In March 2024, I went birdwatching at Penang Botanical Gardens, probably one of the best places on the island for beginners and photographers. The beauty of this place is that you do not need to walk the entire garden to birdwatch.
When I arrived here on a weekday morning, there was already a steady flow of visitors, ranging from those doing exercise to several other birders armed with cameras. And guess where most of the birding took place? Read on to find out more.
Birdwatching at Penang Botanical Gardens
As I tried to engage a birdwatching guide in Penang, I was unlucky because the person I knew was pre-booked for weeks ahead, and no one else was available. Therefore, it was purely a solo seld-discovering birding trip to Penang. One of the recommended places is the Penang Botanical Garden.
I assumed it would require some serious walking around the gardens, but when I arrived and parked outside the main road, I was surprised to see a birder walking by the side of the road with his tripod and camera. Curiosity killed my cat, and I followed him to see where he was headed. It was not far, just 20 metres, and he parked his tripod facing one of the medium-sized trees.
This location was outside the Penang Botanical Gardens and the old Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) building. I thought maybe it was just one of the random places until I spent about two hours walking around here.
Surprisingly, the bird life in the many small to large trees was relatively healthy. It mainly consisted of smaller birds like spiderhunters, sunbirds, and tailorbirds, and even medium-sized birds like mynas, pigeons, and kingfishers.
Many will ask if it is worth visiting the botanical gardens to bird watch. Well, if this is your first time in this part of the world and you’re looking for some quick birding in between a business or family trip, then yes, it is.
Also, if you are an avid birder or bird photographer and want to visit Penang, this is a recommended place to spend the morning. You can start as early as 7 AM and be done by 11 AM to have some excellent Penang local food, then come back again in the evening if you like.
What Birds Can Be Seen at Penang Botanical Gardens?
Another common question that is asked, and from my two trips here in 2024, I managed to see several birds which are;
- Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
- Spotted Dove
- Pink-necked Green-Pigeon
- White-breasted Waterhen
- Medium Egret
- Straited Heron
- House Crow
- Common Kingfisher
- Stork-billed Kingfisher
- Blue-tailed Bee-eater
- Coppersmith Barbet
- Black-naped Oriole
- Common Iora
- Pacific Swallow
- Yellow-vented Bulbul
- White-breasted Waterhen
- Asian Glossy Starling
- Common Myna
- Javan Myna
- Crested Myna
- Asian Koel
- Asian Brown Flycatcher
- Oriental Magipie Robin
- Orange-bellied Flowerpecker
- Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker
- Crimson Sunbird
- Brown-throated Sunbird
- Van Hasselt’s Sunbird
- Ornate Sunbird
Birds of Penang Botanical Gardens
Below are some random photos of birds at the botanical gardens during my exploration trip here.
Location of Penang Botanical Garden
Penang Botanical Garden Information
- Address: Jalan Kebun Bunga, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Open: 6.30 to 7.00 PM
- Entrance: Free
- Telephone: 04 2264401
- Website: Taman Botani Pulau Pinang
Conclusion
During my stay here, I explored some of Gerogetown’s beautiful UNESCO heritage sites and stayed at a recommended heritage hotel called 23 Love Lane, which is within walking distance of many attractions. I have previously stayed at general hotels, but this time, I wanted to try something different for my birding trip.
Overall, I would recommend birdwatching at Penang Botanical Gardens as it is possibly one of the best places on the island without having to travel far or go through rugged terrain. The gardens are located near Gurney Drive, and from the main Georgetown, it takes around 10 to 15 minutes to drive here.
