Embark on your birding adventure in Malaysia with these tips

The majestic rhinoceros hornbill is the Sarawak state bird.

Having close to 900 bird species, of which 91 are either endemic or near endemic (source: Malaysia – Birdwatching Paradise ebrochure), Malaysia’s expansive rainforests serve as a great destination for birdwatching. In fact, the country is one of the most popular places in South-East Asia for this activity.

Among the endemic birds residing here are the Bornean crested fireback, Malayan peacock-pheasant, black-crowned pitta, friendly bush warbler and white-fronted falconet. These can be spotted in some of the country’s 55 “Important Bird And Biodiversity Areas” or IBAs, based on internationally recognised criteria outlined by BirdLife Partnership, which is a global partnership of conservation groups and organisations that focus on bird conservation and biodiversity.