In Malaysia, there are over 600 species of birds in the tropic’s most pristine forests. Some of the better-known birdwatching sites attract Malaysians and foreign visitors who all talk about the rich birdlife. In a three-week trip, birders can expect to capture 350 species of birds!
The country’s lowland forests are among the world's oldest with varied environment making it a hot spot of world biodiversity. Vast areas of undisturbed forest still remain, and they are home to some of the tropics' most exquisite birds. Peninsular Malaysia offers a rich blend of mainland Asian birds and specialities. Sabah and Sarawak are centres of biological richness for the Indo-Malayan region.
Birding experience is superb here as Malaysia is one of the safest and most comfortable places to bird the tropics. As to bird enthusiasts in Peninsular Malaysia, there are many good birdwatching spots, which are within easy reach of Kuala Lumpur. Most sites offer range of accommodations and other facilities including well marked and easy-to-follow jungle trails.
If you have more time, some of the best sightings of rare and exotic birds are at places deep in the interior such as Royal Belum State Park in Perak, Taman Negara National Park and Kenong Rimba National Park, which are in the state of Pahang. Magnificent hornbills, pheasants and woodpeckers can be seen here.
The favourite mountain bird watching sites are at Fraser Hills in Pahang, Bukit Larut in Taiping, Cameron Highlands in Pahang and Kinabalu Park in Sabah. A myriad of colourful songbirds are found at these higher elevations.
Waterfowl and swamp birds are best seen at Loagan Bunut National Park in Sarawak, the Kinabatangan Floodplains in Sabah and Paya Indah Wetlands in Selangor.
High in the list of best migratory bird watching sites are the Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary in Perak, Tanjung Piai Nationa Park in Johor, Kuala Selangor Mangrove Reserve in Selangor and Tanjung Tuan in Negeri Sembilan. The latter is popular for its migratory raptors.
This conservation area is one of the last remaining primary lowland rainforests in Asia, and preserves many plant and animal species found only in Borneo.
Getting its name from the Kadazandusun words “Aki” (meaning ancestor) and “Nabalu” (Mountain), Mount Kinabalu (or Gunung Kinabalu) is considered a sacred resting place of the ancestral spirits.The Kinabalu Park is known for the abundance and diversity of its plant life with over 1,200 species of flora and fauna.
On the western coast of Johor, lies a small town called Parit Jawa. The main attraction here especially during the October-March migration season, is the birdlife. Despite the busy river mouth near the jetty the bird fauna seems unperturbed. The most noticeable of the birds are the Lesser Adjutants......
Sukau is part of an important conservation area for primates, larger mammals and other wild animals living in the forests along the Kinabatangan River. A boat ride can offer spectacular sightings of birds and mammals.
Tabin has been declared a Wildlife Reserve primarily on account of the large number of animals inhabiting it's forests, some of which are highly endangered.
Straddling the borders of Pahang, Terenggganu and Kelantan, Taman Negara is a totally protected area of 4,343 sq. km. and is home to one of richest and most complex ecosystems in the world.
This national park is situated in the rugged Crocker Range is crisscrossed with numerous streams and waterfalls. It offers fantastic opportunities for mountain climbing, trekking, bird watching and animal sightings
