The popular Fraser’s hill hill station, Lowland forest of Taman Negara, mangrove forest in Kuala Selangor as well as the Mount Kinabalu National park endemics !
Malaysia Birding Sites around Kuala Lumpur
Birding spots around Kuala Lumpur
About 1 ½ hr distance drive from Kuala Lumpur, located next to the Kuala Selangor town, small fishing town. A small nature park, located near to Bukit Melawati (light house). The nature park consists of coastal forest, mangrove and mud flats and is the best point for observing mangrove birds in Malaysia.
Major species, which can be seen, Brahminy Kite, Black-shouldered Kite, White-bellied Sea-eagle, Red Junglefowl, Pink-necked Pigeon, Peaceful Dove, Malayan Bronze-cuckoo, Stork-billed Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Black-capped Kingfisher (winter months), Greater Goldenback, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, Pied Fantail, some rarities are Cinnamon-headed Pigeon, Orange-breasted Pigeon, Buffy Fish-owl, Mangrove Pitta and Copper-throated Sunbird.
Also, the nearby Jeram and Bagan Sungai Buloh is another good place for Shore Birds and migratory birds. Also, you can see some rare stork like Lesser Adjutant and Milky Stork.
About 2 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur, and about 40 minutes driving distance from Kuala Selangor. Sekinchan are a costal fishing village and also a large paddy field area where you are able to see open country birds. Particularly, winter months are worthwhile to visit.
Shorebirds, Black-shouldered Kite, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Pied Harrier, Hen Harrier, Oriental Pratincole, Peaceful Dove, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Black Drongo, Stonchat, Brown Shrike and White-breasted Wood swallow could be spotted here.
The birds are in the forest along this Old Gombak Road.Located in northeast of Kuala Lumpur, about 30km. Before Karak Highway (east-west) was constructed, this road is the main route to eastern Peninsular Malaysia. The forest is suitable for observing lowland to lower mountainous species. While birding is mainly from the road, canopy or middle-upper storey birds are more frequently seen.
Common species are Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Emerald Dove, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Indian Cuckoo, Drongo Cuckoo, malkohas, treeswift, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher , minivets, leafbirds, ioras, bulbuls, Grey-headed Flycatcher, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Thick-billed Pigeon, Little Cuckoo-dove, barbets, woodpeckers, broadbills, flycatcher-shrikes.
1 hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, about 50 km south of Kuala Lumpur and the area is protected as a forest reserve.One of the best birding spot for searching lowland rainforest birds, especially ground or lower storey birds. There are few walking trails which provide you birds in the forest. Uncommon species, such as Red-naped, Diard’s & Scarlet-rumped Trogons, Blue-banded, Banded & Rufous-collared Kingfishers can be found here.
About 1 ½ hr drive from Kuala Lumpur. Close to Sungai Tekala. This is another lowland rainforest but is slightly open. Main species are Bat Hawk. Walk along the stream, it’s a flat walking trail.
Main species are Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, barbets, malkohas, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Rarities are Red-naped Trogon, White-bellied Woodpecker , Green Broadbill, Finsch’s Bulbul, Grey-chested Flycatcher, Brown-streaked Flycatcher, Pale Blue Flycatcher, Scarlet Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird and Thick-billed Flowerpecker.
It’s about 1 ½ hr drive from Kuala Lumpur. This is very easy access place for birders, mainly Highland birds and montene forest birds.
Birds seen here are mainly montaneous. For example, raptors, Collared Owlet, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Drongo Cuckoo, Red-headed Trogon, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Fire-tufted Barbet, Green Magpie, Golden Babbler, Pygmy Wren-babbler, Streaked Wren-babbler, Mountain Fulvetta
1 ½ hr drive from Kuala Lumpur. Usually this is the stopping place before birders heading up to Fraser hill.Wide variety of birdlife here, mainly are highland forest birds with some lowland forest birds.
About 2 ½ hrs drive from Kuala Lumpur, some birder make it as a day trip, but it’s highly recommended to stay overnight here in Fraser hill. Some highland resort develops since the early colonial era. Fraser’s Hill is well-known as a famous birding place throughout the world and a bird race is annually held on June. You need to drive about 8 KM narrow road to the hill, please remember that it’s odd hrs are for traffic up and Even hours are for traffic coming down from the hill. The have many trail on top of the Fraser hill. Birds life here are relatively easy to spots.
Uncommon or rare like, Wallace’s Hawk-eagle, Malaysian Hill Partridge Long-billed Partridge, Mountain Peacock-pheasant, Yellow-vented Pigeon, Wedge-tailed Pigeon, Oriental Cuckoo, Brown Wood-owl, Collared Owlet, Malaysian Eared Nightjar, Brown Needletail, Orange-breasted Trogon, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Bushy-crested, Wreathed, Rhinoceros & Great Hornbills, Bamboo Woodpecker, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Rusty-naped Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Marbled Wren-babbler, Eye-browed Wren-babbler, Cutia, White-tailed Robin, Malaysian Whistling-thrush.
About 2 ½ hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, Pasoh is located about 150 km southeast of KL in Negeri Sembilan state. The forest reserve is maintained by FRIM (Forest Research Institute Malaysia for their institutional objectives. There are well-maintained paths but are placed in dense forest, it is not suitable for searching canopy birds. For looking for middle storey to canopy birds, you should walk along the road. The forest reserve is well-known by the wide variety of nocturnal birds.
Main species are Oriental Bay Owl, White-fronted Scops-Owl, Reddish Scops-Owl, Barred Eagle-Owl, Buffy Fish-owl, Gould’s Frogmouth, Javan Frogmouth and Malaysian Eared Nightjar. For day time birding, you might be able to see trogons, hornbills, barbets, woodpeckers, broadbills, Garnet Pitta and babblers.
About 40 km from Kuala Lumpur, located in outskirts of Shah Alam. Well-maintained park which holds lowland rainforest species. Particularly canopy or upper storey birds are well-observed. Because of many visitors, avoid in the weekend. Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, malkohas, White-throated Kingfisher, barbets, woodpeckers, Ashy Minivet can be found here.
Located in northeast of Kuala Lumpur, about 1 hour drive from Kuala Lumpur central. There are many waterfalls which attract visitors in the weekend. Trails in the forest are not maintained properly but may be good for looking for lower land forest birds. Templer’s Park is still a good birding spot for birdwatchers while the access is relatively easy and less walk is required. Please also visit the commonwealth park with is not far opposite this park about 1 KM away.
Crested Serpent Eagle, Emerald Dove, Forest Wagtail, malkohas, barbets, woodpeckers, flycatcher-shrikes, Blue-winged Leafbird, More rarities are White-crowned Forktail, Orange-backed Woodpecker, Straw-headed Bulbul, Rufous-chested Flycatcher, Japanese Paradise Flycatcher and Red-throated Sunbird are recorded here.