Bird Watching in Brunei A GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM COMPLIMENTARY COPY 2016 EDITION The list of birds has been approved by Nature Unit, Tourism Development Department Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism Negara Brunei Darussalam Published by Nature Unit Tourism Development Department Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism Jalan Menteri Besar Bandar Seri Begawan BE3910 Negara Brunei Darussalam © Tourism Development Department, Brunei Darussalam, 2016 Second Edition 2016 All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced any part of the article, illustrations, and contents of this booklet in any form and by any means, either electronic mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of the Director of Tourism Development Department, Brunei Darussalam. Bird Watching in Brunei 2nd Edition 2016 ISBN 978-99917-81-00-6 Skin Decorative Design Nature Unit Team Team Coordinator Mohd Jeffrey Hj Mohd Sunny Lai Publishing Team Nature Unit Team, Tourism Development Department Mohd Jeffrey Hj Mohd Sunny Lai Asulhamhaidi Mohd Ashrane Nor Azme Hj Deli Sakam Conservation Program Mohammad Vol Universiti Teknologi Brunei Mohammad Faiz Zil Hariri Hj Aji (Attachment Student) 2016 EDITION BIRDWATCHING IN BRUNEI 1 CRESTLESS FIREBACK . Lophura pyronata BIRDWATCHING IN BRUNEI PHOTO . SUNGAI INGEI RESEARCH TEAM Cover Photo . Mohammad Vol BIRDS PLATES IN THIS BROCHURE Wrinkled Hornbill . Aceros corrugatus 1. PHEASANT 23. KINGFISHER CONTENT 2. PARTRIDGE/ QUAIL/ 24. BEE-EATER ROULROUL 25. DOLLARBIRD/ BROADBILL INTRODUCTION 3. DUCK 26. HORNBILL PAGE 2 4. HERON/ BITTERN 27. BARBET BRUNEI IN BRIEF 5. EGRET 28. WOODPECKER/ PICULET PAGE 4 6. FRIGATEBIRD/ ADJUTANT 29. PITTA/ NUTHATCH BIRD SITES LOCATION MAP 7. DARTER 30. IORA/ LEAFBIRD PAGE 6 8. HAWK/ EAGLE/ KITE 31. MINIVET IDENTIFYING SPECIES 9. FALCON/ BUZZARD 32. SHRIKE PAGE 8 10. CRAKE/ RAIL/ SNIPE 33. FAIRY BLUEBIRD/ BLACK/ BIRD CONSERVATION 11. WATERCOCK/ MOORHEN/ MAGPIE PAGE 10 WATERHEN 34. TAILORBIRD/ PRINIA/ GETTING STARTED 12. STILT/ STINT/ LAPWING/ TRILLER PAGE 12 PLOVER 35. BULBUL/ STARLING BASIC GUIDE OF USING THIS BOOK 13. SANDPIPER/ REDSHANK/ 36. GRASSBIRD/ WABBLER/ PAGE 13 GREENSHANK BABBLER FEATURE BIRDS 14. CURLEW/ WHIMBREL/ 37. WHITE-EYE PAGE 14 GODWIT 38. MYNA ESSENTIALS 15. TERN/ PRATINCOLE 39. THRUSH/ STONECHAT/ PAGE 81 16. DOVE/ PIGEON MAGPIE ROBIN 17. PARROT/ PARAKEET 40. FLYCATCHER/ MONARCH White-bellied Sea Eagle 18. CUCKOO/ DRONGO 41. FANTAIL/ PHILENTOMA Haliaeetus leucogaster 19. MALKOHA/ COUCAL 42. FLOWERPECKER PHOTO, STEPHEN HOGG 20. OWL/ FROGMOUTH/ 43. SUNBIRD NIGHTJAR 44. SPIDERHUNTER 21. SWIFT/ SWALLOW/ 45. MUNIA NEEDLETAIL 46. SPARROW 22. TROGON 47. WAGTAIL/ PIPIT 2 BIRDWATCHING IN BRUNEI 3 Introduction Birdwatching is a harmonious forests. These places are crucial recreational activity which involves for the survival of species such observing wild birds in their natural as the threatened Storm’s Stork, habitat which can be enjoyed by Lesser Adjutant, Cinnamon- everyone. It can be done with the headed Pigeon, Bornean Ground naked eye, through binoculars Cuckoo and Straw-headed Bulbul. and telescopes, or by listening to Other birds such as the Ruddy bird sounds. There are a number Kingfisher and the Hook-billed of reasons to participate in this Bulbul depend on the health of the activity, for some it is the thrill of mangrove forest. These include the the chase, or racking up a long Brunei River, Seria River Estuary, list of bird sightings. Others are Belait River, Tasek Merimbun, just content to get to know a few Luagan Lalak and Temburong of the common birds and some do River. it as a profession to help in their conservation, Most birders Prime wildlife viewing hours say that they simply enjoy the for most species are the first few opportunity to go outside, learn hours of daylight and the last about nature, and spend time with few hours before sunset as the people who have like interests. birds are more active and vocal Whatever your inclination, it is knowing that you are doing something fun, worthwhile, productive and positive. Due to their accessibility and ubiquity, birds are a useful tool in environmental education and awareness of conservation issues. Birds easily transmit values in respect for nature and the fragility Magpie Robin of ecosystems for creating a Copsychus saularis PHOTO . STEPHEN HOGG sustainable future. making them easier to spot. BIRDING IN BRUNEI Although hawk-watching, one of Brunei has one of the the most exciting wildlife-watching most pristine rainforests in Borneo events, is frequently best enjoyed and home to around 622 species during the middle of the day. The of birds, of which 49 species are procedure for nocturnal, or night- endemic only to Borneo, making active animals doesn’t get going Brunei rainforest one of the most until after the sun goes down. species rich habitat in the world. Here thousands of species of plants On the Brunei hillsides, bordering and insects abound, together with a the Malaysian state of Sarawak, further array of hornbills, barbets, birds are quite common, though babblers, sunbirds, spiderhunters, the logistics of getting to some leafbirds, trogons and floor of the areas are tough, especially dwellers like pheasants, pittas and during the monsoon season. wren-babblers. In this brochure, we have selected Other important areas are the birds that are commonly sighted coastal and riverine habitats, that and the list of areas that are easily include accessible for birders. CANOPY WALK, Ulu Temburong National Park fresh-water swamps and mangrove PHOTO . David Kirkland 4 BIRDWATCHING IN BRUNEI 5 BRUNEI IN BRIEF GETTING TO BRUNEI Located on the northern shore of Air | Brunei’s only airport is Borneo Island, Brunei Darussalam 10km from the centre of the is surrounded by the South China capital. The national airline, Royal Sea in the north and the Malaysian Brunei Airlines has direct flights state of Sarawak on every other between Bandar Seri Begawan and side. 13 destinations around the world including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur AREA SIZE and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. Geographically, the country Malaysia Airlines, Singapore consists of 2 parts with a total area Airlines, Air Asia, Cebu Pacific and of 5,765 sq km. It is divided into Maswings also fly into Bandar Seri 4 districts - Brunei-Muara, Tutong, Begawan. Belait, which are on the western portion, and Temburong, a less Land | If you are already in populated area on the eastern side. Borneo, you can reach Brunei overland via Miri in Sarawak from the west, passing Kuala Belait CAPITAL The capital city, Bandar Seri town or via Kota Kinabalu in Begawan (BSB) is based in the Sabah passing through Limbang and Lawas in Sarawak. Roads are Brunei-Muara district and it is the only port of entry by air. quite good and there are long distance buses that travel all the way from Kuching, Kota Kinabalu CLIMATE and Pontianak in Kalimantan, A hot tropical climate with high Indonesia. humidity and rainfall. Rainfall occurs throughout the year but is heaviest between September Sea | There are boats from the Muara ferry terminal, (about 25km and December. Temperatures range from 25-32 degrees Celcius northeast of Bandar Seri Begawan) and average humidity is 79%. between Brunei and Labuan island, (near Sabah) and Limbang POPULATION in Sarawak. From Bandar Seri Begawan itself there is also a boat The country’s population of service to Limbang. If you wish to about 400,000 comprises 67% drive to Brunei, you can cut your Malays, 15% Chinese, 6% tribes road time significantly by taking a indigenous to Borneo and 12% 2 1/2 hour journey by ferry from others. Menumbok in Sabah to the Muara ferry terminal. LANGUAGE Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national language but English is widely spoken. CURRENCY The unit of currency is the Brunei Dollar (B$) and is on a par with the Singapore Dollar that is also accepted as equivalent exchange. ACCOMMODATION Brunei has a wide range of accommodation at competitive rates. International standard, mid- Java Sparrow range, budget hotels and youth Padda oryzivora centres are all available. PHOTO . WILLIAM TAN Brahminy Kite . Haliastur indus PHOTO . STEPHEN HOGG 6 BIRDWATCHING IN BRUNEI 7 GETTING AROUND BRUNEI Taxis | Available in Bandar Seri Water Taxis | The most common MUARA Begawan, at the multi-storey car transportation in Kampong Ayer is by Muara Port park at Jalan Cator. There are also boat, you can hail one from any of Berakas Serasa airport taxis and taxis in most the jetties along the Brunei River and Rimba hotels and shopping centres. at Wharf in Bandar Seri Begawan. Mentiri Fares are not metered and should Fares are negotiable and should be Tungku BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN JERUDONG be agreed before the journey. agreed before the journey. Boat Gadong There is a 50% surcharge after services to Temburong operate from Sengkurong Tasek Lama 11pm for airport taxi services. It is Kianggeh Jetty between 7.30am to Mata-mata recommended to keep the contact 4.00pm daily. Kilanas Telanai Damuan of your preferred taxi driver for the Marburong Bunut arrangement of future trips. TUTONG To Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Bukit Panggal BRUNEI Batu Ampar Wasan Rice Field MUARA Labu Batang Mitus Limau Manis DISTRICT Telisai Limbang, Sarawak Peradayan Tanjong Maya SARAWAK Kg Sungai Burong Menangah Lakiun (MALAYSIA) Bukit Udal Batu Apoi Lumut Sungai Liang Lamunin Ujung Jalan BANGAR Pak Bidang Belaban Baru KUALA SERIA Rambai Sg Tujoh BELAIT Sibut Tasik Merimbun Benutan Batang Duri Sg Mau National Park Badas Ulu Temburong Bukit Puan Long Tadion Bt Serawong National Park TUTONG To Miri, Sarawak DISTRICT TEMBURONG SARAWAK DISTRICT Kuala Balai (MALAYSIA) SARAWAK Labi (MALAYSIA) BELAIT Bus | There are five bus routes in to Seria (91km/57 miles), Tutong DISTRICT Bandar Seri Begawan, operating (48km/30 miles), Muara (27km/17 Teraja from 6.30am until 6pm. The miles), and from Seria to Kuala Central Line, Eastern Line, Western Belait (16km/10 miles).