Brunei is home to many unique and beautiful birds. From the elegant and colorful kingfisher to the majestic Brahminy Kite, Brunei is a paradise for bird watchers.
With over 200 species of birds found in the tiny country, Brunei is a haven for avid bird watchers and nature lovers alike. From coastal areas to lush rainforests, Brunei offers a wide variety of habitats for a wide range of birds, making it a great destination for bird watching.
This article will explore some of the most fascinating birds found in Brunei and provide an overview of the best bird watching spots in the country.
1. White-Breasted Woodswallow
The White-breasted Woodswallow is a medium-sized passerine bird found in the Andaman Islands, Indonesia and Northern Australia.
Its name may be misleading as it does not belong to the family of true swallows but rather belongs to Artamidae which also includes butcherbirds, currawongs and Australian magpie.
These birds are mainly greyish brown with white belly patch and long wings having two pale bars on them.
They feed on insects like ants, beetles etc., captured from foliage or air during flight.
Breeding season for this species starts from October till December when they build their cup shaped nests out of twigs near tree trunks or branches usually high up in trees for protection against predators such as snakes or raptors.
Male woodswallows can often been seen singing loudly while displaying its aerial maneuvering capabilities trying to attract potential mates.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Artamidae |
| Genus | Artamus |
| Species | A. leucorynchus |
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2. Eurylaimidae
The Eurylaimidae family of birds is a diverse group, found in the eastern Himalayas all the way to Indonesia and Philippines.
They are suboscine passerines that have been known for their bright colours and broad heads.
Majority of these species live in tropical forests or wetlands, where they feed on small invertebrates like insects and worms.
Some specific species such as drongos use mimicry calls to communicate with other animals while most eurylaimids sing beautiful songs during mating season or territorial disputes.
In addition, many members of this family can actively hunt prey using aerial manoeuvres which make them interesting study subjects for ornithologists around the world.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Eurylaimoidea |
| Family | Eurylaimidae Lesson, 1831 |
3. Stone-Curlew
Stone-curlews, also known as dikkops or thick-knees, are a family of birds that have adapted to live in tropical and temperate regions throughout the world.
They can be found in Africa, Asia and Australia with two or more species per region. Despite being classified as waders, most prefer dry arid habitats over moist wetlands.
Stone-curlews typically have long legs which help them navigate through their preferred terrain efficiently; some species even stand at an impressive height when standing on those long legs.
Additionally they feature cryptic plumage which helps them blend into their surroundings while hunting for prey such as insects and small mammals like rodents.
These unique bird’s calls are easily recognizable; it has been said that hearing one is similar to listening to someone whistling ‘Keee Weee’.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Chionidi |
| Family | Burhinidae Mathews, 1912 |
4. Painted-Snipe
Painted snipes are beautiful and unique wading birds found in the Rostratulidae family. They have short legs, long bills, and a striking plumage which distinguishes them from true snipes.
Males tend to be smaller than females with duller overall coloration. There are three species of painted snipe.
The Greater Painted Snipe, Lesser Painted Snipe, and Australian Painted Snipe – all three have different habitats ranging from wetland pools to grasslands or mangroves depending on their region.
These birds feed mainly on earthworms but also consume insects, crustaceans and plant material when available.
As they rely heavily on wetlands for breeding purposes it is important that we protect these precious habitats so that this special bird can continue to thrive.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Thinocori |
| Family | Rostratulidae Coues, 1888 |
5. Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds, consisting of four genera and 17 species. They are distinguished from other charadrii by their long bills which have a slight downward curve.
Glareolidae live around open grasslands and deserts, where they hunt for insects using the bill to probe into soil or vegetation.
Most species are found in Africa but two pratincoles inhabit parts of Europe and Asia as well.
Coursers tend to be larger than pratincoles with longer legs allowing them to run quickly across sandy dunes while feeding on small animals like lizards or spiders.
Pratincoles feed mainly on flying insects, snatching them out of midair with great agility during flight.
All glareolids share unique features such as large eyes that help it spot prey at night easily making this group one interesting bird family.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Lari |
| Family | Glareolidae CL Brehm, 1831 |
6. Oriental Magpie-Robin
The Oriental magpie-robin is a beautiful passerine bird found across the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia.
It can be easily identified by its black and white plumage, long tail that it holds upright while perched or foraging on the ground.
They are known to sing melodiously which makes them popular as cage birds in many countries.
These birds feed mainly on insects but also consume fruits, berries and nectar from flowers during certain times of the year.
Their population numbers have been declining due to destruction of their natural habitats like deforestation.
However, conservation efforts have seen some success in recent years with more areas being set aside for protection and preservation.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Copsychus |
| Species | C. saularis |
7. Chestnut-Breasted Malkoha
The Chestnut-breasted malkoha is a species of cuckoo found in Southeast Asia, ranging from Myanmar to eastern Java, the Philippines and Borneo.
It stands out among other birds with its large size – measuring up to 49 cm (19 inches) – and striking coloration: grey and dark green upperparts contrasted by chestnut underparts.
Males and females look alike, featuring curved pale upper mandibles. This bird does not exhibit typical cuckoo behaviour like egg laying; instead it eats mainly fruit but also hunts for insects on occasion.
The Chestnut-breasted malkoha is an impressive sight that brightens up any jungle or forest environment.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | Phaenicophaeus |
| Species | P. curvirostris |
8. Long-Billed Spiderhunter
The Long-billed Spiderhunter is a species of bird found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
It belongs to the family Nectariniidae and has an unmistakable long bill that sets it apart from other birds.
This bird can be seen inhabiting subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests as well as montane forests, where they feed on insects such as spiders and caterpillars.
Aside from its diet of bugs, this avian also enjoys nectaring at flowers for sustenance during certain times of year.
During breeding season males display bright orange plumage with black streaks – a beautiful sight indeed.
The Long-billed spiderhunter’s population size remains stable despite some localized declines due to habitat destruction; however continued conservation efforts are necessary in order to ensure their future survival in these areas.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Nectariniidae |
| Genus | Arachnothera |
| Species | A. robusta |
9. Asian Glossy Starling
The Asian glossy starling is a small bird with a beautiful iridescent plumage. It has black feathers on its head, neck and wings that have an intense blue-green sheen in the sunlight.
Its tail feathers are tipped white and it also sports yellow legs and feet. The female of this species differs from the male by having duller colors overall as well as paler underparts than the males do.
This species can be found throughout parts of Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore Taiwan (introduced)and Thailand living mainly in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest habitats but they can also be spotted inhabiting mangrove forests too.
They feed mostly on insects such as grasshoppers which they catch while flying through their natural environment but will sometimes eat fruits when available to them too.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae |
| Genus | Aplonis |
| Species | A. panayensis |
10. Bulwer’s Pheasant
Bulwer’s pheasant (Lophura bulweri) is a species of Southeast Asian bird in the family Phasianidae. It is endemic to the forests of Borneo and currently listed as Vulnerable by IUCN.
This beautiful bird has white-tailed wattles, giving them an attractive appearance. They are mostly found in dense forest areas with plenty of cover for protection from predators.
Their diet consists mainly of fruit, seeds, insects and small animals such as lizards and frogs which they scavenge or hunt along riverbanks and streams.
Due to deforestation caused by human activities their population numbers have been severely reduced making it essential that conservation efforts be put into place before this unique species becomes extinct.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Lophura |
| Species | L. bulweri |
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11. Malaysian Pied Fantail
The Malaysian Pied Fantail is a species of bird in the fantail family found across South East Asia. It’s often referred to as ‘murai gila’, which translates to “crazy thrush” in Malay.
This small but beautiful bird has white and black feathers with an orange-red tail that fans out into two distinct points when it flies.
They inhabit mostly subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and eat insects they catch while foraging among foliage near water sources such as rivers or streams.
The Malaysian Pied Fantail can also be spotted in gardens, parks, forest edges and other open habitats where there are plenty of trees around them providing food and shelter from predators.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Rhipiduridae |
| Genus | Rhipidura |
| Species | R. javanica |
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12. Yellow-Vented Bulbul
The Yellow-vented Bulbul is a stunning passerine bird from southeastern Asia, with its bright yellow and black plumage. It breeds in open habitats such as cultivated areas, but rarely enters deep forests.
They tend to be nomadic, wandering around and searching for food sources. During the breeding season they form pairs and build their nests at least two metres above ground level in trees or shrubs.
The female lays 2–4 eggs which are incubated by both parents over 13–14 days before hatching into chicks that fledge after 16–17 days of nestling stage..
These birds feed mainly on fruits or berries found in gardens or fields; insects like caterpillars may also make up part of their diet.
As beautiful as it looks, this species has a loud call which can become quite irritating if heard frequently.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Pycnonotidae |
| Genus | Pycnonotus |
| Species | P. goiavier |
13. Greater Coucal
The Greater Coucal is a large, crow-like bird that belongs to the Cuculiformes order. It has a long tail and coppery brown wings.
These birds are found in many habitats across India and Southeast Asia, ranging from jungles to suburban gardens.
They feed on insects as well as small vertebrates such as frogs, lizards or snakes which they capture with their strong beak.
The males have glossy black plumage while females are dark brown above with buff underparts.
During breeding season these birds make loud croaking calls and can often be heard at night when they become active after sundown looking for food sources like termites or grasshoppers between bushes or low branches of trees close by water bodies like rivers, lakes etc.
This species plays an important role in maintaining ecological balance in its habitat by controlling pest populations through predation so it is essential that we protect them from hunting and other threats for future generations to enjoy.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | Centropus |
| Species | C. sinensis |
14. Pacific Swallow
The Pacific Swallow is a small bird with glossy blue-black upperparts and white underparts. It has a short, forked tail and wings that are pointed at the tips.
This swallow typically breeds in tropical southern Asia and the islands of the south Pacific Ocean, although it is becoming more common on forested uplands away from coasts.
During breeding season they construct cup or saucer shaped nests made out of mud pellets in sheltered areas such as rock crevices, eaves or tree hollows.
The diet consists mostly of flying insects which they catch while flying low over water bodies like lakes or rivers during their migratory flights between nesting sites to feeding grounds.
They often travel together in flocks when migrating long distances but can sometimes be seen alone chasing after prey midair.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Genus | Hirundo |
| Species | H. tahitica |
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15. White-Breasted Waterhen
The White-breasted Waterhen is a stunning species of bird from South and Southeast Asia. It has a striking appearance, with its dark slaty plumage contrasted by the clean white of its face, breast and belly.
This bold waterbird can often be seen slowly walking around marshes or even drains near busy roads with its tail held upright in an unmistakable pose.
They are omnivores which feed on both plants and small animals such as insects and invertebrates.
The White-breasted Waterhen plays an important role in their ecosystems as they help to keep it balanced by consuming pests that could potentially cause damage to crops or other plant life if left unchecked.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | Amaurornis |
| Species | A. phoenicurus |
16. Zebra Dove
The Zebra Dove is a species of bird belonging to the Columbidae family. It can be found in Southeast Asia, and has predominantly brownish-grey feathers with black-and-white barring.
This dove stands out for its soft, pleasant cooing calls that sound like staccato notes when heard together. George Edwards first described it in 1743 as part of his English naturalist work on birds.
They are small animals with long tails, making them easily identifiable even from afar due to their distinct color patterning.
These doves prefer open woodlands or grassy areas near human settlements where they feed on seeds and insects while nesting close by but still far enough away from disturbance caused by humans or other animals who might disrupt their habitat.
The zebra dove is considered an important symbol among some Asian cultures representing love & beauty , reflecting how this little creature manages to capture people’s hearts wherever it goes.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Geopelia |
| Species | G. striata |
17. Mountain Serpent Eagle
The Mountain serpent eagle is a bird of prey found in northern Borneo. It inhabits forest areas between 1000 and 4100 metres above sea level, where the trees are often stunted due to the altitude.
This dark-coloured raptor can be distinguished from its similar species, the crested serpent eagle, by its preference for higher altitudes.
The mountain serpent eagle feeds on small mammals such as rodents and birds like doves or quails that it catches with its strong talons after swooping down from high up in the sky.
Its population numbers have been decreasing over recent years due to deforestation and hunting activities near their habitats but conservation efforts are underway to protect this magnificent creature before it’s too late.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Spilornis |
| Species | S. kinabaluensis |
18. Ashy Tailorbird
The ashy tailorbird is a species of bird found in parts of Southeast Asia such as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. It has distinctive rufous crowns that make it easy to identify among other birds.
This small passerine typically inhabits subtropical or tropical lowland forests and mangrove swamps.
They are usually seen singly or in pairs foraging on the ground for insects and larvae, which they pluck out using their pointed beaks.
The males also have an elaborate courtship ritual involving song-and-dance displays accompanied by tail fanning while perched at the tops of trees.
These energetic little birds pose no threat to humans but can prove beneficial with many pest control services offered during their busy breeding season.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Cisticolidae |
| Genus | Orthotomus |
| Species | O. ruficeps |
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19. Asian Red-Eyed Bulbul
The Asian red-eyed bulbul is a passerine bird belonging to the bulbul family. It has an expansive range, inhabiting lowland forests in Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo.
This species can be identified by its distinctive chestnut brown plumage, bright red eyes and black forehead crest.
They are somewhat similar in appearance to other bulbuls but have a different call which consists of short chirps interspersed with whistles.
These birds form small flocks when foraging for food such as fruits or insects on the ground or high up in trees and shrubs.
Though they prefer living in dense vegetation near water sources, they may also be found around human habitations where there are plenty of food sources available year-round such as gardens and farms.
The Asian Red-Eyed Bulbuls’ diet includes berries, seeds grains invertebrates like crickets & grasshoppers making them beneficial garden visitors.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Pycnonotidae |
| Genus | Pycnonotus |
| Species | P. brunneus |
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20. Chestnut Munia
The Chestnut munia is a small passerine bird found in many parts of Asia. It has a glossy black head, chest and wings with white patches along its back and belly.
Its bill is conical shaped while the eyes are dark brown to blackish colored. This species can be seen foraging on grasslands, wet fields or around farmlands where it eats various kinds of grains, insects and sometimes weeds too.
Breeding pairs form during summer season when they construct nests using grasses which are placed near shrubs or trees.
A clutch consists of 2-6 eggs that have greyish-white coloration with blotched markings at times.
The female incubates them for about 11 days before hatching takes place after which both parents feed their young ones until they fledge out from the nest within 16–21 days post hatch date.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Estrildidae |
| Genus | Lonchura |
| Species | L. atricapilla |
21. Red-Naped Trogon
The Red-naped Trogon is a colorful species of bird found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. It lives in lowland forests that are subtropical or tropical with moist climates.
This majestic creature has been threatened due to the destruction of its natural habitat caused by human activities such as deforestation and land development.
This iconic trogon was discovered back in 1822 by Sir Stamford Raffles who was known for his work setting up Singapore during this time period.
The red-naped trogon features an eye catching combination of colors which include yellow on its underparts, black wings and tail feathers as well as a vibrant red patch at the base of its neck giving it some extra flair.
It inhabits mid elevation evergreen forest from sea level up to 1 km altitude where it feeds mainly on insects but may also consume small fruits when needed too.
As one could imagine these birds are quite sensitive to alterations made within their environment so conservation efforts have begun focusing on preserving remaining habitats while restoring damaged sites whenever possible too.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Trogoniformes |
| Family | Trogonidae |
| Genus | Harpactes |
| Species | H. kasumba |
22. Black Hornbill
The Black Hornbill is an impressive species of bird found within Southeast Asia. Its distinctive black body and casque-shaped beak make it a truly striking creature.
Unlike other hornbills, the Black Hornbill has quite specific requirements when it comes to breeding and nesting; they only do so if there is an ample supply of fruit in their environment.
These birds are frugivores, meaning that fruits form a major part of their diet as well as being important for the successful rearing of younglings during mating season.
They mainly inhabit tropical rainforests but have been known to roam into more open areas on occasion too.
The conservation status for this species remains vulnerable due to deforestation caused by human activities like logging and agriculture practices which threaten its natural habitat – making us all responsible for protecting these beautiful creatures from extinction.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Bucerotiformes |
| Family | Bucerotidae |
| Genus | Anthracoceros |
| Species | A. malayanus |
