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Kuala Lumpur Bird Park – Haven of Tranquillity

Editor — Tue, 24 May 2011 10:54:44 +0000

The Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, or KL Bird Park, is located in the Kuala Lake Gardens, which is an approximate ten minute drive from the bustling city limits of this Malaysian metropolis. It is situated in one of the most tranquil settings that visitors are likely to find, and the bird park covers such a large area, that it was necessary to divide the park into four zones. The 20.9 acres of the park is home to over three thousand birds, that belong to an estimated two hundred bird species, giving visitors the opportunity to see birds they have never been able to view before.

The most extraordinary and unique feature of the bird park, in zones one to three, is that the birds here are not kept in cages, and the valleys and vegetation are near perfect replicas of their natural habitats in the wild. This means that the birds are able to fly around freely, and engage in activities that they would normally do if not held captive, such as breeding and interacting with other birds. Visitors will pass through different landscaped areas, that are unique to the needs of certain birds in the park, such as fallen trees, a tropical rainforests and thick piles of leaves on the forest floor that have been left as they would be in the wild. Birds of all colors and sizes fly overhead or comfortably perch themselves around the park, not giving the human visitors much attention. Birds such as peacocks, egrets, yellow-billed storks, ibises and doves live peacefully at the KL Bird Park, and special areas around the park are as breathtaking as they are educational, such as the Flamingo Pond, Bul Bul Land, Bird Gallery and Educational Centre, Love Aviary, Waterfall Aviary and Amphitheater. There are also other activities to thrill visitors with, such as the daily bird show, children’s playground, shelters and places for visitors to rest while bird watching, restroom and prayer room.

The park is not only proud of the wonderful variety of free-flying birds, but also their breeding program that is assisting greatly in the repopulation of various species. The KL Bird Park Breeding Program includes birds such as Emu, African Grey Parrots, Yellow-Billed Storks, Silver Pheasants, Red Lory, Indian Blue Peafowl, Milky Stork, Eclectus Parrot, Straw-Headed Bulbul, Malay Peackock Pheasant and the Red Junglefowl. The KL Bird Park also has a gift shop and restaurant for visitors to buy souvenirs and get refreshments, and each visitors’ presence assists the park in creating a future for the birds of Kuala Lumpur, and species of various other countries.

Asian Bird Fair 2010

Editor — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:21:40 +0000

Bird watching groups from various countries, such as China, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia, was working together to host the first Asian Bird Fair on the 24th and 25th of September 2010. The fair will offer lectures and talks by well known delegates, and also take visitors on fascinating bird watching expeditions. It is a unique opportunity for bird watchers to get together and explore the world of birds locally and internationally.

Visit the Birdwatch website at http://www.birdwatch.ph/index.html for more information in regard to lectures, bird watching and the fair schedule.

Date: 24 – 25 September 2010
Venue: Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao
City: Davao
Country: Philippines

The Mini Bird Race 2009

Editor — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:55:56 +0000

The Mini Bird Race 2009 will be hosted by the Borneo Highlands Resort, with the support of the Malaysian Nature Society, on the 4th of October 2009. Contrary to what one might expect the Mini Bird Race 2009 to consist of, only wild birds a part of this event, as it is held to promote bird species and the conservation of nature. It will be the second time that this event is hosted, because of its previous success, and the Mini Bird Race sees teams face off against each other in a race of knowledge and good bird spotting skills. Each team has a limit time to find, record and identify as many bird species as possible.

The Mini Bird Race 2009 is an extremely fun and exciting event and offers spectators the opportunity to enjoy the company and activities with fellow bird lovers. For more information in regard to this event, visit the official website at http://borneohighlands.com.my/birdrace2009.html.

Date: 4 October 2009
Venue: Penrissen Range, Borneo Highlands Resort, Kuching
City: Sarawak
Country: Malaysia

Borneo Bird Festival 2009

Editor — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:44:33 +0000

The first Borneo Bird Festival is being held from the 13th to the 15th of October 2009. It is an international festival that will welcome many foreign visitors to the festivities. Bird watching enthusiasts will be able to make the most of the festival, as Sabah has more than five hundred different bird species. Exotic bird species from around the world will be on display, and the festival will also host workshops, bird racing events, competitions and photography exhibitions.

Bird lovers who want to be a part of this memorable event are invited to visit the official festival website at http://www.borneobirdfestival.com/introduction/ for more festival information and tips for visitors in regard to Sabah.

Date: 13 – 15 October 2009
Venue: Kinabalu Park
City: Sabah
Country: Malaysia

Brilliant Birding in Malaysia

Editor — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 12:14:21 +0000

With a tropical climate, diverse terrain and lush vegetation supporting abundant bird life, combined with incredible scenery and friendly people, Malaysia continues to be a prime birding destination. From swampy mangroves to tropical rainforest-covered mountains, the landscape of Malaysia provides a variety of habitats for over 720 species of birds, including 39 endemic species, on the Malaysia Peninsula and Malaysia Borneo – the two regions of Malaysia which are separated by the South China Sea.

There are a number of tours available that focus primarily on bird-watching and therefore, take birders to the areas with the widest variety of birds. A two week tour will in all likelihood allow birders to spot over 300 species of birds, including Red-naped Trogon, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Garnet and Banded Pittas as well as several bulbul, babbler and sunbird species on the Malaysia Peninsula. A trip to Borneo will reward birders with sightings of endemic species including Crimson-headed Partridge, White-fronted Falconet, Bornean Barbet, Bornean Bristlehead, Whitehead’s Broadbill, Blue-headed Pitta and Whitehead’s Spiderhunter.

Birders who only have a few days to spare have numerous bird-watching areas to choose from that are within a three-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. For example, the Kuala Selangor Nature Park is a mere hour and half drive from Kuala Lumpur and, with its coastal forest, mangrove and mud flats, is considered to be one of the best places to view mangrove birds and shore birds. Birds commonly spotted include Black-shouldered Kite, White-bellied Sea-eagle, Red Junglefowl, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, Buffy Fish-owl, Copper-throated Sunbird and many more.

Heading towards lowland rainforest area, Sungai Perdik is about one and a half hours drive from Kuala Lumpur. This area offers a flat walking trail along a stream where birders can expect to see the Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher as well as various barbets. Rarer species include the Red-naped Trogon, Green Broadbill, Finsch’s Bulbul, Brown-streaked Flycatcher, Crimson Sunbird and Thick-billed Flowerpecker.

Sabah and Sarawak, the two regions of Borneo, are covered by a large section of forest that contains numerous endemic species. Previously this area had been difficult to gain access to, but recently some areas have been designated as national parks and game reserves allowing easier access for birders. The Sepilok Forest Reserve in Sabah is one of the popular bird-watching areas. As well as being home to an orangutan rehabilitation centre, Sepilok Forest Reserve has designated walking areas that enables visitors to view a wealth of rare indigenous plants, forest animals and more than 200 species of birds.

With the astonishing abundance and variety of birdlife in Malaysia, without a doubt the biggest problem facing bird-watchers who go birding in Malaysia is choosing what to see first.