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Common Bird Species in Malaysia
Pigeons and other pest birds are capable of transmitting a wide range of diseases and can be a source of secondary infestation by pests such as lice, mites and flies. Learn more below about common types of pest birds found across the country.
Pigeons
(Columba livia)
Also known as city doves or street pigeons, they are descended from wild rock doves. They thrive in an urban environment and only require the smallest amount of shelter on buildings.
Appearance
- 13" (33cm) long.
- Blue–grey in colour (although other colours are common).
Life cycle and habits of Pigeons
Lifecycle
- 2–3 broods per year, with 2 eggs in each clutch.
- 17–19 day incubation period.
- Young birds spend 35–37 days in the nest.
Habits
- Feeds on seeds, green feed, domestic scraps in and around cities, near roosting sites.
- Nests on ledges.
Common Myna
(Acridotheres tristis)
The common myna is a significant pest to the food industry because of the risk of contamination from their droppings and the damage done to packaged goods.
Appearance
- Approximately 23cm long
- Identified by the brown body, black hooded head and bare yellow patch behind the eye. The bill and legs are bright yellow
- Male and female look similar, usually seen in pairs
Life cycle and habits of Common Myna
Lifecycle
- Common myna lives for four to twelve years
- Normal clutch size is 4–6 eggs
Habits
- Nesting material used include twigs, roots, tow and rubbish. Mynas have been known to use tissue paper, tin foil and sloughed off snake skin
- Its nests block gutters and drainpipes, causing water damage to building exteriors
House Crow
(Corvus splendens)
The Crow is one of the most common pest birds in Malaysia. These birds can overwhelm trees, creating a lot of noise and harassing people and animals in the vicinity which can be a nuisance to the suburban resident.
Appearance
- They are 40–43 cm in length with wingspan of 80 cm.
- Black colour.
Life cycle and habits of House Crow
Lifecycle
- Crow lays 3–5 eggs in a typical stick nest and occasionally there are several nests in the same tree.
- Peak breeding in Peninsular Malaysia is from April to July.
- Large trees with big crowns are their preferred nesting spots.
Habits
- Preferred roost sites are in well-lit areas with a lot of human activity and food sources.
Starlings
(Sturnus vulgaris)
Appearance
- They are 7 1/2"–8 1/2" (19-22cm) long, and can be recognised by their pointed wings and short tail when flying. At first sight they appear to be plain black, but the feathers catch the light and may appear iridescent green or purple.
Life cycle and habits of Starlings
Lifecycle
- Starlings can rear up to two broods a year. Each clutch usually consists of 4–6 eggs, the young staying in the nest for about 3 weeks.
- The breeding period can extend if conditions are favourable.
Habits
- The concentration of droppings from a large roosting flock provides a good medium for pathogenic fungi, some of which can be harmful or even fatal to humans.
- It is an agricultural pest of standing crops, but will also flock into cities in large numbers.
House Sparrow
(Passer domesticus)
The House sparrow is a significant pest to the food industry because of the risk of contamination from their droppings and the damage done to packaged goods.
Appearance
- Less than 6 1/4" long.
- Males can be identified by the grey crown on their heads, and black throat ‘bib’.
- Females and young are mostly plain brown.
Life cycle and habits of House Sparrow
Lifecycle
- Sparrows live for four to seven years, with up to five breeding seasons.
- The breeding season runs through Spring and Summer, and up to three broods of 4–6 eggs may be laid in this time.
Habits
- The same nest will tend to be used every year, resulting in a build up of nest debris, and insects associated with their nests.
- It is a pest to the food industry in particular because of the risk of contamination from their droppings and the damage done to packaged goods.