The lowland rain forests of Peninsular Malaysia and extreme southern peninsular Thailand are included in this Secondary Area (see map, p. 488) which is defined by the range of the threatened Malayan Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron malacense (classified as Vulnerable), an extreme lowland specialist (Wells 1985) found in rain forest below c.300 m (McGowan and Garson 1995). Its range has been considerably reduced by forest clearance and degradation (see Collins et al. 1991), and continuing conversion of land for agriculture could eventually mean that it will be virtually confined to the five protected areas which are known to support populations (McGowan and Garson 1995; see Yatim 1993). The lowland rain forests of the Malayan peninsula also support several widespread threatened species (Collar et al. 1994). This Secondary Area is adjacent to Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia (EBA 158), but the birds of that EBA occur in montane habitats at higher altitudes.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Endemic Bird Areas factsheet: Malayan peninsula lowlands. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 26/03/2023.