Bird watching in Sarawak
The omen birds will advise when to start clearing, the season for burning and planting and harvesting. In all your endeavours they will guide you. They will watch over you and warn you of the outcome of whatever you undertake. When a project prone to failure or misadventure is likely to befall you, they will caution you. You should heed their voice.
- Where Hornbills Fly: A Journey with the Headhunters of Borneo, by Erik Jensen
The beauty and ecological importance of birds and bird watching in Sarawak have been held in high esteem for generations here, as the indigenous Iban people have long worshipped the bird-god Sengalang Burong. And so when you see the exquisite carvings of the rhinoceros hornbill, crafted in wood by the Iban, they are far from the tacky world of trinkets. Known as kenyalang, they were traditionally carved as part of sacred rites before tribe members went on their notorious headhunting raids. Today, thankfully, they represent the reverence that is given to nature and humankind in Sarawak, not only by the Iban, but by people throughout this vast, biodiverse state.
The rhinoceros hornbill is both Sarawak’s state bird and the national bird of Malaysia, and they can grow to a huge size, sometimes as large as an adult swan. They are always high on the list of priorities of any ornithological odyssey, of course, but with 22 designated Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Sarawak, you won’t be disappointed when it comes to finding other species throughout the state.
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Bako Kuching Wetlands National Parks and Bako-Buntal Bay Important Bird Area
Closest to Kuching, the state capital, you have a wide array of birdlife; two of the favourite protected areas being Bako and Kuching Wetlands National Parks. The former stretches along the Muara Tebas peninsula, is part of the Bako-Buntal Bay Important Bird Area and a haven for wetland birds such as the endangered winter visitors: Far Eastern curlew and spotted greenshank. There are also resident bulbuls and large billed blue flycatchers and, for those in search of a very special gift sighting, the Christmas frigatebird is a critically endangered beautiful sight to behold.
Kuching Wetlands National Park, just 15km from the capital, makes for a fine feather friend finale to a bird watching vacation in Sarawak, before taking flight yourself. Take a boat trip through these estuarine waterscapes filled by Sibu Laut and Salak Rivers as you look out for a superb array of birds among the mangroves and creeks. These include kingfishers, white-bellied sea eagles and the rare lesser adjutant stork. And few things will make a birder happier than spotting the exquisite endemic, Bornean bristlehead. Never to be upstaged by birds, however, the park’s proboscis monkeys and Irrawaddy dolphins will also undoubtedly add to your farewell in pure Sarawakian splendour.
Kubah National Park
Hard to miss, given that it is just over 20km from Kuching, the landmark limestone peaks and rainforest habitats are accessible via walking trails that open up a veritable birding bonanza. Species include plenty of blue beauties, such as the blue-banded pitta, Bornean blue flycatcher and the large-billed blue flycatcher as well as the stunning Bornean Bristlehead.Gunung Penrissen Important Bird Area
With spectacular views across the Kalimantan border from the magnificent heights of the Penrissen Range, this is also a place to zoom in on the immediate environs too. With forested walking trails, you can spot the pygmy white-eye, white-throated fantails as well as various flycatchers. Seeking more than flies are the stunning black and white Blyth’s hawk-eagles which soar elegantly over the Penrissen peaks.
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Gunung Mulu National Park
Starting in the north, where the Orang Ulu still thrive, Gunung Mulu National Park is one of the most well equipped parks in terms of access, with boardwalks, canopy walks, observation towers and excellent walking trails. With a unique biome that segues from lowland to montane forest, as well as its iconic limestone massif of jagged pinnacles, you will find all eight species of Sarawak’s hornbills here, just some of the 263 bird species to be found in the park. Most of these are in the lowlands, and therefore accessible, with ‘near threatened’ species, as categorised by Birdlife International, including the oriental darter, lesser fish-eagle and Bornean frogmouth. The specific Important Bird Area within the park is known as Mulu – Buda.Paya Maga Highlands
Stretching up as high as 1,860m at the top of Gunung Matalan, the Paya Maga plateau, covered in montane heath forest, is also held in high esteem by birders in search of the Bornean black oriole, a black and red oriole endemic to Sarawak. Brimming with other species – many of which are seen in the areas mentioned above – it is the oriole that birders have their binoculars focused on.Lambir Hills National Park
Lambir Hills National Park in the far north is worth the trek to see why this region is celebrated as an IBA. Fairly compact, you have chances not only to see its 237 bird species but also a variety of other wildlife such as flying squirrels and various species of monkey all claiming this waterfall-rich paradise as their own. Spending a few days here is like being given a kid’s kaleidoscope, as you take in all the different colours and spectacles of birds, from the blues of the large billed blue flycatcher, kingfishers or the blue headed pitta, to the heart stopping yellows of the yellow-rumped flowerpecker or the grey-bellied bulbuls. Another treat here is the sight of a Rajah Brooke's birdwing butterfly, a fleeting fancy you will never forget.
Responsible Travel would like to thank the Sarawak tourist board for their sponsorship of this guide
More about Sarawak
A quick glimpse at our temperature & rainfall chart will tell you the best time to visit Sarawak in terms of the weather however, delve a little deeper and you’ll discover a month by month guide.
If you’re looking to learn all about Malaysia’s largest state then our Sarawak travel guide does just the job with a brief history of Sarawak as well as a 2 minute summary to help you travel like a local on your Sarawak vacation.
Make the most of your time by checking out our interactive map of highlights, travel times and suggested itineraries which will give you a much better idea as to where to go in Sarawak and what to do when you get there.
There's lots of things to do in Sarawak with Mulu National Park, Bako National Park and Gunung National Park all providing trekking and nature trails to help you understand everything from orangutan conservation to living like a local.
If you travel into the Central Highlands of Sarawak you'll find the Lun Bawang people living in a collection of villages known as Ba’kelalan, their culture and heritage at the core of community tourism in Sarawak.
There are some 30 Sarawak national parks, all different, all extraordinary although not all accessible - you have to keep a few secrets to yourself naturally, but our guide explains where to start your journey around the biodiverse beauties.
Sarawak adventure vacations release you into a truly spectacular natural landscape, one of dense rainforest and vibrant green plateaus snaked across by the toffee-coloured waters of the Sarawak River.
If the late, great Ella Fitzgerald were still singing on our mortal coil, she would almost certainly have graced the stage of the Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak, one of the most celebrated of its kind in the world.
Community led conservation projects are really a change in Sarawak, and these also provide some of the most fascinating and life affirming experiences for visitors keen to contribute to orangutan conservation efforts.
Sarawak is a truly unsurpassed destination to see the highly endangered orangutan in the wild in Batang Ai National Park, living symbiotically with the local Iban community which contributes to it's protection.
Exploring the culture in Sarawak is one of the key reasons to visit the Land of the Hornbills - tours here introduce you to riveting tribal customs, the heritage of the Brooke Dynasty, and many colourful festivals.
Discover the picturesque riverside gateway to Sarawak and Malaysian Borneo - Kuching: a romantic, sophisticated city that's just as rich with culture heritage as it is with colourful atmosphere.
It’s easily reached from both Kuala Lumpur and Singapore by air, and there is a great deal to see in a fairly compact area, so the benefits of a short tour to Sarawak are as clear as the waters of its many dive sites.
The illustrious Brooke dynasty heritage can be seen across Sarawak, from the historic wooden forts they built to protect their kingdom, to renowned museums and a beautiful palace by the river.
Sarawak wildlife ranges from the endangered orangutans that are found only here and Sumatra to big-nosed proboscis monkeys, rare Irrawaddy dolphins and sea turtles, found across some 30 protected areas.
Traveling in Sarawak with kids is all about finding things they’ll enjoy and learn from at the same time with cultural villages, Kuching Cat Museum and the Sarawak Caves in Gunung National Park all perfect activities.
If you’re searching for Sarawak travel advice then make sure you pay attention to the tips from our friends - we’ve published a few pearls of wisdom to help you travel safely with kids, and without.
Wildlife & environment issues are integral to responsible tourism in Sarawak - reforestation, volunteering responsibly and positive community tourism are just a few of the areas you’ll need to read about to travel better.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Nina Hale] [Carved hornbill: Kathykpham]
[Rhinoceros hornbill: David Berkowitz]
[White-bellied sea eagle: Paul Balfe]
[Gunung Penrissen - white-throated fantail: Koshy Koshy]
[Lambir Hills NP: Nicolai Edgar Andersen]
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