Guide Book Birds Of Putrajaya

~ Columbidae ~

LC
Rock Pigeon
Pergam Batu
Columba livia

Description: Male: Dark
green upperparts with white
underparts. It has whitish
orbital skin, with orange
or yellow bills. Red legs.
Diagnostic feature is the
striking pink face and pink spots on the breast. Dark brown undertail
coverts. Female: Greenish grey breast without any colored spot.
Juvenile: Duller with greenish face and pale-yellow throat. Lacks white
orbital skin. Size: 22-28cm.
Ecology: Found in wooded areas, forests, forest edges, and mangroves.
This bird can be found in Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Fruits
make up the main diet especially figs and berries.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

LC

Spotted Dove
Merbok Balam
Spilopelia chinensis

Description: Pale grey
head, long and square-
tipped tail, and brown
throat. Wide black hind neck with white spot diagnostic. Upperparts
brown with blackish streaks. In flight, shows conspicuous broad
whitish tips to outer tail feathers. Red legs, black bill, and orange iris.
Size: 28-30cm.
Ecology: Common across a wide range of habitat includes rivers and
river banks, plantations, gardens, scrubs and urban areas. Ranges
through the Indian subcontinents and China through South-East Asia.
This bird is also widely introduced everywhere. This bird is abundant
and widespread residents from low elevations in Peninsular Malaysia.
The diet consists of plant parts such as berries, shoots, buds, and seeds
and also insects.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Ekuestrian,
Taman Putra Perdana, Taman Warisan Pertanian, Taman Botani, Taman
Wetland and Upper Bisa.

49

~ Columbidae ~

LC

Thick-billed Green Pigeon
Punai Lengguak
Treron curvirostra

Description: Male:
Diagnostic feature is the
bluish-green orbital skin with
green bill with red-colored base. Bluish grey nape and crown. Maroon
mantle with cinnamon colored undertail coverts. Green underparts.
Female: Like male but lacks maroon mantle and the undertail coverts
are greenish yellow with dark green streaks mark. Size: 22-31cm.
Ecology: Natural habitats include forests and forest edge, mangroves,
and wooded gardens. Distributed across the eastern Himalayas through
South-East Asia to Sumatra, Borneo and Philippines. Fairly common
resident in Peninsular Malaysia from low elevations up to 900m.
Uncommon south to Singapore. Frugivorous diets, mainly figs.
Also known as: Thick-billed Pigeon.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

LC

Zebra Dove
Merbok Aman
Geopelia striata

Description: Small body
build, grey head and long
slender tail. Blue-grey orbital
skin. Pale brown upperparts
with black and white barring.
Grey head and forecrown.
Brown hindcrown. Pale brown
upperparts, marked with fine black and white barrings on neck and flanks
diagnostic. Also has vinaceous pink breast, and belly and undertail
coverts buff white. Size: 20-24cm.
Ecology: Common in various habitats including grassy areas, bushes,
plantations, gardens and urban areas. Ranges from Myanmar through
South-East Asia, Greater and Lesser Sundas, Philippines, New Guinea
and Australia. It is abundant and widespread resident in Peninsular
Malaysia. Diet includes insects and some plants.
Also known as: Peaceful Dove.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Wetland,
Taman Ekuestrian, Taman Cabaran Putrajaya, Taman Putra Perdana,
Taman Warisan Pertanian, Taman Botani and Upper Bisa.

50

~ Psittacidae ~

LC
Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot
Bayan Serindit
Loriculus galgulus

Description: Male: Overall bright green colored body with yellowish
underparts. Dark blue middle crown. The neck and throat area are red
and has triangle shaped yellow patch on mantle diagnostic. The legs are
orange, and the rump and uppertail coverts are red. Female: Lacks red
patch on neck and has yellow colored feather on lower back. Smaller
crown patch. Size: 12-15cm.
Ecology: These bird natural habitats are lowland forests including
peat swamps, mangroves, forest edges, and plantations. Can be found
distributed in Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. In Peninsular
Malaysia, it is common and widespread resident from low elevations up
to 1400m. Uncommon south to Singapore. The diets consist of various
fruit such as figs, durian, and even oil-palm fruits.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam and Taman Botani.

VU
Long-tailed Parakeet
Bayan Nuri
Psittacula longicauda

Description: Male: Green crown with red head-sides and nape. Area
from mandible and chin tapering onto lower sides of neck black. Blue
wings, greenish blue mantle, and long blue tail with yellow tips. Bright
red bills. Female: Overall the same as male but with shorter tail and do
not have bluish tinge on mantle. The reddish sides of the head duller
with dark green stripe. The bill is in dull brown. Size: 40-48cm.
Ecology: Prefers coastal regions, mangroves, swamps, forests and
plantations. Distributed through the Andaman and Nicobar, Malay
Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Locally a fairly common resident from
low elevations, south to Singapore. The preferred food for this bird are
mainly fruits and occasionally flowers.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Botani.

51

~ Cuculidae ~

LC

Asian Koel
Sewah Tahu
Eudynamys scalopeceus/
scolopacea

Description: Male:
Overall glossy black
body with long broad
ended tail. Deep pale
green bill with red iris. Female: Overall dark brown color with buff spot
and streaks. Tail is marked with narrow rufous bar. Size: 39-46cm.
Ecology: This bird can be seen living in mangroves, plantations, scrubs,
reed beds, and wooded gardens in towns and cities. Distributions
includes the Indian subcontinent and China discontinuously through
South-East Asia and Malay Peninsula to the Indonesia Archipelago,
New Guinea, Australia and the western Pacific. Northern Population
is migratory. It is common and widespread resident, passage migrant
and winter visitor principally at low elevations, south to Singapore. A
primarily frugivorous bird that eats various fruits like figs, tamarind,
cherries, and guava; and occasionally takes on insects. Brood parasite
of similar size hosts such as Crows.
Also known as: Western Koel or Common Koel.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Putra Perdana, Taman Botani, Taman
Wetland, Taman Saujana Hijau and Taman Cabaran.

Banded Bay Cuckoo
Sewah Takuweh
Cacomantis sonneratii

LC

Description: Long bill that curved
down at the tip. The upperparts are
dark rufous with slim black bars,
while the underparts are white with
fine blackish bars. White supercilium,
brown to yellow iris, grey feet, and dark
patch behind eye. Size: 22-24cm.
Ecology: Habitat includes forests,
forest edges and plantations. This bird
can be found in Indian subcontinent
through South-East Asia and Peninsular
Malaysia to the Greater Sundas and Philippines. It is locally common
resident from low elevations south to Singapore, where it is uncommon.
Its main diet consists of insects and bugs like grasshopper, locust, and
caterpillar. Brood-parasite of host includes Iora and Minivets.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam.

52

~ Cuculidae ~

LC

Brush Cuckoo
Sewah Gila
Cacomantis variolosus

Description: It has rufous buff
underparts that extended to the bird’s
upper breast and throat. The sides
of the head are greyish. The wings
and mantle is dark grey-brown,
while the crown and nape are dark
grey. Juvenile: Has black head and
upperparts. Size: 21-28cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in
rainforest, mangrove, scrub, and plantation. This bird can be found
in Peninsula Malaysia through the Greater and lesser Sundas to
Australia. It is locally common resident from low elevations up to 600m.
Uncommon south to Singapore. This bird eats snail, spiders, and insect
such as caterpillars, beetles, bugs, and grasshopper. Brood-parasite of
more than 60 species of hosts recorded worldwide.
Also known as: Rusty-breasted Cuckoo.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

LC

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha
Cenok Birah
Phaenicophaeus curvirostris

Description: Male: Grey head with white
supercilium around red orbital skin. It has
pale blue iris. Chestnut underparts. The
upperparts are dark green colored including
most of its upper tail. The upper tail also has
wide chestnut terminal band and lack white
tip. Female: Similar to male but has dark
brown iris. Size: 42-50cm.
Ecology: Usually found in forests, forest
edges, and plantations. This bird can be
found in Myanmar and the Malay Peninsula
south to the Greater Sundas, Bali and Philippines. It is fairly common
resident from low elevations in Peninsular Malaysia. Feeds on various
kind of food such as insects, lizards, snakes, frogs, crabs, rats, and figs.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

53

~ Cuculidae ~

LC

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo
Sewah Kepak Merah Berjambul
Clamator coromandus

Description: Black head with tall
erect crest. Long and broad-ended
tails, chestnut-brown wings with
white nuchal collar. Throat and
upper breast is rufous while
belly and underparts are white.
The bird has dark mantle and
undertail coverts. Size: 38-46cm.
Ecology: Generally found in forests and forest edges, mangroves,
scrubs and bushes. This bird breeds in the Himalayas and Southern
China through South-East Asia to Myanmar. Northern populations are
migratory, wintering south to the India subcontinent and South-East
Asia to the Malay Peninsula, the Greater Sundas and Philippines. In
Peninsular Malaysia, it is uncommon and localized passage migrant and
winter visitor at low elevations up to 1400m. Feeds on large insects like
beetles, caterpillars, and ants. Brood-parasite of various hosts.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

LC

Greater Coucal
But-but Carik Anak
Centropus sinensis

Description: Male:
Glossy black head.
Chestnut upperparts
including wings and
mantle. Glossy bluish black underparts. Long and broad-ended tail.
Female: Similar to male but slightly larger in size. Size: 47-56cm.
Ecology: Usually found in forest edges, riverine vegetations, scrubs, and
plantations. Distributed in the Indian subcontinent and southern China
through South-East Asia and the Malay Peninsula to the Greater Sundas,
Bali and the Philippines. In Peninsular Malaysia, it is fairly common and
widespread resident from low elevations up to 700m.Uncommon south
to Singapore. Feeds on small mammals like mice and hedgehog, lizards,
snakes, frogs, and insects.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland, Taman Ekuestrian and
Taman Rimba Alam.

54

~ Cuculidae ~

LC

Green-billed Malkoha
Cenok Kera
Phaenicophaeus tristis

Description: The crown,
sides of head and
underparts are greyish.
Brown iris with bare red
skin around the eyes. Robust pale green bill and greenish grey feet.
Very long tail relatively to body with broad white tips. Green gloss
upperparts. Size: 50-60cm.
Ecology: Inhabits forests, forest edges, plantations, scrubs, and wooded
gardens. This bird can be found in the Himalayas and southern China
through South-East Asia to the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. It is
fairly common resident south to Selangor. Diet includes insects, large
caterpillars and also lizards.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

LC

Hodgson’s Hawk-cuckoo
Sewah Hodgson
Hierococcyx nisicolor

Description: Greyish black crown and nape.
Brownish black mantle. Its tail is grey with
four dark bands while its back and rump
are dark grey. Head, face, chin, and neck
sides are dark grey. Brown iris with yellow
eye-ring. White throat to upper breast streaked dark grey. White breast
to belly with variable dark grey and brown streaks. Black bills with green
mandible and tip. Orange legs. Size: 28-30cm.
Ecology: Can be found in evergreen forests, secondary forests, deciduous
forests, damp ravines, and even plantations. This bird breeding range
is in the Himalayas and North-East India, eastern Russia, China
and Japan through South-East Asia to the Greater Sundas and the
Philippines. Northern populations are migratory, wintering south to the
Greater Sundas, northern Sulawesi and the Philippines. Locally, it is an
uncommon and localized passage migrant and winter visitor from low
elevations up to 1200m, south to Singapore. This bird is known to be
insectivorous with its main diet consist of various insects such as beetles,
locusts, termites, cicadas, caterpillars, and crickets. Brood-parasite of wide
range of host species.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

55

~ Cuculidae ~

Indian Cuckoo
Sewah India
Cuculus micropterus

LC

Description: Male: Dark grey
upperparts and brownish back.
The tail is white colored at sides
with black bands. The underparts
are mostly pale ash and with black
barrings. Brown iris with yellow eye-
ring. Upper black bill, lower greenish
bill with yellow base, and yellow feet.
Female: Similar to male but with pale
grey throat and brownish breast. Size: 32-33cm.
Ecology: Its main habitat is deciduous and evergreen forests, and as
well as secondary growth forests. Ranges from the Indian subcontinent,
far eastern Russia and China through South-East Asia and the Greater
Sundas. Northern populations are migratory, wintering south through
India, South-East Asia and the Greater Sundas. In Peninsular Malaysia,
it is a fairly common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor from
low elevations up to 800m, south to Singapore. Main diet includes insects
such as grasshoppers, ants, butterflies, and sometimes fruits. Brood-
parasite of Drongos, Magpies, Shrikes and Broadbills.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam.

LC

Lesser Coucal
But-but Kecil
Centropus bengalensis

Description: Male: Dull
black head, underparts
and tail with long buff
streaks on head, neck,
and mantle. Chestnut
upperparts and wings.
It has black bill, red to
brown iris, and black legs.
Female: Larger in size.
Size: male: 31-34cm, female: 34-38cm.
Ecology: Frequent in wet and dry grasslands, reed beds, and scrubs.
This bird can be found in the Indian subcontinent and southern China
through South-East Asia and the Greater Sundas east to the Moluccas.
Fairly common resident in Peninsular Malaysia. Diet mostly consists of
insects like locusts, crickets, beetles, grasshoppers and hairy caterpillars.
It also eats other organisms like spiders, lizards, and sometimes fruits.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

56

~ Cuculidae ~

LC
Little Bronze Cuckoo
Sewah Daun
Chrysococcyx minutillus

Description: Male: White forehead with green crown. Upperparts
brown tinged with bronzy green, white underparts and black bars on
throat and breast. Bigger barrings on belly. Narrow red orbital skin.
Female: Same as male but has narrow green orbital skin. Also known
as: Malayan Cuckoo. Size: 15-17cm.
Ecology: This bird generally lives in lowland forests, forest edges,
plantations, and mangroves. Found in Peninsular Malaysia to the
Greater and lesser Sundas to the Philippines, New Guinea, and
Australia. It is locally common resident at low elevations and foothills,
south to Singapore. Diet includes various types of insects such as ants,
caterpillars, beetles, ladybirds, and bugs. Brood parasite of hosts such
as Gerygone and Sunbirds.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam.

LC

Malaysian Hawk-cuckoo
Sewah Hantu
Hierococcyx fugaz

Description: Dark head and chin.
White throat. Narrow rufous tail
tip with dark grey upperparts.
Underparts are whitish with dark
streak. Brownish-grey wings.
Yellowish legs and yellow bill with
green to black tip. Size: 28-30cm.
Ecology: Suitable habitat for this
bird includes evergreen forests, lowland and hill dipterocarp forest,s
peat swamp forest, and forest edges. Occurs in Myanmar, South
Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and Borneo. It is generally
resident, but it is suggested that northernmost populations of Thai-Malay
Peninsula might move south as far as Singapore in winter. Diet consists
of various insects like beetles, cicadas, caterpillars, and butterflies. Brood-
parasite of Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Black-throated Babbler, and
White-rumped Shama.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

57

~ Cuculidae ~

LC

Plaintive Cuckoo
Sewah Mati Anak
Cacomantis merulinus

Description: Male: Pale grey
head and chin. Slightly glossy
dark grey wings and upperparts, grey rump and uppertail coverts. Dark
tail with white tip. Brown to red eye, black bill, pale yellow feet and
legs, and rest of the upperparts are pale rufous-buff. Female: Has white
abdomen, black rufous tail, dark throat and breast, and the rest of the
underparts are dark-barred whitish. Rufous morph of the female have
dark rufous upperparts with black barring. Underparts white with dark
barrings. Size: 18-24cm.
Ecology: The natural habitats for this bird are open woodland, lowland
rainforest, mangroves, peat swamp forests, and freshwater forests. Can
be found in the Indian subcontinent and southern China through South-
East Asia and Peninsular Malaysia to the Greater Sundas, Philippines,
and Sulawesi. In Peninsular Malaysia, it is fairly common resident at
low elevations. Uncommon south to Singapore. Main diet includes
insects such as beetles, bugs, termite, caterpillars, and sometime feeds
on fruits. Brood-parasite of hosts that build dome-shaped nests such as
Prinias and Tailorbirds.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam and Taman Wetland.

Raffles’s Malkoha
Cenok Kerak
Rhinortha chlorophaea

LC

Description: Male: Rich rufous
head. Pale greenish-blue bare
orbital skins. Dark brown iris.
Light greenish-blue bill. Rufous
upperparts with distinctive chestnut
mantle and wings. Buff rufous throat and breast. Dark greyish brown
belly. Dark brown tail finely barred grey and broadly tipped white. Feet
greenish-grey. Female: Pale grey head, neck, throat and upper breast.
Chestnut mantle and tail. Tail with black subterminal band and broad
white tip. Size: 33-35cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in forests, forest edges, plantations and
wooded gardens. Distributed across extreme southern Myanmar
through Malay Peninsula to Sumatra and Borneo. Fairly common
resident from low elevation up to 1000m, south to Johor. Predominantly
feed on insects; mainly caterpillars, butterflies, cicadas, crickets and also
large spiders. Frequents the middle storey, usually in pairs. Make short
glides from tree to tree in search of insect prey.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland, Taman Rimba Alam and
Taman Cabaran.

58

~ Cuculidae ~

LC

Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
Sewah Sawai
Surniculus lugubris

Description: Male: Has overall appearance
of glossy black. Slightly thin and curved
downwards bills. Tail is slightly forked and
has white barring on vent and undertail
coverts. It also has brown iris with black
skin around the eye area. Female: Duller
with yellow eyes. Juvenile: Duller with
white spots. Size: 24-25cm.
Ecology: Common in forested areas as well as the forest edges.
Distributed in the Indian subcontinent and southern China through
South-East Asia to the Greater Sundas, Bali, Sulawesi, and Philippines.
Northern populations are migratory. In Peninsular Malaysia, it is
common and widespread resident, passage migrant and winter visitor
from low elevations up to 800m. Uncommon south to Singapore and
confined to remaining forest. Migrants often turn up in wooded areas.
This bird usually eats insects like caterpillars, termites, and beetles.
Occasionally consumes fruits like figs and banyans. Brood-parasite of
mainly several species of Babblers.
Also known as: Drongo-cuckoo.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam and Taman Botani.

~ Tytonidae ~

Description: Medium-sized and

white heart-shaped face owl. All-

white underparts with black spot,

upperpart buffy-gray marked with

whitish and blackish spots. Juvenile:

Similar to adult but with heavier

spotting. Size: 29-44cm.

Ecology: Found in plantations, open

scrubs, fields, villages and urban

areas up to 1200m. Ranges across the

Indian subcontinent and South-East

Asia, Lesser Sundas, New Guinea

and Australia. Fairly common to

uncommon resident throughout

Peninsular Malaysia. Mainly feeds on

Barn Owl small mammals with mostly rodents
Jampok Kubur (especially rats and mice), shrews,
bats and leporids.
Tyto alba Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman

Botani.

LC

59

~ Strigidae ~

Barred Eagle-owl
Hantu Bubu
Bubo sumatranus

LC

Description: Large owl with long
outwards-pointed tufted ear. Male:
Upperparts buff-barred dark brown, white
underpart finely black-barred. Wings and
tail widely barred. Has blackish eye and
yellow bill. Dark-brown tufts. Female:
Larger than male but with white lower
breast and belly, marked with blackish
spots. Juvenile: All-white plumage with
finely black-barred. Size: 40-46cm.
Ecology: Found in primary, secondary and
logged forest along with cultivation (oil
palm plantation) up to 1400m. Confined in Thai-Malay Peninsula, east
to Sumatra, Java, Bali and Borneo. Common to fairly common resident
throughout Peninsula. Feeds on large insects, small mammal especially
rodent and also takes up small birds.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

Brown Wood-owl
Burung Hantu Rimba
Strix leptogrammica

LC

Description: Crown dark brown. Light
rufous-brown facial disc with broad black
ring and smudges around eyes, giving
a broad ‘spectacled’ effect. White patch
between eyes near forehead. Bill greenish-
horn. Dark brown iris. Upperparts lighter
chestnut-brown, with some white or pale
barring on scapulars and on wings and tail.
Dark brown chin. Pale buff underparts with
finer and more compact horizontal brownish
bars as compared to the Spotted Wood-Owl. Brownish breast. Reddish-
brown tail with narrow buff bars. Tarsus fully feathered. Juvenile: Light
rufous with darker wings with dark rufous bars, pale buff underparts
with faint bars. Size: 45-57cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in forested habitat. Ranges from the Indian
subcontinent and southern China through South-East Asia to the
Greater Sundas. Locally common resident from low elevations up to
1700m, south to Johor. Frequents the middle storey where it often sits
unobtrusively with its cryptic colour blending with the surroundings.
Hunts for a variety of small animals, usually captured on the forest floor.
Very vocal especially at dusk.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Botani.

60

~ Strigidae ~

LC
Buffy Fish-owl
Hantu Kuning/Tumbuk Ketampi
Ketupa ketupu

Description: Smallest fish-owl. Pale
facial disc with broadly streaked ear
tufts. White eyebrows. Underparts
buffy-rufous with dark streak,
upperparts rich buff with blackish
marking. Streaks become sparser on
belly and flanks. Dark eyelids and
edges with black bills. Yellowish-
grey toes. Juvenile: Paler with shorter ear-tufts. Size: 40-48cm.
Ecology: Occupies primary and secondary forests, mangroves,
plantations, cultivation, and parks up to 1100m. Ranges from South-
East Asia to Greater Sundas. Common resident in Peninsular Malaysia.
Mainly feeds on fish, frogs, crustaceans, reptiles, aquatic insects and
small mammals.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

NT
Reddish Scops-owl
Hantu Merah
Otus rufescens

Description: Relatively
small owl with arrowhead
shape. Upperpart rufous-
brown, underpart rufous
with black spots. Brown
eyes with ivory bill.
Forehead, chin and small
ear tufts pale buff. Juvenile: Fewer spots than adult. Size: 15-18cm.
Ecology: Inhabits primary, secondary and logged forest mostly in
lowland. Often in bamboo thickest in forest. Ranging from south
Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, west Java and Borneo.
Uncommon resident throughout Malaysia. Little known on diet, but
stomach of dead reported to contain insects (grasshopper and cricket).
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam.

61

~ Strigidae ~

Spotted Wood-owl
Burung Hantu Berbintik
Strix seloputo

LC

Description: Pale rusty facial disk.
Lack ear tufts. Head and upper neck
almost black. Greyish to greenish-
black bill. Dark brown iris. Sides of
neck barred with white. Dark rufous
brown upperparts boldly marked
with white spots. White barring on
upperwing-coverts. Underparts pale
buff with bold blackish brown horizontal bars. Tarsus feathered white
with dark bars. Tail brown with narrow buff bars. Juvenile: More
barrings and more whitish upperparts. Size: 44-48cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in forests, forest edges, plantations and
wooded gardens. Distributed across Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam,
and the Malay Peninsula discontinuously to Java and Palawan (the
Philippines). Common and widespread resident from low elevations
up to 300m, south to Singapore where it is the common large owl. In
plantations, it utilizes lamp posts as vantage points to look for prey. Diet
primarily on rodents like rats and mice. Occasionally takes up small
birds and large insects.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

Sunda Scops-owl
Hantu Reban
Otus lempiji

LC

Description: Medium-sized owl with
ear-tufts. Forehead, eyebrows and
tufts buffy with grey and dark facial
discs. Occurs in brown and rufous
morphs. Upperparts dark-brown to
greyish, densely marked with black
streaks and buff spots. Underparts
buffy grey-brown with black streaks and thin broken vermiculations.
Juvenile: Overall looks paler with more spots. Size: 20-23cm.
Ecology: Habituates primary and secondary forests, cultivations, parks
and gardens up to 1100m. Resident in south Myanmar and Thailand,
Sumatra, Java and Borneo. Common resident in Peninsular Malaysia.
Predominantly feeds on insects especially large beetles and mantids.
Occasionally feeds on small birds.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

62

~ Caprimulgidae ~

LC
Large-tailed Nightjar
Tukang Kubur
Caprimulgus macrurus

Description: Medium-sized nightjar with large white throat. Male:
White patch on throat, crown pale with dark brownish centre, wings
and tail. Greyish upperparts with blackish-brown streaks. Tail extend
beyond wing-tip when perched. Female: Smaller wing patches and buff,
smaller tail patches. Juvenile: Similar to female but much paler with
duller tail patches. Size: 25-29cm.
Ecology: Occupies secondary forests, forest edges, scrubs, cultivations,
secondary woodlands and gardens. Distributed across the Indian
subcontinent, south China, mainland of South-East Asia, east to New
Guinea and Australia. Very common resident in Peninsular Malaysia.
Diet consists of nocturnal flying insects such as moths, crickets,
grasshoppers, wasps, bugs and beetles.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland, Taman Rimba Alam,
Taman Botani, Taman Saujana Hijau and Taman Cabaran.

LC
Savanna Nightjar
Tukang Savanna
Caprimulgus affinis

Description: Small nightjar with brownish-grey upperparts with
blackish brown streaks. Generally uniform with two small patches on
throat with almost all-white outertail feathers. In flight showing large
spots on wings. Female: Smaller than male with no white tail marking.
Juvenile: Similar to female but much paler and buffer. Size: 20-26cm.
Ecology: Prefers grassland, scrubs, open plantations and urban areas up
to 900m. Can be found across Indian subcontinent, mainland of South-
East Asia, south China, east to Sundas, Philippines and Sulawesi. Fairly
common to common resident in Peninsular Malaysia. Diet includes
moths, mantises, beetles, termites and flying ants.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Botani, Taman
Saujana Hijau, Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

63

~ Apodidae ~

LC
Asian Palm-swift
Layang-layang Asia
Cypsiurus balasiensis

Description: Slender, small
with deeply forked tail swift.
Has long and slender wings,
body brownish-grey with pale
underparts. Size: 11-13cm.
Ecology: Secondary forests,
cultivation, scrubs, urban areas, vicinity of palm fans where it nests up
to 1500m. Widespread across Indian subcontinent, mainland South-
East Asia, Philippines, Sulawesi and Greater Sundas. Locally common
resident in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Diet consists of
insects from family Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Hymenoptera.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

Description: Medium-size with moderately

deep forked tail swiftlet. Similar to Germain’s

Swiftlet but narrower and darker rump band.

No feathers on legs. Size: 11-13cm.

Ecology: Occurs in range of habitats from LC
lowlands to highlands. Can be found at

Andaman and Nicobar Island, Borneo, Edible-nest Swiftlet
Sumatra, Java to Lesser Sundas and Timor. Layang-layang Gua
Common resident in Sabah and Sarawak but Aerodramus fuciphagus
absent in Peninsular Malaysia. Primarily feeds

on insects from family same as Germain’s

Swiftlet.

Also known as: White-nest Swiflet.

Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

64

~ Apodidae ~

LC
Germain’s Swiftlet
Layang-layang Gua Laut
Aerodramus germani

Description: Medium-size with moderately deep forked tail swiftlet.
Has paler rump band compared to Edible-nets Swiftlet. Upperparts
almost black brown with grey underparts. Size: 11-13cm.
Ecology: Covering range of habitats from clear and forested areas,
coastal and inland up to 2800m. Replacing Edible-nets Swiftlet in coastal
areas where it nests in crevices of sea cliffs or small caves. Can be found
across coast of Peninsula Malay, north Borneo and south Philippines.
Common resident in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. Mainly feeds on
insects from family Hymenoptera, Ephemeroptera, Homoptera and
Diptera.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Botani, Taman
Saujana Hijau, Taman Cabaran, Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

LC
Glossy Swiftlet
Layang-layang Perut Putih
Collocalia esculenta

Description: Small swift with upperpart blackish that varies from
blue to dark greenish gloss. Brown throat with square tail, white belly
and dark undertail. Juvenile: Has darker greenish gloss upperparts
and pale grey on feathers. Size: 9-10cm.
Ecology: Found in open and forested areas up to 1900m. Can be found
across Sumatra, Borneo, Philippines, New Guinea, New Caledonia and
occasionally on northeast Australasia. Common resident in Peninsular
Malaysia. Predominantly feeds on insects from family Hymenoptera,
Apocrita, Diptera, Coleoptera and Isoptera.
Also known as: White-bellied Swiftlet.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

65

~ Apodidae ~

LC
Himalayan Swiftlet
Layang-layang Himalaya
Aerodramus brevirostris

Description: Large swiftlet
with forked tail. Has clear pale
grey rump band that contrasts
with dark brown upperparts,
underparts uniformly pale grey in color. Juvenile: Has less defined
rump band. Size: 13-14cm.
Ecology: Found near forests, forest edges and open country up to 3000m.
Ranges from Himalayan and mountains of India, China and Vietnam
than wintering through Bangladesh to mainland of South-East Asia and
Thai-Malay Peninsula. Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor
in Peninsular Malaysia. Diet consists of insects from family Diptera and
Hymenoptera.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

LC
House Swift
Layang-layang Rumah
Apus nipalensis

Description: Medium-sized swift
with white rump and throat. Tail
slightly notched and square.
Size: 14-15cm.
Ecology: Usually found in
towns and cities but also
occurs in forested habitat
from lowlands to mountains.
Ranges from Himalayan, east
to China, mainland of South-East Asia, Greater and Lesser Sundas,
Sulawesi and Philippines. Uncommon passage migrant in Peninsular
Malaysia. Gregarious and mainly feeds on insects from family Apocrita,
Hymenoptera, Formicoidea, Diptera and Coleptera.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

66

~ Apodidae ~

LC
Pacific Swift
Layang-layang Ekor Cabang
Apus pacificus

Description: Largest Apus swift. Has long, pointed wings and deeply
forked tails. Upperparts dark brown, underparts greyish with whitish
fringing and well defined, tail and wings with diagnostic broad white
rump band. Size: 17-19cm.
Ecology: Inhabits variety of habitats from lowlands to mountains, up
to 2800m. Distributed from Siberia and Mongolia, east to China, Japan
and Kamchatka and wintering through India, mainland of South-East
Asia, east to Philippines, Indonesia and Australia. Uncommon passage
migrant in Peninsular Malaysia. Diet mainly insects dominantly from
family Diptera.
Also known as: Fork-tailed Swift.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

~ Hemiprocnidae ~

LC
Gray-rumped Treeswift
Layang-layang Jambul Kelabu
Hemiprocne longipennis

Description: Male: Overall dark
grey plumage but with paler
belly. Dark frontal crest and
rufous ear-coverts. Pale grey
rump. Has long wing-tips that
fold scissor-like across deeply
forked-tail. Female: Blackish ear-covert. Size: 21-25cm.
Ecology: Occupies secondary forests, forest edges, scrubs, old
plantations and parkland up to 1200m. Can be found across the Thai-
Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and Philippines. Common to fairly
common resident in lowland areas in Peninsular Malaysia. This aerial
feeder predominantly feeds on flying arthropods, termites and bees.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

67

~ Coraciidae ~

Dollarbird
Tiong Batu/Tiong Belacan
Eurystomus orientalis

LC

Description: Dark brown mantle and
head. Upperparts dark greenish-brown.
Bluish-purple throat with pale blue
streaks. Dark turquoise underparts with
red legs. In flight shows large white
round patch on primaries. Red bills
prominent. Juvenile: Overall duller and
browner with black bills. Size: 27-32cm.
Ecology: Found in secondary forests, forest edges, plantations,
mangroves and parkland up to 1500m. Ranges from Indian Peninsula
east to China, Russia and Japan, and also mainland of South-East Asia.
Winter in South-East Asia, Sundalands to Wallacea region. Common
resident and winter visitor in Peninsular Malaysia. Feeds on large
invertebrates such as beetles, chafers, carrion beetle, capricons, moths,
ants and termites.
Also known as: Oriental Dollarbird.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Cabaran and
Upper Bisa.

~ Alcedinidae ~

LC

Black-capped Kingfisher
Pekaka Kopiah Hitam
Halcyon pileata

Description: Black head
(cap) with white collar, chin
and throat. Prominent sharp
lacerated red bill. Upperparts dark blue with pale rufous underparts.
Juvenile: Small rufous-buff loral spots and dusky scaling on breast.
Size: 28-32cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in mangroves, ricefields, marshes, reservoirs
and forest near rivers up to 1500m. Breeds in Korea, south China, north
Indochina and winters through the Indian subcontinent, mainland
South-East Asia, Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Philippines and Borneo. Fairly
common passage migrant and winter visitor in Peninsular Malaysia.
Feeds on variety of preys especially invertebrates and small vertebrates
while inland; and fishes and crabs near coastal areas.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

68

~ Alcedinidae ~

LC

Blue-eared Kingfisher
Pekaka Bintik-bintik
Alcedo meninting

Description: Male:

Ultramarine-blue head, neck

and crown. Black bill. White

chin and sides of neck. Glossy

dark blue upperparts, wings and tail. Paler blue-band at centre of back

and rump. Rufous underparts with orange-red legs. Female: Reddish

mandible, or entire red bill in some individuals. Juvenile: Has duller

looks with rufous cheek and ear-coverts. Size: 15-17cm.

Ecology: Found near streams in primary and secondary forest,

mangroves, and plantations from lowlands up to 900m. Distributed

across the Indian subcontinent, mainland of South-East Asia, east to

Sumatra, Java, Borneo and Sulawesi. Uncommon to locally common

resident in Peninsular Malaysia. Feeds on fishes, and crustaceans by

diving vertically into water and returns to perch with the catch.

Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

LC

Collared Kingfisher
Pekaka Sungai
Todiramphus chloris

Description: Medium-sized and blue-and-white kingfisher. Upperparts
and crown greenish-blue. Wings, rump and tail light blue contrasting
with white underparts and collar. Has white supraloral spots and
black mask extended narrowly across hindneck. Upper mandible black
with yellowish lower mandible. Juvenile: Duller overall with greenier
upperparts and buffier underparts. Size: 23-25cm.
Ecology: Occupies coastal woodlands, mangroves, parks and
occasionally in gardens up to 1300m. Can be found across northeast
Africa, Middle East, Indian subcontinent, mainland of South-East Asia,
east to Philippines, New Guinea and Australia. Common resident
in Peninsular Malaysia. In coastal areas, it feeds on fishes including
mudskippers, crustaceans such as crabs, shrimps. Those far inland feed
on insects, snails, frogs, lizards and snakes.
Also known as: White-collared Kingfisher.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Botani.

69

~ Alcedinidae ~

LC

Common Kingfisher
Pekaka Cit-cit Kecil
Alcedo atthis

Description: Male:
Has barred turquoise
crown and malar stripes.
Rufous loral spots and
ear-covert. White throat
and neckstripe. Black
bills. Upperparts and tail
azure blue with dark-
greenish blue wings. Rufous underparts. Female: Bicolour bills, black
upper mandible with orange-red lower mandible. Size: 16-18cm.
Ecology: Commonly found near lakes, ponds, mangroves, streams,
ditches and canals from coasts up to 1800m. Distributed across Europe,
north Africa, Middle East, Indian subcontinent, South-East Asia, east
to Philippines, New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Common passage
migrant and winter visitor in Peninsular Malaysia. Feeds on fishes,
aquatic insects, amphibians, prawns, and shrimps.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

LC

Stork-billed Kingfisher
Pekaka Paruh Besar
Pelargopsis capensis

Description: Crown
and side of head olive-
brownish. Mantle, wing
and tail greenish-blue with
azure rump. Yellow and
buffish underparts with
bright orange legs. Huge
red bill prominent. Juvenile: Dusky scaled underparts. Largest
kingfisher in the country. Size: 35-41cm.
Ecology: Occupies forested streams, large rivers, reservoir, seashore and
mangroves up to 800m. Can be found across the Indian subcontinent,
South-East Asia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Lesser Sundas, Philippines and
Bali. Common resident in Peninsular Malaysia. Primarily feeds on marine
and freshwater fishes, crabs, crustaceans, frogs, lizards and also insects.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Botani, Taman Wetland and Upper
Bisa.

70

~ Alcedinidae ~

LC
White-throated Kingfisher
Pekaka Belukar
Halcyon smyrnensis

Description: Medium sized kingfisher with white throat and breast. Has
dark chestnut head, flanks and belly. Upperparts and tail light blue. Blue
wings with brown wing-coverts. Red bill and legs. Juvenile: Overall
duller with brownish bill. Size: 26-29cm.
Ecology: Found in wide range of habitats from scrublands, forest edges,
mangroves, ricefields, plantation, and open gardens up to 1500m. Can
be found throughout middle east from Turkey and Egypt, eastward to
Indian subcontinent, mainland of South-East Asia, Sumatra and West
Java. Common resident in Peninsular Malaysia. Opportunistic feeder
including insects, crabs, crustaceans, toads and frogs, snakes and lizards.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Botani, Taman
Wetland, Taman Saujana Hijau and Taman Cabaran.

~ Meropidae ~

LC
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Berek-berek Carik Dada
Merops philippinus

Description: Black eye-stripe with
pale-yellow chin and rufous throat.
Upperparts and underparts mostly
green with bluish back, vent, uppertail-
covert and tail. Pointed wings and tail
with short streamers. Juvenile: Paler
than adult with pale reddish throat
patch. Size: 28-30cm.
Ecology: Occupies secondary forests and forest edges from lowlands up
to over 1000m, mangroves, coastal forests, paddyfields and scrublands.
Widespread across Indian subcontinent, south China and South-East
Asia, east to Philippines and New Guinea. Common passage migrant and
winter visitor to Peninsular Malaysia. Feeds on honeybees, wasps, hornets
and variety of other hymenopterans and occasionally takes small fish.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Botani, Taman
Saujana Hijau, Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

71

~ Meropidae ~

Blue-throated Bee-eater
Berek-berek Tadah Hujan
Merops viridis

LC

Description: Black eye-stripe with blue
throat and cheeks. Deep chestnut crown,
nape and mantle. Underparts and wing
green with pale blue uppertail-coverts.
Long-pointed wings and tail with light
blue streamers. Juvenile: Has green
mantle, nape and head. Size: 21-23cm.
Ecology: Habituates secondary forest,
forest edges, scrublands, mangroves,
and coastal forests from lowlands up to 800m. Ranges from south and
east China, South-East Asia, east to Greater Sundas and Philippines.
Common resident and breeding visitor in Peninsular Malaysia. Feeds on
honeybees and other hymenopterans but occasionally takes small fishes.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Cabaran,
Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

~ Bucerotidae ~

LC

Oriental Pied Hornbill
Enggang Kelingking
Anthracoceros albirostris

Description: Male: Overall black
plumage with white belly and
vent. White patches below eye
with bare circumorbital skin.
Dark red iris. Pale yellow casque
with blackish marking and pale
yellowish bill. In flight, black
wings with white trailing edge
prominent. Female: Smaller bill and casque. More black patches at
casque and tip of bills. Brown iris. Juvenile: Duller than female with
no black markings on pale yellowish bill and casque. Size: 55-60cm.
Ecology: Found in secondary and logged forests, forest edges,
mangroves, coastal forests, plantations and gardens up to 1400m.
Distributed across the Indian subcontinent, China, mainland of South-
East Asia and Greater Sundas. Locally common resident in Peninsular
Malaysia. Mainly feeds on fruits (figs and non-figs) but also takes small
animals such as millipedes, centipedes, lizards and snails.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

72

~ Megalaimidae ~

LC

Coppersmith Barbet
Takor Tembaga
Psilopogon haemacephalus

Description: Adult:
Yellow face with red
forehead and crown.
Yellow side of head and throat. Black eye-stripe and moustachial
stripe. Red band across breast. Upperparts green with pale barred-green
underparts. Reddish leg. Juvenile: Duller looks with red on crown and
breast absent. Size: 15-17cm.
Ecology: Occupies forest edges, secondary forests, woodlands,
mangroves, cultivations, parks and gardens up to 900m. Can be
found across Indian subcontinent, China, mainland of South-East
Asia, Sumatra, Java, Bali and Philippines. Common to fairly common
resident in Peninsular Malaysia. Feeds on fruits including figs, guavas,
mangoes, berries and also takes termites, beetles, mantids and various
insects larvae.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Botani, Taman
Cabaran, Taman Putra Perdana, Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

LC

Lineated Barbet
Takor Kukup
Psilopogon lineatus

Description: Brown head
and breast with broad
whitish streaks. Yellow
orbital skins with pale yellow
thick bill. Green upperparts,
wings and tail. Juvenile: Duller compared to adult. Size: 25-30cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in secondary forests and forest edges,
coastal scrubs, plantations, gardens and parks mostly at low altitude.
Ranges across the Indian subcontinent, southwest China, mainland of
South-East Asia, Java and Bali. Common to fairly common resident in
Peninsular Malaysia south to Selangor. Feeds on various types of fruits,
as well as larvae of insects and termites. Reported to consume frogs
and nestlings.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Ekuestrian,
Taman Putra Perdana, Taman Botani, Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

73

~ Megalaimidae ~

NT
Yellow-crowned Barbet
Takor Mahkota Kuning
Psilopogon henricii

Description: Prominent
yellow crown with blue
patch at central hindcrown.
Blue throat. Has black eye-
stripe and green side of head. Upperparts, wings and tail green. Narrow
red band on upper neck side and on each side of breast at border of
throat. Juvenile: Duller than adult with less distinct pattern of facial
skin. Size: 21-23cm.
Ecology: Habituates primary, secondary and logged forests from
lowland usually below 700m. Distributed across the Thai-Malay
Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Common to fairly common resident in
Peninsular Malaysia. Mainly forages for fruits especially figs.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

~ Picidae ~

LC
Banded Woodpecker
Belatuk Merah
Chrysophlegma miniaceum

Description: Male: Red crest with
yellow tip at brownish-red head. Red
tinges at ear-coverts. Pale rufous throat
and breast. Greenish mantle with
white scales. Yellow rump with olive-
brown uppertail coverts. Red wings.
Underparts brownish-rufous with
fine barring. Female: Lack reddish tinge on ear-coverts. Juvenile: Like
female but with paler breast and whitish vent. Size: 23-26cm.
Ecology: Habituates primary, secondary and logged forest, mangroves,
plantations, park and gardens up to 1200m. Can be found across south
Myanmar, Thai-Malay Peninsula and Greater Sundas. Common to fairly
common resident in Peninsular Malaysia. Feeds on insects and their
larvae.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam and Taman Botani.

74

~ Picidae ~

LC

Buff-rumped Woodpecker
Belatuk Batu Biasa
Meiglyptes grammithorax

Description: Small, heavily
barred woodpecker with
small crest. Male: Greyish-brown with narrow black vermiculations at
head, crest and neck to upper breast. Thin red malar stripe prominent.
Upperparts black with heavy buff barring. Dark underparts. Female:
Red malar stripe absent. Juvenile: Darker than adult. Size: 17-18cm.
Ecology: Found in primary, secondary and logged forest, secondary
growth from lowlands up to 1100m. Widespread across south Myanmar,
Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and Borneo. Common resident in
Peninsular Malaysia. Feeds on ants and other insects.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

LC
Common Flameback
Belatuk Pinang Muda
Dinopium javanense

Description: Male: Prominent red
crest and crown. Black moustachial
stripe and broad white cheekstripe
from lores continuing down side
of the neck. White chin and throat.
Upperparts and wings olive.
Underparts white with black scales.
Black legs with three toes in contrast
with four toes possessed by the Greater Flamback. Female: Black crown
and crest with white streaks. Juvenile: Darker breast with white spots.
Size: 28-30cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in secondary forest and woodlands, forest
edges, plantations, mangroves, parks and gardens up to 1000m.
Distributed across Peninsula India, China, mainland of South-East Asia,
Greater Sundas and Philippines. Common to fairly common resident
in Peninsular Malaysia. Mainly feeds on ants, insect larvae, scorpions,
cockroaches and other insects.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Botani, Taman Rimba Alam, Taman
Wetland and Upper Bisa.

75

~ Picidae ~

LC

Laced Woodpecker
Belatuk Hijau/Belatuk Bakau
Picus vittatus

Description: Male: Crown and
short crest red with fine black
border. Greyish ear-coverts with
black moustachial stripe. Buff-
yellow throat, side of neck and
upper breast. Upperparts and
wings olive with white-barred on black primaries. Blackish uppertails.
Lower breast to vent pale green with scales. Female: Black crown and
nape. Juvenile: Looks duller with more scaled belly. Size: 30-33cm.
Ecology: Found in secondary growth, coastal scrubs, mangroves,
plantations and gardens in lowlands. Ranges across the mainland of
South-East Asia from Myanmar to Thailand, Sumatra, Java and Bali.
Common to fairly common resident in west coast Peninsular Malaysia.
Mainly feeds on beetles and flies.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

LC

Rufous Woodpecker
Belatuk Biji Nangka
Micropternus brachyurus

Description: Male: Dark
brown forehead and short
crest. Chestnut rufous head
with small red patch on
cheeks. Dark throat with
buff feather tips. Rufescent-
brown body with black barring on upperparts, wings, tail and flanks.
Underparts rufous with black barrings on belly. Female: Lacks red patch
on cheeks. Size: 24-26cm.
Ecology: Found in primary, secondary and logged forests, second
growth, plantations, and scrublands from lowlands up to 1000m.
Distributed across the Indian subcontinent, China, mainland of South-
East Asia and Greater Sundas. Common to fairly common resident
in Peninsular Malaysia. Predominantly preys on ants, termites and
occasionally takes fruits, nectar and saps.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

76

~ Picidae ~

Sunda Woodpecker
Belatuk Belacan Kecil
Yungipicus moluccensis

LC

Description: Male: Brownish crown
forehead to hindneck with red speck
on hindcrown. White head with dark
moustachial stripe. Broad blackish-brown
band through ear-coverts and down neck
side and prominent dark malar stripe
continuing to breast side. Brownish
upperparts with white barring and spots.
White underparts barred with brown
barrings on breast. Female: Red speck on hindcrown absent. Juvenile:
Looks duller with less distinct streak on underparts. Size: 13-15cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in secondary forests, parks and gardens,
mangroves and coastal habitat. Distributed across the Thai-Malay
Peninsula, Greater Sundas to eastward of Lesser Sundas. Common
to fairly common resident at Peninsular Malaysia. Feeds on insects
particularly ants and other hymenopterans; beetles, caterpillars, fruits
and also berries by gleaning on trunks.
Also known as: Sunda Pygmy-Woodpecker.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

~ Eurylaimidae ~

LC

Black-and-red Broadbill
Takau Rakit
Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos

Description: Head, upperparts and
broad breast band black. Underparts,
throat and rump maroon-red.
Prominent narrow white streak on
black wing. Upper mandible bluish
with yellowish lower mandible. Dark blue legs. Juvenile: Brownish
upperparts with white spots on wing-coverts. Size: 20-24cm.
Ecology: Habituates secondary and logged forest, secondary growth
and mangroves, usually near water up to 300m. Widespread through
south Myanmar, Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Common
to fairly common resident in Peninsular Malaysia. Feeds on small
invertebrates, usually insects including beetles, ants, large moths and
butterflies and also crustaceans such as molluscs and small crabs.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland and Taman Rimba Alam.

77

~ Acanthizidae ~

LC

Golden-bellied Gerygone
Cekup Perepat
Gerygone sulphurea

Description: Dark greyish-brown upperparts contrasting with yellow
underparts. Greyish cheek with whitish lores and subterminal spots at
tail feathers. Dark iris. Blackish legs. Juvenile: Whitish eye-ring and pale
yellow underparts. Size: 9-11cm.
Ecology: Commonly found on mangroves, coastal scrubs, plantations,
park and gardens up to 900m. Ranges across Thai-Malay Peninsula and
coastal south Vietnam, Sundas, Sulawesi and Philippines. Common
resident throughout Peninsular Malaysia. Frequent tree-tops and forest
canopy, either solitary or in pair. Very territorial. Poorly known on diets
but postulated to be largely insectivorous.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Botani and Taman Wetland.

~ Aegithinidae ~

LC
Common Iora
Kunyit Kacat/ Kunyit Pacat
Aegithina tiphia

Description: Adult Breeding (male): Dark green to black crown.
Forehead, head and lores yellow. Whitish iris and bill light grey-blue
with blackish culmen ridge. Upperparts mostly dark green, black wings
with median upperwing-coverts and tips of greater coverts white.
Underparts bright yellow; richest on throat and breast. Tail and uppertail
coverts black. Adult non-breeding (male): The upperparts have duller
green color, while the underparts are dull yellow. Female: Upperparts
dull olive green. Underparts dull yellow. White wing bar. Juvenile: Like
female but duller with less distinct wing bars. Size: 12-14cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in forested riverbanks, mangroves, scrub,
plantation, and gardens. Can be found across India, southern China
and Myanmar through South-East Asia to the Greater Sundas, Bali and
Philippines. Common and widespread resident from low elevations and
hills up to 450m, south to Singapore. Diet consists of insects like ants,
beetles, and caterpillars. Other than that, this bird recorded to eat small
fruits and bush frogs.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Ekuestrian,
Taman Cabaran, Taman Putra Perdana, Taman Botani, Taman Saujana
Hijau, Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

78

~ Aegithinidae ~

NT
Green Iora
Kunyit Bakau
Aegithina viridissima

Description: Greener than Common Iora. Distinct bright yellow patch
above and below eyelids prominent. Dark brown iris. Bill pale grey-
blue. Overall plumage dark olive green. Wings black, tips of median
coverts and tips of outer webs of greater coverts white; forming two
bars. Uppertail-coverts and tail black. Female: Lores and full eyering
yellow. Rest of face and upperparts uniform medium olive-green. Yellow
wingbar, green uppertail-coverts and tail. Juvenile: Like female but
duller. Size: 10-12cm.
Ecology: Habituates forests and forest edges. Can also be found in
mangroves. Can be found in Myanmar through the Malay Peninsula
to Sumatra and Borneo. Fairly common resident from low elevations
up to 800m, south to Johor. Diet mainly consists of various invertebrate,
including large type of caterpillars.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

~ Vangidae ~

LC
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike
Rembah Bukit
Hemipus picatus

Description: Top of head, lores and ear
coverts black. Cheeks and sides of neck
white. Black glossy or sometimes dark
brown upperparts with white rump. Greyish-white underparts, whiter
on belly, undertail-coverts and underwing-coverts. Black wings with
median and greater upperwing-coverts broadly tipped white. Uppertail
coverts and tail black. Female: Duller than male with black parts replaced
with sooty brown. Juvenile: Apparently like female. Size: 14-15cm.
Ecology: Occurs in primary, secondary, and logged forests, forest edges
and secondary growth. Can be found in the India subcontinent through
southern China and South-East Asia to the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra
and Borneo. Fairly common resident at low elevations up to at least
900m in Perlis, Kedah, and northern Perak. Diet consists of insects
including beetles, ants, termites, and butterflies.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam.

79

~ Vangidae ~

LC

Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike
Rembah Batu
Hemipus hirundinaceus

Description: Black top head, lores to ear coverts. Dark brown iris with
black bill. Cheeks and sides of neck white. Upperparts and wings
glossed black to greenish blue. White rump with upper rump barred
black. White underparts with greyer from lower throat and breast to
anterior flanks. Black uppertail coverts, tail and legs. Female: Like male
but with black areas replaced by sooty brownish. Juvenile: Like female,
but with buff feather fringes on upperparts, upperwing-coverts broadly
fringed buff. Size: 14-15cm.
Ecology: Commonly inhabits freshwater swamp forests, forest and
forest edges, mangroves, and mature plantations. This bird can be found
in Myanmar through the Malay Peninsula to the Greater Sundas and
Bali. Locally common resident at low elevations up to 800m, south to
Johor. Preys on various kinds of small insects.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

LC
Large Woodshrike
Rembah Kayu Besar
Tephrodornis virgatus

Description: Grey crown and nape.
Broad blackish eyeline and strong
black bill. Greyish upperparts
contrasting with whitish underparts.
White lower rump. Uppertail-coverts
and tail black. Female: Eyeline
browner and narrower. Browner
upperparts. Buff wash on throat and
breast. Juvenile: Upperparts mostly brown with pale fringes to feathers.
Size: 18-23cm.
Ecology: Commonly habituates primary, logged, secondary forests,
forest edges and plantations area up to 1500m. This bird can be found
across Himalayas, East India, South China, mainland South-East Asia
and Greater Sundas. Common resident in Peninsula Malaysia but
uncommon resident in Sabah and Sarawak. Diet consists of large insects
especially crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, large moths, and locusts.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

80

~ Vangidae ~

Rufous-winged Philentoma
Sambar Paya
Philentoma pyrhoptera

LC

Description: Common morph: Blue head,
breast and mantle. Black bill and dark
red eyes. Dull blue upperparts, median
upperwing-coverts and underparts to
center of belly. Center of belly to undertail
whitish-buff. Lower back and rump
greyish-blue. Wing rufous-chestnut with
dark grey primaries. Rufous-chestnut tail. Blue legs. Blue morph: All
blue plumage except for whitish to pale grey center of belly to undertail.
Dark red eyes. Female: Dark grey top head and face. Mid-brown
upperparts. Underparts mostly buffish with breast side (occasionally
band across breast) and flanks more brownish-buff. Size: 16-17cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in both lowland and hill forests, peat swamp
forests, logged forests, and rubber plantations. Distributed in South
Myanmar, Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Fairly common
resident throughout Penisular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. Diet not
well-documented but postulated to be insectivores.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Cabaran.

~ Campephagidae ~

LC Description: Male: White forecrown and
narrow black forehead band distinctive.
Ashy Minivet Black from lores to behind eye, across ear-
Mas Padang coverts and extending over rear crown and
Pericrocotus divaricatus nape. Rest of head-sides and narrow half-
collar at neck-sides white. Uniform steel-
grey upperparts until uppertail coverts.
Underparts and throat white. Black wings
have white bars. Black long tail and legs.
Female: Like male but black on head
replaced by grey. Thin white band from
forehead to lores. Size: 18-21cm.
Ecology: Prefers forests, peat swamps,
plantations, and mangroves. Breeds
in eastern Russia, China, Korea, and
Japan and winters south to the Indian
subcontinent, South-East Asia, Sumatra,
Borneo, Sulawesi, and the Philippines.
Locally common passage migrant and
winter visitor at low elevations, south
to Singapore. Diet mainly on small
invertebrate especially flying insects, and
occasionally fruits.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Cabaran
and Taman Rimba Alam.

81

~ Campephagidae ~

Description: Male: Forehead, crown,

nape, mantle and scapulars glossy

black. Distinct broad white supercilium.

Black lores and streak through eye to

nape. Black bill with dark brown iris.

Upperparts to uppertail-coverts grey.

Underparts and throat white with breast

washed pale grey. Broad staggered white

wingbars, greyish rump and white tip to

tail. Female: Paler than male with brown

streaks in underparts. Size: 16-18cm.

Ecology: Commonly found at mangrove

and forest edges, plantations, gardens,

and scrublands. Distributed throughout

the Malay Peninsula south to the Greater

and Lesser Sundas, east to Sulawesi and

Pied Triller the Philippines. Fairly common resident
Sewah Kapas at low elevations, south to Singapore.
Diet mainly arthropods and fruits such
Lalage nigra as small berries.

Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Putra

LC Perdana, Taman Botani and Taman
Wetland.

~ Laniidae ~

LC

Brown Shrike
Tirjup Tanah
Lanius cristatus

Description: Male: Broad black eyeline. Distinct whitish supercilium and
forehead. Upperparts dull chestnut with rump and uppertail coverts pale
chestnut. White throat while underparts whitish with pale rufous wash.
Upperwing dark brown, wing-coverts and inner flight-feathers fringed
whitish. Undertail-coverts pale brownish-grey and tail dull rufous.
Female: Creamy-tinged supercilium with less distinct dark mask. Side
of breast and flanks has fine dusky vermiculation. Juvenile: Duller and
blurred supercilium. Facial mask brown and less extensive. Size: 17-20 cm.
Ecology: Found in forest edges, scrublands, plantations, gardens, and
reedbeds. Breeds in temperate Asia, and winters through South and
South-East Asia to the Greater and Lesser Sundas, and Philippines.
Common and widespread passage migrant and winter visitor at low
elevations, south to Singapore. Diet mainly consists of insects, other
arthropods, and even small vertebrates such as lizards and amphibians.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Ekuestrian, Taman Cabaran, Taman
Putra Perdana, Taman Warisan Pertanian, Taman Saujana Hijau and
Taman Botani, Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

82

~ Laniidae ~

LC

Long-tailed Shrike
Tirjup Ekor Panjang
Lanius schach

Description: Male: Crown to mantle dark
grey. Black forehead and eyeline. Lower
mantle, part of wings and rump rufous.
Blackish upperwings with white patch on
base of primaries. White throat, whitish
underparts with Strong rufous tinge on
side of breast and flanks. Black long tail
prominent with white tip. Female: Browner legs. Juvenile: Eyeline
not prominent with brownish-grey and thin dark barring upperparts.
Size: 20-25cm.
Ecology: Prefers scrublands, reedbeds, and open country. This bird can
be found in Iran through the Indian subcontinent to South-East Asia
discontinuously to New Guinea. It is locally common resident at low
elevations, south to Singapore. This bird consumes a wide variety of
insects, especially large insects. Occasionally take in vertebrates such
as small mammals, lizards, frogs, and small birds.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam.

Tiger Shrike
Tirjup Rimau
Lanius tigrinus

LC

Description: Male: Grey crown to
upper mantle. Blue-black heavy
hooked tip bill and dark brown
iris. Broad black eyeline forming
mask. Lower mantle to rump and
uppertail coverts deep rufous brown with coarse blackish bars. Cheek,
throat and underparts yellowish-white. Upperwing brown with pale or
reddish fringes. Greyish-black legs. Female: Like male but duller with
much white on lores and thinner supercilium. Juvenile: Lack eyeline.
Rufous brown upperparts with bold dark brown barring on upperparts
and side of underparts. Size: 15-18cm.
Ecology: Habituates forest edges, plantations, wooded gardens, and
clearings in forests. Breeds in eastern Russia, northern China, and Japan;
winters throughout South-East Asia to the Greater Sundas, Bali, Sulawesi,
and Philippines. Fairly common passage migrant and winter visitor from
low elevations up to 1200m, south to Singapore. Diet includes insects,
small birds, and small vertebrates like rodents, lizards, and frogs.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam and Upper Bisa.

83

~ Oriolidae ~

LC

Black-naped Oriole
Dendang Selayang
Oriolus chinensis

Description: Male: Overall bright yellow plumage with diagnostic wide
black eyeline and nape. Red iris and livid pink bill. Yellow upperparts
and upperwings. Rest of wings black. Blackish tail with yellow lower
half of the outer tail. Blackish legs. Female: Like male counterparts but
overall duller. Size: 23-28cm.
Ecology: Prefers gardens, mangrove edges, open country and forest
edges. Distributed across the Indian subcontinent through China,
Korea and eastern Russia discontinuously through South-East Asia to
the Greater and Lesser Sundas, Sulawesi, and Philippines. Northern
population winters south in tropical zones. It is abundant and widespread
resident, passage migrant, and winter visitor at low elevations, south to
Singapore. Diet includes berries, fruits, insects and their larvae.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Ekuestrian,
Taman Cabaran, Taman Wetland, Taman Putra Perdana, Taman
Warisan Pertanian, Taman Botani, Taman Saujana Hijau and Upper Bisa.

~ Dicruridae ~

Ashy Drongo
Cecawi Rantau
Dicrurus leucophaeus

LC

Description: Resident (D. l. nigriescens): overall
plumage ashy-black with slight gloss above and
darker below. Bright red iris. Dark grey throat
and underparts. Outer rectrices slightly flaring
outwards and upwards. Tail long and deeply
forked prominent. Migrant (D. l. leucogenis):
plumage pale ashy grey with white cheek patch
surrounding the eye. Velvety dark frontal band
and blackish chin. Black primaries on ashy wings. Size: 24-29cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in open areas and clearings in forests, forest
edges, mangroves, and coastal scrubs. Breeding ranges throughout
Indian subcontinent and China through south East-Asia to the Greater
Sundas, Bali, Lombok and Philippines. Northern populations winter
south to tropical latitudes. Fairly common resident along the western
coastal plain, south to Singapore, while migratory subspecies is
uncommon. Mainly insectivores including grasshoppers, dragonflies,
and butterflies.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

84

~ Dicruridae ~

LC
Black Drongo
Cecawi Rajawali
Dicrurus macrocercus

Description: Fairly glossy black plumage
overall. Blood-red iris with broad and
short bill, curved upper mandible and
slightly hooked. Deeply forked tail with
slightly upturned tips distinctive. Black to
dark grey legs. Size: 38-42cm.
Ecology: Prefers open country and rice fields. It has a large range from
Indian subcontinent and China through south East-Asia discontinuously
to Java and Bali. Fairly common passage migrant and winter visitor at
low elevations. Uncommon south to Singapore. It’s main source of food
come from eating wide variety of insects like locusts, grasshoppers,
crickets, beetles, termites, ants, and bees.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

LC

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
Cecawi Anting-anting
Dicrurus paradiseus

Description: Large drongo with
elongated forked-tailed streamers
with rounded pendant-like ends
significant for this species. Uniform
glossy blue-black body overall with
red eyes. Short crest or tufts in front
of the forehead. Juvenile: Less glossy
than adults and shorter crest. Some
individuals lack streamers. Size: 30-33 cm.
Ecology: Found across different land-uses including primary and
secondary forests, plantations, wooded gardens, mangroves, orchards,
and parklands. Distributed through the Indian subcontinent, mainland
of southeast Asia, Greater Sundas up to Southern China. Common
resident in Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and Singapore. Feeds on
various insects and invertebrates snatched mid-air. Often participate in
mixed-species foraging flocks.
Distributions in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Botani and
Taman Wetland.

85

~ Rhipiduridae ~

Malaysian Pied Fantail
Sambar Murai Gila
Rhipidura javanica

LC

Description: Thin white supercilium
and sooty-grey to black crown and
face. Dark brown iris and black bill. Distinct greyish brown band
separating white throat and breast. Black upperparts with remiges and
median and greater wing-coverts dark brown. Breast band and sides of
upper breast dark grey to black, rest of underparts buff-washed white.
Sooty-grey fan-shaped tail and all feathers except central pair broadly
tipped white. Sexes alike. Juvenile: Duller than adult with reddish rump
and uppertail coverts. Size: 17-19cm.
Ecology: Prefers mangroves, mangrove edges, peat swamp forests,
and plantations. Distributed throughout Myanmar, southern Thailand,
southern Indo-China, Greater Sundas, and Philippines. It is fairly
common resident at low elevations and hills up to 450m, south to
Singapore. This bird consumes insects as their main diet such as
caterpillars, flies, and moths.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Ekuestrian, Taman Putra Perdana,
Taman Botani, Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Saujana Hijau, Taman
Wetland and Upper Bisa.

~ Muscicapidae ~

Asian Brown Flycatcher
Sambar Asia/ Sambar Coklat Asia
Muscicapa dauurica

LC

Description: Whitish orbital skin and pale lore
gives a wide eye appearance. Ashy-brown or
grey-brown head and upperparts. Maxilla dark
horn-colored while lower mandible yellowish
with extreme tip horn-colored. Flight-feathers
sooty brown. Chin and center of throat white,
pale grey-brown on upper breast and belly to
undertail-coverts white. Sooty brown short tail.
Sexes alike. Juvenile: Like adult but upperparts
spotted buffish and whiter underparts. Size: 13-14cm.
Ecology: Inhabits forests, forest edges, plantations, wooden gardens,
and mangroves. Breeds in eastern Russia, northern China, Korea, and
Japan. Winters south through Indian subcontinent, southern China
and South-East Asia to Greater Sundas and Philippines. Common and
widespread passage migrant and winter visitor from low elevations
up to 700m, south to Singapore. Diet consists of small invertebrate like
beetles, bugs, wasp, and larvae. It also recorded to eat small fruits.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Ekuestrian,
Taman Cabaran, Taman Botani, Taman Saujana Hijau, Taman Wetland
and Upper Bisa.

86

~ Muscicapidae ~

Brown-streaked Flycatcher
Sambar Belantara
Muscicapa williamsoni

LC

Description: Relatively large head with
large dark eye. Yellowish-orange lower
bills with extensive dark area at tip of lower
mandible. Brown upperparts with buffish
tinge on rump and uppertail-coverts. Buffish
tips on median and greater upperwing-
coverts and edges of tertials. Pale brown
streak on breast, flanks, and upper belly.
Sexes alike. Juvenile: Upperparts spotted
ruff, rump and uppertail coverts tinged
rufous, wing-coverts and tail tipped rufous buff. Size: 12-14cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in forest, parks, wooded gardens, orchards,
and scrublands. Breeding range in mainland South-East Asia from
south Myanmar to north Thai-Malay Peninsula. Winters throughout
Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. Uncommon resident from
low elevations in north to west Peninsular Malaysia. Diet is not well
known, but reported to consume small invertebrates including beetles,
bugs, wasp, and their larvae.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

LC

Dark-sided Flycatcher
Sambar Sibiria
Muscicapa sibirica

Description: Small black
broad bill with whitish
submoustachial stripe. Dark
brown iris with conspicuous
white eyering. Dark ash-grey
head and upperparts. Long blackish wing with tips of primaries extend
to about two-thirds down closed tail. Greyish brown wash at upper
breast and flanks, while the rest of underparts are white. Sexes alike.
Juvenile: Like adult but darker, with pale buff streaks on head becoming
larger spots on upperparts. Size: 13-14cm.
Ecology: Found in forests and forest edges. Breeds in the Himalayas,
eastern Russia, northern China and Japan. Winters to south of Indian
subcontinent, southern China through South-East Asia to Greater
Sundas. Locally common passage migrant and winter visitor in hilly
elevations from 150-1000m. Uncommon south to Singapore. This bird
mostly eats small invertebrates like flies, hoverflies, and small beetles.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

87

~ Muscicapidae ~

LC
Green-backed Flycatcher
Sambar Belakang Hijau
Ficedula elisae

Description: Male:
Bright yellow lores and
prominent eyering. Black iris and bill. Yellow supercilium with rest of
upperparts and head greyish olive-green. Side of face olive-green with
fine streaks. Deep yellowish rump and entire underparts. Brownish-
black tail and dark blue legs. Female: Like male but smaller and duller.
Pale yellow lores and short yellowish supercilium. Rest of head and
upperparts dull olive-green. Juvenile: Resembles female but with
browner upperparts and buffish tips and fringes. Size: 13-14m.
Ecology: Found in forests, forest edges, scrublands, plantations, and
mangroves. Breeds in east and North-East China. Scarce passage
migrant and winter visitor in South Thailand, and Peninsular Malaysia.
Lack dietary information but presumed to eat small arthropods and
fruits or berries.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

LC
Mugimaki Flycatcher
Sambar Mugimaki
Ficedula mugimaki

Description: Male: Short white supercilium behind eye. Slate-grey head
and upperparts. Black upperwings with greater upperwing-coverts and
tips of median coverts white. Blackish tail with broad white edges at
bases of outer feathers. Orange rufous underparts from throat to upper
belly with white vent. Legs dark fleshy-pink. Female: Olive brown
upperparts with narrow whitish buff wingbars. Breast and throat duller
orange. Juvenile: Like female but shows short white supercilium, thin
white wing bar and white edge of base of tail. Size: 12-14cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in forests and forest edges. Breeds in eastern
Russia and northern China, wintering south to South-East Asia, Greater
Sundas and the Philippines. It is locally common passage migrant and
winter visitor from low elevations up to 2000m. Uncommon south to
Singapore. Usually consumes small invertebrates and seeds or fruits.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

88

~ Muscicapidae ~

LC

Oriental Magpie Robin
Murai Kampung
Copsychus saularis

Description: Male: Glossy black head, breast, and upperparts. Black
bills. White bands along black upperwings. White belly with slight
patchy buff tinge around vent. Black tail with white side on elongated
tail. Female: Like male but paler overall. Juvenile: Dark brownish-grey
with blackish mottling on upperparts. Whitish bands on wing and
rufous wing edgings. Size: 19-21cm.
Ecology: Inhabits forest clearings, forest edges, mangroves, gardens,
and plantations. Can be found across the Indian subcontinent and
southern China through South-East Asia to the Greater Sundas, Bali,
and Philippines. Fairly common and widespread resident in Peninsular
Malaysia. Uncommon south to Singapore. This bird feeds on insects,
primarily beetles, crickets, ants, wasp, termites, flies and their maggots.
Occasionally consumes small vertebrates such as lizards and fish.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland, Taman Rimba Alam, Taman
Ekuestrian, Taman Cabaran, Taman Putra Perdana, Taman Warisan
Pertanian, Taman Botani, Taman Saujana Hijau and Upper Bisa.

LC

Siberian Blue Robin
Murai Siberia
Larvivora cyane

Description: Male: Black bill
but pinkish lower mandible in
winter. Broad black line from
lores through cheeks to sides of breast. Slaty dark blue upperparts, while
the underparts white from chin to vent and undertail-coverts. Blue-
grey lower flanks and pinkish legs. Female: Greyish-brown crown and
upperparts. Pale buff throat and deeper buff breast and flanks. Dull
blue rump and uppertail-coverts. Juvenile: Upperparts blackish-brown
with rufous droplet streaks. Size: 13-14cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in primary, logged, and secondary forests,
and also in overgrown plantations. Breeds in North-East China, Korea,
and Japan. Winters in South China, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia,
Sumatra, and Borneo. Their main diets consist of various insects like
beetles, ants, and bugs. Other food consumed includes berries and
grass seeds.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

89

~ Muscicapidae ~

Siberian Stonechat
Burung Muria Batu Pejal/
Burung Murai Sawah
Saxicola maurus

LC

Description: Male: Black hood and face
linking down nape to black upperparts and
wings. Black bill. Broad white lateral neck
patch. White wing patch, white rump and
uppertail-coverts. Underparts are rufous-
chestnut; breast and flanks rufous-chestnut.
Belly to undertail coverts whitish-buff.
Black legs. Female: Dark brown above with
indistinct pale supercilium. Vague pale neck
patch, smaller white wing patch, uppertail-
coverts white, grey-brown throat, paler rufous-orange breast and flanks
shading to whitish on belly to vent, and also paler throat. Size: 11-13cm.
Ecology: Lives in wetland areas, grassy hillside, open country, and
marshes. Ranges through east Siberia, South to East Mongolia, North-
East China, Korea, and Japan. Winters through east and South-East Asia,
south to Malay Peninsula. Uncommon passage migrant in Peninsula
Malaysia. Its diet consists of almost entirely invertebrates, mainly
small or medium sized insects and their larvae. Occasionally eats small
vertebrates, seeds and fruits.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

LC

White-rumped Shama
Murai Rimba/Murai Batu
Copsychus malabaricus

Description: Male: Glossy blue-black
head, upperparts and upper breast
contrasting with deep orange-rufous
lower breast and belly diagnostic.
Wings and tail being less glossy gray-
black. Prominent long tail with white
outer tail feathers, flashed conspicuously when disturbed. Lower back
and rump white prominent and contrast with black upperparts. Female:
Like male but shorter tail, paler overall. Size: 28-30cm.
Ecology: Habituates forests, forest edges, overgrown plantations, and
mangrove areas. Can be found in the Indian subcontinent and southern
China through South-East Asia to the Greater Sundas. Fairly common
resident from low elevation up to 600m, south to Singapore. Diet mainly
consist of arthropods that includes ants, moths, caterpillars, beetles,
flies, grasshoppers, worms and berries.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

90

~ Muscicapidae ~

Yellow-rumped Flycatcher
Sambar Tongkeng Kuning
Ficedula zanthopygia

LC
Description: Male: Black crown, forehead,
cheeks, lores, ear coverts, nape, and mantle.
Broad white supercilium from lores to
ear coverts. Dark brown iris and black
bill. Rump and underparts bright yellow.
Black upperwings with broad white stripe formed by inner greater
coverts and lower tertials. Uppertail coverts and tail all black. White
undertail coverts. Purplish grey legs. Female: Greyish-olive crown and
upperparts. Rump as male or paler. Wings and tail sooty brown and
whitish underparts. Juvenile: Like female but with buffish streaks and
spots on upperparts. Size: 13-14cm.
Ecology: Prefers forests, forest edges, scrublands, plantations, and
mangroves. Ranges throughout Mongolia, South-East Russia, eastern
China, and Korea. Migrate through west and south Thailand, Peninsular
Malaysia and Sumatra, Northern Laos and Vietnam. Diet mainly consists
of small invertebrates and also some small fleshy fruits.
Also known as: Korean Flycatcher.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

~ Monarchidae ~

Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher
Sambar Ekor Panjang
Terpsiphone affinis

LC
Description: Adult dark morph (male): Glossy
blue-black crown contrasting with grey throat
and sides of head. Distinct blue eye-rings. The
upperparts including mantle, upperwing and
tails rufous-chestnut. Greyish breast, white
belly and vent. Adult white morph (male):
Head and crest as dark morph. Bill greyish blue
with blackish tip. Rest of plumage white with
black primaries and shaft of flight feathers. Both
morphs possess prominent elongated retrices
up to 23cm. Female: Like male dark morph but
duller and shorter tail. Size: 32-34cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in wooded suburban gardens, mangroves,
mangrove edges, forests, and the forest edges. Distributed across east
Nepal, India, Bangladesh, extreme southern China, Myanmar to Sumatra,
Borneo and Java Island. Northern population migrates south in winter.
It is locally common resident, passage migrant, and winter visitor from
low elevation up to 1500m, south to Singapore. Diet mostly insects such
as Dipterans, Hemipterans, Coleopterans, Lepidopterans and Odonates.
Also known as: Used to be conspecific with few other species of
paradise-flycacthers which was known as the Asian Paradise-Flycatcher
(Terpsiphone paradisi)
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

91

~ Corvidae ~

LC

House Crow
Gagak Rumah
Corvus splendens

Description: Long and
slightly arched black bill.
Dark brown iris. Black and glossed on face, forecrown, chin and throat.
Nape to mantle, side of neck and side of breast medium-grey. Glossy
blackish on back, upperwings, rump and uppertail-coverts. Blackish-grey
on underparts and tail glossy black. Black legs. Sexes alike. Size: 40-43cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in cities, town, and open country. It can be
found in the Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, and central Thailand. It is
widely introduced elsewhere including Peninsular Malaysia. Large feral
population from Klang and spread inland to Kuala Lumpur, Petaling
Jaya, Bangi, and along the entire Selangor. A scavenger that feeds on all
kind of crops, invertebrates, and vertebrate.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Ekuestrian, Taman Warisan Pertanian,
Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Botani, Taman Saujana Hijau, Taman
Cabaran, Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

LC
Large-billed Crow
Gagak Paruh Besar
Corvus macrorhynchos

Description: Male: Long,
stout, dagger-like black bill
with arched culmen. Dark
brown iris. Plumage entirely glossed black. Bases of neck feathers pale
grey. Upper surface of wing and central tail feathers shot with purple
tinge. Underparts black with strong sheen. Black legs. Female: Like male
but smaller, less arched culmen, and less graduated tail. Size: 46-59cm.
Ecology: Found in forest edges; mangroves, beach scrublands,
plantations, wooded gardens, and open country. Distributed in the
Indian subcontinent to China and eastern Russia and Japan, south to
South-East Asia, the Greater and lesser Sundas and the Philippines.
Fairly common resident from low elevations up to 1500m, south to
Singapore. An omnivorous scavenger that feeds on animal carcasses,
and takes variety of fruits both wild and cultivated.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Warisan Pertanian, Taman Rimba
Alam, Taman Botani, Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

92

~ Hirundinidae ~

Barn Swallow
Sualo Api
Hirundo rustica

LC

Description: Forehead rufous-chestnut.
Crown and upperparts glossy steel-
blue. Significant chestnut throat and
blue breast band. Rest of underparts,
including undertail coverts and
underwing coverts, creamy or buffy
white. Black tail deeply forked with
elongated outer tail feather. Female: Like male but with shorter outer
tail feathers. Juvenile: Duller with forehead and throat paler. Shorter
outer tail feathers. Size: 17-19cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in scrublands, open areas in forests, reed
beds, open country, towns, and cities. Breeds throughout temperate
latitudes in North America, Europe, and Central Asia. Winters
throughout South America, Africa, South and South-East Asia reaching
northern Australia. Abundant and widespread passage migrant and
winter visitor at all elevations south to Singapore. The main foods are
flying insects caught mid air.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Botani, Taman Putra Perdana, Taman
Wetland and Upper Bisa.

Pacific Swallow
Sualo Batu
Hirundo tahitica

LC

Description: Forehead, throat
and upper-breast extensively
rufous. Blackish glossed steel-
blue upperparts. Blue neck
bands absent unlike Barn
Swallow. Flanks and lower-breast vary from light gray to blackish.
Central and lower belly usually whiter than rest of underparts.
Undertail coverts marked with black and white scales. Tail forked into
pointed corners with white subterminal bands. Sexes alike. Juvenile:
Duller overall with rufous areas paler and shorter tail. Size: 12-14 cm.
Ecology: Prefers open country, scrublands, towns, and cities. Ranges
from the Indian subcontinent and South-East Asia through Myanmar
and the Malay Peninsula south to the Indonesian Archipelago and
Australia east to western Pacific. Abundant and widespread resident
from low elevations up to 1800m, south to Singapore. An aerial
insectivore with flying insects as main diet.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Botani, Taman Putra Perdana,
Taman Cabaran, Taman Warisan Pertanian, Taman Rimba Alam,
Taman Saujana Hijau, Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

93

~ Cisticolidae ~

Ashy Tailorbird
Perenjak Bukit
Orthotomus ruficeps

LC

Description: Rufous-chestnut
head, sides of head and chin.
Iris light yellowish-brown
to orange. Long pinky-flesh
bills. Upperparts including
upperwings dark ashy grey.
Greyish-brown tail with very
small white tips and narrow
dark subterminal markings.
Throat and breast dark ashy grey, paler on lower breast and flanks with
almost white on belly and undertail coverts. Female: Paler greyish-
white underparts with grey wash on breast and flanks. Size: 12-14cm.
Ecology: Prefers areas with water bodies in mangroves, forest edges,
scrublands, gardens, and plantations. Found in Myanmar to the Malay
Peninsula and the Greater Sundas. Fairly common resident at low
elevations, south to Singapore. Diet includes small invertebrates and
their larvae such as caterpillars, ants, small flies, and beetles.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Ekuestrian, Taman Wetland and
Taman Botani.

LC

Common Tailorbird
Perenjak Pisang
Orthotomus sutorius

Description: Male: Rufous
forecrown and buffish ear-
coverts. Reddish-yellow iris.
Dark brown upper mandible and yellowish lower mandible. Upperparts
including upperwings and tail yellowish green. Throat and underparts
white. Yellowish pink legs. Female: Shorter tail than male and lack the
extension of central rectrices. Juvenile: Duller than adult, with crown
and nape olive, eyes dark brown. Size: 10-14 cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in open country, scrublands, forest edges,
mangroves, plantations, and gardens. Distributed in the Indian
subcontinent and southern China through South-East Asia to the
Malay Peninsula and Java. Common and widespread resident from
low elevations up to 1500m, south to Singapore. Diet almost entirely
consists of small invertebrates such as insects that include bugs, small
beetles and ants.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam, Taman Ekuestrian,
Taman Cabaran, Taman Putra Perdana, Taman Botani, Taman Saujana
Hijau, Taman Wetland and Upper Bisa.

94

~ Cisticolidae ~

LC
Dark-necked Tailorbird
Perenjak Belukar
Orthotomus atrogularis

Description: Male:
Entire crown and nape
rufous. Iris olive-brown.
Upper mandible dark brown, cutting edges and lower mandible yellow.
Upperparts including upperwings and tail olive green. Pale chin and
ear-coverts with dark grey streaks. Greyish-black throat and breast
diffused to white belly significant. Yellowish lower flanks and undertail
coverts. Legs brownish-flesh. Female: Throat lack black color and the
rufous on head reduced to forecrown only. Size: 11-12cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in forests, forest edges, scrublands, gardens,
and mangroves. Ranges through the North-East India and South-
East Asia to Sumatra and Borneo. Fairly common resident from low
elevations up to 1500m, south to Singapore. Diet primarily consists of
insects and other tiny invertebrates.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam and Upper Bisa.

LC
Rufescent Prinia
Perenjak Sampah
Prinia rufescens

Description: Dark slate crown. Narrow white supercilium and eyering.
Iris reddish-brown to yellowish-brown. Dark rufescent olive-brown
upperparts. White underparts with buff wash on flanks and pale
undertail-coverts. Relatively long rufous-brown tail. Pinkish legs.
Juvenile: As adult but often has pale yellow wash below. Size: 11-12 cm.
Ecology: Commonly found in forest edges and plantations with long
grass and undergrowth. This bird can be found in the Himalayas
through South-East Asia to the Malay Peninsula. Locally common
resident principally from low elevations up to 1500m, south to Johor.
Mainly preys on insects and their larvae.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam.

95

~ Cisticolidae ~

Yellow-bellied Prinia
Perenjak Padi
Prinia flaviventris

LC

Description: Slate-grey head, hind
neck and sides of upperface with white
short narrow supercilium in front of
eye. Iris reddish brown to dark red.
Dark greenish olive upperparts. Throat
and breast creamy white. Lemon-
yellow belly, lower flanks and undertail
coverts. Long olive-yellow tails. Legs
yellowish brown to pinkish yellow.
Juvenile: Lacks grey on head, dull
olive-brown upperparts and washed
yellow underparts. Size: 12-14cm.
Ecology: Inhabits reed beds, forest edges, swampy grasslands, and open
country with tall grass. Can be found in the Indian subcontinent and
southern China through South-East Asia to the Greater Sundas. Fairly
common resident from low elevations up to 1800m at Cameron Highlands,
south to Singapore. Main diets are insects and their larvae including ants,
caterpillars, small beetles, grasshopper, and small butterflies.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Ekuestrian, Taman Wetland, Taman
Rimba Alam and Taman Cabaran.

Zitting Cisticola
Cekup Layang
Cisticola juncidis

LC

Description: Plain buffy face
with creamy lores and eye
ring extending into paler buff
supercilium. Pale brown iris
with dark grey bill and paler
base. Brown crown, mantle, and
wings with heavily blackish-
brown streaks. Flight-feathers dark brown with buff margins. White
throat and whitish tinged rufous buff underparts especially on flanks
and undertail coverts. Juvenile: Like adult but more rufous upperparts
with broad, duller brown streaking including on rump. Size: 11-13cm.
Ecology: Inhabits grassy riverbanks, open grasslands, and rice fields.
Distributed throughout Africa, southern Europe, temperate Asia,
South and South-East Asia to northern Australia. Locally common
resident principally at low elevations south to Singapore, and recorded
up to 760m on Bukit Larut, Perak. Diet mainly insects and small
invertebrates, occasionally grass seeds.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

96

~ Pycnonotidae ~

LC

Black-headed Bulbul
Merbah Siam
Brachypodius atriceps

Description: Head,
nape and throat metallic
black. Yellowish-green
upperparts and yellow
underparts. Black primaries and primary coverts. Yellow tail with black
subterminal band. Iris blue. Juvenile: Brownish-green head, dull overall
plumage. Size: 16-18m.
Ecology: Habituates secondary and logged forests and forest edges up
to 1300m. Widespread across northeast India, mainland of South-East
Asia, Borneo and Palawan. Common resident in Peninsular Malaysia.
Main diets are fruits especially figs as well as small invertebrates such
as grasshopper and dragonflies.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam.

LC

Cinereous Bulbul
Merbah Abu
Hemixos cinereus

Description: Dark grey crown
often raised as crest. White
throat and chin that are usually
puffed out prominent. Black
moustachial stripes bordered
by pale brown ear-coverts. Area
below eye matt-black. Grey
upperparts, dark brown wings with greater wing-coverts broadly
fringed with olive tinge. Dull greyish-brown breast and whitish belly
and undertail coverts. Black bill. Juvenile: Looks duller and browner
especially on upperparts with shorter crest. Size: 20-21cm.
Ecology: Found in primary and secondary forests, and forest edges up
to 2013m. They range from the Himalayan region and southern China
to mainland of South-East Asia, Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and
Borneo. Locally common resident in Peninsular Malaysia. Feeds on
fruits, insects, nectar and invertebrates.
Also known as: Ashy Bulbul before split into two distinct species.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

97

~ Pycnonotidae ~

LC
Cream-vented Bulbul
Merbah Mata Putih
Pycnonotus simplex

Description: Uniform dark olive-brown head and upperparts. Chin
and throat whitish with slight creamy tinge. Breast pale brown. Belly
to undertail-coverts pale creamy white. White iris prminent. Juvenile:
Similar to adult but pale overall. Red iris. Size: 18-20cm.
Ecology: Lives in primary, secondary and logged forests, forest edges
from low elevation up to 1300m. They can be found across Thai-Malay
Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and Borneo. Common resident in Peninsular
Malaysia. Mainly feeds on fruits but also consumes insects such as
cockroaches and caterpillars.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Wetland.

LC
Olive-winged Bulbul
Merbah Belukar
Pycnonotus plumosus

Description: Drab
bulbul with olive-green
wing and dark red eyes.
Ear-coverts and cheeks
with pale streaks. Chin
and throat whitish. Upperparts dull brown with strong olive wash
on wings and tail. Underparts pale dull brown. Undertail covert buff
brown. Iris reddish-brown. Juvenile: Less markings than adult with
more uniform brown plumage. Brown iris. Size: 19-20cm.
Ecology: Found in secondary and logged forests, forest edges, coastal
forests, mangroves, scrublands, and plantations mostly in lowlands.
They ranges across the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo,
Palawan and Java. Common to very common resident through
Peninsular Malaysia. Generalist; consumes berries, other fruits and also
invertebrates such as beetles even freshwater crabs.
Distribution in Putrajaya: Taman Rimba Alam.

98