Broadbill -Birdwatcher's site

Mangrove and Open Country Birds in Malaysia

Brown-throated Sunbird male (left) and Olive-backed Sunbird male (right), Selangor, Malaysia © Koji TAGI

Mangrove is well-adapted at the brackish water area in Malaysia. The dense vegetation is a good habitat for birds while it can be a roosting or feeding place.

Kuala Selangor Nature Park can be reached within 1.5 hours driving from Kuala Lumpur. The nature park is one of the best spots to observe mangrove and open country birds. After going into the park, Black-naped Oriole, Yellow-vented Bulbul and Magpie Robin welcome your visit. Silvered Leaf-Monkey or Crab-eating Monkey are also common.

Along creeks in the park, Little (Striated) Heron can be seen frequently. White-breasted, Stork-billed and Collared Kingfishers normally perch on the trees along the creeks. Collared Kingfisher is also known as "Mangrove Kingfisher". As the name, it occurs inside of mangrove for feeding crabs. 　

Small bush birds should be sunbirds. Common species in the park are Brown-throated and Olive-backed Subirds. Both are tiny birds. However, because of the shining plumage of the male, you never miss them.

On the sky, long-tailed colourful birds may hawk time to time. Blue-throated Bee-eater is mainly a summer visitor while Blue-tailed Bee-eater is seen in winter months.

A large glossy black bird with brown wing is Greater Coucal. It is somehow, more often seen after or during the rain. A large bird, genetically close to cuckoo, build a nest on the ground unlikely cuckoo. 　

Pied Fantail is a very busy bird. Its behaviour is even acrobatic. It sometimes chases an insect with butterfly-like flight.　

Let's walk into Mangrove forest. On the board walk, you may hear a familiar but slightly different call. Great Tit, a wide spread species throughout the Eurasian Continent, is seen only in the mangrove forest in Malaysia.

Mangrove Whistler and Flyeater are a member of Australiasian birds.

Handsome Mangrove Blue Flycatcher is also a mangrove specialist. It is similar to Tickell's or Hill Blue Flycatchers (Photo Gallery) of hill stations. However, its plumage is dull and less shining.
Probably the most attractive but the most challenging species in mangrove forest is Mangrove Pitta. The beautiful bird is similar to Fairy or Blue-winged Pittas of the evergreen forest. However, it is another mangrove specialist. The long and bulky bill can be used for catching crabs on the mud.

In the mangrove and open country, there are less shade to escape from the heat with more humidity. So, a water bottle and a hut is essential even you forget your telescope.

BACK TO MALAYSIAN BIRDS

BACK TO MENU