The Brunei Bird Race Series,

Not Just for the Birds

If you’re a birder in Brunei, you’ve most likely heard about the Brunei Bird Race Series that has been taking place in different districts all year long. If you’re not a birder and have been thinking, “Bird Race? You mean birds racing each other?” then welcome! (And no, birds will not be racing each other.)

The Brunei Bird Race Series sunk its talons into the local birding community this year, providing a fantastic opportunity to meet with likeminded souls who, like you, loves squinting hard at tree tops and mistaking dry leaves for a bird. You might never have felt the satisfaction of successfully capturing a picture of a bird after a long and patient wait, but we assure you, it’s a hard feeling to beat.

Birdwatching as a whole is a hobby that makes the best out of nature, and in a country that is over 70% rainforest, there’s a lot of nature to make the best of. This is a niche tourism product that has been gaining mileage in other countries, because yes, there are a lot of bird-watchers around the world and they do share the common desire to spy a ‘lifer’ (the first sighting of a species they’ve never seen). Home to over 622 winged species, Brunei has plenty of lifers to offer.

As ever, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism through the Tourism Development Department has been continuing efforts by collaborating with relevant government stakeholders, institutions, non-government organisations, local communities and tourism industry players to create a sustainable and long-term approach in the development of the Sultanate as a birdwatching destination. The bird race has also been actively working with the community in the different locations where the race takes place, involving them with the sales of food and beverage, handicrafts, and employing boatmen to guide participants through mangroves.

Unlike the birds that he seeks, fellow birder Mohammad Daud has not been shy about pushing the birding agenda. With a love for nature and its inhabitants from his youth, Mohammad Daud (affectionately referred to as ‘Jungle Dave’) has been a key player in bird conservation efforts with his company Travelhub Tours & Travel.

“Borneo endemic birds like the rare pittas, Trogons, partridges, hornbills and more, these are hard to find without an experienced bird guide. Birders have the potential to be big spenders, which would ultimately help with the country’s economic growth,” he explained.

“As per our main organiser and partner’s goals (the Tourism Development department); we’re hoping that the Brunei Bird Race Series grows annually and becomes a signature international birdwatching event; making Brunei a key destination and gateway for birdwatching in Borneo. This will go hand in hand with the recent Royal Brunei flights to within Borneo destinations.”

But the Brunei Bird Race Series isn’t just for the birds and the birders. “It will also help identify and improve the current exposure on conservation and awareness for the protection of wildlife, create new job opportunites for locals and youth within the bird watching areas, and help to cross sell tourism industry partners for a mutual and sustainable development. We hope that more support and sponsors will come forward to help make this event a more attractive and encouraging race for locals as well as international participants.”

The Brunei Bird Race Series Overall Winner of all four races stands to win a trophy, a Canon camera worth BND1,500, and a flight ticket sponsored by Royal Brunei to participate in a bird race in a regional destination and represent Brunei, among others!

The last leg of the Brunei Bird Race Series will take place in Batang Duri, Temburong in early December, providing the last opportunity for current and aspiring birders to grab their cameras and take photos of as many bird species as they can find in the allocated location.

You can register online and make payment at www.brunei.events.

For more information, please contact or follow them at: FB: Brunei Bird Race IG: @bruneibirdraceseries Email: bruneibirdraceseries@gmail.com Read more of our conversation with Mohammad Daud on www.borneoinsidersguide.com.