Birding at Langkawi

Langkawi is not necessarily a top-priority destination for birders, but it still offers some great species that can be observed quite easily. Since it is a fairly touristy destination, it’s best to go birding early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Sunrise is, in any case, the best time to watch birds. One of the island’s strengths is its wide variety of habitats : coastline, forest, and rice fields. Which makes it home to a very diverse range of species!

For photographers, birds are quite easy to capture, especially in Kuah town park. Maybe they’ve become used to the presence of humans? In any case, it’s a great opportunity to take some beautiful shots! As for mammals, many monkeys (Dusky Langur and Long-tailed Macaque) can also be found on the island. 🏝️

Where to find birds in Langkawi ?

Gunung Raya

Small mountain on Langkawi peaking at 880 meters, Gunung Raya is located in the center of the island. It is covered with tropical rainforest teeming with wildlife typical of this dense environment. To reach the summit, there are two options.

Hike to the top of Gunung Raya

The first is to take the trail with its 4,287 steps (yes, that’s very precise 😉). You can park at the entrance of Dream Forest. The start of the hike is at the “Thousand Memories Eagle Stairs” (the GPS point is marked on the map below). The climb is not the easiest… especially with several fallen trees along the trail. But it’s doable! Especially at “birdwatching pace”, meaning stopping often to scan the surroundings for birds.

Birding here is quite challenging since the forest is very dense and therefore rather dark. On top of that, the trees are quite tall, so the birds are too. The advantage of this hike, however, is that you are deep inside the forest. You’ll have the chance for some great encounters, as this is an area where very few people go. Once at the top, you join the paved road leading to the summit. It’s an ideal spot for a long break and observation. From there, you overlook the forest, and the birds are inevitably more visible but sometimes a bit farther away.

Driving up to the summit

The second option for birding at Gunung Raya is to head straight to the top by car or scooter via the road 🚗. You can stop along the way to try for good sightings. The summit is reached once you arrive at the viewpoint.

In this area, you can observe three hornbill species: Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris), Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus), and Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis). They are easier to spot from the road, especially near the summit. In the heart of the forest, you may come across robins, bulbuls, and sunbirds. With some luck, you might even see the rare Mountain Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis).

CHOGM Park

This park is located in the small town of Kuah (which is the gateway to Langkawi by sea 🛥️). Although fairly urbanized, it is home to some lovely bird and mammal species. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this park to hardcore birders, as you won’t find many rare species here (though… it’s always possible!). I would, however, recommend it to photographers, as the proximity to the birds is quite remarkable. Getting there is very easy. Just head to the location indicated below. For parking, several lots are available all around the park.

In the park, you can easily spot Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis), Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus), Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus), White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris), and Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris). As for raptors, Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) and White-bellied Sea Eagle (Icthyophaga leucogaster) can be seen perched on fairly low trees in the park. Mammals are also present, with Dusky Leaf Monkey, Long-tailed Macaque, and Giant Squirrel.

Former Cenang rice fields

A wetland area is located not far from a busy tourist zone, between the airport and Pantai Cenang beach. Even though this site is still called that on eBird, there are no real rice fields left here. A golf course was planned, and construction had started, destroying much of the area. Fortunately, the project now seems to have been canceled. The wetlands remain, and vegetation has begun to grow back—much to the delight of local waterbirds and a few birders.

It is a vast area made up of small ponds behind the airport. From the garden terrace of Bon Ton Resort, you can get a good view of the site.

To get there, simply go to the location shown on the map below and park in the bend.

This is an excellent spot to see Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) if you haven’t already encountered them at Khao Sam Roi Yot. Many Lesser Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna javanica) can also be found in the ponds.

As is often the case in wetlands, herons and waders are common. Among others, you may find Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius), Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum), Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola), and Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus).

You might also catch sight of the more elusive Slaty-breasted Rail (Lewinia striata) and Watercock (Gallicrex cinerea).

As for passerines, Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus), Oriental Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis), and Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla) are among the species found here.

On the mammal side, I even briefly spotted an otter passing through one of the ponds.

Cenang center

Other fields can be found in the center of Cenang. To access them, I recommend parking near this spot and then exploring the area on foot. Hopefully, it goes without saying that you should avoid walking in the middle of the rice fields and stick to the paths only.

They offer the chance to see more or less the same species as above. I also observed a small colony of Plain-backed Sparrow (Passer flaveolus).

Fields in central Langkawi

Other fields and rice paddies can also be found in the center of Langkawi. The area is quite large, so I’m giving you one suggested spot to park, but you’re free to explore this zone as you wish.

Langkawi is an island where you can see four species of munias: White-headed Munia (Lonchura maja), Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla), White-rumped Munia (Lonchura striata), and Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata). They can be found in this area along with Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus) and Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis).

Beaches and Coastline of Langkawi

I don’t have a specific spot to recommend, as many small beaches are scattered across the island, but it’s worth taking a look. In particular, you may spot the dark morph of the Pacific Reef Heron (Egretta sacra) if you haven’t seen it before.

Langkawi Mangroves

This is not a birder-dedicated site, but there are mangroves on Langkawi. You won’t be able to walk through them, as there are no boardwalks or trails like in other places. However, you can take a boat excursion. Keep in mind that this is a tourist area, so it’s best to go on a boat trip at opening time and avoid peak tourist hours. Otherwise, you’ll see very few birds.

There are two mangroves on the island. The first is Kubang Badak, in the northwest of Langkawi.

A second mangrove is located near Kilim Geoforest Park, on the eastern side of the island.

The main bird family you can observe in these mangroves is kingfishers, especially the Brown-winged Kingfisher (Pelargopsis amauroptera).

Par contre, essayez d’éviter les sorties observations des rapaces sur ces zones. Les milans sacrés et pygargues sont nourris avec des aliments non adaptés pour les attirer vers le public. Une pratique absolument pas éthique ni respectueuse des oiseaux sauvages.

How to get to Langkawi ?

There are two ways to reach Langkawi: by plane or by boat.

By plane, flights from Kuala Lumpur are quite frequent. However, I find it a bit of a shame to take this mode of transport (which we know is harmful to the environment) for such a “short” trip, especially when ferries are available at very affordable prices.

By boat, you can reach Langkawi either from Thailand via Satun (Tammalang Pier), or from Malaysia via the jetties at Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah. I would say Kuala Kedah is the more convenient option, as it is close to the city of Alor Setar, which has a KTM train station connecting to Malaysia’s main cities. Ferry tickets can be booked directly at the pier or online. Note that it’s not possible to book too far in advance, as ferry departure times depend on the tides.

Once on the island, renting a car or scooter is essential to get around to the different sites. There are virtually no public transport options in Langkawi.

Where to stay in Langkawi ?

There are several options for accommodation in Langkawi. The two main towns, Kuah and Cenang, are among the most popular places to stay.

In Kuah, Motel Seri Mutiara is a budget-friendly and very comfortable choice, located only a 10-minute walk from CHOGM Park.

Cenang, on the other hand, is the most touristy area. I recommend choosing your accommodation carefully here. Avoid the overly crowded center with its polluted beaches and heavy tourist traffic. If your budget allows, Bon Ton Resort, located near the wetlands, is an excellent option. You can even watch birds directly from the hotel’s restaurant.

Another option is to stay in the center of the island near the rice fields at Kawah Padi Garden Villa Langkawi. This area offers a much calmer and more peaceful atmosphere than Cenang, although naturally with fewer amenities nearby.

If you don’t have your own vehicle, keep in mind that every accommodation can help arrange scooter or car rentals for you. 🛵