This is the longest trip for this year thus far. 14 days in Peninsular Malaysia. We started off pretty well with the highlight sighting of Mangrove Pitta. We saw 1 but heard another 2 nearby. 

Enroute to Kuala Lumpur, we made several stops for an introduction to the common birds of Peninsular Malaysia.We did not do any birding after checking into the hotel in order to allow everyone to get some rest.

For Day 2, we headed to the lowland forest and found several good birds that includes Black-and-red Broadbill, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Grey-and-buff Woodpecker, Banded Woodpecker, Black-thighed Falconet, Raffles’s Malkoha, Black-bellied Malkoha, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Banded Kingfisher, Brown Boobook and many more.

Day 3, we visited the popular birding site in Shah Alam and found several good resident species such as Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Little Spiderhunter, Long-tailed Parakeet, Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Banded Woodpecker, Short-tailed Babbler, Black-eared Barbet, and others. The other highlight from this park is the beautiful Prevost’s Squirrel. 

The next day we covered the ground of Kuala Selangor and added more new birds for the trip. This include but not limited to Barn Owl, Spotted Wood Owl, Swinhoe’s White-eye, Greater Flameback, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Chestnut-bellied Malkoha, Mangrove Whistler, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, Cinereous Tit, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, and Abbott’s Babbler. Going further north, we made several stops at paddyfield in Perak and saw lots of Asian Openbill, Cattle Egret, Black-winged Stilt, Yellow Wagtail, Wood Sandpiper, Little Cormorant, Oriental Darter, and Brown Shrike. 

On Day 5, we started off with the limestone cave, another popular local birding spot. Here, there are several Java Sparrow, Blue Rock Thrush, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Plaintive Cuckoo, Red-throated Barbet, Grey-breasted Spiderhunter and Spectacled Spiderhunter. However, we dipped on the Blue Whistling Thrush. Upon arrival in Cameron Highland, there was already slight drizzle and we tried to add a few species with Pygmy Cupwing, Silver-eared Mesia, Large Niltava, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Little Pied Flycatcher, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Blue-winged Minla, Mountain Tailorbird, Black-throated Sunbird, Streaked Spiderhunter, and Mountain Bulbul.

We had a superb first morning in Cameron Highland! We nailed our targets in Rufous-vented Niltava and Yellow-breasted Warbler. It rained in the late afternoon but we still managed to add some new species for the trip which include Little Cuckoo-Dove, Mountain Tailorbird, Blue Nuthatch, Chestnut-tailed Minla (Bar-throated Minla), Blue-winged Minla, Large Niltava, Mountain Leaf Warbler, Golden-throated Barbet, Fire-tufted Barbet and more.

On the 2nd morning up in Cameron Highland, we only spent time at areas where we target for Barred Cuckoo Dove however we could not achieve it. The good news is we were still able to add Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Lesser Shortwing, Black-crested Bulbul, Black-headed Bulbul, Brown-backed Needletail, Common Tailorbird, Emerald Dove, Bamboo Woodpecker and more species up in the highland and while traveling to Kuala Lumpur where we spent a night.

Here is the current checklist for the trip:

Pigeons and Doves: Feral Pigeon, Spotted Dove, Zebra Dove, Little Cuckoo-Dove, Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Emerald Dove

Cuckoos: Black-bellied Malkoha, Raffles’s Malkoha, Chestnut-bellied Malkoha, Plaintive Cuckoo, Drongo Cuckoo

Nightjars: Large-tailed Nightjar

Swifts: Black-nest Swiftlet, Germain’s Swiftlet, Plume-toed Swiftlet

Treeswifts: Grey-rumped Treeswift, Whiskered Treeswift

Rails, Gallinules and Allies: Grey-headed Swamphen, White-breasted Waterhen

Shorebirds: Wood Sandpiper

Gulls, Terns and Skimmers: White-winged Tern, Whiskered Tern

Storks: Asian Openbill, Painted Stork, Lesser Adjutant

Cormorants and Anhingas: Little Cormorant, Oriental Darter

Herons, Ibis and Allies: Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Striated Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Egret, Medium Egret, Little Egret, Cattle Egret

Vultures, Hawks and allies: Crested Serpent Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Japanese Sparrowhawk, Grey-headed Fish-Eagle

Owls: Barn Owl, Dusky Eagle-Owl, Barred Eagle-Owl, Spotted Wood-Owl, Brown Boobook

Trogons and Quetzals: 

Hornbills: Oriental Pied Hornbill

Kingfisher: White-throated Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Banded Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher

Bee-eaters, Rollers and Allies: Blue-throated Bee-eater, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Dollarbird

Barbets and Toucans: Sooty Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, Black-eared Barbet, Fire-tufted Barbet, Red-throated Barbet, Lineated Barbet, Golden-throated Barbet, Gold-whiskered Barbet

Woodpeckers: Speckled Piculet, Grey-and-buff Woodpecker, Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker, Bay Woodpecker, Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Common Flameback, Greater Flameback, Laced Woodpecker, Banded Woodpecker, Bamboo Woodpecker

Falcons and Caracaras: Black-thighed Falconet, Peregrine Falcon

Parrots, Parakeets and Allies: Long-tailed Parakeet, Blue-crowned Hanging-Parrot

African and Green Broadbills:

Asian and Grauer’s Broadbills: Black-and-red Broadbill, Black-and-yellow Broadbill

Old World Pittas: Mangrove Pitta

Thornbills and Allies: Golden-bellied Gerygone

Cuckooshrikes: Grey-chinned Minivet, Large Cuckooshrike, Pied Triller

Shrike-Babblers and Erpornis: Black-eared Shrike-Babbler

Whistlers and Allies: Mangrove Whistler

Old World Orioles: Black-naped Oriole

Woodswallows: White-breasted Woodswallow

Vangas, Helmetshrikes and Allies: Large Woodshrike, Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shhrike

Ioras: Common Iora

Fantails: Malaysian Pied-Fantail, White-throated Fantail

Drongos: Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Bronzed Drongo

Monarch Flycatchers:

Crested Jayshrikes:

Shrikes: Brown Shrike

Jays, Magpies, Crows and Ravens: Black Magpie, House Crow, Large-billed Crow

Rail-babbler:

Fairy Flycatchers: 

Tits, Chickadees and Titmice: Cinereous Tit

Cisticolas and Allies: Dark-necked Tailorbird, Ashy Tailorbird, Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, Common Tailorbird, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Rufescent Prinia

Cupwings: Pygmy Cupwing

Martins and Swallows: Pacific Swallow, Barn Swallow

Bulbuls: Cinerous Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, Scaly-breasted Bulbul, Olive-winged Bulbul, Red-eyed Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Black-crested Bulbul, Black-headed Bulbul

Leaf Warblers: Arctic Warbler, Yellow-breasted Warbler, Mountain Leaf Warbler

Bush Warblers and Allies: Mountain Tailorbird

White-eyes, Yuhinas and Allies: Swinhoe’s White-eye, Hume’s White-eye

Tree-Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers and Allies: Pin-striped Tit-Babbler, Golden Babbler, Grey-throated Babbler

Ground Babblers and Allies: Short-tailed Babbler, Streaked Wren-Babbler

Laughingthrushes and Allies: Mountain Fulvetta, Malayan Laughingthrush, Blue-winged Minla, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Silver-eared Mesia

Nuthatches: Blue Nuthatch

Starlings and Mynas: Asian Glossy Starling, Common Hill Myna, Siamese Pied Starling, Common Myna, Javan Myna, Great Myna

Old World Flycatchers: Asian Brown Flycatcher, Oriental Magpie Robin, White-rumped Shama, Large Niltava, Rufous-vented Niltava, Verditer Flycatcher, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, White-tailed Robin, Pygmy Flycatcher, Little Pied Flycatcher, Blue Rock Thrush

Flowerpeckers: Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker

Sunbirds and Spiderhunters: Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Plain Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Ornate Sunbird, Black-throated Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, Purple-naped Sunbird, Little Spiderhunter, Spectacled Spiderhunter, Streaked Spiderhunter, Grey-breasted Spiderhunter

Fairy-bluebirds:

Leafbirds: Orange-bellied Leafbird, Blue-winged Leafbird

Weavers and Allies: Baya Weaver

Estridids: Java Sparrow, Scaly-breasted Munia, Chestnut Munia, White-headed Munia

Old World Sparrows: Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Wagtails and Pipits: Grey Wagtail, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Paddyfield Pipit

Other Wildlife 

Treeshrews: Common Treeshrew

Colugos: -

Lorises: -

Old World Monkeys: Silvered Leaf Monkey, Long-tailed Macaque, Dusky Langur, White-thighed Surili

Gibbons: -

Tree, Flying & Ground Squirrels: Prevost’s Squirrel, Black Giant Squirrel, Plantain Squirrel, Grey-bellied Squirrel, Slender Squirrel, Himalayan Striped Squirrel

Hedgehogs & Gymnures: -

Reptiles: Reticulated Python, Water Monitor Lizard, Common Sun Skink, Gliding Lizard

Our usual Chinese meals. We also had local Indian and Malay food too.

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Contact me to make a reservation for a private birding tour with an experienced and licensed tourist guide specialize in birdwatching and photography tours. I have been guiding professionally since 2007 with birders coming from United States, Canada, UK, Finland, Sweden, France, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Ecuador, Greece, South Africa, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Brunei and others.

Send messages via email to wengchun@gmail.com

Follow my year 2024 sightings with photographs from camera and mobile phone: Bird of Year 2024 

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Check out the following bird families:

Woodpeckers of Peninsular Malaysia

Kingfishers of Peninsular Malaysia

Owls of Peninsular Malaysia

Hornbills of Peninsular Malaysia

Babblers of Peninsular Malaysia

Broadbills of Peninsular Malaysia

Barbets of Peninsular Malaysia

Pittas of Peninsular Malaysia

Pheasants and Partridges of Peninsular Malaysia

Sunbirds and Spiderhunters of Peninsular Malaysia

Flowerpeckers of Peninsular Malaysia

Trogons of Peninsular Malaysia

Read more »

Another long trip covering most of the interesting birding sites in Peninsular Malaysia with 4 birders from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Since all of them arrived in Kuala Lumpur the night before the commencement of the trip, we get to start the day early in the morning. 

I need to make adjustment to the original itinerary since I have received news that many birders will be visiting one of the sites that was planned for the first day. Our first site was Bukit Tinggi and we were fortunate that we get to enjoy the site by ourselves with great view of Mountain Peacock-Pheasant and several other species. Coming back to Kuala Lumpur, we spent a few hours birding in the city and we managed to get Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Gold-whiskered Barbet, and many other species. A perfect start to the trip. 

The following day, we went for the Blue-winged Pitta, Black-and-red Broadbill, and Banded Broadbill. Within the same park, we found a fruiting tree that provided views of Common Hill Myna, Black-eared Barbet, Sooty Barbet, Thick-billed Pigeon, Little Green Pigeon, Banded Woodpecker and others. Next, we continue our journey to one of the best birding sites near Kuala Lumpur, and that’s Fraser’s Hill. It was quite late when we arrived at the hill station and weather looks gloomy. Without wasting any time, we head for the Malayan Partridge site and added that to our trip list before heavens opened and rain poured down. Another brilliant day!

For the next few days in Fraser’s Hill, we found the birds we need to see and photographed which include Red-headed Trogon, Collared Owlet, Sultan Tit, Silver-eared Mesia, Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush, Malayan Laughingthrush, Streaked Wren-babbler, Pygmy Cupwing (it wasn’t easy as we need to find an alternative site), Lesser Shortwing, Long-tailed Broadbill, and many more. But the highlight for Fraser’s Hill is definitely a family of Siamang. 

Next in our itinerary, is the Garnet Pitta in Taman Negara. Our first session, we heard our target bird calling but unable to get a view of the bird, however we were rewarded with a male Malayan Banded Pitta. We tried for the Garnet Pitta the following day but only one of the 4 birders managed to get a shot of the bird. An unexpected species showed up in front of us - Crested Partridge. After spending the morning in Taman Negara, we drove over Titiwangsa range towards Ipoh and added Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Peregrine Falcon and few other species. 

The next day, we added Javan Sparrow, Blue Rock Thrush, Baya Weaver, Little Cormorant, Coppersmith Barbet, Milky Stork, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Black-thighed Falconet, Long-tailed Parakeet before ending the day in Alor Setar with Asian Openbill, Streak-eared Bulbul, Paddyfield Pipit, Plain-backed Sparrow and Oriental Pratincole. 

From Alor Setar, we made our way to the north nearer to the border of Malaysia-Thailand, where we saw Blyth’s Frogmouth, Dusky Eagle Owl, Great Iora, Green Iora, Chestnut-winged Babbler, Puff-throated Babbler, Ruddy Kingfisher and others. We rushed to the next birding site and only grabbed something light for lunch because we need to be sure we have enough time to look for a pair of Malayan Banded Pitta, Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher and Banded Kingfisher. After we have successfully find the targets, we had early dinner and called it a day. 

On Day 8, we started the birding at the hotel carpark with great view of Pink-necked Green Pigeon (both male and female). With a few hours left before taking the ferry to Langkawi, we traveled to a small park near the hotel where we found Streak-eared Bulbul, Lineated Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, Stork-billed Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher and Baya Weaver. Upon reaching Langkawi, we head to another small local park to find Collared Kingfisher, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Dollarbird and Blue-throated Bee-eater.

The next day, we took a boat ride to an estuary to photograph White-bellied Sea-Eagle and Brahminy Kite. This is the main reason why we come to this beautiful island. After a successful morning session, we took an afternoon rest after lunch before heading out to look for Great Hornbill. (Dipped!).

We only had a few hours for birding the following morning before we return to Kuala Kedah. We tried really hard and managed to add Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Dark-necked Tailorbird, and Greater Flameback. When we finally reach Kuala Kedah, we rushed to Taiping for better view Green-backed Flycatcher and also added Spotted Wood Owl, with fantastic view too!!!  

We woke up really early in the morning hoping to add another owl to our trip list, although we missed the Buffy Fish Owl but we managed to locate a Brown Boobook. The next bird we added is the much awaited Hooded Pitta, showing up after Siberian Blue Robin and Green-backed Flycatcher. Strange enough, there is no sign of Rufous-collared Kingfisher. We tried again to look for Buffy Fish Owl but dipped again but there was a Crested Goshawk at close range.

When we finally made our way back to Kuala Lumpur, we added Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Black-capped Babbler, Indochinese Blue Flycatcher, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Chestnut-naped Forktail, Purple-naped Sunbird and concluded the trip with a dark morph Changeable Hawk-Eagle.

Overall, this has been another fantastic trip - slightly under 200 species with great photos for most of the species.

Some of the highlights from the trip: Milky Stork, Mountain Peacock-Pheasant, Malayan Partridge, Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher, Banded Kingfisher, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Black-and-red Broadbill, Long-tailed Broadbill, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Black-thighed Falconet, Malayan Banded Pitta, Garnet Pitta, Blue-winged Pitta, and many more species. 

The following list is a compilation of birds and other wildlife "seen and photographed" throughout the trip. Chinese names were added since my guests are from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Mountain Peacock-Pheasant 山孔雀雉 Siberian Blue Robin 藍鴝 White-rumped Shama 白腰鵲鴝 Sunda Scimitar-Babbler 巽他鈎嘴鹛 Blue-winged Leafbird 藍翅葉鵯 Cinereous Bulbul 灰黑短腳鵯 Ochraceous Bulbul 白喉褐冠鵯 Black-crested Bulbul 黑冠黃鵯 Hairy-backed Bulbul 絲背鹎 Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike 褐背鶲鵙 Orange-bellied Flowerpecker 橙腹啄花 Fire-breasted Flowerpecker 紅胸啄花 Red-throated Barbet 紅喉擬啄木 Whiskered Treeswift 小鳳頭雨燕 Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker 朱背啄花鳥 Ornate Sunbird (formerly Olive-backed Sunbird) 黃腹花蜜鳥 Common Flameback 金背三趾啄木鳥 Banded Woodpecker 鑲紅綠啄木 Gold-whiskered Barbet 金頰擬啄木鳥 Javan Myna 爪哇八哥 Red-eyed Bulbul 紅眼褐鵯 Stripe-throated Bulbul 紋喉鵯 Pin-striped Tit-Babbler 紋胸鶥 Black-and-yellow Broadbill 黑黄闊嘴鳥 Asian Glossy Starling 輝椋鳥 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 大盤尾 Blue-winged Pitta 藍翅八色鳥 Short-tailed Babbler 短尾雅鶥 Asian Glossy Starling 輝椋鳥 Pink-necked Green Pigeon 紅頸綠鳩 Little Green Pigeon 小綠鳩 Thick-billed Green Pigeon 厚嘴綠鳩 Black-eared Barbet 黑耳擬啄木鳥 (formerly Blue-eared Barbet 藍耳擬啄木) Sooty Barbet 馬來褐擬啄木 Banded Woodpecker 鑲紅綠啄木 Common Hill Myna 鷯哥 Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker 紅胸鋸齒啄花鳥 Black-and-red Broadbill 黑紅闊嘴鳥 Banded Broadbill 斑闊嘴鳥 Asian Brown Flycatcher 褐紋鶲 Yellow-vented Bulbul 白眉黃臀鵯 Little Cuckoo-dove 棕頭鵑鳩 Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush 栗頭噪鶥 Rufous-browed Flycatcher 棕眉姬鶲 Malayan Partridge 馬來山鷓鴣 Long-tailed Broadbill 長尾闊嘴鳥 Sunda Cuckoo 巽他中杜鵑 Dark Hawk-cuckoo 烏鷹鵑 Fire-tufted Barbet 火簇擬啄木 Streaked Spiderhunter 紋背捕蛛鳥 Mountain Imperial Pigeon 山皇鳩 Hill Blue Flycatcher 山藍仙鶲 White-tailed Robin 白尾蓝地鸲 Blue Whistling Thrush  紫啸鸫  Streaked Wren-babbler 短尾鷦鶥 Red-headed Trogon 紅頭咬鵑 Lesser Shortwing 白喉短翅鸫 Buff-breasted Babbler 棕胸雅鶥 Rufous-browed Flycatcher 棕眉姬鶲 Streaked Spiderhunter 紋背捕蛛鳥 Grey-chinned Minivet 灰喉山椒鳥 Black-browed Barbet 黑眉擬啄木 Malayan Laughingthrush 馬來亞噪鶥 Silver-eared Mesia 銀耳相思鳥 Mountain Bulbul 綠翅短腳鵯 Long-tailed Sibia 長尾奇鶥 Pygmy Cupwing 小麟胸鹪鹛 Black-throated Sunbird 黑胸太陽鳥 Velvet-fronted Nuthatch 絨額鳾 Orange-bellied Leafbird 橙腹葉鵯 Black-crested Bulbul 黑冠黃鵯 Sunda Cuckoo 巽他中杜鵑 Sultan Tit 冕雀 Large Niltava 大仙鶲 Grey-throated Babbler 黑頭穗鶥 Mountain Fulvetta 山雀鶥 Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo 小盤尾 Pygmy Flycatcher 侏藍仙鶲 / 鏽胸藍姬鶲 Little Pied Flycatcher 小斑姬鶲 Little Spiderhunter 長嘴捕蛛鳥 Fire-breasted Flowerpecker 紅胸啄花 Orange-bellied Flowerpecker 橙腹啄花 Collared Owlet 鵂鶹 / 領鵂鶹  Grey-chinned Minivet 灰喉山椒鳥 Speckled Piculet 斑姬啄木鳥 Hume’s White-eye Yellow-vented Flowerpecker 黃臀啄花鳥 Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle 馬來鷹鵰 Yellow-bellied Bulbul 灰頭冠鵯 Ferruginous Babbler 鏽色雅鹛 Checker-throated Woodpecker 斑喉绿啄木鸟 Malayan Banded Pitta 马来蓝尾八色鸫 Rufous Woodpecker 栗啄木鳥 Grey-cheeked Bulbul 灰頰冠鵯 Scaly-crowned Babbler 小紅頭樹鶥 Garnet Pitta 榴紅八色鶇 Buff-rumped Woodpecker 黃腰斑啄木鳥 Crested Partridge 冕鷓鴣 Raffles’s Malkoha 棕胸地鵑 Crested Serpent Eagle 蛇鵰 Baya Weaver 黄胸织布鸟 / 黃胸織雀 Chestnut-headed Bee-eater 栗頭蜂虎 Peregrine Falcon 遊隼 Eurasian Tree Sparrow 麻雀 Baya Weaver 黄胸织布鸟 / 黃胸織雀 Eurasian Tree Sparrow 麻雀 Java Sparrow 爪哇禾雀 Zebra Dove 斑姬地鳩 Blue Rock Thrush 藍磯鶇 Red-whiskered Bulbul 紅耳鵯 Crested Goshawk 鳳頭鷹 / 鳳頭蒼鷹 Coppersmith Barbet 赤胸擬啄木鳥 Little Cormorant 黑頸鸕鶿 Milky Stork 白䴉鸛 Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker 星頭啄木鳥 / 小啄木 Black-thighed Falconet 黑腿小隼 Long-tailed Parakeet 長尾鸚鵡 Chinese Pond Heron 池鷺 Javan Pond Heron 爪哇池鷺 Black-crowned Night Heron 夜鷺 Purple Heron 草鷺 Grey Heron 蒼鷺 Little Egret 小白鷺 Cattle Egret 牛背鷺 Black-naped Oriole 黃鸝 / 黑枕黃鸝 Spotted Dove 珠頸斑鳩 Asian Openbill 鉗嘴鸛 Paddyfield Pipit 東方田鷚 Streak-eared Bulbul 紋耳鵯 / 條耳鵯 Oriental Pratincole 普通燕鴴 Plain-backed Sparrow 黄腹麻雀 Blyth’s Frogmouth 星喉蟆口鴟 Puff-throated Babbler 棕頭幽鶥 Rufous-tailed Tailorbird 紅頭縫葉鶯 Chestnut-winged Babbler 紅翅穗鶥 Green Iora 綠雀鵯 Great Iora 大綠雀鵯 Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher 中南壽帶 Ruddy Kingfisher 赤翡翠 Dusky Eagle Owl 烏鵰鴞 Chestnut-breasted Malkoha 栗胸地鵑 Spectacled Spiderhunter 大黃耳捕蛛鳥 Chestnut-necklaced Partridge 栗胸山鷓鴣 Green-backed Flycatcher 綠背姬鶲 Abbott’s Babbler 阿氏雅鶥 Forest Wagtail 山鶺鴒 Banded Kingfisher 橫斑翠鳥 Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher 三趾翠鳥 Pink-necked Green Pigeon 紅頸綠鳩 Stork-billed Kingfisher 鸛嘴翠鳥 White-throated Kingfisher 白胸翡翠 Lineated Barbet 綠擬啄木鳥 Coppersmith Barbet 赤胸擬啄木鳥 Common Myna 家八哥 Collared Kingfisher 白領翡翠 Oriental Pied Hornbill 冠斑犀鳥 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 大盤尾 Blue-throated Bee-eater 藍喉蜂虎 Common Sandpiper 磯鷸 Dollarbird 三寶鳥 Brown-throated Sunbird 褐喉食蜜鳥 White-bellied Sea-Eagle 白腹海鵰 Ashy Drongo 灰卷尾 Laced Woodpecker 花腹綠啄木鳥 Red-wattled Lapwing 肉垂麥雞 Brahminy Kite 栗鸢 Great Egret 大白鷺 Striated Heron 綠蓑鷺 / 綠鷺 Greater Flameback 大金背啄木鳥 Ruby-cheeked Sunbird 紫頰太陽鳥 Dark-necked Tailorbird 黑喉縫葉鶯 Spotted Wood Owl 點斑林鴞  

Heard:  Rhinoceros Hornbill 馬來犀鳥 Yellow-crowned Barbet 黃頂擬啄木 Orange-breasted Trogon 橙胸咬鵑 Moustached Babbler 鬚樹鶥 Rufous Piculet 棕啄木鳥 Red-bearded Bee-eater 赤鬚夜蜂虎 Brown-winged Kingfisher 褐翅翠鳥   

Other wildlife:  Siamang 合趾猿 Dusky Langur 憂葉猴 / 鬱烏葉猴 White-thighed Surili 白腿葉猴 Long-tailed Macaque 長尾獼猴 Pig-tailed Macaque 豬尾猴 Red-cheeked Squirrel 紅頰長吻松鼠 Himalayan Striped Squirrel 明紋花松鼠  Three Striped Ground Squirrel Prevost’s Squirrel 普氏松鼠  Black Giant Squirrel 黑果狸 Short-tailed Gymnure 小毛蝟 Water Monitor Lizard 巨蜥 Clouded Monitor 暗影巨蜥 / 越南巨蜥 Many Lined Sun Skink / Common Sun Skink 多線真稜蜥 Changeable Lizard 變色樹蜥 Spotted Gliding Lizard 斑飛蜥 Green Gold Black Cicada (Trengganua sibylla) 

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Contact me to make a reservation for a private birding tour with an experienced and licensed tourist guide specialize in birdwatching and photography tours. I have been guiding professionally since 2007 with birders coming from United States, Canada, UK, Finland, Sweden, France, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Ecuador, Greece, South Africa, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Brunei and others.

Send email to wengchun@gmail.com

Follow my year 2024 sightings with photographs from camera and mobile phone: Bird of Year 2024

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Check out the following bird families:

Woodpeckers of Peninsular Malaysia

Kingfishers of Peninsular Malaysia

Owls of Peninsular Malaysia

Hornbills of Peninsular Malaysia

Babblers of Peninsular Malaysia

Broadbills of Peninsular Malaysia

Barbets of Peninsular Malaysia

Pittas of Peninsular Malaysia

Pheasants and Partridges of Peninsular Malaysia

Sunbirds and Spiderhunters of Peninsular Malaysia

Flowerpeckers of Peninsular Malaysia

Trogons of Peninsular Malaysia  

Read more »

"A superb 10-day trip in March 2024. Weng Chun responded quickly to all our numerous questions while in the planning stage of the trip and he tailored it perfectly to ensure that we saw as many lifers as possible. Weng Chun is a consummate professional, combining his intimate knowledge of the birds of Peninsula Malaysia with great organisational skills and a sharp sense of humour. If we “dipped” on a species in one location, he went well out of his way to take us to an alternative location to secure a sighting. His knowledge of the mammals, reptiles, butterflies and dragonflies is extensive and greatly added to our enjoyment. Weng Chun is excellent company and we loved swapping birding/travelling stories with him over some delicious meals. We have no hesitation in fully recommending his services and with his infectious love of nature, you will undoubtably have a truly memorable trip with him." - Steve & Catherine, UK

Steve and Catherine came over to Peninsular Malaysia for a 10 days birding to look for specific targets and lifers.

It was not just an ordinary birding trip but we had a lot of good fun and laughter as both of them shared their birding experience while travelling to all the continents in the world.  

The trip start off from Kuala Lumpur and end in Kuala Lumpur, covering places like Fraser’s Hill, Taman Negara Sungai Relau, Lanchang, and Bukit Tnggi. We also did a few pre dawn and night birding which we encountered Barred Eagle Owl, Mountain Scops Owl, Blyth's Frogmouth and Slow Loris. I also heard Sunda Scops Owl and Brown Wood Owl at a distant.

Highlights from the trip: Malaysian Rail-babbler, Garnet Pitta, Blue-winged Pitta, Mangrove Pitta, Short-tailed Babbler, Fluffy-backed Tit-babbler, Black-and-red Broadbill, Long-tailed Broadbill, Mugimaki Flycatcher, Rufous-chested Flycatcher, Indochinese Blue Flycatcher, Checker-throated Woodpecker, Bamboo Woodpecker, Chestnut-naped Forktail, Black Laughingthrush, Malayan Laughingthrush, Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush, Barred Eagle-Owl, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Banded Kingfisher, Blyth's Frogmouth, Black Hornbill, Helmeted Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Marbled Wren-babbler, Mountain Peacock-Pheasant, Malayan Partridge, Ferruginous Partridge, Dusky Crag Martin, and so much more.

Siberian Blue Robin

Orange-breasted Trogon

Plantain Squirrel

White-rumped Shama

Both Steve and Catherine are into mammals and reptiles too. Their sightings include: Long-tailed Macaque, Pig-tailed Macaque, White-thighed Surili, Sunda Slow Loris, Red-cheeked Squirrel, Pallas's (Red-bellied) Squirrel, Grey-bellied Squirrel, Plantain Squirrel, Three Striped Ground Squirrel, Himalayan Striped Squirrel, Low's Squirrel, Common Treeshrew, Northern Short-tailed Gymnure, Common Sun Skink, Long-tailed Sun Skink, Sumatran Gliding Lizard, Great Anglehead Lizard, Water Monitor Lizard, and others.

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Contact me to make a reservation for a private birding tour with an experienced and licensed tourist guide specialize in birdwatching and photography tours. I have been guiding professionally since 2007 with birders coming from United States, Canada, UK, Finland, Sweden, France, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Ecuador, Greece, South Africa, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Brunei and others.

Send messages via WhatsApp to +60183632738 or email to wengchun@gmail.com

Follow my year 2024 sightings with photographs from camera and mobile phone: Bird of Year 2024 

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Check out the following bird families:

Woodpeckers of Peninsular Malaysia

Kingfishers of Peninsular Malaysia

Owls of Peninsular Malaysia

Hornbills of Peninsular Malaysia

Babblers of Peninsular Malaysia

Broadbills of Peninsular Malaysia

Barbets of Peninsular Malaysia

Pittas of Peninsular Malaysia

Pheasants and Partridges of Peninsular Malaysia

Sunbirds and Spiderhunters of Peninsular Malaysia

Flowerpeckers of Peninsular Malaysia

Trogons of Peninsular Malaysia

Read more »

Another trip with Dr Shen & Teresa after almost 1.5 years when we explored the birding sites near Kuala Lumpur. This trip, we covered the a lot more sites of various habitat to get more species.

The first morning, we had a great time admiring the herons and storks flying at close range, providing ample opportunities to shoot birds in flight and taking off from the trees. Some of the birds were busy carrying nesting materials. What caught our attention was a Water Monitor Lizard which came very close to us, like almost attempting to snatch the bag which we put on the ground. 

Some of the highlights from the trip: Painted Stork, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Pink-backed Pelican (escapee), Black-crowned Night Heron, Asian Openbill, Banded Woodpecker, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Coppersmith Barbet, Common Flameback, Banded Bay Cuckoo, Large-tailed Nightjar, Barred Eagle Owl, Blue-winged Pitta, Short-tailed Babbler, Green Iora, Black-and-red Broadbill, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Crested Goshawk, Brahminy Kite, Grey-headed Swamphen, Little Cormorant, Plaintive Cuckoo, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Pied Triller, Javan Sparrow, Crimson Sunbird, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Blue Rock Thrush, Copper-throated Sunbird, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Crested Serpent Eagle, Milky Stork, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Spotted Wood Owl, Long-tailed Parakeet, Lineated Barbet, Red-throated Barbet, Hooded Pitta, Green-backed Flycatcher, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Orange-headed Thrush, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Rufous Woodpecker, Black-capped Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Spectacled Bulbul, Scaly-breasted Bulbul, Banded Kingfisher, Large Woodshrike, Tiger Shrike, Fiery Minivet, Jambu Fruit Dove, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Violet Cuckoo, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Blyth’s Broadbill, Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Oriental Darter, Black-winged Stilt, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Plain Sunbird, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Orange-breasted Trogon, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Mountain Peacock-Pheasant, White-rumped Shama, Siberian Blue Robin, Great Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Great Myna and others.

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Contact me to make a reservation for a private birding tour with an experienced and licensed tourist guide specialize in birdwatching and photography tours. I have been guiding professionally since 2007 with birders coming from United States, Canada, UK, Finland, Sweden, France, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Ecuador, Greece, South Africa, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Brunei and others.

Send messages via WhatsApp to +60183632738 or email to wengchun@gmail.com

Follow my year 2024 sightings with photographs from camera and mobile phone: Bird of Year 2024

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Check out the following bird families:

Woodpeckers of Peninsular Malaysia

Kingfishers of Peninsular Malaysia

Owls of Peninsular Malaysia

Hornbills of Peninsular Malaysia

Babblers of Peninsular Malaysia

Broadbills of Peninsular Malaysia

Barbets of Peninsular Malaysia

Pittas of Peninsular Malaysia

Pheasants and Partridges of Peninsular Malaysia

Sunbirds and Spiderhunters of Peninsular Malaysia

Flowerpeckers of Peninsular Malaysia

Trogons of Peninsular Malaysia

Read more »

First tour for the year! After a long "holiday", I am back in the field guiding a couple from Japan. The main target is a Blue-winged Pitta. We were made to wait for a while before the bird show up.

For this 2 days, we covered the popular areas around Kuala Lumpur such as the Botanical Garden of Shah Alam and the forest of Hulu Langat while staying in comfortable hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Some of the highlights from the trip: Blue-winged Pitta, Short-tailed Babbler, Black-and-red Broadbill, Van Hasselt's Sunbird, Red-throated Sunbird, Sooty Barbet, Banded Woodpecker, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Common Flameback, Barred Eagle-Owl, Buffy Fish-Owl, Dusky Broadbill, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Siamese Pied Starling, Banded Bay Cuckoo, and more.

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Contact me to make a reservation for a private birding tour with an experienced and licensed tourist guide specialize in birdwatching and photography tours. I have been guiding professionally since 2007 with birders coming from United States, Canada, UK, Finland, Sweden, France, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Ecuador, Greece, South Africa, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Brunei and others.

Send messages via WhatsApp to +60183632738 or email to wengchun@gmail.com

Follow my year 2024 sightings with photographs from camera and mobile phone: Bird of Year 2024 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Check out the following bird families:

Woodpeckers of Peninsular Malaysia

Kingfishers of Peninsular Malaysia

Owls of Peninsular Malaysia

Hornbills of Peninsular Malaysia

Babblers of Peninsular Malaysia

Broadbills of Peninsular Malaysia

Barbets of Peninsular Malaysia

Pittas of Peninsular Malaysia

Pheasants and Partridges of Peninsular Malaysia

Sunbirds and Spiderhunters of Peninsular Malaysia

Flowerpeckers of Peninsular Malaysia

Trogons of Peninsular Malaysia

Read more »

Thank you for visiting this post where I will try to compile some of the birds that I have seen and photographed this year. The list shows the species that I first seen in the year and I will add more photos of the same species if I have managed to take more photographs later part of the year.

1. Spotted Wood-Owl Strix seloputo seloputo 4th January 2024 / Perak (Peninsular Malaysia) Olympus EM1X + Olympus 300mm f4 IS PRO

2. Buffy Fish-Owl Ketupa ketupu ketupu 4th January 2024 / Perak (Peninsular Malaysia) Olympus EM1X + Olympus 300mm f4 IS PRO

3. Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris convexus 4th January 2024 / Perak (Peninsular Malaysia) Olympus EM1X + Olympus 300mm f4 IS PRO

4. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea jouyi 4th January 2024 / Perak (Peninsular Malaysia) Olympus EM1X + Olympus 300mm f4 IS PRO

5. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea manilensis 9th Jan 2024 / Selangor (Peninsular Malaysia) Panasonic Lumix G7 + Olympus 300mm f4 IS PRO

6. Slaty-breasted Rail Lewinia striata 13th Feb 2024 / Selangor (Peninsular Malaysia) EM1X + Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS

7. Barred Eagle-Owl Ketupa sumatrana sumatrana 13th Jan 2024 / Selangor (Peninsular Malaysia) EM1X + Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS

8. Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis strigata 13th Jan 2024 / Selangor (Peninsular Malaysia) Olympus EM1X + Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS

9. Siamese Pied Starling Gracupica floweri 13th Jan 2024 / Selangor (Peninsular Malaysia) Olympus EM1X + Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS

10. Black-and-red Broadbill Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos 15th Jan 2024 / Selangor (Peninsular Malaysia) Olympus EM1X + Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS

11. Medium Egret Ardea intermedia Medium Egret is formerly known as Intermediate Egret. Read more on this link: Taxonomy Update 4th January 2024 / Perak (Peninsular Malaysia) Olympus EM1X + Olympus 300mm f4 IS PRO

12. Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting verreauxii 3rd March 2024 / Perak (Peninsular Malaysia) Panasonic Lumix G9

13. Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster 3rd March 2024 / Perak (Peninsular Malaysia) Panasonic Lumix G9

14. Copper-throated Sunbird Leptocoma calcostetha Monotypic. 29th February 2024 / Perak (Peninsular Malaysia) Panasonic Lumix G9

15. Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus indicus 27 February 2024 / Selangor (Peninsular Malaysia) Panasonic Lumix G9

16. Long-billed Spiderhunter Arachnothera robusta robusta 23 February 2024 / Selangor (Peninsular Malaysia) Panasonic Lumix G9

17. Siberian Blue Robin Larvivora cyane A regular migratory species to Peninsular Malaysia, usually seen from October to April. 18 March 2024 / Pahang (Peninsular Malaysia) Panasonic Lumix G9

18. White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus tricolor There are 13 subspecies distributed from the Indian subcontinent, South China, Southeast Asia to the Greater Sunda. 18 March 2024 / Pahang (Peninsular Malaysia) Panasonic Lumix G9

19. Orange-breasted Trogon Harpactes oreskios uniformis Usually found in the hill forest in central Peninsular Malaysia but it can also be found in the lowland forest near Kuala Lumpur and northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. 5 subspecies are recognized. 18 March 2024 / Pahang (Peninsular Malaysia) Panasonic Lumix G9

Orange-headed Thrush Geokichla citrina A regular migratory species to Peninsular Malaysia, usually seen from October to April. 1 March 2024 / Perak (Peninsular Malaysia) Panasonic Lumix G9

Rufous-browed Flycatcher Anthipes solitaris March 2024 / Pahang (Peninsular Malaysia) Panasonic Lumix G9

Mountain Peacock-Pheasant Polyplectron inopinatum Near Threatened and monotypic, this species is found on the Titiwangsa mountain range. 18 March 2024 / Pahang (Peninsular Malaysia) Panasonic Lumix G9

* check out the origin of species / subspecies names:

SELOPUTO: Javanese name Selo-puto for the Spotted Wood Owl (Strix).

CONVEXUS: vaulted, arched, rounded.

  

JOUYI: Pierre Louis Jouy (1856-1894) US civil administrator, naturalist, collector in Korea, Japan and China 1881-1889, and Mexico 1892.

SUMATRAE / SUMATRANA / SUMATRANUM / SUMATRANUS / SUMATRENSIS: Sumatra (Indonesia)

MANILENSIS: Manila, Philippines.

STRIATA: striated

KETUPA: According to Horsfield 1821, Blo-ketupu was the Javanese name for the Buffy Fish Owl (cf. Malay name Ketupok) (Ketupa)

PANAYA / PANAYANUS PANAYENSIS / PANAYUS  Panay I., Philippines

STRIGATA / STRIGATUS: furrowed

FLOWERI: Maj. Stanley Smyth Flower (1871-1946) British Army, zoologist, Advisor to Zoological Mus., Bangkok 1896-1898, Director of Egyptian Zoological Service 1898-1924

MENINTING: Javanese name Meninting for the Deep-blue Kingfisher

VERREAUXII: Jules Pierre Verreaux (1807-1873) French natural history dealer, collector 

ANHINGA: little head, for an evil spirit of the forests, the devil bird

MELANOGASTER: melanos black; gastēr, gastros belly

CALCOSTHETHA: bronze breast

ACCIPITER: Hawk

TRIVIGATUS: "tri" means  three; while "virgatus" means striped

INDICUS: refers to India

ARACHNOTHERA: arakhnēs  spider; while -thēras  hunter

ROBUSTA: powerful, strong

LARVIVORA: probably refers to mask or caterpillar larvae while vorus or vorare means to devour 

CYANE: dark blue, sea blue, greenish blue

COPSYCHUS: the word derived from ancient Greek "kopsukhos" or "kopsikhos" meaning blackbird

MALABARICUS: southwest coast of India

TRICOLOR: three colors

HARPACTES: originates from Greek word "harpaktes" meaning robber

ORESKIOS: mountain-bred

UNIFORMIS: uniform

GEOKICHLA: geo refers to ground or earth while kichla (kikhle) means thrush

CITRINA: resemble yellow or lemon color and citrina is a German name for Canary

POLYPLECTRON: Poly or polus means many while plectron (plēktron) means cock’s spur

INOPINATUM: unexpected, unforeseen, surprising

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List of Birds “Seen & Photographed” ("Seen Only" or "Heard Only" species are omitted from this list).

1. Spotted Wood-Owl Strix seloputo seloputo
2. Buffy Fish-Owl Ketupa ketupu ketupu
3. Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris
4. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea jouyi
5. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea manilensis
6. Slaty-breasted Rail Lewinia striata
7. Barred Eagle-Owl Ketupa sumatrana sumatrana
8. Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis strigata
9. Siamese Pied Starling Gracupica floweri
10. Black-and-red Broadbill Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos
11. Medium Egret Ardea intermedia
12. Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting verreauxii
13. Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster
14. Copper-throated Sunbird Leptocoma calcostetha
15. Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus indicus
16. Long-billed Spiderhunter Arachnothera robusta robusta

Read more »