Birding in Peninsular Malaysia

Peninsular Malaysia is a great place for birding. I was deputed to Kuala Lumpur (KL) for a year on work. Being passionate about birding I am always on the lookout for places to go birding. Thankfully Peninsular Malaysia offers several options in and around Kuala Lumpur. And bird I did in many of them whenever I could.

This blog is to show some of the birds that I got to see in the main sites that I visited in Peninsular Malaysia. It hopefully will also act as a potential guide to other birders or bird photographers with some of the sites that they could look to visit. The sites given below are in no particular order.

Hulu Langat

Probably one of the closest to KL. But one of the most fruitful locations in my list. I am amazed by the number of species that I got to see in this not so large forest. Truly a hidden gem.

Krau Forest

Another fantastic birding location hosting a good number of Bulbul and Babbler species as well as some stars like the Black Hornbill. It is around 2.5 hours drive away from KL.

Kuala Selangor National Park

A gem holding some of the mangrove specialities like the Mangrove Whistler and Mangrove Blue Flycatcher. Of course it offers plenty more.

Bukit Fraser (aka Fraser’s Hill)

Probably the most famous birding spot that sees it being on the list of all foreign birders. A 2.5 hours drive away from KL, it holds many of the hill specialties like the Hill Blue Flycatcher and Slaty-backed Forktail. It will need atleast 2 nights to see most of them. Here are some of the birds that I saw in the first visit.

You can also read a more detailed blog on my second visit here.

Bukit Tinggi

This is roughly an hour’s drive from KL on the highway. It is famous for its hotel and resort by the Berjaya Group. But it is also a great place to bird, especially for some targets like the Mountain Peacock-Pheasant and Ferruginous Partridge.

Cyberjaya

Located in the outskirts of KL, I had not expected to see this in the list of places that I visited. Got to excellent views of birds like the Black-and-Red Broadbill, White-vented Myna (Great Myna) and Plaintive Cuckoo.

Taman Botani Negara, Shah Alam

The capital city of the state of Selangor, the place caused a flurry when a Jambu Fruit-Dove made an appearance for several days. But I also got to see several other species in my trips.

Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur

Located in KL city limits, it is a very popular destination for the people of KL. It is usual to see large number of families having a picnic, going for runs etc. on holidays. For a birder like me it also holds species like the Chinese Pond-Heron and Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker.

Genting Highlands

A highland known as the casino capital of Malaysia, it also a great area to see some of the highland species like the Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Mountain Leaf Warbler and Streaked Wren-Babbler. One of the main spots here is near the Radar station. However owing to security restrictions one is not allowed to take photographs there. But you can still enjoy the birds through the binoculars. Here are some of the birds I was able to photograph away from the Radar Station.

Taman Negara

This is a must-do place for any birder. It is good 3-4 hours drive from KL and will require you to stay for atleast two nights to do any justice to it. But all worth the visit. You can find my detailed blog on my visit here.

Klang Valley

We had gone here for a specific target; the Mangrove Pitta. But I ended up seeing lots more like the Lesser Adjutant, breeding Red-wattled Lapwings and Oriental Pratincoles, Lesser Coucal etc.

Video

Here is a short video of some of the birds:

Recommendations

The forests in Malaysia are dense and spotting birds is not easy. Be mentally prepared to be frustrated. It can only get better from there :-).

Often one hears the birds first and then one needs to strain to finally locate them. So knowing the bird calls really helps. Having a person familiar with the local birds, their calls and the birding spots is even better. I chose to go with Weng Chun, a local guide, on most of my outings. He is an excellent guide. I was amazed with his ability to recognise calls for almost all the birds, his spotting skills and professionalism. I would gladly recommend him. You can find his contact details through his blog.

By the way the above list of the birding spots are not exhaustive. For e.g. I have not covered any sites towards the north. So do your own reading. But the above locations are the most popular ones and probably will be the most productive especially if you have limited days available.

 

If you liked the post then do consider following my blog. I would also love to hear  your thoughts. Maybe you have been to Malaysia and visited some of these spots or others. Do leave comments below to let me know.