A Malaysian Birder: December 2025

The Christmas Quest - 23-25 Dec 2025

Thanks for your effort and professional guiding! We are very satisfied with the trip! - Tom, Hong Kong

While most were unwrapping gifts, Tom, Meie, and I were unwrapping the biodiversity of Selangor and Pahang. This was a high-stakes trip with a specific hit list: Pittas, Kingfishers, Owls, and Tom’s primary focus—Flycatchers.

Day 1: From Roti Canai to Mangrove Jewels

We fueled up the Malaysian way—Roti Canai and Teh Tarik—before diving into the shadows of Shah Alam. The forest floor gave up its treasure early: a stunning Hooded Pitta. There’s something about the vibrant green and black of a Pitta that challenges a photographer to find that perfect low-key balance. While the Blue-winged Pitta eluded us, the morning was far from empty, gifting us views of the Drongo Cuckoo, Black-and-red Broadbill, and a dainty Green-backed Flycatcher.

After leaving the area, a quick detour to a local park proved fruitful. Almost effortlessly, they spotted a Barred Eagle-Owl perched not far from the car—a majestic start to our owl tally.

By afternoon, we transitioned to the salty air of the mangroves. The Mangrove Pitta was our prize here, accompanied by the Yellow-rumped Flycatcher and the specialized Mangrove Blue Flycatcher. As dusk fell in Kuala Selangor, the "ghost of the night" appeared: the Dusky Eagle-Owl. It gave us a brilliant 10-minute audience before we headed off for a well-deserved seafood feast.

Day 2: The Highlands and the Frogmouth’s Secret

We started in the pre-dawn chill of Bukit Tinggi. The canopy was alive with color: Red-bearded Bee-eaters, Black-and-yellow Broadbills, and a chorus of Barbets (Black-eared and Red-throated). The Banded Kingfisher taunted us with its call twice, but stayed hidden—a reason to return.

By late afternoon, we were back in the humid depths of Hulu Langat. The highlight? A Rufous-collared Kingfisher glowing in the fading light. But the real magic happened after dinner. We ventured back into the dark forest specifically for the Blyth’s Frogmouth. Within 10 minutes, we found an incredibly cooperative subject.

Day 3: The Grand Finale in Hulu Langat

With many targets already "in the bag," we spent our final day soaking in the diversity of Hulu Langat and Kuala Lumpur. The list grew rapidly:

The Rare & Beautiful: Malayan Black Magpie, Rhinoceros Hornbill, and the Rufous-winged Philentoma.
The Flycatcher Feast: Rufous-chested, Grey-headed Canary, and Ferruginous Flycatchers.
The Fringe Dwellers: As we moved to the forest fringe, we added a flurry of Woodpeckers (Crimson-winged, Rufous, and Common Flameback) and the striking Ashy Minivet.

As the tropical clouds gathered and lightning began to streak the sky, we took it as nature’s way of saying "mission accomplished." I dropped Tom and Meie back in KL, exhausted but satisfied.

Final Thoughts

Three days, multiple habitats, and a list of birds that reminds me why Malaysia is a world-class birding destination. For me, the highlights weren't just the rarities, but the challenge of finding these species.

“Which of these is your 'dream' bird to photograph? The Mangrove Pitta or the Blyth’s Frogmouth?”

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As I continue to immerse myself in the world of birds and nature, I am constantly inspired by the beauty and diversity of the natural world. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my work with others and to educate and inspire through my images. Your support and patience are truly appreciated as I strive to showcase the wonders of wildlife in the most authentic and impactful way possible. Together, we can raise awareness and appreciation for the importance of conservation and preservation of our planet's precious ecosystems. Thank you for joining me on this journey.

*UPDATE: After a series of consultations, the issue affecting my mobility has been identified. As a result, I will need to attend therapy. My travel plans must be tailored to minimize the amount of time spent walking, trekking on uneven terrain, and to avoid prolonged periods of standing or sitting.*

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Hi, thank you so much for the guided birding tour yesterday. Cheers! - Hasitha, Australia

In bird photography, we are often at the mercy of the sky. On the 22nd of December, I met up with Hasitha in Petaling Jaya for a trip into the lush pockets of Hulu Langat. Being primarily a photographer, Hasitha knows as well as I do that the "golden hour" is a fleeting gift. When we arrived after our hour-long drive, the light wasn't quite playing along.

So, we did what any sensible Malaysian birder does: we went for breakfast.

Once the light began to improve, we set out. We spent several hours covering the open areas on the forest fringe. This transition zone is often overlooked, but it’s where the light hits the foliage in ways that allow for beautiful subject isolation. We moved slowly, listening to the calls echoing from the canopy, waiting for that one bird to perch exactly where the shadows could swallow the background.

After a late lunch to recharge, we pushed deeper into the forest. The atmosphere changed immediately—the air grew cooler, and the light became more selective.

As the afternoon progressed and the forest began to dim, the window of opportunity started to close, we knew it was time to pack up.

We left Hulu Langat feeling deeply satisfied. We didn't just come back with memory cards full of images; we came back with a few right images. It was a reminder that birding isn't always about the quantity of the list, but the quality of the moment and the company you keep.

Trip sightings: Rock Pigeon (Feral), Spotted Dove, Zebra Dove, Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Raffles’s Malkoha, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Black-bellied Malkoha, White-throated Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Checker-throated Woodpecker, Dusky Broadbill, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Black-and-red Broadbill, Dark-throated Oriole, Malayan Black Magpie, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher, Common Tailorbird, Dark-necked Tailorbird, Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, Spectacled Bulbul, Red-eyed Bulbul, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Grey-cheeked Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Pin-striped Tit-Babbler, Common Myna, Javan Myna, Long-billed Spiderhunter, Little Spiderhunter, Grey-breasted Spiderhunter, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Grey Wagtail, Blue-tailed Bee-eater

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“Yesterday was a real highlight of our cruise. Tanya and I thoroughly enjoyed our birding with you. Thank you for your patience with us and determination to wait for the Mangrove Pitta to finally come out and greet us in the open. What a thrill it was! ….. one among many during the day. Thank you for the book. I look forward to studying it, reviewing our notes from yesterday and seeing what possible trips / itineraries would be of interest for a future trip with you. Thanks again for a fabulous day! “

- Blanche, USA

The final weeks of 2025 brought a special highlight today as I met Blanche and Tanya at the cruise terminal. The morning started with a soft tropical drizzle at 8:30 AM—a reminder that nature doesn't always provide perfect weather, but it often provides perfect birds. We didn't let the rain stop us, beginning our checklist right there in the car park before heading toward Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam.

We spent three hours wandering through the botanical gardens. The park felt alive and fresh after the rain. It was a joy to witness their first real introduction to Malaysia’s avian diversity; there is something uniquely rewarding about guiding "first-timers" and seeing the forest through their eyes.

After a relaxing lunch to escape the humidity, we set our sights on the day's main target: the Mangrove Pitta. This is a bird that requires patience, and I was determined to find it for them. We headed to a quiet patch of mangroves, the air thick with the scent of salt and mud.

The wait wasn't long, but the payoff was spectacular. Not one, but two Mangrove Pittas showed themselves in the open. For Blanche and Tanya’s first-ever Pitta species, the "Jewel of the Mangroves" truly performed. Seeing their excitement as the birds emerged from the shadows was the absolute peak of the trip.

We ended the day with a gentle drive through the local village area, soaking in the rural scenery before I dropped them back at the terminal. I left them with a birding book to help them study their sightings. Based on Blanche’s kind words, I think we’ve planted the seed for a return trip to Malaysia.

Today’s sighting include: Ornate Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Zebra Dove, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Lineated Barbet, Oriental Magpie Robin, Javan Myna, Common Myna, Great Myna, White-headed Munia, Medium Egret, Great Egret, Spotted Dove, White-throated Kingfisher, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Black-and-red Broadbill, Drongo Cuckoo, Olive-winged Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Dark-necked Tailorbird, Pin-striped Tit-babbler, Pacific Swallow, Long-tailed Parakeet, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Little Green Pigeon, Green-backed Flycatcher, Rock Pigeon, Ashy Tailorbird, Malaysian Pied Fantail, Mangrove Pitta, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Dollarbird, Brown Shrike

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A Hornbill Triple-Crown at Fraser’s Hill - 25-26 Nov 2025

"After 2 weeks birding through Thailand, we decided to stop for a few days birding in Malaysia and hired Cheong Weng Chung for our guide. He picked us up promptly at our hotel and we headed for an overnight at Fraser Hill. Weng had us birding as soon as we reached the community. He was able to ID birds from sound and we went to many places to find as many birds as we could. He was patient, helpful and very pleasant to be around. Even though we found great birds on the mountain, including two sightings of the Red-Headed Trogon, the highlight of the trip was on our way down the mountain when Weng stopped to look for swifts. He said he heard a hornbill. We scoped the hillside and found a Rhinoceros Hornbill! That was not what he heard, and moments later, 5 Wreathed Hornbills flew in front of us, but that was still not what he heard, and finally we saw a male and female Helmeted Hornbill fly by and perch. We were all very excited, and it was great to see that even a guide gets excited at such a great sighting. It was a wonderful two days, and I would highly recommend Weng to anyone coming to Malaysia to bird for either a short or longer trip. He is an excellent guide, and we enjoyed his company." - Ted & Marcia (Massachusetts, USA)

There is a specific kind of satisfaction that comes when guest expectations meet the raw unpredictability of the Malaysian highlands. After two weeks of birding through Thailand, my latest guests decided to cross into Malaysia to see what our mountains could offer.

We headed straight to Fraser’s Hill. The air was cool, the mist was low, and the birds were waiting. We spent our time moving through the montane forest, where I focused on identifying the layers of sound that define this ecosystem. We were rewarded with beautiful resident sightings, including two distinct encounters with the Red-headed Trogon—a bird that always demands a "low-key" approach to truly appreciate its vibrant plumage against the dark moss.

However, the true magic of this trip happened on the descent. While stopping to scan for swifts, I heard a call that didn't match the background noise. It was the heavy, rhythmic beat and vocalization of a hornbill.

What followed was a moment of pure birding adrenaline:

The Rhinoceros Hornbill: Scoped on the hillside while searching for the source of the sound.
The Wreathed Hornbills: Five individuals glided directly in front of us, massive and prehistoric.
The Prize: Finally, the birds I had actually heard made their appearance. A male and female Helmeted Hornbill—the holy grail for many—flew by and perched in full view.

My guests noted that they were surprised to see me get so excited. But that is the secret of this profession: even as a guide, when the forest grants you a triple-crown of hornbills in a single afternoon, the professional mask slips. I become a student of the wild again, the world still has the power to leave me breathless.

A Day in Hulu Langat with Lee - 7 Dec 2025

Today was one of those days that reminds me why birding is a marathon, not a sprint. I was out with Lee, who flew in from the UK, and we hit the ground running in Hulu Langat just as the sun was peeking over the ridges.

The roadside warm-up was decent—Spotted Doves and starlings—but the real test started once we went deep into the forest. We did my usual routine: drive, stop, listen, repeat. For about five hours, the forest was holding its breath. It was quiet. But if you look close enough, the forest always gives you something. We managed to spot both the migratory Yellow-rumped Flycatcher and Asian Brown Flycatcher.

By lunch, we were still missing the Broadbill on our checklist. I hate to let a guest go without seeing the common broadbill from Hulu Langat, so I made a call to switch spots. Sometimes you have to trust your gut. We sat in silence, testing our patience against the humidity. Finally, two calls and a pair drifted closer and that make the wait worthwhile.

We closed out the day with an incredible owl. We’d already spotted the Buffy Fish-Owl in the forest, but a quick detour to a park near the city gifted us a Barred Eagle-Owl right at its usual roost. We spent the drive back counting our lucky stars; the weather had been perfect for birding, though the sky finally broke as we neared the hotel. With lightning flashing in front of us and a light drizzle starting to fall, we felt the satisfaction of a mission accomplished. It was a fantastic trip, a solid list of lifers and some great shots.