Bird Watching Events in Malaysia 2023

Here is a list of Bird Watching Events in Malaysia 2023 where you can start planning your trips as there has been an increase in birding-related events, fairs, festivals, races and competitions around the country.

Several notable events have been around for more than ten years, and over the last decade, more birdwatching-related events have mushroomed around Malaysia. Some are on a local level, while many are on an international scale.

This article was for birding events in Malaysia in 2023. For the latest, please see our master article for the complete list of birdwatching events in Malaysia.

Bird Watching Events in Malaysia 2023

Let’s look at the list of events from January till the end of the year. Please note that even though the event dates have been fully confirmed or announced, there can be changes along the way.

Most importantly, you can keep up to date with this article, as I have made this a one-stop birding platform for everyone. Therefore, you can bookmark this page and share it with your birding friends. You should note that we do not see any birding events early in the year, namely in January and February. This is due to the hectic year start, the Chinese New Year, and other holidays.

This complete list of birdwatching events in Malaysia is also great for anyone planning trips to any events around Malaysia. The list for Bird Watching events in Malaysia 2023 is made based on the month of the year as below;

 

Raptor Watch 2023 (March)

Raptor Watch is one of the premier events organised by the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and supported by Negeri Sembilan and Melaka tourism boards, as the venue sits between two states in the Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve. This is one event to attend if you want to learn about migrating raptors to Malaysia.

• Date: 11-12 March
• Day: Weekend
• Venue: Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve
• Registration: Yes

 

Kenyir Bird and Nature Quest 2023 (March)

This local event attracts a maximum of 70 participants and must be pre-booked. You cannot just go there and attend the Kenyir Bird and Nature Quest 2023 event, as you are required to make your booking via the travel company that is part of the organisers.

• Date: 10 – 11 March
• Day: Fri & Sat
• Venue: Pengkalan Gawi, Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu
• Registration: Yes, pre-registration required

 

 

Fraser’s Hill International Bird Race 2023 (June)

The oldest bird race in Malaysia takes place in June, the Fraser’s Hill International Bird Race 2023. This birding event has been around for over 30 years and attracts local and international participants to Bukit Fraser in Pahang. This year will also be the 34th year for this event.

• Date: 17 & 18 June 2023
• Day: Sat & Sun (Weekend)
• Venue: Fraser’s Hill, main town centre
• Registration: Only for participants in race and contest

 

Taman Negara Bird Count 2023 (March) (July)

Pahang Tourism and the Taman Negara Bird Group organised this local birding event, but I am unsure if they will be doing the Taman Negara Bird Count this year. I will update once I get more information; therefore, it is to be confirmed for now.

• Date: 21-23 July
• Day: Fri-Sun
• Venue: Kuala Tahan, Taman Negara, Pahang
• Registration: –

 

 

Wings of KKB 2023 (End of July)

One of the Selangor Bird Watching Events that take place at Jalan Bukit Kerajaan Recreation Park is no other than the Wings of KKB. This event, however, focuses more on bird education at a young age and encourages school participation. There are three open categories for bird race, bird photography and bird painting for anyone to join.

Wings of KKB Program Information

• Event Days: 29 – 30 July 2023
• Closing Ceremony: 30 July 2023 at 3.00 pm
• Venue: Jalan Bukit Kerajaan Recreation Park, Kuala Kubu Bharu (opposite Hulu Selangor Municipal Council office)

Registration Period

• Opening Date: 19 June 2023 at 2.00 pm
• Closing Date: 26 July 2023 at 5.00 pm
• Email: wingsofkkb.selangorbirdfair@gmail.com

 

Sarawak International Bird Race 2023 (August)

I am unsure if this event will continue as the Sarawak state government and the MNS Sarawak branch organise it. It has been on and off in the last decade, and there is usually very little information about this bird race in Sarawak.

• Date: TBC
• Day: TBC
• Venue: Kuching and its surrounding, Sarawak
• Registration: –

 

Taiping Bird Week 2023

The 4th edition of Taiping Bird Week is held at the Lake Gardens area of Taiping, Perak. While the event is week-long, the main bird race and photography contest takes place on the weekend of the event.

• Date: 20-27 August
• Day: Sun-Sun
• Venue: Taiping Lake Gardens area
• Registration: Yes

 

 

Rompin State Park Bird Race 2023 (September)

In 2022, the state park management organised the Rompin State Park Bird Race as an inaugural event and saw about 30 birders and photographers attending. This was a trial for the state park as many bird species have been spotted around the park. I am unsure if they will do another this year, but stay tuned.

• Date: TBC, September, Unconfirmed
• Day: Weekend
• Venue: Rompin State Park, Pahang Side
• Registration: –

 

Asian Bird Fair 2023 Sabah (October)

The Asian Bird Festival is one of the largest and internationally known birding events that move around Asia, and for 2023, ABF is coming to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. This is one event not to be missed by anyone in the birding circle. The Asian Bird Festival 2023 is also the third time this event has been held in Malaysia.

• Date: 13 – 17 October
• Day: Fri – Tuesday
• Venue: Sabah International Convention Centre, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
• Registration: Yes for delegates, pre and post-tours.

 

 

Borneo Bird Festival 2023 (October)

Running in its 13th year, the Borneo Bird Festival is the largest bird and nature event on the island of Borneo. It is held at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in Sandakan, Sabah. Several activities are going on during this weekend event, not only for birders but for the ordinary visitors to the festival.

• Date:  21-22 October
• Day: Sat-Sun
• Venue: Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in Sandakan, Sabah
• Registration: Yes for all contests and races

 

Pesta Sayap 2023 (October)

Known as the Festival of Wings or Pesta Sayap in Malay, this one-day event occurs at the Kuala Selangor Nature Park (KSNP) in Selangor. Organised by Taman Alam Kuala Selangor, the Kuala Selangor Council and MNS, this event has been conducted since 2004.

Pesta Sayap was developed to create awareness about the coastal wetlands and welcome the migratory birds that flew along the North Central Selangor Coast from the North.

• Date: TBC
• Day: One day only, Saturday
• Venue: Kuala Selangor Nature Park (KSNP), Selangor
• Registration: Yes for contests only

 

 

Taiping Raptor Watch (November)

Another raptor watch event in Malaysia that is held on a smaller scale in Taiping, Perak. This event sees more migratory bird fans coming to spot the various raptors that migrate south and make Taiping one of the locations.

We are unsure if this event is still an open event to the public or if it is now a closed event where members of MNS will do the count by themselves.

• Date: Early November
• Day: Weekend
• Venue: Taiping, Perak
• Registration: –

 

Putrajaya Bird Race 2023 (November)

After three years of postponing the event, the Putrajaya Bird Race is finally taking off again this year. It expects a large turnout because the organisers have been actively going around Malaysia doing bird counts and meeting with state parks and councils to promote birding.

• Date: 18-19 November (TBC)
• Day: Weekend
• Venue: Putrajaya Wetlands, Putrajaya
• Registration: Yes for the bird race

 

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Conclusion

This website for birdwatching in Malaysia and Asia is managed independently by David Hogan Jr, a Malaysian passionate about sharing birding information with the world. I have been writing about birdwatching since 2008, and Birdwatching Asia has been active since 2018.

I also hope you found the information on Bird Watching events in Malaysia 2023 helpful. And if you are planning a bird-related event like a race or photography contest, don’t hesitate to contact me so I can promote it here.