PENANG
Penang
Penang, the second smallest state after Perlis at 1,048 square kilometres, covers 2 main area – Penang Island and Seberang Prai on the mainland of Peninsular Malaysia. The state is situated on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The beautiful island of Penang, the “Pearl of the Orient”, lies approximately 112 kilometres south of Langkawi. Its name was derived by the humble betel nut palm, which was a common sight all over the island – giving rise to the name of Pulau Pinang (Betelnut Island).
Contact Info
- Department of Wildlife & National Parks – Penang
- 40th Floor, KOMTAR Complex, Penang Road, 10000 Penang
- Tel: 04 261 3039
- Fax: 04 261 0330
- ppinang@wildlife.gov.my
Penang Hill
Species Count : +180 bird species
Habitat : The landscape at Penang Hill is dominated by hill dipterocarp forests, gradually grading into submontane oak–laurel forests at higher elevations. Around rest houses and viewpoints, forest edges and gardens create mixed habitats that attract both forest specialists and edge-loving species.
Visitor Experience : Birdwatching at Penang Hill is best done by walking along the forest trails early in the morning or late in the afternoon when bird activity is highest. The fu nicular train provides convenient access to higher elevations without the need for a long climb.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Van Hasselt’s Sunbird, Asian Fairy Blue-bird, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, and Grey-throated Babbler.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Zappey’s Flycatcher, Brown-streaked Flycatcher, Eyebrowed Thrush, and Dark-sided Flycatcher.
Teluk Air Tawar - Kuala Muda (TAT-KM)
Species Count : +200 bird species.
Habitat : The site includes extensive mudflats and a mangrove belt of roughly 600 hectares, stretching from the mouth of Abdul River at Bagan Belat up to the northern coastline at Dataran Tsunami Kuala Muda. There are mangrove forests along the coast, intertidal zones, river mouths/estuaries, and tidal flats which are exposed during the low tide. These provide feeding and resting grounds for shorebirds.
Visitor Experience : Best visits are during migration seasons (August-March, especially peaks around January-March), when thousands of migratory shorebirds drop in. Observing is often from the shore. To approach mudflats closely you may need a boat or guide. Please remember that walking on mudflats is not always possible or safe. A high numbers of birds (10,000-12,000) have been recorded at once during peak periods.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Little Egret, Lesser Adjutant, Little Cormorant, Striated Heron, Streak-eared Bulbul, Jungle Myna, and Eastern Cattle Egret.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Great Knot, Asian Dowitcher, Red Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, Brown-headed Gull, Greater Crested Tern, and Black-capped Kingfisher.
Air Hitam Dalam Educational Forest
Species Count : +200 bird species.
Habitat : This is a freshwater peat swamp forest (about 10 to 11 hectares) located in Dua River. The forest contains various vegetation zones dominated by nipah palms, putat (Barring tonia racemosa), jejawi (Ficus spp.), and other swamp flora.
Visitor Experience : Birdwatching is best in the early morning and at dusk. The forest has a 1000-metre canopy/ boardwalk trail plus a 2100-metre suspension bridge and observation towers, which allow good access to canopy, swamp interior, and riverine edges.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Great-eared Nightjar, Olive-winged Bulbul, Buffy Fish Owl, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, Little Bronze Cuckoo, Collared Scops Owl, and Abbot’s Babbler.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Hodgson’s hawk-cuckoo, Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, Black Kite, and Black-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher.
