MALlist

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MALAYSIA March~April 1997 Bird List
Little Egret Egretta garzetta	A number at Kuala Selangor, not uncommon.
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea	Quite common at Kuala Selangor.
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea	One at Kuala Selangor.
Great Egret Ardea alba	Two or three at Kuala Selangor.
Javan Pond-Heron Ardeola speciosa	We saw a number of pond-herons in non-breeding plumage at Kuala Selangor but only one in breeding plumage, which was unmistakably a Javan Pond-heron, this is a first record for the area. Also recorded by Malaysia Nature Society members who were present for a bird count.
Striated Heron Butorides striatus	Fairly common at Kuala Selangor.
Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis	Two birds at Kuala Selangor, one while travelling to Fraser’s Hill.
Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes	One bird seen perched at Kuala Selangor, one bird perched and flying at Pasoh. This bird migrates through Peninsular Malaysia.
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus	A couple of birds at Kuala Selangor
Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus	Commonest raptor at Kuala Selangor.
White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster	A few birds at Kuala Selangor but not common when we were there.
Lesser Fish-Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis	We saw two birds on the Sungai Tahan from a boat when making the trip up to the falls.
Crested Serpent-Eagle Spilornis cheela	This bird is probably the most common bird-of-prey in Peninsular Malaysia, we saw it at most sites, except Fraser’s Hill, even in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur.
Changeable Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus	A dark phased individual at Bumbun Tahan hide, perched, at Taman Negara.
Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus	A large group of about 15 birds seen from the waterfall road at Fraser’s Hill.
Blyth's Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus alboniger	A few birds at Fraser’s Hill and The Gap
Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius	One bird at the resort area of Taman Negara, two birds at The Gap on the Fraser’s Hill road about a kilometre up from the gatehouse.
Black Partridge Melanoperdix nigra	One bird flushed from the Jenet Muda trail at Taman Negara.
Grey-breasted Partridge Arborophila orientalis	Fantastic views of a group of 5 birds crossing the road on the Telekom Loop, we were able to watch them for a relatively long time as they paused to check us out.
Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus	A male and female feeding on the mangrove bund track at Kuala Selangor at dawn.
Crested Fireback Lophura ignita	Fairly common at Taman Negara especially on the Tahan Trail where saw both males and females most days, one male flew across the Sungai Tahan while we were having a break and almost landed on Stuart’s head!
Great Argus Argusianus argus	This bird is not so hard to see as long as you know where to look! We saw two male birds and they are absolutely amazing. There are two display areas both on the Jenet Muda Trail. To find them go to the entrance of the JM Trail from the Tahan Trail, when you get to the second creek crossing walk up the steep hill until you get to a clearing on the right, wait here until you hear the distinctive "Oh Wow" call then proceed slowly up the track. The bird may be perched on a stump or walking across the track. The other display area is before this but harder to find. Early to mid-morning seems to be the best time to try (before other people get out on the trails).
Slaty-breasted Rail Gallirallus striatus	Two birds were seen in the lagoon area at Kuala Selangor. One from the first hide at the end of the A Trail, another on the other side of the lagoon near the sluice.
White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus	Widespread and easily observed in all open areas, but a great bird. Called wak wak burung in Malay.
Watercock Gallicrex cinerea	Three birds both in non-breeding plumage in the lagoon.
Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata	Not surprisingly one of the best birds of the trip and fabulous views. We saw two birds on the Sungai Tahan, the first bird was seen only briefly before it took off into the undergrowth but further downstream we saw another, which we watched for about ten minutes. It swam around some logs and riparian vegetation, at one stage getting out of the water allowing us to observe the feet very well. We got the boat up to the waterfall at a cost of 80 Ringgit ($40) between 4 people and asked the driver to cut the engine on the return trip (specify this when you book at the ranger’s office). If you get a good driver he will look out for burung for you. Of course the birds are the main attraction on this trip but the scenery is also fabulous and there is a possibility of mammals, too. We met some people who encountered a Tapir crossing the shallow river in front of the boat. Keep an eye out for the stunning blue dragonflies seen under overhanging trees. It’s the most vivid blue-green I’ve ever seen.
Pin-tailed Snipe Gallinago stenura	The back end of one bird as it took off in the lagoon at Kuala Selangor.
Common Redshank Tringa totanus	Only one bird in the lagoon at Kuala Selangor.
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia	One bird at Kuala Selangor.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos	A number of birds at Kuala Selangor, one bird on the sandbanks of the Sungai Tembeling on the trip into Taman Negara. We observed a water monitor Varanus saltator take and eat, with a great deal of effort, a bird in the lagoon at Kuala Selangor, all the while being harassed by a Brahminy Kite.
Rock Dove Columba livia	All urban areas.
Spotted Turtle-Dove Streptopelia chinensis	Kuala Lumpur.
Barred Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia unchall	One bird seen at Fraser’s Hill.
Little Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia ruficeps	Very common at Fraser’s Hill and The Gap, often seen flying over.
Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica	One flying over the Sungai Temberling at Taman Negara, one on the entrance road at Pasoh.
Zebra Dove Geopelia striata	Very common at Kuala Selangor.
Little Green-Pigeon Treron olax	A male and two females sunbaking after a heavy shower in a large tree in the headquarters clearing at Pasoh Forest Reserve.
Pink-necked Pigeon Treron vernans	Locally common at Kuala Selangor. Also seen at Taman Negara.
Thick-billed Pigeon Treron curvirostra	Two birds flying at The Gap, a number in a fruiting tree in the resort area at Taman Negara.
Green Imperial-Pigeon Ducula aenea	7~8 birds flying over the Sungai Tahan, Taman Negara.
Mountain Imperial-Pigeon Ducula badia	Quite common at The Gap and Fraser’s Hill. Seen flying and perched.
Blue-rumped Parrot Psittinus cyanurus	One at Pasoh - in flight.
Blue-crowned Hanging-Parrot Loriculus galgulus	Common at The Gap where it is often seen flying but hard to observe perched, we only saw one. Not seen once at Taman Negara, where it can apparently be common at times.
Long-tailed Parakeet Psittacula longicauda	Seen on the way to Kuala Selangor from Kuala Lumpur and at Kuala Selangor.
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus	One bird seen at the rubbish tip at Fraser’s Hill, a very large cuckoo that could be mistaken for a coucal quite easily. A stunning bird.
Large Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus sparverioides	One bird seen on the Telekom Loop, one on the waterfall road at Fraser’s Hill, they were more often heard than seen.
Hodgson's Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus fugax	Probably the same bird seen twice in the headquarters clearing at Pasoh.
Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus	A single bird seen on the Sungai Tahan at Taman Negara.
Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus saturatus	One bird was seen perched on powerlines on the Telekom Loop at Fraser’s Hill.
Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris	Fairly common especially around The Gap but could easily be overlooked due to it’s amazing superficial resemblance to a drongo, the six-note call is distinctive however.
Common Koel Eudynamys scolopacea	Often heard but not so often seen, we only managed to clap eyes on it once at Bukit Melawati, Kuala Selangor.
Chestnut-bellied Malkoha Phaenicophaeus sumatranus	Brilliant view of one bird low down in a tree at Kuala Selangor on the mangrove bund, also seen at Taman Negara on a couple of occasions.
Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis	2 or 3 observed at The Gap, the very long tail is distinctive.
Raffles's Malkoha Phaenicophaeus chlorophaeus	One seen down from The Gap on the road to Raub, a very attractive malkoha.
Red-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus javanicus	We saw this bird twice at Pasoh in the clearing and the Arboretum area, I thought this was the most attractive of the malkohas, which is saying a lot! Observed sunning itself after a heavy rainstorm looking almost prehistoric.
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha Phaenicophaeus curvirostris	One at Taman negara, one at Pasoh.
Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis	Seen on the way to Kuala Selangor on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, and on the Sungai Tembeling at Taman Negara.
Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis	Only seen once on the road to Taman Negara while driving through Pahang state.
Spotted Wood-Owl Strix seloputo	A pair of birds was spotlit by us at dawn on Bukit Melawati. We watched them for about an hour until they went to roost in some pines adjacent to the picnic area at the top of the hill. Very handsome birds with a distinctive yellow facial disc.
Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei	One bird was seen on the road leading up to the Telekom Loop during the day, a small but striking bird with big, yellow false eyes on the back of the head.
Malaysian Nightjar Eurostopodus temminckii	Quite common in lowland rainforest areas, only seen flying. Seen at Taman Negara and Pasoh. They were especially common over the headquarters clearing at Pasoh. The attractive pit-per-whee call is diagnostic.
Jungle Nightjar (Grey Nightjar) Caprimulgus indicus	A few seen at Fraser’s Hill, one was seen perched in a tree on the Telekom Loop during the day.
Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus	Many seen at Kuala Selangor especially on Bukit Melawati.
Grey-rumped Treeswift Hemiprocne longipennis	Many seen at The Gap and Taman Negara.
Whiskered Treeswift Hemiprocne comata	Seen perched and flying on the road down from The Gap heading towards Raub. Their behaviour is distinctive - they take short flights from a conspicuous perch regularly returning to the same spot. They are an amazing looking bird with their long whiskers.
Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta	This bird was common at all sites.
Edible-nest Swiftlet Collocalia fuciphaga	Seen on a number of occasions at The Gap.
Silver-rumped Needletail Rhaphidura leucopygialis	A very distinctive-looking bird with it’s oddly shaped wings and almost shining silver rump. Seen at Taman Negara and The Gap. One of the most attractive swifts I’ve seen.
Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus	This seemed to be a fairly common and widespread bird on the peninsular. Seen in most urban areas.
Asian Palm-Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis	Taman Negara and The Gap.
Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus	Observed only once while travelling from Pasoh to Kuala Lumpur.
House Swift Apus affinis	Widespread and common.
Red-naped Trogon Harpactes kasumba	Twice at Taman Negara-both times on the Tahan Trail, once at Pasoh.
Scarlet-rumped Trogon Harpactes duvaucelii	A male and a female at Pasoh near the arboretum
Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus	Seen twice at Fraser’s Hill-on the Telekom Loop and the waterfall road.
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis	A few seen on the mudflats of the lagoon at Kuala Selangor, and flying along streams and river edges at Taman Negara.
Black-backed Kingfisher Ceyx erithacus (Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher)	This bird is alternately split and lumped depending on the authority due to the fact that they interbreed freely in Borneo and occasionally in Sumatra and south Peninsular Malaysia. However in Peninsular Malaysia north of KL this form is migratory whereas the Rufous-backed form is resident. Apparently they do not interbreed in Peninsular Malaysia north of KL and rarely do so south of KL (ref. Fry, C. H., Fry, K., Harris, A. (1992) *Kingfishers, Bee-eaters & Rollers* HELM). One bird was seen twice at Pasoh just before the first boardwalk on the old canopy tower track.
Rufous-backed Kingfisher Ceyx rufidorsa (Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher)	This gem of a bird was seen a number of times in the smallest streams at Taman Negara on the Jenet Muda and Tahan Trails. The very high pitched one-note call is a give-away
Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis	What an amazing bird! The bill looks so oversize. This is one of the main reasons to go to Kuala Selangor and it can be seen near the sluice on the mangrove bund. The early morning seems to be the best time to look for it, it can be quite flighty.
Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda	Another fabulous kingfisher-the colour seems unbelievable. This was an unusual sighting for Kuala Selangor-in the bush on the A Trail. Observed for some time in the scope.
White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis	A common and widespread bird in Peninsular Malaysia, seen in all lowland areas including agricultural land. Often perched on powerlines and fences.
Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata	Another of the commoner kingfishers, especially at Kuala Selangor and Taman Negara.
Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris	Common and noisy in the mangroves at Kuala Selangor.
Rufous-collared Kingfisher Actenoides concretus	One bird watched for about 30 minutes on the Tahan Trail at Taman Negara. Malaysia is kingfisher paradise!
Red-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis amictus	What a bird! This was the bird of the trip for me. It is like no other bird I have seen, it’s weird and beautiful at the same time. We saw three birds at The Gap-one about a km up the FH road in the scope, another about 0.5km on the road to Raub and another about 4km down the same road. One was also seen by us at TN on the Tahan Trail.
Blue-throated Bee-eater Merops viridis	Abundant at Kuala Selangor and Taman Negara usually foraging near water, also common at The Gap.
Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus	4~5 birds seen at Kuala Selangor.
Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis	A couple at Taman Negara near the Sungai Tembeling perched at the top of the tallest trees.
Oriental Pied-Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris	Fabulous scope views of a bird at the Bunbun Tahan (Tahan Hide) at TN.
Black Hornbill Anthracoceros malayanus	A male and female in the clearing at Pasoh.
Rhinoceros Hornbill Buceros rhinoceros	One bird seen on the Raub road at The Gap.
Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis	A flock of about 10 birds flying adjacent to the Sungai Tembeling seen from the boat.
Helmeted Hornbill Buceros vigil	A very exciting bird. They just look too impossible-like somebody made them up. We saw a male and a female at close range on the Tahan Trail. The male fed the female a number of berries before they both flew off. The sexes are quite different morphologically, which is not illustrated or discussed satisfactorily in the field guides (except MacKinnon). The female has almost white gular skin and the casque is smaller and shaped slightly differently.
Bushy-crested Hornbill Anorrhinus galeritus	A group of about 15 birds flying over the Tahan Trail, very noisy with distinctive call.
Wreathed Hornbill Aceros undulatus	One bird flying over our accommodation at Fraser’s Hill.
Fire-tufted Barbet Psilopogon pyrolophus	Abundant at Fraser’s Hill, the cicada-like call is a give-away. We watched a group of Siamang sharing a fruiting tree with up to 30 Fire-tufted Barbets and not much else in the way of birds.
Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata	One bird seen at Bukit Melawati in Kuala Selangor. This is slightly south of it’s normal range so it could have been a vagrant or an escapee, we noticed nothing unusual about it’s behaviour however.
Gold-whiskered Barbet Megalaima chrysopogon	Seen a couple of times outside the guesthouse at The Gap in a fruiting tree.
Red-crowned Barbet Megalaima rafflesi	We observed two birds on a dead branch tearing away bark and wood at Pasoh. Not great views due to the size of the tree.
Black-browed Barbet Megalaima oorti	Seen at The Gap. Another attractive barbet.
Yellow-crowned Barbet Megalaima henricii	One bird seen in the only fruiting tree at Taman Negara (that we could find) outside the hostel at Kuala Tahan.
Blue-eared Barbet Megalaima australis	This is one of the smallest barbets and was seen at The Gap. A bird attending a nest, which consisted of a small hollow in a dead tree limb, was observed.
Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala	One seen on Bukit Melawati at Kuala Selangor.
Brown Barbet Calorhamphus fuliginosus	Seen at The Gap and Taman Negara.
Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus	Two birds feeding amongst bamboo at The Gap.
Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus	Common at Fraser’s Hill. A great looking woodpecker with a big, yellow brush on the back of it’s head.
Crimson-winged Woodpecker Picus puniceus	Taman Negara and Pasoh-seen many times, possibly the most common woodpecker.
Greater Yellownape Picus flavinucha	One at Fraser’s Hill in a mixed flock.
Laced Woodpecker Picus vittatus	Fairly common at Kuala Selangor.
Common Flameback Dinopium javanense	We only saw this bird once on Bukit Melawati at Kuala Selangor, two birds were seen together.
Maroon Woodpecker Blythipicus rubiginosus	Again only seen once at Taman Negara on The Swamp Loop. The bill appeared bright yellow to me, whereas it is shown as a dull yellow in the field guides
Orange-backed Woodpecker Reinwardtipicus validus	A male and female at Pasoh on the old canopy tower trail.
Buff-rumped Woodpecker Meiglyptes tristis	A very cute woodpecker seen at Pasoh (male & female)in edge habitat and at The Gap also in secondary growth.
Buff-necked Woodpecker Meiglyptes tukki	This very attractive woodpecker was only seen once on the Swamp Loop at Taman Negara.
Great Slaty Woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus	We saw a large group of this spectacular bird from the Bunbun Tahan at Taman Negara. About 15 birds going in to roost, unfortunately seen at a distance. A very noisy bird with a distinctive braying call.
Black-and-red Broadbill Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos	Commonly seen near riparian vegetation at Taman Negara. Often called the flood bird due to the nests that look like flood debris.
Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus	A male and female had a nest in the clearing at Pasoh. The nest had been constructed about 0.5m away from a very large beehive on the exposed limb of a very large, tall tree.
Silver-breasted Broadbill Serilophus lunatus	Seen once at The Gap. Gorgeous!
Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae	Moderately common at Fraser’s Hill. A very sexy bird, can be difficult to spot due to it’s quiet habits.
Green Broadbill Calyptomena viridis	One male seen on the old canopy trail at Pasoh. This was another of the best birds of the trip for me, it is absolutely stunning and has to be seen to be believed.
Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea	Otherwise known as the Flyeater, commonly seen in the mangroves at Kuala Selangor. Also at Taman Negara.
Mangrove Whistler Pachycephala grisola	Not uncommon in mangroves at Kuala Selangor.
White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis	Common at Fraser’s Hill, bird at nest observed.
Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica	Common at Kuala Selangor and Taman Negara.
Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea	Seen a number of times at Taman Negara on the Tahan Trail, once at Pasoh.
Asian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi	A female seen at Taman Negara, a male at Pasoh.
Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus	Only seen once on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur on the way to Kuala Selangor.
Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus	The race of Ashy Drongo in Malaysia is almost black, distinguished from Black by shape of tail, common at Kuala Selangor.
Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus	Abundant at all sites except Kuala Selangor.
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer	Locally common at Fraser’s Hill.
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus	The Gap, Taman Negara, Pasoh-very wide vocal range.
Crested Jay Platylophus galericulatus	An incredible bird with a very bizarre crest seen at Taman Negara on the Tahan Trail and the Swamp Loop. Another bird with a distinctive call-a harsh, rapid rattle.
Black Magpie Platysmurus leucopterus	This bird is quite attractive but it’s most striking feature is it’s incredible call that reminded me of the Shakuhachi (Japanese flute). Seen in small flocks a couple of times at Taman Negara (Tahan Trail) and Pasoh (old canopy trail).
Green Magpie Cissa chinensis	Yet another stunningly beautiful bird, not uncommon at The Gap and Fraser’s Hill.
House Crow Corvus splendens	Ubiquitous in urban areas.
Slender-billed Crow Corvus enca	Seen once in deep primary forest at Taman Negara on the way to Gua Telinga.
Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos	Common and widespread.
Common Iora Aegithina tiphia	One on the A Trail at Kuala Selangor.
Green Iora Aegithina viridissima	Seen occasionally in mixed flocks at The Gap.
Dark-throated Oriole Oriolus xanthonotus	We only saw this bird twice-once on the Tahan Trail at Taman Negara and once on the roadside while driving from Pasoh to Kuala Lumpur.
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis	Abundant throughout Malaysia, except at high altitudes, even in urban areas.
Black-and-crimson Oriole Oriolus cruentus	Quite common at Fraser’s Hill, the female is entirely black.
Malaysian Cuckoo-shrike Coracina javensis	Seen often at Fraser’s Hill, this species is treated by some authorities as a race of C. novaehollandiae, we felt there were notable differences but presumably DNA work is required.
Lesser Cuckoo-shrike Coracina fimbriata	Two seen in the fruiting tree at Kuala Tahan, Taman Negara.
Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus	A couple of birds observed at Kuala Selangor and in a large flock at The Gap.
Fiery Minivet Pericrocotus igneus	One female seen at Pasoh.
Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris	Common at The Gap and Fraser’s Hill, the race in Malaysia has an almost black, rather than grey, chin.
Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus	Seen a couple of times at Fraser’s Hill on the main road.
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus	Observed in mixed flocks at Fraser’s Hill, fairly common.
Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus hirundinaceus	Seen once on the roadside while travelling to KL from Pasoh.
Asian Fairy-bluebird Irena puella	Common at The Gap and Taman Negara.
Greater Green Leafbird Chloropsis sonnerati	Seen once on the roadside while travelling to Taman Negara.
Lesser Green Leafbird Chloropsis cyanopogon	One in a large, dead tree on the Tahan Trail at Taman Negara.
Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis	Common at Pasoh and The Gap.
Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii	A group consisting of a male and two females observed on the waterfall road at Fraser’s Hill.
Tiger Shrike Lanius tigrinus	The same juvenile bird seen a number of times outside The Gap resthouse, an adult seen near the gatehouse.
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus	One seen at Fraser’s Hill, also at Kuala Selangor.
Rufous-winged Philentoma Philentoma pyrhopterum	Probably the same bird seen twice on the old canopy tower trail at Pasoh.
Maroon-breasted Philentoma Philentoma velatum	Two birds seen bathing in a stream in a mixed flock in the late afternoon on the Tahan Trail at TN.
Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis gularis	Common at The Gap, one seen on a nest at Kuala Tahan, TN.
Lesser Shortwing Brachypteryx leucophrys	A common bird at Fraser’s Hill but not seen often due to it’s secretive habits. Once the call is learned it is heard everywhere, will respond to playback. The race in Malaysia is a dark, slaty grey (looks black in poor light) which threw me at first! It seems particularly common on Bishop’s Trail.
Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis	Quite common at Kuala Selangor.
Common Myna Acridotheres tristis	Abundant in urban areas.
Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus	Seen at Kuala Selangor only.
Hill Myna Gracula religiosa	A flock seen at Pasoh on the old conopy tower trail, very vocal.
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica	Seen at Bukit Melawati, KS; at Fraser’s Hill at the rubbish dump.
Ferruginous Flycatcher Muscicapa ferruginea	One bird observed foraging a fast, flowing section of the river on the waterfall road at Fraser’s Hill.
Yellow-rumped Flycatcher Ficedula zanthopygia	One male at the beginning of the Tembeling Trail at Taman Negara.
Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki	One female seen at the Old Zoo at Fraser’s Hill.
Rufous-browed Flycatcher Ficedula solitaris	A really attractive Ficedula despite the boring-looking illustrations in the field guides, we saw it about three times at Fraser’s Hill on the Telekom Loop, waterfall road and at the rubbish tip.
Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni	Common at Fraser’s Hill.
Rufous-chested Flycatcher Ficedula dumetoria	A male seen once at Taman Negara near Lubok Simpon (a swimming hole on the Sungai Tahan) on the Tahan Trail.
Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina	Fairly common at The Gap, one bird was resident around the area of the resthouse.
Large Niltava Niltava grandis	Very common at Fraeser’s Hill.
Hill Blue-Flycatcher Cyornis banyumas	A male and female seen at the rubbish tip at Fraser’s Hill, a male outside the resthouse at The Gap.
Mangrove Blue-Flycatcher Cyornis rufigaster	A male and female observed in mangroves at Kuala Selangor.
Pygmy Blue-Flycatcher Muscicapella hodgsoni	A male and female in a mixed flock on the mosque trail at Fraser’s Hill.
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis	Very common at Fraser’s Hill and The Gap especially in mixed flocks.
Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis	Possibly the most widespread bird in Peninsular Malaysia, seen at all sites in any open area.
White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus	A common bird at Taman Negara, the amazing vocal gymnastics can throw you at times.
White-tailed Robin Cinclidium leucurum	Not a common bird, a female seen once crossing the Telekom Loop Fraser’s Hill.
Chestnut-naped Forktail Enicurus ruficapillus	A magnificent bird seen once in a small stream on the Tahan Trail at Taman Negara.
Slaty-backed Forktail Enicurus schistaceus	We saw two birds in a fast flowing stream at The Gap about a kilometre down the Raub road. We originally flushed the birds, which are extremely flighty, so climbed down into the culvert and waited, upon which they returned after 10 minutes or so and we watched them feeding for another 20 minutes. The very high pitched call is a clue to their presence. Another highlight of the trip.
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis	Two birds feeding on the trunk of a dead tree in a mixed flock at The Gap.
Blue Nuthatch Sitta azurea	Seen in mixed flocks at Fraser’s Hill, one bird seen tending a nest which was probably an old woodpecker nest.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica	Common, seen at most sites.
Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica	Common and widespread.

Striated Swallow Hirundo striolata	A number of the migratory badia race (with the orange rump) seen at Kuala Selangor.
Asian Martin Delichon dasypus	One bird only seen at Kuala Selangor town.
Straw-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus zeylanicus	Not uncommon in riparian vegetation at Kuala Selangor, beautiful song.
Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps	One of the commoner bulbuls at The Gap and Taman Negara
Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus	A very attractive and common bulbul at The Gap.
Scaly-breasted Bulbul Pycnonotus squamatus	The best looking bulbul, seen on a couple of occasions at The Gap.
Grey-bellied Bulbul Pycnonotus cyaniventris	Another attractive bulbul seen at The Gap, Taman Negara and Pasoh.
Stripe-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus finlaysoni	Not uncommon at The Gap
Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier	One of the most common birds in Peninsular Malaysia, seen everywhere except Fraser’s Hill.
Olive-winged Bulbul Pycnonotus plumosus	Common at Kuala Selangor.
Cream-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus simplex	Only observed once on the roadside on the way to Taman Negara.
Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus brunneus	A couple seen at Kuala Selangor.
Spectacled Bulbul Pycnonotus erythropthalmos	Seen a number of times at Taman Negara and Pasoh.
Ochraceous Bulbul Alophoixus ochraceus	Abundant around The Gap and Fraser’s Hill.
Grey-cheeked Bulbul Alophoixus bres	Seen while travelling between The Gap and Taman Negara.
Yellow-bellied Bulbul Alophoixus phaeocephalus	Not that uncommon at Taman Negara, also seen at The Gap.
Hairy-backed Bulbul Tricholestes criniger	Observed 3 or 4 times at Taman Negara, at first glance this bulbul can look a bit like a flycatcher due to the large eye.
Ashy Bulbul Hemixos flavala	Two birds at The Gap.
Mountain Bulbul Hypsipetes mcclellandii	An uncommon bird at Fraser’s Hill, restricted to the highlands.
Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus	Quite common at Kuala Selangor.
Everett's White-eye Zosterops everetti	A highland bird seen in mixed flocks at The Gap and Fraser’s Hill.
Rufescent Prinia Prinia rufescens	Seen in a mixed flock in Pahang state while travelling from Pasoh to Kuala Lumpur.
Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris	A skulking bird that is often heard but can be hard to track down, seen at Kuala Selangor where it is common.
Mountain Tailorbird Orthotomus cuculatus	Common at Fraser’s Hill.
Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius	Common at Kuala Tahan at Taman Negara, a very loud call for such a small bird.
Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis	Seen at The Gap and Pasoh.
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird Orthotomus sericeus	Not common, seen only near the Sungai Tahan in long grass at Taman Negara.
Ashy Tailorbird Orthotomus ruficeps	Very common at Kuala Selangor.
Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis	The commonest bird in mixed flocks at The Gap, also seen at Kuala Selangor, though not common there.
Eastern Crowned-Warbler Phylloscopus coronatus	One seen in secondary woodland at Kuala Selangor on Trail D.
Chestnut-crowned Warbler Seicercus castaniceps	Seen a number of times in mixed flocks at Fraser’s Hill though not common.
Yellow-bellied Warbler Abroscopus superciliaris	Three seen in mixed flocks at The Gap.
Black Laughingthrush Garrulax lugubris	A group of 5 birds seen on the waterfall road at Fraser’s Hill and another group of 4-5 opposite The Gap resthouse.
Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush Garrulax mitratus	Locally abundant at Fraser’s Hill, seen everywhere there. In mixed flocks or in discrete groups.
Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush Garrulax erythrocephalus	Much less common at Fraser’s Hill than the above species. Often in mixed flocks.
Ferruginous Babbler Trichastoma bicolor	A rather nondescript bird seen at The Gap, possibly an altitude record
Abbott's Babbler Malacocincla abbotti	Common in woodland at Kuala Selangor, also seen at Taman Negara.
Short-tailed Babbler Malacocincla malaccensis	Three seen on the Tahan Trail at Taman Negara.
Buff-breasted Babbler Pellorneum tickelli	Seen on the Fraser’s Hill road up from The Gap, this bird has no distinguishing features whatsoever.
Black-capped Babbler Pellorneum capistratum	One seen feeding in a narrow stream on the Tahan Trail at Taman Negara, a jungle-babbler.
Moustached Babbler Malacopteron magnirostre	Quite common at Taman Negara.
Sooty-capped Babbler Malacopteron affine	Taman Negara-fairly uncommon.
Scaly-crowned Babbler Malacopteron cinereum	Common at Taman Negara.
Rufous-crowned Babbler Malacopteron magnum	Seen at Taman Negara on the Tahan and Tembeling Trails where it is not common.
Chestnut-backed Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus montanus	One seen at Taman Negara on the Bukit Teresek Trail high in the canopy, distinctive call.
Streaked Wren-Babbler Napothera brevicaudata	A group of 5 birds seen a couple of times in the same spot amongst some fallen branches on the mosque trail at Fraser’s Hill.
Rufous-fronted Babbler Stachyris rufifrons	Common at Taman Negara.
Golden Babbler Stachyris chrysaea	Very common in mixed flocks at Fraser’s Hill, a very attractive babbler.
Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps	Common at The Gap especially in gullies.
Grey-headed Babbler Stachyris poliocephala	Seen on the Swamp Loop at Taman Negara.
Striped Tit-Babbler Macronous gularis	Common and seen at The Gap, Fraser’s Hill and Taman Negara.
Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris	Locally abundant at Fraser’s Hill where it is commonly seen everywhere including in the centre of the town.
White-browed Shrike-Babbler Pteruthius flaviscapis	Only seen once by us at Fraser’s Hill in a mixed flock on the mosque trail.
Black-eared Shrike-Babbler Pteruthius melanotis	Common in mixed flocks at Fraser’s Hill.
Blue-winged Minla Minla cyanouroptera	Common at Fraser’s Hill in mixed flocks, note that this bird does NOT have blue wings in Peninsular Malaysia.
Brown Fulvetta Alcippe brunneicauda	A nondescript bird seen at The Gap in a mixed flock.
Mountain Fulvetta Alcippe peracensis	Another abundant bird of Fraser’s Hill, commonly in mixed flocks.
Long-tailed Sibia Heterophasia picaoides	Possibly the most common bird at Fraser’s Hill, seen everywhere. The call is reminiscent of a parrot’s!
White-bellied Yuhina Yuhina zantholeuca	Not uncommon in mixed feeding flocks at The Gap.
Great Tit Parus major	One seen in the mangroves, where it usually occurs, at Kuala Selangor.
Sultan Tit Melanochlora sultanea	One seen at The Gap, one at Fraser’s Hill on the waterfall road. A really sexy bird!
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus	Ubiquitous.
Pin-tailed Parrot-Finch Erythrura prasina	One only seen in bamboo at The Gap on the Kuala Kubu Bahru road.
White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata	Common around The Gap.
Nutmeg Mannikin Lonchura punctulata	Very common in grass in the Kuala Selangor area.
Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus	One seen on Trail A at Kuala Selangor, two seen feeding on the roadside at The Gap heading towards Raub. An excellent bird.
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea	One lone bird was hanging around the resthouse at The Gap. It had gone by the time we returned for our second stay.
Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus	A flock only seen once on the outskirts of KL on our way to Kuala Selangor. Nests were also observed.
Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker Prionochilus maculatus	One at The Gap, flowerpeckers were constantly flying over calling loudly but always too high to identify. Quite infuriating!
Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker Prionochilus percussus	Again one only while travelling to Taman Negara, but great views.
Yellow-vented Flowerpecker Dicaeum chrysorrheum	One bird seen a number of times in the fruiting tree in Kuala Tahan, Taman Negara.
Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor	One in the clearing at Pasoh Forest Reserve.
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus	Seen a few times at Fraser’s Hill.
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum	A male and female at Kuala Selangor.
Plain Sunbird Anthreptes simplex	One seen on the way to Kuala Lumpur from Pasoh at about 800m altitude.
Plain-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis	Common at Kuala Selangor.
Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Anthreptes singalensis	Rather more uncommon at Kuala Selangor.
Purple-naped Sunbird Hypogramma hypogrammicum	One near the waterfall at Fraser’s Hill feeding in a flowering bush.
Yellow-bellied Sunbird Nectarinia jugularis	Less common than Plain-throated at Kuala Selangor.
Black-throated Sunbird Aethopyga saturata	Very common on Fraser’s Hill but less so around The Gap.
Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra	Fairly common at most sites in Peninsular Malaysia. Seems to be a creature of habit as I saw a bird in the same tree on the Tembeling Trail at least 4 times!
Long-billed Spiderhunter Arachnothera robusta	This bird’s bill is incredible, it appears longer than the body. Seen a few times at The Gap.
Spectacled Spiderhunter Arachnothera flavigaster	One seen at The Gap on the Raub road.
Grey-breasted Spiderhunter Arachnothera affinis	Only seen once at Taman Negara on the Tahan Trail in a flowering tree.
Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna	Very common and conspicuous at Fraser’s Hill and The Gap.

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This page was last updated on Friday, 05 November 2004

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