Tom arrived in Peninsular Malaysia with two special targets in mind: the elusive Malaysian Rail-babbler and the striking Malayan Banded Pitta. We met in Kuala Lumpur before dawn, eager to begin the adventure. Our first stop was just under an hour’s drive away.
A few minutes after we arrived, three other birders came to the site, sharing the same goal—spotting the Rail-babbler. We set ourselves up and waited patiently for nearly three hours. The forest held its breath; not a single sign of our target. While the other birders chose to remain, I led Tom out to the open trail in the hope of drawing a response from the bird. Still nothing. Two more birders arrived in search of the same prize, but we decided to move on.
After a quick lunch of donuts and tea, we checked into our hotel for a short rest before heading out again. An hour later, we were back in the field for the final two hours of daylight, still chasing the Rail-babbler. The sun dipped below the horizon, and luck had yet to find us.
The next morning, we drove almost two hours to Panti Forest—world-famous for sightings of the Malaysian Rail-babbler. At the break of dawn, a Crested Jayshrike darted across the road, but we stayed focused and pressed on. Minutes after entering the trail, we heard it—the haunting, unmistakable call of the Rail-babbler. We crept forward cautiously, but the bird took flight. Fortunately, it landed further along the trail, giving us a decent view despite poor lighting. Target number one—achieved! along with a few bonuses in the form of Malayan Black-capped Babbler, Short-tailed Babbler, and Yellow-bellied Bulbul. High-fives all around. Still, we lingered another hour hoping for a better look at the Rail-babbler, but it remained hidden.
After lunch in the next town, we turned our attention to the Malayan Banded Pitta. We heard its call echoing deep within the forest, but it was inaccessible. With dusk approaching, we decided to shift our search to Taman Negara, where recent sightings had been reported. We broke the journey with an overnight stay in a small town before heading north.
A sudden change in weather—strong winds, heavy rain, and rumbling thunder—cut our search short. We were close to a Garnet Pitta when nature intervened, and a fallen tree blocked the road ahead. Thankfully, we were on foot. That night was spent in yet another small town, resting for the next push.
The following morning, we returned for a half-day search. The forest was silent. The Banded Pitta had eluded us once more. After some discussion, we decided to pivot and pursue another pitta species. On the way back to Kuala Lumpur, we made a quick shopping stop for Batik souvenirs before spending the night in the city.
After a tea break and a final checklist review, we drove the last stretch to the airport. With a handshake and a smile, I bid farewell to Tom—our journey for the Rail-babbler and the pitta complete, though one prize still waits for another day.
*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.*
