Rhinoceros Hornbill @ Sungai Congkak, Selangor, Malaysia

Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros) 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.  

Rhinoceros Hornbill is a large size bird with bright red and yellow upturned casque. The female bird is smaller in size, featured by white iris which is absent on male counterpart. There is significant difference between Rhinoceros Hornbill found in East and West Malaysia; whereby the upturned casque is much bigger on Bornean Rhinoceros Hornbill as compared to the same counterpart found in the West Malaysia. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 1600, F 5.6, EV 0.0. 

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.

Yellow-breasted Warbler @ Gunung Alab Substation, Tambunan, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

Yellow-breasted Warbler (Phylloscopus montis) is a fast, colorful and attractive bird can be found in Gunung Alab Substation, Tambunan, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia.

The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 1000, F 5.6, 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.

Common Flameback Woodpecker [Female] @ Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

Common Flameback Woodpecker (Dinopium javanense) [Female] is a colorful, very active and attractive resident bird can be found in Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2000, F 5.6, EV -0.7. 

Tanjung Aru is a famous beach in Kota Kinabalu, just 6 km away from the capital city. The beach is an important place for family get way, children activities, kite flying, picnics, jogging and even wedding. It is the best place to witness sunset in the island. At the same time, it attracts wildlife and it has become a bird sanctuary. For best birding activities result at Tanjung Aru, avoid weekend, dusk and dawn as heavy crowd gathers around the beach area.

Kota Kinabalu can be considered as a transit place for many bird watchers and birders to Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia as it is a gateway to other more exciting bird watching and bird photography destinations in the island, such as Mount Alab, Rainforest Discovery Center (RDC) and Mount Trusmadi. 

Due to its geography, Tanjung Aru also has a large bird population and varieties with a recorded more than 30 species of birds. It certainly entices many birders to be there. The main target birds include different types of kites, eagles, parrots, bee-eaters, swallows, kingfishers, shrikes, weavers, flycatchers, bulbuls, pigeons just to name a few. It has become a destination for migratory birds too. Other excellent nearby birding locations are Kampung Sembulan and Panampang paddy field.