Crested Goshawk (Lophospiza trivirgatus)

OTHER NAMES: Asian Crested Goshawk, Ceylon Crested Goshawk

Latin Etymology: Accipiter ("to grasp") lophospiza ("crest hawk")

Adult Female Crested Goshawk (subspecies L. t. indicus) at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Accipiter trivirgatus indicus
Weight: 224-450g  /  Length: 30-46cm  /  Wingspan: 65-85cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Crested Goshawk is a medium sized species of raptor that I came across entirely unexpectedly - we were walking along the road from our Kuala Lumpur hotel as we did every day but just as we crossed an overpass, there was a large amount of squawking from house crows around - clearly something they didn't like was around.  Upon looking into the tree above me, my initial impression was of a huge thrush - the bold streaking on it's chest certainly very reminiscent of a song thrush.  However, it quickly became apparent that it was this impressive raptor species. As is usual with raptors, the female is the larger of the two.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Lophospiza
SUBSPECIES: A. t. indicus, A. t. peninsulae, A. t. layardi, A. t. formosae, A. t. trvirgatus, A. t. niasensis, A. t. javanicus, A. t. microstictus, A. t. palawanus, A. t. extimus, A. t. castroi

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Malay - Helang Sewah Besar ("Large Sparrow-hawk Eagle")

A widespread resident

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: A single bird in Kuala Lumpur

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto   .

Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis)

OTHER NAMES: Eastern Black-naped Oriole

Latin Etymology: Oriolus ("Golden") chinensis ("Chinese")

Adult Male Black-naped Oriole (subspecies O. c. diffusus) at Kuala Lumpur - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Oriolus chinensis diffusus
Weight: 65-100g  /  Length: 23-28cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

While the Golden Oriole of Europe is a shy bird in much of it's range, in Malaysia the Black-naped Oriole is a common sight and sound.  I first encountered them as a bright yellow flash between trees and subsequently encountered them on most days of the trip - still not keen on being exposed much of the time, but found in any notably green space we visited.  It has a typical oriole song - high pitched and perhaps a little shrill, but very fluid and distinctive - it will often be the first thing to alert you to the bird's presence.

Related Species:
ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Oriolidae
GENUS: Oriolus
SUBSPECIES: O. c. diffusus, O. c. andamanensis, O. c. macrourus, O. c. chinensis, O. c. suluensis, O. c. melanisticus, O. c. sanghirensis, O. c. formosus, O. c. celebensis, O. c. frontalis, O. c. oscillans, O. c. boneratensis, O. c. mundus, O. c. sipora, O. c. richmondi, O. c. insularis, O. c. broderipii, O. c. maculatus 

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - ចេកទុំ ("Ripe banana")

A fairly common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Seen at Angkor Wat

MALAYSIA - Malay: Burung Kunyit Besar ("Great Tumeric Bird")

 A common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Seen multiple times daily in Kuala Lumpur and a few birds in Malacca

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis)

OTHER NAMES: Common Indian Bee-eater

Latin Etymology: Merops ("bee-eater") viridis ("green")

Adult Blue-throated Bee-eater (subspecies M. v. viridis) in Malacca, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Merops viridis viridis
Weight: 34-41g  /  Length: 21cm +9cm for tail streamers  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Blue-throated Bee-eater is a fairly typical member of it's family in many ways, but unlike Europe with it's single species, it shares Malaysia with two others.  Most notably, perhaps is how it alternates with another species of Bee-eater - the Blue-tailed - in it's migration pattern - the Blue-tail arrives as the Blue-throated leaves and vise versa.  It is also unusual in that they are one of the few migrants to breed in Malaysia - normally it destination for species travelling to warmer climes away from their breeding grounds.  I found them to be a bit less gregarious and a lot quieter than European Bee-eater, making them a bit trickier to locate.

Related Species:
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Meropidae
Genus: Merops
SUBSPECIES: M. v. viridis, M. v. americanus 

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Malay - Beberek Leher Biru ("Blue-neck Bee-eater")
A fairly common Summer migrant

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Seen in small numbers on several days in both Kuala Lumpur and Malacca

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Ornate Sunbird (Cinnyris ornatus)

OTHER NAMES: Yellow-bellied Sunbird

Latin Etymology: Cinnyris (a bird named by Hesychius of Alexandria) ornatus ("ornate")

Adult female Olive-backed Sunbird (subspecies C. j. ornatus) at Malacca, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Cinnyris orantus ornatus
Weight: 7-8g  /  Length: 11cm  /  Wingspan: 14-17cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The sunbirds fill the same niche in the Old-World as the Hummingbirds do in the New - a group of nectar feeding specialists with long curved beaks, though some also eat insects and spiders.  The Ornate Sunbird is one of the more common and widespread species of the family within its range - being found in even urban settings like parks.  Though the female here is a very drab bird which looks broadly similar to females of several other sunbirds, the male has an iridescent dark blue mask and bib that make it a lot more distinctive

Related Species:
ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Nectariniidae
GENUS: Cinnyris
SUBSPECIES: C. o. andamanicus, C. o. klossi, C.o. proselius, C. o. flammaxillaris, C.o. ornatus, C. o. rhizopharae, C. o. polyclystus

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - ចាបកន្លង់

 A common resident

 - Seen at Ta Prohm

MALAYSIA - Malay - Kelicap Bukit ("Hill Hummingbird")

A widespread and fairly common species.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: A single female seen in Malacca, a male seen briefly in KLCC Park in Kuala Lumpur

SINGAPORE - A very common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: One at Sungei Buloh and common at Ang Mo Kio

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto  .

Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus)

OTHER NAMES: Chinese Pond-Heron

Latin Etymology: Ardeola ("small heron") bacchus (after Bacchus - for wine coloured breeding plumage)

Adult non-breeding plumage Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus) at Ang Mo Kio, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: ?  /  Length: 46cm  /  Wingspan: 75-90cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

This is a fairly average sized small heron species found broadly over continetal East-Asia, but perhaps notable most for the identification headache it causes - it is part of a group of three species, the other two being Javan Pond Heron and Indian Pond Heron that while in the non-breeding plumage appear functionally identical to each other, though distinct when breeding.  Fortunately for me, this bird isn't *quite* in full on non-breeding plumage and the identification can just about be made by the hint of maroon plumage around the face.  All three species can be found in Malaysia though, so care must be taken.

Related Species:
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae 
Genus: Ardeola 
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - កុកក្រកក្បាលត្នោតចាស់ ("Cinnamon, old brown head")

A locally abundant resident

 - Abundant at Prek Toal

MALAYSIA - Malay - Pucung Cina ("China Heron")
A fairly common non-breeding migrant.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: A single individual in Kuala Lumpur in the central gardens.

SINGAPORE - Common

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Seen around the Lower Pierce Reservoir area

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto    .

Striated Heron (Butorides striata)

OTHER NAMES: Little Heron, Little Green Heron, Green-backed Heron, Mangrove Heron

Latin Etymology: Butorides ("resembling a bittern") striata ("striated")

Adult Striated Heron (subspecies B. s. javanica) at Malacca, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Butorides striata javanica
Weight: 125-250g  /  Length: 35-45cm  /  Wingspan: 50-60cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A very widespread species, found across the tropics of the globe - found on every continent except Europe and Antarctica.  It is highly variable between the subspecies with different races having different plumage patterns and coloration - even on the legs.   In Malaysia, this species was easily the most common heron seen on my trip and was seen in both fresh and saltwater habitats - and indeed occasionally just in trees not particularly near bodies of water.  It is known to feed on lizards and insects as well.

Related Species:
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Butorides
SUBSPECIES: B. s. sundevalli, B. s. atricapilla, B. s. rutenbergi, B. s. brevipes, B. s. crawfordi, B. s. rhizophorae, B. s. degens, B. s. albolimbata, B. s. chloriceps, B. s. javanica, B. s. amurensis, B. s.  actophila, B. s. spodiogaster, B. s. carcinophila, B. s. steini, B. s. moluccara, B. s. idenburgi, B. s. stagnatalis, B. s. flyensis, B. s. macrorhyncha, B.s. solomonensis, B. s. patruelis 

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - ក្រអាច់ ឬ ក្រសាស្វាយ ("Paper"  / "Purple paper")

 A fairly common resident..

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP:Seen at Prek Toal 

MALAYSIA - Malay - Pucung Keladi

Common resident

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: The most common heron in the region - seen in Kuala Lumpur and Malacca 

SINGAPORE - A local resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP:Several at Sungei Buloh

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Coppersmith Barbet (Psilopogon haemacephalus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Psilopogon ("bare beard") haemacephalus ("blood headed")

Adult Coppersmith Barbet (subspecies P. h. indicus) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Psilopogon haemacephalus indicus
Weight: 30-53g  /  Length: 15-17cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

In Malaysia, the Coppersmith Barbet is the commonest member of its family - the barbets which are relations of the woodpeckers.  Although I sadly didn't hear it, the name comes from it's call - which sounds distinctively like someone hammering on metal - perhaps combined with the colour of it's forehead - a bright coppery orange.  It is the smallest species of all the barbet.  It is another species which is doing well from human changes to the environment - as it nests in dead trees in semi-clear land, logging has actually benefitted it - allowing it's range to expand - arriving into Malaysia in the 30s and on to Singapore in the 50s.

Related Species:
Order: Piciformes
Family: Megalaimidae
Genus: Psilopogon
SUBSPECIES: P. h. indicus, P. h. delicus, P. h. roseus, P. h. haemacephalus, P. h. intermedius, P. h. celestinoi, P. h. mindanensis, P. h. cebuensis, P. h. homochroa 

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - ប៉ោលតោកអំបុក ("? pendulem")

A fairly common resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: One at Ta Prohm

MALAYSIA - Malay - Takur Akar  ("Root Barbet")

A fairly common and widespread resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Two seen in Kuala Lumpur - one in a small area of trees, one in the Botanical Garden.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Eastern Cattle Egret (Bubulcus coromandus)

OTHER NAMES: Cattle Egret

Latin Etymology: Bubulcus ("cow-herd") coromandus ("of the Coromand coast")

Two Breeding plumage Adult Eastern Cattle Egret (Bubulcus coromandus) at Phnom Krom, Cambodia - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 270-512g  /  Length: 51cm  /  Wingspan: 88-96cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not yet Evaluated

As with the Eastern Great Egret, this is another case of a Eurasian heron species which has been split horizontally by some taxonomists yet remains lumped by others. In this case, the Eastern Cattle Egret is more widely accepted than the Eastern Great Egret, but still not that widely accepted.  The main difference between this species and its western counterparts (beyond obviously, range) is the breeding plumage - the buff colouration is more extensive in this species along with some other coloration differences.

Related Species:
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Bubulcus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer name: កុកគោ ("cow ?")

Locally resident

SINGAPORE / CAMBODIA 2019 TRIP - One at Phnom Krom

MALAYSIA - Malay - Bangau Kerbau ("Buffalo Egret")

Locally common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Abundant on the fields of Simpang Airport, Kuala Lumpur but not seen elsewhere.

SINGAPORE - A resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Seen from moving car several times.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus*, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Oriental Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)

OTHER NAMES: Eastern Broad-billed Roller, Dollarbird 

Latin Etymology: Eurystomus ("broad bill") orientalis ("oriental")

Adult Dollarbird (subspecies E. o. orientalis) at Angkor Wat, Cambodia - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Eurystomus orientalis orientalis
Weight: 123g  /  Length: 30cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Dollarbird is a member of the roller family found along much of South-East Asia as well as Eastern India and Australia as well as China and Southern Japan.  It's name comes from the white "silver dollar" like markings on the underside of it's wings which are visible in flight.  Compared to the European Roller in Europe it is a species that has adapted better to modern human living - the clearance of forest has allowed it to expand it's range in Malaysia, and can be found in suburban areas as was the case with this bird.

Related Species:
Order: Coraciiformes
FAMILY: Coraciidae
GENUS: Eurystomus
SUBSPECIES: E. o abundus, E. o. deignani, E. o. orientalis, E. o. gigas, E. o. oberholseri, E. o. connectens, E. o. latouchei, E. o. waigiouensis, E. o. pacificus, E. o. crassirostris, E. o. solomonensis

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - ទាវព្រៃ

A fairly common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Seen at Angkor Wat

MALAYSIA - Malay - Tiong Batu 

A fairly widespread but not especially common resident

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: A single bird in Kuala Lumpur 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)

OTHER NAMES: Red-backed Sea-Eagle

Latin Etymology: Haliastur ("sea-hawk") indus ("Indian")

Adult Brahminy Kite (subspecies H. i. intermedius) over Sungei Buloh, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Haliastur indus intermedius
Weight: 320-670g  /  Length: 43-51cm  /  Wingspan: 109-124cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Brahminy Kite is the most common widespread raptor in Malaysia, at least in terms of the one most likely to be seen in urban areas, however, it is distinctly less common than the Kites of Europe and Japan - usually only one or two seen distantly compared to the common presence of Black Kite in Spain and Japan or Red Kite in the UK.  This is in part due to the fact it is more a coastal bird, than the above.  It is also a distinctive looking bird, but lacks the forked tail of the more familiar northerly species.  It is also a species with considerable cultural associations - it is considered the representative of Garuda in Hinduism as well as featuring in the mythology of several places in the region.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Haliastur
SUBSPECIES: H. i. indus, H. i. flavirostris, H. i. girrenera, H. i. intermedius

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Malay - Helang Merah ("Red Eagle")

Widespread in low densities.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Usually one or two seen daily, including in Kuala Lumpur and Malacca

SINGAPORE - A reasonably common resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Several over Sungei Buloh

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Oriental Magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis)

OTHER NAMES: Straits Robin, Magpie Robin

Latin Etmology: Copsychus ("blackbird/thrush") saularis ("Hindi name")

Adult and Juvenile Oriental Magpie Robin (subspecies C. s. musicus) at KL Central Gardens, Kuala Lumpur - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Copsychus saularis musicus
Weight: 31-42g  /  Length: 19-21cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

While a number of reports I've seen about birding in Malaysia seem to describe the Oriental Magpie-Robin as "the most common bird in Malaysia", my experience didn't entirely match up with that description.  While in certain locations, specifically KL Central Gardens they were abundant, it tended to be a case of either abundant or absent in any one location - and certainly less abundant than species like House Crow, Glossy Starling and Javan Myna.

Related Species:
ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Muscicapidae
GENUS: Copsychus
SUBSPECIES: C. s. saularis, C. s. ceylonensis, C. s. erimelas, C. s. andamanensis, C. s. prosthopellus, C. s. musicus, C. s. nesiotes, C. s. zacnecus, C. s. nesiarchus, C. s. masculus, C. s. pagiensis, C. s. javensis, C. s. amoenus, C. s. amoenus, C. s. problematicus, C. s. adamsi, C. s. pluto

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - ល្វាចេក

A local resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Several at Prek Toal and Siem Reap

MALAYSIA - Malay - Murai Kampung ("Village Magpie")

 Locally abundant resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Abundant in parks and gardens in Kuala Lumpur

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Pacific Swallow (Hirundo javanica)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Hirundo ("swallow") tahitica ("of Tahiti")

Two adult Pacific Swallows (subspecies H. j. javanica) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - July, 2016

Featured Subspecies: Tirundo tahitica javanica
Weight: 11-15g  /  Length: 14cm  /  Wingspan: 30-35cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Pacific Swallow is a fairly typical red-throated swallow in many ways - similar to the globally distributed Barn Swallow on first inspection.  However, on closer examination, a few defining features begin to stand out - the lack of a dark chest band between red and white, duskier underparts and a shorter tail.  It is however also a little different behaviorally from the Barn Swallow, being principally a coastal species, being resident and it's range being restricted to the tropics.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Genus: Hirundo
SUBSPECIES: H. j. javanica, H. j. namiyei, H. j. frontalis, H. j. ambiens, H. j. subfusca, H. j. albescens 

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Malay - Layang-layang Pasifik ("Pacific Kite")
Common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Common in Kuala Lumpur 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Edible-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus)

OTHER NAMES: White-nest Swiftlet, German's Swiftlet, Oustalet's Swiftlet

Latin Etymology: Aerodramus ("air run") fuciphagus ("seaweed eating")

Adult Edible-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) at Malacca, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Aerodramus germani germani
Weight: 13-14g/kg  /  Length: 12cm  /  Wingspan: 27cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Until 2024 it was regarded as two separate species - Germain's Swiftlet and the White-nest Swiftlet, however these species were lumped together, which is convenient in so much as separating those populations in the field is near impossible.  It struck me an interesting at the time that the swiftlet species I saw far more resembled what would be a martin's shape in Europe - far more compact and without that same scythe-blade like wings that defines the full on swifts. 

Related Species:

Order: Apodiformes

Family: Apodidae

Genus: Aerodramus

SUBSPECIES: A. f. germani, A. f. amechanus, A. f. omexpectus, A. f. perplexus., A. f. fuciphagus, A. f. dammermani, A. f. micans

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - ត្រចៀកកាំមធ្យម
Common.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Common over Siem Reap

MALAYSIA - Malay - ?

Common

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Seemingly abundant throughout at Kuala Lumpur and Malacca, specific identification difficult.
SINGAPORE - Common.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Seemingly abundant, specific identification difficult.
 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Seen in Ang Mo Kio.

Further Notes:  BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto  

.