Sometimes we forget that we live in unison with nature, sharing the world not only with humans but also with other forms of life. At Tanah Gajah Ubud, our guests and team cherish living together with all kinds of flora and fauna. Guests may enjoy a walk through the resort grounds and finding a metal plaque on most trees that states the species they belong to. Another activity that visitors enjoy at Tanah Gajah Ubud is bird watching. The resort is an oasis for many kinds of birds that visit the grounds every day, from common small birds like sparrows to larger and exotic ones such as Bubut Alang – Alang. This list is dedicated to nature enthusiasts, like most of Tanah Gajah family and guests.


Bubut Alang Alang (Lesser Couca)

Bubut Alang – Alang is the largest bird on this list. It is hard to miss them as they can grow up to 45 cm. Caterpillars, spiders, and other larger insects are part of their diet. Bubut loves to roam around the ground or perch on tree branches while searching for prey. They are usually found near the river or in the forest.
 
The Bubut has long black and brown feathers, a black beak, and piercing ruby red eyes. They often make a low-pitched noise which is very soothing. Their song is the best companion for an afternoon nap on rainy days.

Click here to listen to Bubut Alang - Alang singing

Burung Kacer (Oriental magpie-robin)

Kacer is considered to be one of the most joyful birds due to the happy and energetic chirps it makes. Well known for their songs, It is very common for Southeast Asian countries to host chirping competitions for Kacer. In Indonesia, it is considered one of the most expensive songbirds.
 
Kacer is characterized by their distinct black and white coat and a long tail that is held upright when hopping on the ground. They grow up to 19 centimeters long. While Kacer is mostly seen inside cages these days, guests staying at Tanah Gajah Ubud are blessed to be able to wake up most mornings with beautiful songs from Kacer in the wild.

Click here to listen to Burung Kacer singing

Burung Trucukan (Yellow vented bulbul)

Burung Trucukan are  a member of the bulbul family. Their habitat is spread across South East Asia. They make cup-shaped nests from grass, roots, leaves, and twigs in a wide range of places, from low bushes to high trees. They are highly adaptable to human behavior, and they even make nests in gardens and live close to humans. Though they usually eat small fruits and berries, they sometimes consume insects. With a similar look to its sister Trucukan, Kutilang is red vented instead of yellow/golden vented. Both Kutilang and Trucukan make mornings at Tanah Gajah more vibrant with their songs.

Click here to listen to Burung Trucukan singing

Burung Tekukur  (Spotted Dove)

You may find the spotted dove foraging on Tanah Gajah Ubud’s grounds for grass seeds and grains throughout the day. They grow up to be between 28 – 32 centimeters. The soothing chirps they make create a tranquil morning atmosphere.

Click here to listen to Burung Tekukur singing

Burung Merpati Putih (Fantail Pigeon)

The fantail is a popular breed of fancy pigeon, with a distinctive fan-shaped tail. At Tanah Gajah Ubud, feeding our friendly fantail doves is a guest activity that guests may enjoy throughout their stay.

Click here to listen to Burung Merpati Putih singing

Burung Raja Udang (Kingfishers)

Catching a Kingfisher, with its colorful coat, flying in front of you is like seeing a rainbow. No wonder locals believe that it would be your lucky day if you see a kingfisher flying nearby. Kingfishers can be seen on the grounds of Tanah Gajah most mornings perching on branches over the ponds hunting little fish, amphibians, and other small water creatures.

Click here to listen to Burung Raja Udang singing

Burung Ruak Ruak (White-breasted Waterhen)

The white-breasted waterhen is a waterbird that can be found by the ponds of Tanah Gajah.s. Despite their relatively small size, they make a bold and unique noise which sometimes surprises a few guests who are staying at Tanah Gajah Ubud.

Click here to listen to Burung Ruak Ruak singing

Burung Kokokan (Little Egret / White Heron)

Kokokan are aquatic white birds with long and slender black or yellow legs that are often seen in shallow water as well as land. They are considered to be sociable as they are normally seen in small flocks and travel in small groups throughout the day. While they are commonly found on the shores of lakes, rivers, and lagoons; in Ubud they live exclusively on the trees in the village of Petulu, just north of Ubud’s center. The colony departs in the morning to all over Bali and returns just before the sunsets. At Tanah Gajah, guests may find one or two near the swan pond every morning or late afternoon, however, during harvest season, flocks of them can be found in the freshly plowed rice fields throughout the day.

Click here to listen to Burung Kokokan singing