Malaysia Tourism » Malaysia Bird Watching

BIRDS
638 bird species within 78 bird families have been recorded in Peninsular these, 426 species are classified as residents, with the remaining 212 species made up of migrants, winter visitors or vagrants. Diverse bird habitats fine forest, lowland forest – of which Taman Negara is the most significant in the region – coasts and open habitats, such as rice fields and coconut plantation

Of all these species, over 300 have been recorded in Taman Negara a unmatched by any other wildlife area in the region. Some real rarities tam recorded here, including a number of endangered species such as Stories (Ciconia stormi), Malay Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron malacensis) and Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aenea). Among the park’s other more noted species Lesser Fish-eagle (Ichthyophaga nano), the Green-billed Malcoha (Phaenictis) and the White-crowned Hornbill (Aceros cornatus). Some species hammer localised habitats, such as swiftlets which are only found in the limestone caves park, where they use echo location to navigate through their dark environment As well as a good pair of binoculars, a notebook, some sturdy walking warm waterproof clothing, a good field guide is indispensable. Serious birders take a copy of the fully illustrated and comprehensive Identification Guide of South-East Asia (Craig Robson, New Holland). A lighter, easier-to-carry many of the park’s species is A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Peninsular M. Singapore G.W.H. Davison and Chew Yen Fook, New Holland). The following account describes a few of the better known bird species in tre including some of those most likely to be encountered by the visitor

HORNBILLS
Hornbills are the crowning glory of the rainforest canopy. These large majestic have striking plumage, long tails and the distinctive horn-shaped bill that gives their name. Nine species of hornbill have been recorded in the park: Rho (Buceros rhinoceros), Black (Anthrococeros molayanus), Great (Buceros bicornis). (Buceros vigil), Wrinkled (Aceros corrugates), Oriental Pied (Anthracoceros a Wreathed (Aceros undulatus), White-crowned (Aceros comatus) and Bushy Hornbill (Anorrhinus galeritus).

All species of hornbill share the same unusual nesting behaviour, with females Cling into a hole in a tree, and walling themselves in with their own droppings. male helps by adding pieces of wood and dollops of mud from the outside. A opening is left for the male to feed his mate and young chick. When the young bill is ready to learn to fly, the wall of mud is knocked away.

Hornbills feed on fruits and small animals. The strong pair bonding keeps hornbill partners together for years. Hornbills often frequent riverine forest- it is not unusual to see several pairs in the one tree or swooping noisily overhead

The Rhinoceros Hornbill measures 1.3 metres (4 foot) from head to tail- k a yellow and red calque, and a distinctive white tail with a single black Rhinoceros Hornbills are often seen flying overhead while making loud, deep calls.

The Helmeted Hornbill has a 75 centimetre (3 foot) long tail. Its bill, neck casque are dark red. Unlike other hornbills, the casque is solid and resembles ivory. This rd’s bizaare call consists of a series of loud’ hoops’ which eventually develop into hysefical laughter. In territorial displays, a loud knocking sound is made when the birds yang their casque against trees or when competing birds bang their casques together.

The commonly seen Black Hornbill and Pied Hornbill are recognisable by heir smaller size. The Black Hornbill is almost all black and makes a noisy retchrg call, while the Pied Hornbill has a black and white pattern on its bill and casque birds The Wreathed Hornbill is usually recognisable by the swooshing of its wingbeat. sports a bright yellow pouch on its throat and has a high-pitched call. The Wrinkled Hornbill is very similar, but its neck pouch is white or blue. Bushy-crested Hornbills tend to occur in family groups of about ten, and are recognised by their squeaky laughter and the fluttering of their wings as they move among the trees. Their heads are adorned with fluffy white feathers.

Hornbills are classic birds of the lowland rainforest and their huge bills and casques (enlargement of the upper part of the bill) make them particularly distinctive, even to the novice birdwatcher. Their large size, varying from the Pied Hornbill at 70 cm (30 in) to the magnificent Helmeted Hornbill at 125 cm (50 in) also makes them relatively easy to spot. Gregarious, noisy birds, they are often to be found feasting on fruiting trees or catching a variety of large-winged insects.

The nine species to be found in Taman Negara, in ascending order of size, are as follows:
Pied Hornbill Bushy-crested Hornbill Great Hornbill
Black Hornbill White-crowned Hornbill Rhinoceros Hornbill
Wrinkled Hornbill Wreathed Hornbill Helmeted Hornbill

WHITE BREASTED WATERHEN
The Known in Malaysia as the Ruak Ruak after its call, this species is common around the narrow ponds and salt licks of the park. The bird often leaves this habitat and turns up in many horn daces away from water. It is omnivorous and protected under the law except during the months of May-August when it can be legally hunted for food (except in Taman Negara where all wildlife is protected).

RED JUNGLE-FOWL (GALLUS GALLUS)
This species is thought to be the ancestor of the domestic chicken, and it is easy to see why. The male looks like its domestic counterpart but is slimmer, with grey legs and large white ear and rump patches. The female is brown with dark brown streaks. They are a common sight around salt licks, hides and waterholes.

GREEN-WINGED PIGEON OR EMERALD DOVE (CHOLCOPHAPS INDICO)
One of the more common pigeons in the park, this species is is often flushed trails and appears largely green with two white bars on the lower back.

LITTLE GREEN PIGEON (TRERON OLOX)
Another common pigeon, usually seen in pairs or flocks feeding on fig fruits altitudes below 1,100 metres (3,600 feet). This species is distinguished by its small Male and female both have a similar grey head and green breast. Males also ham orange breast band and maroon wings, while females have a pale throat.

GOLD-WHISKERED BARBET (MEGOOLAIMA ZEYLANICA)
Barbels are small but strident hole-nesting forest birds, their loud and repetiam being a characteristic sound of the upper canopy. This species is one of the more man, and is easily identified by its oval yellow cheek patch and long, low trilling

YELLOW-CROWNED BARBET (MEGALAIMA HENRID)
Another common barbel species, with a distinctive yellow fore crown and blue throat and an endlessly repeated tok tok tok call uttered from high in the canopy.

STRAW-HEADED BULBUL (PYNONOTUS ZEYLANICUS)
Of the many species of bulbul found in the park this is certainly the most seen. It is the largest of the bulbuls, with a distinctive orange head. Its rich, bubbling calls are always to be heard alongside river banks as pairs duet in chorus. specially in the early morning.

COMMON OR WHITE-RUMPED SHAMA (COPSYCHUS MALABORICUS)
The Shama is found singly or in pairs in the lower canopy of lowland forest constantly flits about in the understorey. Here it builds its nest in tree holes twigs, dried leaves and grasses. Its head and back are glossy black and it has a rust underside. Shamas, like bulbul, are popular songsters.

GREY-HEADED FISH-EAGLE (1CHTHYOPHOGO ICHTHYAETUS)
These birds of prey, with their hooked bills and talons, can be seen along the open riverbanks, such as on the boat journey from Tembeling to Kuala Tahan, and some of the rocks near smaller rapids in the park. Being near the top of the chain they feed on various animals, but in particular on fish. Although rare in parts of the country this magnificent species is not uncommon in the park.

LESSER FISH-EAGLE (1CHTHYOPHAGA NANO)
This species is smaller than the last, with a darker tail. It is also found along the rivers, particularly the Sungain Tahan, but is easily disturbed by boats traffic.

WHITE-BREASTED KINGFISHER (HALCYON SRNYMENSIS)
This is the most common of the 15 kingfisher species found in Malaysia. Kingfishers in general are characteristically colourful birds, with a large head and bill, short legs and a short tail.