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MikeBirder - Malaysian Birds

Hi

Welcome to my Malaysian Birding Blog. I migrated to blogspot.com as my blog at multiply.com closed shop in 2012. I wish to showcase all Malaysian birds that I have photographed whether here or overseas. My countdown of lifers started in 2005. Coming to March 2026 my countdown of lifers photograph has reached
593/688 species of birds of Malaysia in photos.

My shooting gear was a EF400mm f4 DO lens and Canon 7D body which to me is the ideal setup for mobility and bird chasing at that time. Eventhen the weight over my shoulder is more that 5.5 kg. As of June 2016 I have also acquired a Fuji XF 100-400mm OIS lens to complement my travelling cum birding trip overseas. My Fuji X-T2 went kaput recently and I upgraded to the X-T5 in 2023 ; the weight over my shoulder is much lighter now by 30%. In December 2018 I acquired the Nikon Coolpix P1000 as supplementary camera for distance shooting of 3000mm.
Fuji have finally made available their new XF 200-600mm lens which I yet to decide to spend another RM10,000. As for Fuji body I will stop with X-T5 36megapixel ..........

I am a weekend birder. Do feel free to drop me a line at mikebirding@gmail.com and I see whether you can tag along in my outings. My usual day trip is just an hour ride away to Hulu Langat, Lancang, Kemensah, Krau, Awana, Hulu Kali, Gombak Ole Road, Fraser's Hill , Bukit Tinggi and KSNP & Coastal Sg Janggut Jeram side of the coast . Overnite trip to Merapoh & Amp; Cameron, Air Hitam and further north to Kuala Sidim is a seldom affair but for lifer we travel. Panti in Johor is another good birding site that I yet to go. Then there are the Borneo birds of Sabah and Sarawak of Malaysia which I seriously much go to chalk up more lifers. This I did in 2018 to Sepilok Sandakan and Kinabalu Park. Next Danum and LahatDatu . In 2024 I visited a new happening birding spot in Talang Seremban.......

WARNING Birding is an addiction once you started its hard to stop. The wifey and children are now birding widow and orphan.

ALL PHOTOS IN THIS BLOG ARE COPYRIGHT OF MIKEBIRDER. KINDLY SEEK PERMISSION FROM THE OWNER IF YOU want to use them for commercial purposes.

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Wednesday, 12 August 2026

Avian Site Taman Melati Kangar - Bronze-winged Jacana

We reached the venue at about 6.30pm as dusk is approaching we managed to see the pair of  "resident" Bronze-winged feeding at the lily pond amongst joggers and picnickers nearby. We were shooting at close quarters of 40-50 feet. For me it was tought shooting with the contrasty backdrop. The birds can be seen year thru here in the urban park.... I think. If you are there do keep yourself in the car and shoot. It is not advisable to get out to chase them in the open as they are weary of you with your bazookas.



You can really see the bronze color of their wings 

 We did not manage to see the Plain-backed Sparrow at the padi field nearby.

Avian Sighting Jun2026 - 2 Nuthatches sighting

Seeing the two species of Malaysian nuthatches  in Frasers was so exciting. They came in a birdwave amongst the minivets, leafbirds, sunbird, ioras,  flycatcher-shrike and others. My gang was hunting the Wedge-tailed Pigeon at Hermant's trail side but alas the pigeon was a no show that morning to our dissappointment as many of the trees were fruiting but only started to ripen I think. This  attracted Asian Glossy Starlings and other fructivorous to the locale. 


Blue Nuthatch in its somersault attics

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch are rarely seen in  highlands while the Blue not commonly seen below 800m ASL forest.

 






Avian Sighting March 2026 - Olive-winged Bulbul

 I have not seen  the Olive-winged Bulbul for quite awhile. The trees at the temple hotspot of Maxwell hill Taiping were fruiting well in March attracting plenty of frugivorous birds especially the many  bulbuls 










Sunday, 9 August 2026

Avian Sighting June 2026 - Himalayan Cutia

Went to Genting Highland for cooling fresh air and some birding. a surprise is the present of a family of Himalayan Cutia the opposite side of Ulu Kali Mossy forest. As it was in the early morning the lighting was a bit harsh in clear sky condition. Nevertheless it was an exciting shooting with my buddy ML.







 

Tuesday, 30 June 2026

Avian site report Feb 2026 - Visiting Bukit Lancang Pahang after MCO

Bukit Lancang has not been what it used to be; many areas have been opened for various privatised scheme and farming This is very sad that this forest reserve have been violated Some more  the road towards Perhilitan centre is fully closed.

The good thing is the  port A77 is still active. Somebody had place a water shed and placed fishes to lure this rufous-backed kingfisher. It was active during the morning dropping in several time to feed.  The Pittas and Railbabbler was not heard there in the month of April- May this 2026. If you are going do bring along fish fries and a change of water so that the birds continue to strives there.








 

Tuesday, 16 June 2026

WOODPECKER 23/25 - Olive-backed Woodpecker female (Lifer 592/688)

 I thought I got this woodpecker before but after scrolling my photo collection of Woodies It looks like I got a lifer! Next I would like to get the Bay Woodpecker in Bkt Fraser and the elusive Grey-headed in Ulu Kali or Brincang Cameron.

The olive-backed woodpecker has yellow-green upperparts and gray-olive underparts. The side of the head has two black and white stripes. The male has a large red crest, the female has a smaller black crest.

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland, mangrove and montane forests; the species avoids clearings and secondary forest. Found in most South East Asian countries dwelling in the middle storey of lowland and hill forest. It is not common to see and they are very vocal and loud.  If they are active they do response to your call. We were lucky in the month of June/July I believe its their breeding period. 



Monday, 20 April 2026

Urban Birding - Crested Serpent Eagle

After a heavy downpour in my suburb of Ayer Panas I chance of this resident  raptor  perched on a tree stump in the open. It was drying itself. The beautiful crest headset was just majestic.