Cinnamon Bittern [Male] @ Sungai Balang, Muar, Malaysia

Cinnamon Bittern (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus) [Male] is a colorful and attractive bird among hundred species of birds can be found in Sungai Balang, Muar, Malaysia. The bird is a resident to Sungai Balang. It can be found around the paddy field area and surrounding plantation.

Sungai Balang is another wonderful birding destinations in Johor, Malaysia as it is a residence to many exotic birds and has become migratory birds' destination too. The place has large area of paddy field, mangrove forest, seashore, and streams. Muar is a popular weekend destination to the local for family get away, fishing, kite flying and cycling. Adequate accommodations, restaurants, local food stalls and recreational activities are provided in the area and nearby town, Muar. 

Other nearby birding destination to Sungai Balang is Parit Jawa where fisherman village and jetty are located. The area includes nearby mangrove forest and beaches.  

Sungai Balang can be reached in approximately two and half hour from Kuala Lumpur city center by car. The place has a large bird population and varieties. It certainly entices many birders to be there. The main target birds in Sungai Balang includes different types of kingfisher, woodpeckers, land birds,  shore birds. stilts, shrikes, kites, pigeons, egrets and herons just to name a few.

 

Asian Glossy Starling [Female] @ National Botanical Garden Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis) is a very fast, attractive and 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 a 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. 

 

Superb Starling @ Perdana Botanical Garden, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus) is a colorful, attractive and cute residence bird can be found in Perdana Botanical Garden, Kuala Lumpur. It can be found in the tree and vegetation along small paths around the park.

Perdana Botanical Garden also known as Taman Tasik Perdana Kuala Lumpur in Malay is one a few parks located in the center of Kuala Lumpur city. It is a public park that serves as green lung for city folks. It is located at Jalan Kebun Bunga, Tasik Perdana, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, just less than half an hour drive away from Kuala Lumpur City Center. 

Covering an area of 92 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. The entrance fee is free of charge. The Park opens daily from 7.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.  

Perdana Botanical Garden has a large bird population and varieties with a recorded more than 40 species of birds. It certainly entices many birders to be there. The main target birds include different types of doves, hornbills, bee-eaters, kingfishers, woodpeckers, shrikes, weavers, flycatchers, bulbuls, pigeons just to name a few. It has become a destination for migratory birds too.

Crimson-headed Partridge Family @ Gunung Alab Substation, Tambunan, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

Crimson-headed Partridge (Haematortyx sanguiniceps) is a large, active and attractive bird can be found in Gunung Alab Substation, Tambunan, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia.

Crimson-headed Partridge is endemic to mountain range of Borneo. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 300 PF lens, ISO 3200, F 6.3, EV -0.7. 

Gunung (Mount) Alab Substation is part of Crocker Range National Park. The place needs no introduction to the world, especially well-known to the nature lovers, hikers and jungle trekkers. Located in the district of Tambunan, South-east of Sabah, island of Borneo, East Malaysia, some 60 km from the capital city, Kota Kinabalu. It can be reached in approximately 1.5 hours by car from Kota Kinabalu International Airport through winding mountainous road. Due to it high elevation, weather in the Substation is very unpredictable. It can be very chilling and foggy hence, prepare for suitable clothing. 

The Substation has the most diversified treasures, both flora and fauna, including more than 350 species of bird and 100 species of mammal. Although the place is small, to cater for both local and foreign tourists, there are some basic rest-house, chalets and camping ground for rent. Some local restaurants and convenience shops are also available.

For bird lovers, Gunung Alab Substation certainly is the place to test your passion and perseverance in getting the best from the rain forest of Borneo. Some target birds include many species of Sunbirds, Trogons, Borneon Whistling Thrush, Babblers, Warblers, Barbets, Flowerpeckers, Flycatchers, Drongos, Owls, Partridges, Whitehead's Broadbill, Bornean Treepie just to name a few.