guide book as to the best times to spot a particular species.
- Many birds have regular feeding habits and patterns. A good place to watch for shorebirds is at mudflats during low tide.
- When photographing birds, use longrange lenses and avoid flash equipment so as not to disturb the birds.
BIRDWATCHING SITES
- Gunung Raya – Langkawi, Kedah
- Kilim Mangrove – Langkawi, Kedah
- Sedim Rainforest – Kulim, Kedah
- Hutan Pelajaran Air Hitam, Penang
- Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill) (Highland Forest), Perak
- Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary (Mangrove forest), Perak
- Royal Belum State Park, Perak
- Kuala Selangor Nature Park (Mangrove forest), Selangor
- Hulu Langat Forest Reserve, Selangor
- FRIM, Selangor
- Paya Indah Wetland, Selangor
- Sungai Tekala Recreational Forest, Selangor
- Kuala Kubu Baharu, Selangor
- Tanjung Tuan, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
- Pasoh Forest Reserve, FRIM Pasoh Jempol, Negeri Sembilan
- Keraboi State Park, Negeri Sembilan
- Sungai Linggi, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
- Sungai Menyala Edu-Ecotourism Center, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
- Cameron Highlands (Highland forest), Pahang
- Genting Highlands (Highland forest), Pahang
- Taman Negara Kuala Tahan (Lowland rainforest), Pahang
- Taman Rimba Kenong, Kuala Lipis, Pahang (Lowland rainforest)
- Taman Negeri Endau Rompin (Lowland rainforest)
- Fraser’s Hill (Highland forest), Pahang
- Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu
- Gunung Tebu, Terengganu
- Kinabalu Park (Highland forest), Sabah
- Kota Belud Bird Sanctuary (Lowland rainforest), Sabah
- Danum Valley (Lowland rainforest), Sabah
- KK Wetland Centre, Sabah
- Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sabah
- Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Sabah
- Bako National Park (Mangrove & Mixed Forest), Sarawak
- Gunung Mulu National Park (Highland Rainforest & Limestone Pinnacles), Sarawak
- Kubah National Park (Hill & Mixed Dipterocarp Forest), Sarawak
- Borneo Highland (Highland & Mountain Rainforest), Sarawak
- Tembeling Hornbill Valley, Jerantut, Pahang
- Bukit Tinggi, Pahang
- Taman Negara Sungai Relau, Merapoh, Pahang
- Paya Kansar, Pulau Tawar, Jerantut, Pahang
- Benus Bird Camp, Kg. Gol, Taman Negara, Pahang
- Bebar Peat Swamp, Pekan, Pahang
- Lanchang, Temerloh, Pahang
- Lembah Kiol, Jerantut, Pahang
- Kuala Koh National Park, Kelantan
- Teluk Air Tawar- Kuala Muda Coast, Penang
- Penang National Park, Penang
- Perlis State Park
- Tanjung Tuan Forest, Reserve and Wildlife
For more information, please view our ‘Birdwatching in Malaysia’ e-brochure at www.tourism.gov.my.
