An inclusive publication for birdwatchers and bird photographers to share their field observations and expertise

Resource Material & Links

A Checklist of the Birds of Malaysia, 2020 Edition

A Checklist of the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia is a publication by the MNS Bird Conservation Council. It provides an inventory of all the birds in the country, their distribution, and their conservation status.

Rare & New Records submission form (Shortened Version for submissions with photos attached)

The Rare & New Records submission form is for reporting rare birds to the MNS-Bird Conservation Council Records Committee (MNS-BCC RC) for validation of new birds.

Malaysian Peregrine Falcon Survey Report 2024 (Full Report)

The 4th survey of West Malaysia in 2024 undertaken by MNS Perak Branch Peregrine Survey Team comprising Marc Kéry, Zaharil Dzulkafly, Robert Percival, Zan-Hui Lee and Sein-Chiong Chiu. Focused on the local nesting subspecies, Falco peregrinus ernesti. Aimed to revisit known nesting territories and discover new ones, providing crucial insights into the population status of this rare raptor.

The Return of the Oriental Darter (Anhinga Melanogaster) to Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore and the first report of Nesting

Prior to 2009, the Oriental Darter was a very rare bird in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Recently bird watchers have been reporting an increasing number of Oriental Darter sightings. Using eBird citizen science data and field observations, the authors review the status of the species and trace its return as a breeding resident in this region.

Migratory raptors on southbound passage over Taiping, Peninsular Malaysia

A study in Taiping on southbound raptors. Over 52,000 migratory raptors of 13 species and 64,000 individuals of 12 species were counted in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Black Baza, Chinese Sparrowhawk and Oriental Honey-buzzard made up the bulk of the raptors.

Two unusual monarchids in Penang, Malaysia

A fascinating report of two unusual monarchs seen with in Penang which may suggest hybrids or other possibilities.

Diet and foraging behaviour of the Streaked Spiderhunter

Combining personal observations with photographic data, this report provides the first comprehensive study on the diet and foraging behaviour of Streaked Spiderhunter, particularly in Peninsular Malaysia, but also in neighbouring countries.

Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger nesting in Peninsular Malaysia

This species’ status has moved from vagrant to widespread resident in Peninsular Malaysia in the past decade. The first confirmed breeding record was of at least 11 chicks in nests and four fledged juveniles at Malim Nawar, Perak in January 2018. Breeding had been suspected at the site as early as 2014, and nests were seen in 2016.

Malaysian Whistling Thrush Myophonus robinsoni—field identification, distribution and conservation concerns

This is a field study and review of data to determine reliable criteria for differentiating Malaysian and dicrorhynchus Blue Whistling Thrush, to establish the extent to which the elevational ranges of Malaysian and Blue overlap, and to estimate populations of Malaysian and dicrorhynchus Blue.

Rare & New Records submission form (Shortened Version for submissions with photos attached)

The Rare & New Records submission form is for reporting rare birds to the MNS-Bird Conservation Council Records Committee (MNS-BCC RC) for validation of new birds.

MNS-BCC Records Committee Report 2017-2022

Activities and decisions of the RC from September 2017 to December 2022.

New Breeding Records and Possible New Breeding Observations for Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia and Bornean Malaysia

Compilation of new breeding and possible breeding records in Malaysia over the last decade, written by Dave Bakewell.

MNS-BCC Records Committee Report 2023

Activities and decisions of the RC during the year of 2023.

Pale Martin Riparia diluta

Pale Martin Riparia diluta at Malim Nawar: the first record for Malaysia by Chris Gibbins

First Nesting Record of the Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii

First Nesting Record of the Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii in Malaysia: Evidence from Kenyir Forest, Terengganu by Anuar McAfee

Australian Tern Gelochelidon macrotarsa

Australian Tern Gelochelidon macrotarsa, Kuala Baram Wetlands, Miri, Sarawak by Dave Bakewell

Javan Plover Anarhynchus javanicus

The Sighting of Javan Plovers at Tawau, Borneo by Stanley T Shao

Common Garden Bird 1: Yellow-vented Bulbul (Merbah Kapur) Pycnonotus goiavier

Common Garden Bird 1: Yellow-vented Bulbul (Merbah Kapur) Pycnonotus goiavier

Common Garden Bird 2: Oriental Magpie-Robin (Murai-Kampung Biasa) Copsychus saularis

Common Garden Bird 2: Oriental Magpie-Robin (Murai-Kampung Biasa) Copsychus saularis

Common Garden Bird 3: White-throated Kingfisher (Pekaka Dada Putih) Halcyon smyrnensis

Common Garden Bird 3: White-throated Kingfisher (Pekaka Dada Putih) Halcyon smyrnensis

Common Garden Bird 4: Common Iora (Kunyit-Kecil Biasa) Aegithina tiphia

Common Garden Bird 4: Common Iora (Kunyit-Kecil Biasa) Aegithina tiphia

Common Garden Bird 5: Asian Glossy Starling (Perling-Kilat Asia or Perling Mata Merah) Aplonis panayensis

Common Garden Bird 5: Asian Glossy Starling (Perling-Kilat Asia or Perling Mata Merah) Aplonis panayensis

Common Garden Bird 6: Black-naped Oriole (Kunyit Besar) Oriolus chinensis

Common Garden Bird 6: Black-naped Oriole (Kunyit Besar) Oriolus chinensis

Common Garden Bird 7: Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Pipit Rumah) Passer montanus

Common Garden Bird 7: Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Pipit Rumah) Passer montanus

Common Garden Bird 8: Zebra Dove (Merbuk Biasa) Geopelia striata

Common Garden Bird 8: Zebra Dove (Merbuk Biasa) Geopelia striata

Common Garden Bird 9: Pink-necked Green-Pigeon (Punai Kocok) Treron vernans

Common Garden Bird 9: Pink-necked Green-Pigeon (Punai Kocok) Treron vernans

Common Garden Bird 10: Common Myna (Gembala-Kerbau Rumah) Acridotheres tristis

Common Garden Bird 10: Common Myna (Gembala-Kerbau Rumah) Acridotheres tristis

Common Garden Bird 11: White-breasted Woodswallow (Layang-Hujan Biasa) Artamus leucorynchus

Common Garden Bird 11: White-breasted Woodswallow (Layang-Hujan Biasa) Artamus leucorynchus

Common Garden Bird 12: Rock Pigeon (Merpati Biasa) Columba livia

Common Garden Bird 12: Rock Pigeon (Merpati Biasa) Columba livia

Birds Observed Feeding on Poikilospermum suaveolens

Birds Observed Feeding on Poikilospermum suaveolens

Birds Relationships to the Pipturus argenteus

Birds Relationships to the Pipturus argenteus

Birds Relationships to the African Tulip Tree Spathodea campanulata

Birds Relationships to the African Tulip Tree Spathodea campanulata

Belimbing Pipit Sarcotheca monophyla

Belimbing Pipit Sarcotheca monophyla

Muntingia calabura – a Favourite Village Cherry

Muntingia calabura – a Favourite Village Cherry

Macaranga bancana – the Ice Cream of the Forest

Macaranga bancana – the Ice Cream of the Forest

Glochidion obscurum – An Unrecognised Important Bird Tree

Glochidion obscurum – An Unrecognised Important Bird Tree

Debregeasia longifolia – A Highland Wonder

Debregeasia longifolia – A Highland Wonder

Birds Feeding on Durian Fruit

Birds Feeding on Durian Fruit Durio zibethinus

Sterculia sp – Fruit Trees for Hornbills and other Big Birds

Sterculia sp – Fruit Trees for Hornbills and other Big Birds

Sunbirds of the World

Sunbirds of the World: Sunbirds, Flowerpeckers, Spiderhunters and Sugarbirds by Robert A. Cheke, Clive F. Mann, Richard Allen, Second Edition, Helm Identification Guide, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2025.

Pittas, Broadbills and Asities

Pittas, Broadbills and Asities by Frank Lambert, Second Edition, Helm Identification Guide, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2025

Birds of Malaysia

Birds of Malaysia: Covering Peninsular Malaysia, Malaysian Borneo and Singapore by Chong Leong Puan, Geoffrey Davison, Kim Chye Lim. Lynx and BirdLife International Field Guides Collection 2020

A Field Guide to the Birds of Malaysia & Singapore

A Field Guide to the Birds of Malaysia & Singapore by Lim Kim Seng, Yong Ding Li, Lim Kim Chuah and Dana Gardner. John Beaufoy Publishing Ltd 2020

The Malaysian Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS)

MyBIS shares data on the country’s rich biological diversity. For birdwatchers it offers detailed information on 100s of bird species found in Malaysia as well as many birds books for download.