Introduction

Over the last few years I have been lucky enough to live in Thailand, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Colombia and now Brunei. In my spare time I have had the opportunity to travel fairly widely, camera in hand, in search of wildlife. In these posts I aim to share some of these experiences and show you some of the extraordinary wildlife that can be found in these regions. All of the photographs you see within the posts and pages here are my own unless otherwise stated. Copyright © Francis Burlingham 2015

Friday 15 December 2023

Brunei's Garden Monkeys

Trachypithecus cristatus
Macaca fascicularis

I moved to Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei at the end of August.  My accommodation like much of the housing here in Brunei, is close to trees and patches of forest. As a result I have already seen plenty of wildlife from the comfort of my garden. I have seen three species of monkey here two of which are regular visitors. Southern pig tailed macaques have so far only visited once, so as yet I haven't any good photos of them. Silvered langurs and long tailed macaques are regulars however.

Trachypithecus cristatus (Silvered Langur) Bandar Brunei Borneo

These langurs or silver leaf monkeys are quite wary and keep their distance, but regularly visit to feast on vine leaves.

Trachypithecus cristatus (Silvered Langur) Bandar Brunei Borneo

Trachypithecus cristatus (Silvered Langur) Bandar Brunei Borneo

Trachypithecus cristatus (Silvered Langur) Bandar Brunei Borneo

In contrast to the wary langurs, the macaques are quite bold, regularly raiding gardens and bins. They travel in large troops led by an alpha male and with their large canines can appear quite intimidating.

Macaca fascicularis (long tailed macaque) Alpha male Bandar Brunei Borneo

This individual had pulled a nail from a neighbours roof and was chewing on it like a pipe smoker.

Macaca fascicularis (long tailed macaque) Bandar Brunei Borneo

The females travel with their babies clinging tightly to their mothers fur.

Macaca fascicularis (long tailed macaque) Bandar Brunei

Macaca fascicularis (long tailed macaque) Bandar Brunei

The troop regularly come to feast on the flowers of a large Hibiscus bush.

Macaca fascicularis (long tailed macaque) Bandar Brunei

Macaca fascicularis (long tailed macaque) Bandar Brunei

Macaca fascicularis (long tailed macaque) Bandar Brunei