7 May 2025
The following records have been accepted since the last update:
Pale Martin: This cryptic taxon has had a tortuous history in Malaysia since birds first suspected of being this species were observed in 2007. The reason for this was uncertainty about reliable distinguishing fieldmarks from Sand Martin. Following recent developments in identification criteria (e.g. Manuel Schweiter's publications), some birds initially seen, described and photographed on 27 Dec 2020 at Malim Nawar, Perak by Chris Gibbins were deemed by the RC to be Pale Martins. It appears that the taxon is a regular winter visitor, at least to this site, in small numbers, along with larger numbers of Sand Martins.
Tree Pipit: A remarkable record of a bird observed and photographed at close range on 30 Oct 2021 at Permai Rainforest Resort, Kuching, Sarawak by Ng Jia Jie. Initially identified as an odd-looking Olive-backed Pipit, the true identity of the bird was discovered by Committee member, James Eaton, while reviewing photos on eBird. The first observation of this bird was just 11 days after Singapore's first record of the species https://singaporebirds.com/species/tree-pipit/ .
The following submissions are still awaiting assessment or review:
Black-backed Swamphen: Recent claims of birds in Peninsular Malaysia are being reviewed following the 2020 KIV vote.
Pied Avocet: Several observations in Peninsular Malaysia in early 2023 represent a potential first record of the species for Peninsular Malaysia.
Javan Plover: A small population discovered in eastern Sabah in 2022 would be a new species for Malaysia if accepted.
Pectoral Sandpiper: A potential first record for Borneo of a bird photographed in Tawau, Sabah, on 15 April 2025.
Chinese Crested Tern: Recent sightings in Sarawak potentially merit moving the species from Category B to Category A of the Malaysian list.
Australian Tern: A potential first national record for Malaysia of a taxon recently split from Gull-billed Tern sighted in Miri, Sarawak, on 17 April 2025.
Yellow Bunting: A potential first for Malaysia seen and photographed at Tempasuk Plain, Sabah, on 3 Jan 2024.
The following records were assessed but found unacceptable:
Western Marsh Harrier: Two birds photographed in Selangor in Dec 2021 and in Perak in Jan 2024 were considered possible hybrids with Eastern Marsh Harrier and were thus adjudged unproven
Large Blue Flycatcher: Two birds sound-recorded in Perlis in Jan 2025 were, in the absence of good views or photographed, considered unproven (KIV, pending further observations).
19 June 2024
The following records of new species for Malaysia have been added since the last update:
Lesser Kestrel: A long-overlooked record of a second-year male photographed on 16-20 Jan 2010 at Sungai Balang paddyfields, Johor, by Paul Wu. The record was discovered by Tan Gim Cheong looking through an old copy of Suara Enggang (Vol. 18 No. 1, Jan-Feb 2010 p23)! First record for Malaysia. Accepted on 6 Sep 2020
Black Tern: A first year bird seen at sea off Tanjung Dawai, Kedah on 28 Oct 2022 by Chris Gibbins et al. First record for Malaysia. Accepted on 15 May 2023.
Asian Golden Weaver: A record of at least 8 birds at Pasir Puteh, Kelantan on 26-27 Dec 2022 by Ong Kang Woei et al. was accepted to Category C (self-sustaining population of captive origin) on the basis of known introduced populations in Peninsular Thailand. Accepted on 15 May 2023.
Bluethroat: Up to 5 individuals were discovered wintering at Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, 23 Dec 2022 - 20 Jan 2023 by Azman Baharuddin. First record for Malaysia. Accepted on 30 Jun 2023.
Black-winged Cuckooshrike: Two birds seen near Kangar, Perlis 2 Feb - 17 Mar 2023 by Huzairi Bin Abd Halim et al. First record for Malaysia. Accepted on 27 Nov 2023.
2020 Checklist now available in downloadable .pdf format
See this link.
19 May 2023
Some belated news on new records for Malaysia:
The following records have been accepted by the Records Committee:
Northern Lapwing: A single bird photographed at Sepayang paddyfield, Kuala Rompin, Pahang on 29-30 Jan 2021 by Mohd Ros Effendi Bin Ramli Chua and Nurul Aida Binti Zawakhir. First record for Malaysia. Accepted 15 Feb 2021.
Blue-and-White Flycatcher: Two adult males photographed at Bintong , Kangar Perlis on 25 Nov 2021 by Huzairi Abd Halim. First documented record for Peninsular Malaysia. Accepted 4 Mar 2022.
Long-legged Buzzard: A first year at an undisclosed site in Perak from 12-23 Mar 2022 photographed by Yvonne Blake and other observers was the first Malaysian record of what was considered to be a 'pure' Long-legged, after 2-3 records of possible hybrids in recent years. Accepted 1 Aug 2022.
Little Black Cormorant: A bird present in Miri, Sarawak from 18 Apr - 29 Oct 2022 photographed by Dave Bakewell and several other observers. First record for Malaysia. Accepted 10 Oct 2022.
Black-faced Spoonbill: An immature at Tempasuk Plain, Sabah from 6 Jan - 1 Mar 2022, found by Boris Soon. First record for Bornean Malaysia. Accepted 10 Oct 2022.
Black-browed Reed Warbler: Two birds at Tempasuk Plain, Sabah from 26 Jan - 16 Feb 2022, found by Boris Soon. Accepted 10 Oct 2022.
Hen Harrier: A first year male photographed in Hilir Perak on 22 Sep 2022 by Yvonne Blake was the first adequately documented record for Peninsular Malaysia after a ressessment of all previous records in 2020 found none fully conclusive. Accepted 2 Mar 2023.
Asian Green Bee-eater: An adult at Alor Setar, Kedah on 12 Dec 2022 - 1 Jan 2023 found by Tan Tian Ching and enjoyed by many was the first documented record for Malaysia. Accepted 2 Mar 2023.
Oriental Turtle Dove: A juvenile photographed on Pulau Mengalum, Sabah on 13 Dec 2022 by Muhammad Ali was the first accepted for Malaysia after two previous sightings had been either assumed to be escapes or were not submitted for assessment by the observers. Accepted 2 Mar 2023.
Pacific Black Duck: A bird atUlu Dedap, Perak on 17 Dec found by Zhongying Koay and Muhamad Qayyum was the first for Malaysia. Accepted 2 Mar 2023.
The following records were assessed but found unacceptable:
Black-backed Swamphen: Numerous reports from the states of Melaka, Johor, Perak and Pahang. The shape of the 'pate' on the forehead of these birds suggests that they may be part of an intergrade population with mixed Grey-headed and Black-backed genes. Decision: KIV, 15 Sep 2020.
Common Swift: Photographs of a bird on 30 Oct 2020 at Hulu Perak, Perak were considered inconclusive. Decision: Unproven, 25 Jan 2021.
Mallard: A male photographed on Pulau Langkawi, Kedah and present from 11-27 Dec 2021 was considered to show plumage aspects suggesting domesticated stock genes. Decision: Unproven, 10 June 2022.
16 September 2022
It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Clive Mann, our records committee member for Bornean Malaysia. He was a great contributor to the Committee. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family on the sad loss.May his soul RIP.
See the link below from his family regarding the passing of Clive.
Mohd Rafi Kudus (Chair)
June 2020
The following records have recently been accepted by the Records Committee:
Woolly-necked Stork: An adult of the episcopus/neglecta group was seen and photographed at Sungai Balang, Johor, on 29 Dec 2019 by Dave Bakewell and Salleh Sheikh Ibrahim Al Saber. The only previous records of the species were pre-Independence, so this sighting moves Woolly-necked Stork from Cat B to Cat A.
Dunlin: A first-winter bird was seen and photographed at Trusan Sandbar, Lawas, Sarawak on 19 Jan 2020 by Ong Kang Woei, Daniel Kong Fuk Sin, Au Nyat Jun, Noraisah Majri and Ng Jia Jie. This represents the first record for Sarawak and the second for Bornean Malaysia (and Borneo).
Pale-legged Leaf-Warbler: This species was removed from the Malaysian list in 2018 following the recognition that the default pale-legged Phylloscopus wintering in the Peninsula is Sakhalin Leaf-Warbler (see below). A Pale-legged Leaf-Warbler was seen and its calls were sound-recorded at Wang Kelian, Perlis, on 19 Feb 2019 by James Eaton and Dave Bakewell. This observation represents the first record of the species for Malaysia. The only currently known way to separate these two cryptic species is by their vocalisations. Their songs are very different from each other, but are unlikely to be heard in Malaysia. However, the frequently-uttered contact calls are diagnostically different in pitch. Sakhalin produces a single, sharp but slightly flat call between 4.5-5.2khz, while Pale-legged produces a higher-pitched call between 5.6 - 6.3kHz. Pale-legged Leaf-Warbler has since been found to be a scarce winter visitor to the northern states of the Peninsula.
Daurian Redstart: A first winter female, considered to have been of the leucopterus race, was found by David and Ruth Beaver in Tanjung Bungah, Penang island on 18 Jan 2019. It was last seen on 30 Jan 2020. This represents the first record of the species for Malaysia.
Black-headed Bunting: A female was seen and photographed at Bestari Jaya, Selangor on 26 Feb 2018 by David Awcock. This becomes the first record for Peninsular Malaysia. A bunting photographed on Tioman Island, Pahang, in 2009 was either a Black-headed or Red-headed Bunting.
April 2020
More Reassessments
1) Cotton Pygmy-Goose: Moved from Cat B to Cat A in Bornean Malaysia following at least 3 records from Sabah in 2015-2018.
2) Red Collared Dove: Added to the Bornean Malaysia list (Cat A) following records of 2-8 birds at Tempasuk Plain, Sabah on 6 Nov 2018 and 20-27 Oct 2019. The species is likely to have arrived from the Philippines, where it has been spreading southwards in recent decades.
3) The Horornis bush-warbler seen at Kudat, Sabah in Mar 2015 was accepted at the time as Manchurian/Bush-Warbler (H.borealis or H.diphone canturians). Clements v.2019 reassigned the canturians taxon to H. borealis. H.diphone is now more or less restricted to the Japanese archipelago, with some wintering in SE China. The “Kudat Bush Warbler” has accordingly been accepted as Manchurian Bush-Warbler H. borealis of either the nominate or canturians race.
4) Reassessment of the status of Buteo buzzards and Hen Harrier in Malaysia is ongoing.
Recent News from the Records Committee
The status of several species of Sturnids (Starlings and mynas) has been reassessed, with the following decisions:
1) Black- collared Starling.
Peninsular Malaysia. No clear evidence that there is a self-sustaining population or that natural expansion of range has resulted in wild occurrence. Moved from Cat C to Cat D.
Bornean Malaysia. No clear evidence that there is a self-sustaining population or that natural expansion of range has resulted in wild occurrence. Retained in Cat D.
2) Asian Pied Starling.
Peninsular Malaysia. Despite the fact that there are almost certainly birds of captive origin, natural expansion down the Thai-Malay Peninsula, and the steady increase of records (both numbers and southward spread) makes it very likely that some genuinely wild birds are occurring. Moved from Cat C to Cat A.
3) Red- billed Starling.
Peninsular Malaysia and Bornean Malaysia. In view of the trend of increasing population size in much of the breeding range and of recent vagrant records in India, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore, the records of this species at Penampang, Sabah on 7 Dec 2011, and at Tok Kasim, Kelantan, on 23 Feb 2012 are now considered to refer to wild birds. An earlier record of a bird at Kulai, Johor, on 11 Sep 2010, is considered likely to have been of captive origin. Moved from Cat D to Cat A.
4) Vineous-breasted Starling.
Peninsular Malaysia. While there are no strong indications that this species is increasing in the region, there do seem good reasons why occasional birds in northern Peninsular Malaysia should be considered of wild origin (see Wells 2007). Moved from Cat D to Cat A.
5) Great Myna.
Peninsular Malaysia. Despite the fact that there are almost certainly birds of captive origin, natural expansion down the Peninsula, and the steady increase of records (both numbers and southward spread) makes it very likely that some genuinely wild birds are occurring. Moved from Cat C to Cat A.
Change in the cut-off date between Category A and Category B. Formerly, birds which had not occurred since the date of the last published Malayan Bird Report (1962) were assigned to Category B. The Committee has decided to amend this to a rolling 50 year period from the 1 Jan of the current year. Thus, for 2020, if a species has not occurred in the wild since before Jan 1, 1970, it is assigned Category B status.
Introduction of a cut-off date for Category D. Category D was defined in the 2015 Checklist as "species believed to occur (or to have occurred) only as a result of human introduction. Continued existence in the wild is considered dependent upon repeat introductions." The Committee has decided to introduced a 10 year cut-off period for this category. Thus, if there have been no records of a Category D species for 10 years (reckoned from Jan 1 of the current year), the species will no longer feature on the national checklist.
March 2020
FIRSTS FOR MALAYSIA
The Records Committee recently voted to accept the following records as first occurrences for the country:
Black-faced Spoonbill: 1 seen on 19 Nov 2019 during a boat survey of the North Central Selangor Coast IBA, Selangor by Ong Kang Woei, Chin Choong Liung, Low Kok Hen, Jacelyn See and Yeap Chin Aik and photographed as it flew south. Not relocated.
Chestnut-tailed Starling: 1 seen and photographed on 28 Sep 2019 at Pulau Indah, Selangor by Khoo Swee Seng and Caroline Ho Bee Geok in the same tree as the European Starling found in January. It was found during heavy rain, and left after just 3 minutes of observation, and could not be located subsequently.
Booted Warbler: 1 seen and photographed on 12 Feb 2020 at Langkap, Perak by Dave Bakewell. The bird was only observed for a few minutes and could not be relocated.
Grey-sided Thrush: 1 seen from 7 Nov 2019 until 2 Feb 2020 at Ulu Kali, Selangor. Found initially by Long Roslee bin Ngah and enjoyed by many observers during its long stay.
House Sparrow: 9 birds seen (including juveniles) on 26 Dec 2019 at Kuala Perlis Ferry Terminal by Harn Sheng Khor and Ong Lai Hun. A small breeding colony has been established at this facility. The birds are considered to have originated from Peninsular Thailand, where they have been spreading southwards.
October 2019
FIRSTS FOR MALAYSIA
The Records Committee recently voted to accept the following records as first occurrences for the country:
Eastern Spot-billed Duck: 1 seen on 1 Nov 2018 at Tempasuk Plains, Sabah. Chin Choong Liung et al. A wary and full-winged individual, which unfortunately, departed while under observation and could not be relocated despite considerable effort on the part of Sabahan birders. This became the 800th species recorded as occurring wild in Malaysia.
Japanese Night-Heron: A juvenile bird, watched and photographed on Mantanani Besar, Sabah from 3-5 November 2018. David Bakewell et al. While the Committee were reviewing this record, another photographed individual came to light - an adult by a roadside in the Crocker Range, Sabah on 4 April 2010. This species becomes the 801st wild bird species recorded in Malaysia.
OTHER ACCEPTED RECORDS
Black-tailed Gull: Adult, Teluk Air Tawar-Kuala Muda IBA, Pulau Pinang, 21 April 2018. Nur Munira Azman & Nasir Azizan. Second for Peninsular Malaysia and third for Malaysia.
Eurasian Skylark: Pulau Indah, Selangor, 17 March 2019. Ong Kang Woei et al. First for Peninsular Malaysia
European Starling: Pulau Indah, Selangor, 13 January 2019. Christopher Gibbins. First for Peninsular Malaysia
March 2019
Olive (Baker's) Bulbul has become the 799th species of wild bird recorded in Malaysia. A paper published in 2016 re-examined taxonomic relationships between Iole bulbuls in South-east Asia, and proposed that several new species be recognised. One of these, which was formerly variously regarded as a race of Olive Bulbul or Grey-eyed Bulbul, was proposed as a full species - Baker's Bulbul (Iole cinnamomeoventris). (The Clements checklist has yet to recognise the validity of this new split although it will probably do so before long). The paper drew attention to the fact that the taxon has been recorded just across the border of Peninsular Malaysia, in Peninsular Thailand. Armed with this knowledge, Penang-based birder Neoh Hor Kee made copies of sound-recordings of the species and headed up to the border state of Perlis to try to find some.
In September 2018, Hor Kee found and photographed a likely-looking candidate in Perlis State Park, and details of this bird were submitted for assessment by the Records Committee. After much research, consultation with experts, and discussion, the Committee felt that the details provided fell just short of what was required for acceptance of such a cryptic species, so the record was Kept In View pending further information. Spurred on by the Committee's request for more details, Hor Kee set off for Perlis again on 23 March 2019, and this time, he obtained the all-important sound recordings of the birds' vocalisations, in addition to more photographs, at a different locality from the first sighting - Bukit Ayer Forest Reserve. This time, the record left no room for doubt, and as such has been accepted by the RC.
The fact that what is very-likely a long-term resident species has remained undetected for so long is a good reminder of how much still remains to be discovered in Malaysia. Congratulations to Hor Kee for his persistence and painstaking documentation of what many would perhaps regard as 'just another brown bulbul'.
Reassessment of status, 2018
Following the acceptance of a Sakhalin Leaf-Warbler seen in Pulau Pinang, Peninsular Malaysia in March 2018, a review of all previous records of Pale-legged Leaf-Warbler, including ringing records, was undertaken. No conclusive evidence was found of the species having occurred in Malaysia. Pale-legged Leaf-Warbler has therefore been removed from the national list.
2018 News
The following species were added to the Malaysian checklist of birds:
Sakhalin Leaf-Warbler: 23 March 2018, Bagan Belat, Pulau Pinang. Neoh Hor Kee. A singing bird recorded and photographed. First for Malaysia. Sakhalin Leaf-Warbler is now regarded as a regular non-breeding visitor to Peninsular Malaysia, particularly to the northern states.
Indian Paradise-Flycatcher: 17 April 2018, Air Itam Dalam, Pulau Pinang. Foo Jian. A female or immature photographed. First for Malaysia.
Northern Boobook: 14 April 2018, Fraser's Hill. Pahang. Liew Weng Keong. A single bird photographed. First for Peninsular Malaysia.
An Update on the work of the MNS-BCC Records Committee and recent changes to the status of Malaysian Birds
A .pdf file of a paper published in BirdingASIA 28(2017) is available for download from this page.
2017 News
The following species were added to the Malaysian checklist of birds:
Chinese Blackbird: 17 March 2017, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu. Anuar McAfee. A male seen and photographed. First for Malaysia.
South Polar Skua: 20 May 2017, at sea, off Tanjung Dawai, Kedah. Neoh Hor Kee. A single bird photographed. First for Malaysia.
Little Bunting: 21 December 2017, Ulu Kali, Pahang. Faizal Sharif. A single bird photographed. First for Peninsular Malaysia.
Narcissus Flycatcher: 15 November 2017 - 22 January 2018. Bukit Larut foothills, Perak. James Neoh. A female photographed. First for Peninsular Malaysia.
2016 Checklist now available
A downloadable .xls format checklist of the Birds of Malaysia is now available from this page. The checklist has been fully updated to incorporate changes in taxonomical sequence and nomenclature, (following Clements v.2016) and new additions to the list of Malaysian avifauna.
14 December 2016
The following records were accepted as first records for Malaysia:
Willow Warbler: 23 October 2015, Pulau Mantanani, Sabah. Mike Turnbull, Dave Bakewell, Yann Muzika. Possibly only the second record for south-east Asia; a juvenile seen and photographed well.
Red-backed Shrike x ?Brown Shrike hybrid: 21 - 28 February 2015, Kurong Tengar, Perlis. Piyapong Chotipuntu et al. A male shrike initially identified as a Red-backed was subsequently adjudged to be a hybrid based on plumage details, most probably with Brown Shrike. Hybrids are not included in the main checklist.
The following record was accepted as a first for Peninsular Malaysia:
Besra: 13 March 2016, Tanjung Tuan, Melaka. Tan Gim Cheong et al. There have been numerous claims of the species in Peninsular Malaysia previously, but this is the first with strong enough evidence (in the form of good flight photographs) to make it onto the list of Peninsular Malaysian avifauna.
The following claim was kept in view pending further records and evidence:
Kamchatka Leaf-Warbler: 2 November 2015. Gunung Penrissen, Sarawak. A bird well-photographed, heard singing and responding to tape playback of Kamchatka Leaf-Warbler song. Given the current lack of understanding of diagnostic plumage or structural characters of this newly-split taxon, it was felt that a recording of the vocalisations is needed to establish a first record beyond doubt. As such, the Committee felt that the current claim should be kept in abeyance pending further evidence of occurrence. Observers are encouraged to make field recordings of vocalisations of suspected Kamchatka Leaf-Warblers in future. Most smart phone are capable of making recordings of sufficient quality for identification purposes.
22 November 2016
The following records were accepted onto Category A as first national records:
Comb Duck: 23 October 2016, Pulau Burung, Pulau Pinang. B K LIm, Neoh Hor Kee et al. An unexpected observation of a full-winged free-flying pair following two severe hurricanes hitting the Indochinese coast, supported by photographs. Seen by just a few fortunate observers during their one day stay.
Sunda Teal: 8 March 2016, Tinagat, Tawau. Stanley Shao et al. First recorded on 20 December 2014, the status of this newly-colonising species is updated to a breeding resident following the discovery of an adult with at least 7 ducklings on 8 March 2016, well photographed.
Pied Stilt: 30 November 2015 and subsequently proved breeding from 23 September 2016, Tinagat, Tawau, Sabah. Stanley Shao et al. There have been previous claims, but given the recently highlighted plumage variation in Black-winged Stilts in the region, none were adjudged acceptable until these records, supported by photographs and, crucially, recordings of vocalisations. Likely to continue colonisation of eastern Sabah from Sulawesi and southern Philippines. Since the species now breeds in Sumatra, future colonisation also seems likely into Peninsular Malaysia.
Slender-billed Gull: 27 December 2015 - 23 January 2016, Teluk Air Tawar - Kuala Muda IBA, Pulau Pinang. Neoh Hor Kee et al. Initially one, and then two first winter birds were found wintering in a flock of around 200 Brown-headed Gulls. A regular winter visitor to the Inner Gulf of Thailand, and so not unexpected. The 2015/2016 winter saw a small influx of the species into the Inner Gulf area.
Pied Kingfisher: 19 January - 10 March 2016, various sites, southern Johor. Paul Wu, Hariri Yusuf et al. An extraordinary record. A series of excellent photographs established the identity beyond doubt, but the Committee expressed some concern over the natural occurrence of a species not known to undertake long migrations. The species is not known from surveys of bird markets in the region however, and is considered unlikely to survive transportation in typical bird trade conditions. Careful scrutiny of the bare parts and plumage revealed no signs of the bird having been kept in recent captivity. On balance, it was considered more likely that the bird had arrived as a result of natural vagration than due to human interference.
Rainbow Bee-eater: 18 April, Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok, Sabah, and then 30 May - 16 August 2016, Silam coast, Sabah. Roberts Suban, Stanley Shao et al. The occurrence of a single adult at RDC in April was followed by a small influx of at least 13 birds from May to August. Another expected coloniser from Sulawesi.
The following records were accepted as first records for Peninsular and Bornean Malaysia respectively:
Black-tailed Gull: 25 October 2016, Teluk Air Tawar - Kuala Muda IBA, Pulau Pinang. Neoh Hor Kee et al. First record for Peninsular Malaysia. A second winter individual was observed and photographed by a few fortunate observers during its single day stay. The first record for the country was recorded from Lok Kawi, Sabah, on 19 November 2013.
White-throated Rock-Thrush: 19 November 2015, Kubah National Park, Sarawak. Fong Pok San and Sally Fong. First for Bornean Malaysia. A female or first winter was photographed perched for a few seconds in roadside forest near the summit of Gunung Serapi.
31 March 2016
The 'Kudat Bush Warbler' - A Horornis bush-warbler was recorded and photographed at Kudat, Sabah on 5-7 March 2015. It was observed by Zaim Hazim and subsequently, by CK Leong and Andy Boyce. The bird was photographed and vocalisations recorded and the record was submitted as pertaining to Manchurian Bush-Warbler H.borealis.
The taxonomy of Manchurian Bush-Warber is complex. According to Brazil's Birds of East Asia, Manchurian Bush-Warbler has two races - Cettia canturians canturians and C.c. borealis. There is also a closely related species which he calls Japanese Bush Warbler (C. diphone). However, Clements (2015) divides up these taxa differently; Manchurian Bush-Warbler is treated as monotypic (Horornis borealis), while it includes canturians as a race of Japanese Bush-Warbler (Horornis diphone canturians). Since the Malaysian Checklist (2015) follows Clements, the Committee was tasked with discerning which precise taxon the Kudat bird belonged to.
After extensive research and consultation with regional experts, the Committee felt that the bird was likely to have been a Manchurian Bush-Warbler H.borealis (with some members more certain than others), but that, in the light of the extreme difficulty of separating these two taxa in the field, it should be accepted as Manchurian or Japanese Bush-Warbler (H.borealis or H.diphone canturians). Accepting a record as one species or another is always unsatisfactory, but was preferable in view of the significant uncertainty over the precise identity of this bird.
Since neither species was previously on the Malaysian list, Manchurian/Japanese Bush-Warbler becomes the 786th naturally occurring species in Malaysia and the 604th for Bornean Malaysia.
For future reference, recordings of vocalisations of vagrant bush-warblers should be as long as possible, preferably several minutes.