Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur

Garnet Pitta Erythropitta granting ©Cheong Weng Chun Website
Birding Kuala Lumpur

The geography of Kuala Lumpur is characterised by a huge valley known as Klang Valley. The valley is bordered by the Titiwangsa Mountains in the east, several minor ranges in the north and the south and the Strait of Malacca in the west. Kuala Lumpur is a Malay term which translates to ‘muddy confluence’ as it is located at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers.Located in the centre of Selangor state, Kuala Lumpur was previously under the rule of Selangor State Government. In 1974, Kuala Lumpur was separated from Selangor to form the first Federal Territory governed directly by the Malaysian Federal Government. Its location on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, which has wider flat land than the east coast, has contributed to its faster development relative to other cities in Malaysia.The municipality of the city covers an area of 243.65 km2 (94.07 sq mi), with an average elevation of 21.95 m (72 ft).Protected by the Titiwangsa Mountains in the east and Indonesia’s Sumatra Island in the west, Kuala Lumpur has a year-round equatorial climate which is warm and sunny, along with abundant rainfall, especially during the southwest monsoon season from September to April. Temperatures tend to remain constant. Maximums hover between 31 °C and 33 °C (88-92 °F) and have never exceeded 37 °C (99 °F), while minimums hover between 22 °C and 23.5 °C (71-74 °F) and have never fallen below 19 °C (66 °F). Kuala Lumpur typically receives 2,266 mm (89.2 in) of rain annually; June and July are relatively dry, but even then rainfall typically exceeds 125 mm (5 in) per month.Flooding is a frequent occurrence in Kuala Lumpur whenever there is a heavy downpour, especially in the city centre and downstream areas. Dust particles from forest fires from nearby Sumatra sometimes cast a haze over the region. It is a major source of pollution in the city together with open burning, emission from motor vehicles and construction work.

Apart from the area immediately around the city there are several birding sites within easy reach, notably Frasers Hill (c.100k from the City) and Kuala Selangor Nature Park less than 80k.

Top Sites
  • Taman Rimba Ampang

    InformationSatellite View
    Taman Rimba Ampang, part of the Selangor State Park, is located a few kilometers away from the tallest twin-tower in the world - KLCC twin tower. It is a great alternative for birders who can only spend a day or two in Malaysia. This small patch of forest is a recreational forest with a small stream flowing along the main walking path. Over the years, many birdwatchers have frequented this spot and found several jewels including rufous-backed kingfisher, blue-banded kingfisher, red-bearded bee-eater, emerald dove, banded broadbill, and gold-whiskered barbet.
Contributors
Useful Reading

  • Birds of Malaysia

    | By hong Leong Puan, Geoffrey Davison & Kim Chye Lim | Lynx Edicions | 2020 | Hardback | 413 Pages, maps, illustrations | ISBN: 9788416728299 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Organisations
  • Malaysian Nature Society

    Website
    Based in Kuala Lumpur…
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • FR Ampang Recreational Forest

    InformationSatellite View
    Popular with birdwatchers, the Ampang Water Catchment Area was given protected status during colonial times as an intake point for piped water for the city of Kuala Lumpur. The Ampang Intake Point and treatment plant is still in operation just upstream of the recreational forest. The road to the intake point provided easy access from Kuala Lumpur via Jalan Ampang. This accessibility combined with the peaceful serenity of the location caused the state government to set aside the forest for public amenity.
  • WR Bukit Nanas

    InformationSatellite View
    Amidst Malaysia's sprawling concrete jungle metropolis of Kuala Lumpur lays a remnant of the country's pre historic tropical rainforest. This ancient virgin jungle ecosystem flourished at the core of the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve…
Guides & Tour Operators
  • Endemic Guides

    Tour Operator
    Day Kuala Lumpur Surrounding Birding Tour
  • Malaysian Birding Tours

    Tour Operator
    We offer a range of customised birding tours around Malaysia. From day trips to see Mountain Peacock Pheasant to a 14 day tour to bump up your life list, we aim to provide an incredible birding experience through a combination of local knowledge and experience in one of the world's mega-diverse country.
Other Links
  • Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

    Website
    Located in the serene and scenic Lake Gardens, close to the Orchid Garden and the Tun Abdul Razak Memorial, the Bird Park is one of the largest covered bird park in the world, sprawling 8 acres of verdant valley terrain. Here, for the first time in Malaysia, bird lovers can have a field day watching more than 3000 birds perching and winging about freely-in a totally natural and beautifully landscaped enviroment

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