Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher @ Sungai Congkak, Selangor, Malaysia

Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx rufidorsa) is a very colorful, fast and active bird among hundred species of birds can be found in Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest, Selangor, Malaysia. The bird can be found at the forest edges, along the small stream, in the recreational forest.  

For Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher, both male and female are alike. The Juvenile is featured by black beak. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2500, F 5.6, EV -0.7.

Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest is yet another wonderful birding destinations in Selangor, Malaysia as it is a residence to many exotic birds. The recreational forest covers a large area of tropical rain forest, waterfalls, trekking and streams. Whereas accommodations, camp sites, food and recreational activities are provided along the stream, right outside the entrance to the forest. It can be reached in approximately one hour from Kuala Lumpur by car. Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest has a large bird population and varieties. It certainly entices many birders to be there. The main target birds in Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest include different types of kingfisher, babblers, sunbirds, shrikes, malkoha just to name a few.

Other neighboring areas to Sungai Congkak for birding destinations include Sungai Tekali, Sungai Tekala, Sungai Perdik, Sungai Lopo and Pangsun.  

Since Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest is also a popular destinations for family get away especially during weekend, be there early and wait for the desire lighting to come and search for the exotic birds.

Chestnut-necklaced Partridge @ Bukit Wang, Jitra, Kedah, Malaysia

Chestnut-necklaced Partridge (Tropicoperdix charltonii) is a very colorful, attractive and active bird among many hundreds of birds can be found at Bukit Wang recreational forest, Jitra, Kedah. It can be found along the road in the recreational forest. 

The photos were taken using Nikon D850 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2500, F 6.3, EV -0.3.  

About Bukit Wang Recreational Forest and How to Get There

Bukit Wang recreational forest, Jitra is one of the most popular birding destination in the state of Kedah, Malaysia. Jitra is a small town located in Kubang Pasu district, some 450 km from the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. It can be reached in approximately five hours by car via North-South highway. It can also be reached from Penang International Airport in approximately 2 hours via the same highway for a distance of 140 km. Other mode of transportation include buses and trains from major cities. 

Although Jitra is a small town, to cater for both local and foreign tourists, there are some homestay for rent and budget hotels. Some local restaurants, medical clinics and convenience shops are also available. 

Important Notes

To enter Bukit Wang recreational forest, an entry permit is required to be obtained from local forestry department office located in Jitra town for a small fee. An application for the permit is required to be submitted to the office and the permit may be issued within seven working days. Kindly be reminded, DO NOT enter the forest for bird watching and bird photography without valid permit. 

What to Expect

 

Bukit Wang recreational forest certainly another wonderful bird watching and bird photography destinations in Malaysia as it is a residence to many exotic birds and migratory birds too.  The main target birds in Bukit Wang recreational forest include Malkoha, Malayan Banded Pitta, Hornbills, different types of Babblers, Kingfishers, Flycatchers and Trogons just to name a few.

Green Iora [Male] @ National Botanical Garden Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Green Iora (Aegithina viridissima) [Male] is a colorful, attractive and very cute resident bird can be found in National Botanical Garden Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. It can be found in the vegetation along small paths around the park.

National Botanical Garden Shah Alam or Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam in Malay is one a few parks located in the center of Shah Alam city. It is a public park that serves as green lung for city folks. It is located at Taman Pertanian Malaysia, just less than an hour drive away from Kuala Lumpur City Center. 

Covering an area of 817 hectares, the park is an important place for family get way, children activities, gathering, jogging and even wedding. At the same time, it attracts wildlife and it has become a bird sanctuary. A small entrance fee of RM3 per person is collected at the entrance to the park. The Park opens from Tuesday to Sunday from 7.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. It closes on Monday. 

National Botanical Garden Shah Alam has a large bird population and varieties with a recorded more than 60 species of birds. It certainly entices many birders to be there. The main target birds include different types of pittas, eagles, doves, hornbills, bee-eaters, kingfishers, shrikes, weavers, flycatchers, bulbuls, pigeons just to name a few. It has become a destination for migratory birds too.

Other neighboring areas to National Botanical Garden Shah Alam for birding destinations include Shah Alam Lake Garden and Bukit Jelutong Eco Community Park.

Pacific Golden Plover @ Jeram Beach Selangor, Malaysia

Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva) is one of the active, attractive and fast action migratory birds can be found in Jeram Beach Selangor. It can be found along the beach.

Jeram beach located along Kuala Selangor coastal road is one of destinations of million migratory shorebirds to Peninsular Malaysia every year. The number of migratory shorebirds increases to reach the peak between March to April. 

There are few different types of stints come to Jeram beach, including red-necked stints and little stints. The birds are active in the morning, from 8.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. during low tide. 

Jeram beach aka. pantai Jeram is a popular beach destination for Malaysian for weekend family get-away. There are abundant seafood restaurants along the beach which operates from afternoon to evening especially during weekend. It can be reached in approximately one hour from Kuala Lumpur by car. The main target birds include different types of stints, sandpipers, eagles, doves, bee-eaters, kingfishers, shrikes, herons, egrets, bulbuls, pigeons just to name a few.

Red-headed Trogon [Female] @ Fraser's Hill, Pahang, Malaysia

Red-headed Trogon (Harpactes erythrocephalus) [Female] is yet another colorful, attractive and very fast bird among few hundred species of birds can be found in Fraser's Hill, Pahang, Malaysia. The bird can be found on the tree branches along the roads at the Hill. 

Male Red-headed Trogon is featured by red head, breast and scarlet belly separated by white band. The female counterpart is featured by brown head and breast. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2000, F 6.3, EV -0.7.

Fraser's Hill is definitely one of the best birding destinations in Malaysia and in Asia as it is a residence to many exotic birds. The hill covers a large area of tropical rain forest, waterfalls, trekking and streams. There are abundant accommodations, food and recreational activities provided at the Hill. It can be reached in approximately two hours from Kuala Lumpur by car.

Fraser's Hill has the largest bird population and varieties. It certainly entices many birders from all over the world to be there. The main target birds in Fraser's Hill include different types laughingthrush, broadbills, cuckoos, flycathers, woodpackers, barbets, babblers, Niltavas, Minivets and Trogons just to name a few. 

As part of it's promotion and global recognition, Fraser's Hill holds Fraser's Hill International Bird Race annually. The hill is truly a heaven for bird and nature lovers.