PAHANG
Pahang
The state of Pahang which lies in the eastern board of Peninsular Malaysia is a state with remarkable resources in terms of natural landscapes and habitat.
Contact Info
- Department of Wildlife & National Parks Taman Negara – Kuala Tahan
- tnp@wildlife.gov.my
- Mutiara Taman Negara National Park Resort
- book.mtn@gmail.com
- Fraser’s Hill Development Corporation (Information Centre)
- www.pkbf.gov.my
- EVENT: Fraser’s Hill International Bird Race - March / June
- www.pkbf.gov.my
Taman Negara - Kuala Tahan
No. of species: > 380
Spread between the states of Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu, the park covers an area of more than 4,343 square kilometres of primary rainforest. With more than 380 bird species recorded, the park arguably has the highest number of birds of any forested area in Peninsular Malaysia.
Habitats range from lowland to montane forests with most of the birds found in the lowland forest around the main birdwatching areas of Kuala Tahan and Kuala Terenggan. During the fruiting season, usually from May to August, many bird species can be found feeding on fig trees around the park headquarters. They include the Thick-billed Green- pigeon, Rhinoceros Hornbills, Blue-eared Barbet, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Blue-winged Leafbird, Green Broadbill and Yellow-vented Flowerpecker.
Explore designated forest trails throughout the undulating terrain of this lowland forest and you may find the pheasants foraging over the forest floor. There are 5 species of pheasants here which include Crested Fireback, Crestless Fireback, Malay Peacock-pheasant, Crested Argus and Great Argus. The months of June and July are ideal to search for the majestic Great Argus along the trail to Teresek Hill and Jenut Muda.
As you drift down the pristine Tahan River, you will be able to spot Stork-billed Kingfisher, Malay Blue-banded Kingfisher (Blue-banded Kingfisher), Blue-eared Kingfisher, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Malay Blue-flycatcher (Malaysian Blue-Flycatcher), Black-and-red Broadbill, Dusky Broadbill or even the much sought after Masked Finfoot.
Taman Negara is a treasure trove for hornbills and 9 species can be found around the Kuala Tahan and Kuala Terenggan areas. Remember to spend some time at open areas and big fruiting trees.
Most areas around the park headquarters in Kuala Tahan are generally good for birdwatching especially when one of the many fig trees are in fruit. The trails to Tabing Hide, Canopy Walkway, Bukit Teresek and Kumbang Hide provide opportunities to search for rare gems such as Garnet Pitta, Malay Banded Pitta, Blue-winged Pitta, Chestnut-crowned Pitta (Hooded Pitta) along with the enigmatic Rail-babbler.
Getting to Taman Negara is easy. Options from taxis to daily bus transfers from Kuala Lumpur are easily available. You may take transfers straight to Kuala Tahan (the entry town to Taman Negara) or take a transfer to Kuala Tembeling to catch an adventurous three-hour long boat ride to Kuala Tahan.
Kuala Tahan, Taman Negara National Park
Species Count : +370 bird species.
Habitat : With an area 4,343 km2, Taman Negara is home to some of the world’s oldest rainforests.
Visitor Experience : Kuala Tahan is about three to four hours from Kuala Lumpur. Trails such as Bukit Teresek, Lubok Simpon, the Canopy Walkway, and riverboat trips are available to birdwatchers. Campsites, hostels, chalets, and guided birding tours are available.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Rhinoceros Hornbill, Malayan Crested Fireback, , Diard’s Trogon, Large Green-Pigeon, Banded Kingfisher, and Malaysian Blue Flycatcher.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Oriental Honey Buzzard, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Dark-sided Flycatcher, and Arctic Warbler.
Fraser’s Hill
Species Count : +270 bird species.
Habitat : At an elevation of 900 to 1,200m, Fraser’s Hill is covered with cold montane forest. The area offers a rich habitat supporting an extensive variety of resident and migratory birds with its diverse trees, gardens, and streams.
Visitor Experience : Fraser’s Hill can be reached by road from Kuala Kubu Bharu or Raub. Along calm roads and forest walks, it can provide different birdwatching trails with excellent observation locations.
Resident Birds: Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush, Malayan Whistling Thrush, Red-headed Trogon, Silver-eared Mesia, Collared Owlet and Malayan Partridge.
Migratory Birds (August–March): Mugimaki Flycatcher, Dark-sided Flycatcher, Brown Shrike, and Siberian Thrush.
Cameron Highlands
Species Count : +250 bird species.
Habitat : At 1,100–2,000m, the Cameron Highlands have montane forests, tea plantations, and regrowth vegetation.
Visitor Experience: Kuala Lumpur can be reached from Cameron Highlands in roughly three hours. There are boardwalks offering a comfortable and scenic route for birdwatching at the Mossy Forest.
Resident Birds:Chestnut-tailed Minla, Golden-throated Barbet, Rufous-vented Niltava, Himalayan Cutia, Rufous winged Fulvetta, and Brown Bullfinch.
Migratory Birds (August–March):Eyebrowed Thrush, Mugimaki Flycatcher, and Siberian Thrush.
Awana Resort, Genting Highlands
No. of species: > 227
The resort hill of Genting Highlands and its sister facility, Awana Resort Genting Highlands, is located at 1,700 metres asl and 900 metres asl respectively. This hill is part IBAs, (MY10) and boasts not only of world-famous entertainment and casino facilities but is surrounded by relatively untouched sub montane and montane forest with over 227 species recorded to date.
Species such as the Himalayan Cutia, Sunda Mountain Warbler (Mountain Leaf Warbler), Rufous-winged Fulvetta, and Bar-throated Minla along with other gems such as the Marbled Wren-babbler, Pygmy Cupwing, Large Niltava, Little Pied Flycatcher, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Rhinceros Hornbill, Great Hornbill and Bushy-crested Hornbill are regular records here.
Awana Pump House road is generally a short downhill walk towards the gate. On the right side of the road, there are several openings where you will get a view of the hill on the other side of the valley. Spend some time upon reaching the gate for bird waves before walking back uphill towards the starting point. Orange-breasted Trogon and Red-bearded Bee-eater are found along this road so be sure to look out for them. At Ulu Kali, the weather can change very quickly and at times very misty and windy. However, this site is favoured by many local birdwatchers since it offers a different list of species compared to Awana Pump House road. Access to this site is restricted and visitors need to register and book to enter.
Bukit Tinggi
Species Count : +150 bird species.
Habitat : Located at 800m above sea level in the Titiwangsa Range, Bukit Tinggi features gardens, secondary growth, and montane forests.
Visitor Experience : Bukit Tinggi is around an hour from Kuala Lumpur. Trails near to the Japanese Village and Colmar Tropicale offer the best birdwatching, especially in the morning.
Resident Birds : Mountain Peacock-pheasant, Ferruginous Partridge, Orange-breasted Trogon, Ochraceous Bulbul, Black-crested Bulbul, and Buff-breasted Babbler.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Mugimaki Flycatcher, Siberian Blue Robin, Orange-headed Thrush, Eyebrowed Thrush, and Grey Wagtail.
Rompin State Park
Species Count : +250 bird species.
Habitat : Around 31,797 hectares of lowland and hill forests, rivers, waterfalls, and open areas form the park. Its forests and rivers offer wildlife secure routes across the park and natural habitats.
Visitor Experience : Rompin State Park is three and a half hours away from Kuantan, whereas Kuala Lumpur is f ive hours away. The trails near Lambak Campsite, Jeram Panjang, and Sungai Kinchin are best for birdwatching in the morning or late afternoon. Campsites and guides are available near the park headquarters.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Garnet Pitta, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker, Dusky Broadbill, Rufous tailed Shama, Garnet Pitta, Crested Jayshrike, and Blue rumped Parrot.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Oriental Honey Buzzard, Arctic Warbler, Tiger Shrike, Asian Brown Flycatcher, and Eastern Crowned Warbler.
Sungai Relau, Taman Negara National Park
Species Count : +300 bird species.
Habitat : The area is a mosaic of lowland and hill dipterocarp primary rainforests, with the crucial Sungai Relau forming the central riverine habitat. The terrain transitions from f lat, alluvial lowlands and swampy areas near the river to hilly slopes ascending towards Gunung Tahan. Key birding niches, accessible via trails and roads, include patches of dense undergrowth and the food-rich fruiting and flowering understory.
Visitor Experience : A suspension bridge / walkway high above the forest floor (around 40–50m), spanning about 530m through the treetops.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Great argus, Malayan Peacock Pheasant, Helmeted Hornbill, Large Frogmouth, Cinnamon-rumped Trogon, Malayan Crested Fireback, and Malayan Crestless Fireback.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : White-throated Needletail, Silver-backed Needletail, Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, and Black Paradise Flycatcher.
Pahang Tua Paddy Fields
Species Count : +120 bird species.
Habitat : Located in the floodplain of the Sungai Pahang, the Pahang Tua area includes open grasslands, freshwater wetlands, watersheds, and rice fields.
Visitor Experience : Pahang Tua is one and a half hours from Kuantan and 30 minutes from Pekan. You can observe waterbirds on the bunds and paddy roads.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Yellow Bittern, White-breasted Waterhen, Common Moorhen, White-throated Kingfisher, and Paddyfield Pipit.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Pacific Golden Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt, Marsh Sandpiper, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Oriental Pratincole, Barn Swallow, and Cinnamon Bittern.
Tengku Hassanal Wildlife Reserve
Species Count : +180 bird species.
Habitat : The reserve is formed from 15,000 hectares of hill and lowland rainforests. As an area of the Central Forest Spine, it facilitates the movement of wildlife throughout Peninsular Malaysia.
Visitor Experience : The reserve is about 30 minutes from Lanchang and is mainly a research and conservation area managed by the Department of Wildlife and National Park (DWNP). Because access is limited and requires authorisation, it is appropriate for research, educational visits, and guided tours.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Great Argus, Gould Frogmouth, Blyth’s Frogmouth, Green Broadbill, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Crested Serpent Eagle, Large Wren Babbler, and Reddish Scops Owl.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Asian Brown Flycatcher, Arctic Warbler, Tiger Shrike, and Grey Wagtail.
