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Bird watching |
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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 cross-migratory paths also makes it a host to 120 or so migratory birds. With over 600 species to be seen in the Peninsula and about 580 species in Malaysian Borneo, Malaysia has emerged as a bird watching haven.
Half of Malaysia’s land mass is covered in rainforests, or at least plantations. With the diversity of habitats, there are many places having abundant bird life to choose from. As the various bird-watching and nature sites around the country are easily accessible, it is easy to understand why bird-lovers are drawn to Malaysia.
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Avian Habitats |
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Many birds are common in the Peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak but some species, known as endemics, are unique to a certain location, such as the Malayan Whistling Thrush in the Peninsula. Borneo sees over 30 endemics including the Borneo Blue Flycatcher and Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker. |
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The Malaysian rainforests are generally divided into three distinctive habitat types – coastal mangroves, lowland rainforests and mountain forests. |
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Swampy mangrove forest eco-systems where salt and freshwater meet on the coastline fringe are home to birds such as the Common Kingfisher. Lowland rainforests, including freshwater swamp, peat and hill dipterocarp forest, remains the most extensive habitat for over 200 birds. This habitat is crucial for Storm’s Stork and Green Imperial Pigeon. |
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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. |
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While each habitat provides an excellent concentrated birding experience, it is not difficult to visit several sites in different ecological zones to enjoy the variation in birdlife. |
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Bird Watching Sites |
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• Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill), Perak, (Mountain forest)
• Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary, Perak, (Mangrove forest)
• Kuala Selangor Nature Park, Selangor (Mangrove forest)
• Cameron Highlands, Pahang (Mangrove forest)
• Genting Highlands, Pahang (Mangrove forest)
• Taman Negara, Pahang (Low rainforest)
• Fraser’s Hill, Pahang, (Mountain forest)
• Kinabalu Park, Sabah, (Mountain forest)
• Kota Belud Bird Sanctuary, Sabah (Lowland rainforest)
• Bako National Park, Sarawak (Lowland rainforest)
• Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak (Mangrove forest)
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