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This tiny Collared Owlet finally put in an appearance for us at the overlook in Kinabalu Park. The subspecies here, G.b. borneense, is surely different enough vocally from the mainland forms to be a great candidate for a split in the future. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
Another great Borneo tour in the books! I can't tell you how lucky I feel to be able to guide this tour on an annual basis. It's got so much going for it: great birds with lots of endemics, loads of mammals (including Orangutan!), a host of other interesting critters and plants, some wonderful lowland forest and highland forest, excellent accommodations, a strong supporting cast, good food almost everywhere, and good infrastructure. What's not to like?!
Every Borneo tour that I do is packed with highlights, but this one may have had more than its share. How cool was that to get Bornean Bristlehead in the first hour of birding on the tour at the Rainforest Discovery Center near Sepilok? Or to have that Bornean Ground-Cuckoo walking along those limbs next to the river in plain sight for such a long time at Sukau? Or to have a big male Orangutan waiting for us behind the restaurant at Borneo Rainforest Lodge just as we arrived there on the first day?
Other memorable moments on this one include point-blank views of a perched Storm's Stork along the Kinabatangan R. near Sukau, a very confiding male Crested Fireback at BRL on our last morning there after multiple fruitless tries, tiny Mountain Scops-Owl and Collared (Bornean) Owlet at Kinabalu Park (plus four other species of owls seen this trip!), a swirling flock of 50+ Waterfall Swifts, a gorgeous calling Whitehead's Trogon and multiple Whitehead's Broadbills at Kinabalu Park, a scarce (and tailless) Cinnamon-rumped Trogon at BRL, great views of seven species of hornbills (Wreathed was a 'heard only' this year), good looks at all five of the Bornean endemic barbets (including the difficult Bornean Barbet), both Black-crowned and Blue-headed pittas within five minutes of each other at BRL, arm's-length views of the tiny Bornean Stubtail, great views of both Bornean and Black-throated wren-babblers, a family group of strange Bare-headed Laughingthrushes, a Rufous-tailed Shama in the canopy (!) at BRL, stunning Chestnut-naped Forktail along a forest stream, very cooperative Fruit-hunter and Everett's Thrush at Kinabalu Park, close viewing of a herd of Bornean Pygmy Elephants along the Kinabatangan, and so many others. Just read on for the complete re-cap of the sightings that we shared during our time together in beautiful Borneo!
Thanks to both Paul Dimus (BRL) and Hazwan Suban (everywhere else) for their help in guiding this wonderful tour. I continue to be impressed with their knowledge and am grateful for their assistance and companionship. And thanks to all of you for joining me for one of my favorite tours! I really had a great time birding and traveling with all of you and hope to share another tour with you sometime soon! Cheers and good birding! Dave
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
Blue-eared Kingfisher was common in the Sukau area, but we still enjoyed seeing these lovely birds! Photo by participant Brian Armstrong.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WANDERING WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna arcuata) – A few birds on our last afternoon at the Telipok River bridge.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
RED-BREASTED PARTRIDGE (Arborophila hyperythra) – Hazwan and a couple of other folks glimpsed a pair of these above the road at Kinabalu Park. This and the Crimson-headed Partridge are always a challenge to see. [E]
CHESTNUT-NECKLACED PARTRIDGE (SABAH) (Arborophila charltonii graydoni) [*]
GREAT ARGUS (Argusianus argus) – Never really that close... [*]
CRIMSON-HEADED PARTRIDGE (Haematortyx sanguiniceps) – Essentially just a 'heard only', but some may have gotten a glimpse before it disappeared from sight. [E]
RED JUNGLEFOWL (Gallus gallus) – This one was introduced here from the Philippines and many of the birds are essentially wild now, spending much of their time in the transition habitats near the oil palm plantations. [I]
CRESTED FIREBACK (BORNEAN) (Lophura ignita nobilis) – This one actually had me a little worried, but we eventually got a super view of one male on our way to the suspension bridge at Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL).
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis) – A pair of these with three youngsters was one of just a handful of records ever for the island of Borneo. [N]
Ciconiidae (Storks)
STORM'S STORK (Ciconia stormi) – Our first looks were awfully distant, but we eventually got some outstanding close views of a perched bird one afternoon while we were based at Sukau. Total numbers of this endangered stork species number in the low 100's.
LESSER ADJUTANT (Leptoptilos javanicus) – I'm assuming that all three of the birds that we saw that afternoon on the Kinabatangan were different individuals – but that river does meander a bit...
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ORIENTAL DARTER (Anhinga melanogaster) – Excellent, close studies at Sukau.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
YELLOW BITTERN (Ixobrychus sinensis) – We had one of these in the scopes at the grebe pond, and another quick flyby bird at the Telipok River on the last afternoon.
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) [b]
A wonderful shot of a Crested Serpent-Eagle, by participant Paul Bisson.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – Not uncommon along the Kinabatangan R.
GREAT EGRET (AUSTRALASIAN) (Ardea alba modesta)
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Ardea intermedia)
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)
CATTLE EGRET (EASTERN) (Bubulcus ibis coromandus) – Just about all of the other taxonomic committees around the world split the Cattle Egret into two species, but the AOU still treats it as one.
JAVAN POND-HERON (Ardeola speciosa) – Our single bird on the final day was starting to acquire some breeding-plumage feathering on its neck, helping to identify this one as Javan.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
ORIENTAL HONEY-BUZZARD (Pernis ptilorhynchus) – Only a couple of birds, seen poorly.
JERDON'S BAZA (Aviceda jerdoni) – We had some super, close views of a perched bird along the Menanggol R. near Sukau.
CRESTED SERPENT-EAGLE (Spilornis cheela) – A few very close encounters with this widespread species.
BAT HAWK (Macheiramphus alcinus) – We saw the expected birds at Gomantong Cave, but the bird along the Kinabatangan R. near Sukau was my first ever there.
BLYTH'S HAWK-EAGLE (Nisaetus alboniger) – Good looks overhead in the Crocker Range.
WALLACE'S HAWK-EAGLE (Nisaetus nanus) – All of the birds that we saw appeared to be young birds.
RUFOUS-BELLIED EAGLE (Lophotriorchis kienerii) – We got on this bird as it was flying away from us, so the look wasn't ideal.
CRESTED GOSHAWK (Accipiter trivirgatus) – Usually the most common of the Accipiters at this season.
BESRA (Accipiter virgatus) – A soaring bird photographed in poor light above the viewing platform at Kinabalu Park required some analysis on the computer before we could identify this shy forest Accipiter.
BRAHMINY KITE (Haliastur indus)
WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucogaster) – A couple of nice looks.
LESSER FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus humilis) – An adult made the rounds along the river at BRL while we were there.
GRAY-HEADED FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus ichthyaetus) – Mostly just heard, but some folks saw this one fly off of its perch along the small tributary downstream from Sukau one afternoon.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
BUFF-BANDED RAIL (Gallirallus philippensis) – Some of us saw a couple of these recent invaders at the Telipok R. bridge, but the one that we all saw well was an imm. bird that lacked that distinctive buff chest band that adults possess.
BARRED RAIL (Gallirallus torquatus) – I think that Becky and I were the only ones to see this one cross the channel while we were both looking in the scopes at the Telipok R. bridge. As far as I know, this is the first Borneo record away from the Turtle Islands north of Sandakan. I really wouldn't be surprised if this species takes off in Borneo and is virtually everywhere in the next 20-30 years.
WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN (Amaurornis phoenicurus) – We heard quite a few of these around Sukau, but saw a few of them well. A very distinctive species.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) – Now split from the Common Gallinule in the Americas.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – A couple of birds with other shorebirds along the Telipok River. [b]
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius dubius) – A couple of wintering birds in the mud from the bridge on the last afternoon. [b]
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
LONG-TOED STINT (Calidris subminuta) – At the bridge on the last afternoon. [b]
COMMON SNIPE (Gallinago gallinago) – One snipe that we saw well in flight showed the white trailing edge to the secondaries, separating it from the similar species possible here. [b]
One of the highlights of a trip to Borneo is seeing Orangutans in the wild. Participant Anders Paulsrud got this soulful portrait of a large male.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) [b]
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) – A few of these at the Telipok River bridge. [b]
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) – A single migrant bird on the Kinabatangan River near Sukau. [b]
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
SPOTTED DOVE (Streptopelia chinensis)
LITTLE CUCKOO-DOVE (Macropygia ruficeps) – We had a couple of really great, close looks at this one along the main park road at Kinabalu.
ASIAN EMERALD DOVE (Chalcophaps indica) – Mostly heard only, but we did have a couple of flybys. Now split from the Pacific Emerald-Dove of Australasia.
ZEBRA DOVE (Geopelia striata) [I]
LITTLE GREEN-PIGEON (Treron olax) – This small pigeon was very scarce this year and we nearly missed it - until it was spotted in the trees near the dock at Sukau on our final morning there.
PINK-NECKED PIGEON (Treron vernans) – The most common of the green-pigeons this time, by far!
THICK-BILLED PIGEON (Treron curvirostra) – A couple of flybys only at BRL for some.
LARGE GREEN-PIGEON (Treron capellei) – John and I were the only ones to see this one fly overhead along the road at Gomantong on our final visit there.
GREEN IMPERIAL-PIGEON (Ducula aenea) – Widespread in the lowlands, especially in the Kinabatangan lowlands.
MOUNTAIN IMPERIAL-PIGEON (Ducula badia) – A few at Kinabalu Park, where it's never very common.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
BORNEAN GROUND-CUCKOO (Carpococcyx radiceus) – WOWWWW!!!! Man, it's been a long time since I saw this fantastic endemic cuckoo so well at Sukau! What a response! [E]
GREATER COUCAL (Centropus sinensis)
RAFFLES'S MALKOHA (Rhinortha chlorophaea) – This small malkoha is usually the most common and widespread of the possible malkohas here.
RED-BILLED MALKOHA (Zanclostomus javanicus) – The only one that we saw this time was at BRL. Sukau is usually where we get this one, but we had none there this year.
CHESTNUT-BREASTED MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus curvirostris) – Great views of this one from the canopy walkway at BRL.
BLACK-BELLIED MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus diardi) – We found a very cooperative individual eating a big green katydid along the Menanggol R. near Sukau.
CHESTNUT-WINGED CUCKOO (Clamator coromandus) – The first bird that we saw along the Menanggol R. was the best look that I've ever had at this one. [b]
ASIAN KOEL (Eudynamys scolopaceus) – Heard at the little coastal park at Kota Kinabalu. [*]
VIOLET CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus) – Recorded daily, at least by voice, in the lowlands.
BANDED BAY CUCKOO (Cacomantis sonneratii) – A very brief look at a responsive bird along the BRL entrance road.
PLAINTIVE CUCKOO (Cacomantis merulinus) – Heard almost daily.
SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO-CUCKOO (Surniculus lugubris) – Mostly heard on this trip, but seen a few times. The distribution limits of Square-tailed vs. Fork-tailed are still being worked out, but it looks like Fork-tailed is well west of Borneo.
We had a great view of this endangered Storm's Stork at Sukau. Photo by participant Paul Bisson.
MOUSTACHED HAWK-CUCKOO (Hierococcyx vagans) [*]
DARK HAWK-CUCKOO (Hierococcyx bocki) [*]
MALAYSIAN HAWK-CUCKOO (Hierococcyx fugax) [*]
INDIAN CUCKOO (Cuculus micropterus) – Scope looks on the first day - and then we had that bird at Poring by the pools. I can't think of any reason why we shouldn't call that bird an Indian as well.
SUNDA CUCKOO (Cuculus lepidus) [*]
Tytonidae (Barn-Owls)
ORIENTAL BAY-OWL (Phodilus badius) – Very close, but... [*]
Strigidae (Owls)
REDDISH SCOPS-OWL (Otus rufescens rufescens) [*]
MOUNTAIN SCOPS-OWL (Otus spilocephalus) – Hazwan was able to spot this small scops-owl perched high in a tree near the restaurant, giving all of us a good look in the lights!
SUNDA SCOPS-OWL (Otus lempiji) – This bird responded well behind our rooms at Sukau one evening. Now split from Collared Scops-Owl.
BARRED EAGLE-OWL (Bubo sumatranus) – Great views from the back of the BRL truck one evening!
BUFFY FISH-OWL (Ketupa ketupu) – We had a couple of great views of this one late one evening along the Menanggol R. near Sukau.
COLLARED OWLET (Glaucidium brodiei borneense) – Fantastic! You all should consider this another Bornean endemic species since it's sure to be split based on voice and range.
BROWN WOOD-OWL (Strix leptogrammica) – Fabulous looks of a bird perched on a utility pole at BRL.
One of the first endemics that we encountered at Kinabalu Park was this skulking Mountain Wren-Babbler. Photo by participant Brian Armstrong.
Podargidae (Frogmouths)
LARGE FROGMOUTH (Batrachostomus auritus) [*]
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
GRAY NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus jotaka) – A few birds early in the morning along the main road at Kinabalu. [b]
Apodidae (Swifts)
SILVER-RUMPED NEEDLETAIL (Rhaphidura leucopygialis) – A regular sight in the lowlands.
BROWN-BACKED NEEDLETAIL (Hirundapus giganteus) – A couple of fast-flying birds only left us wanting more.
WATERFALL SWIFT (Hydrochous gigas) – One of the bigger surprises at Kinabalu Park this year was seeing this large flock of swifts kettling above the Timpohon Gate at the top of the road on a clear morning. This was my second sighting for this species here and it may indicate that these scarce birds are nesting nearby.
BORNEAN SWIFTLET (Collocalia dodgei) – One certain bird seen well on a hidden nest at Kinabalu, but we surely saw others on the wing up high with green-glossed backs. [E]
PLUME-TOED SWIFTLET (Collocalia affinis cyanoptila) – Called Glossy Swiftlet in the book, this one was recently split into several species.
MOSSY-NEST SWIFTLET (Aerodramus salangana) – The most common species in the interior of the Gomantong Cave.
BLACK-NEST SWIFTLET (Aerodramus maximus) – I think we could only find one of these birds sitting on its distinctive black nest inside the Gomantong Cave. Our timing this year was unfortunate, since the swift nest harvest had been done shortly before our visit this year and the White-nest and Black-nest swiftlets hadn't yet started to rebuild their nests!
HOUSE SWIFT (Apus nipalensis) – Many at the little park at Kota Kinabalu.
ASIAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus balasiensis) – This one must be extremely local in Sabah, since this was the first time that I've actually seen the thing there! [N]
Hemiprocnidae (Treeswifts)
GRAY-RUMPED TREESWIFT (Hemiprocne longipennis) – Distinctive with their very long wings and long, pointed tail.
WHISKERED TREESWIFT (Hemiprocne comata) – Perched next to the main building at BRL on our first morning there.
Rhinoceros Hornbills are very impressive birds! Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
RED-NAPED TROGON (Harpactes kasumba) – A nice male along the roadside at Gomantong.
DIARD'S TROGON (Harpactes diardii) – Seemingly the more common of the two larger lowland species here - at least by voice.
WHITEHEAD'S TROGON (Harpactes whiteheadi) – A walk along the lower Silau-Silau trail got us a look at this stunning species, one of the most coveted of the the Bornean endemics! [E]
CINNAMON-RUMPED TROGON (Harpactes orrhophaeus) – This was the 3rd or 4th time that I've recorded this shy, scarce species along that trail.
SCARLET-RUMPED TROGON (Harpactes duvaucelii) – Several great views, including a pair excavating a nest hole along the Menanggol R. [N]
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
WHITE-CROWNED HORNBILL (Berenicornis comatus) – Super views of a cooperative pair of these distinctive hornbills along the Kinabatangan one afternoon. This is typically the most difficult of the hornbills to find on this tour.
HELMETED HORNBILL (Buceros vigil) – I don't think that I've ever found this spectacular bird more easily at BRL than this year's birds! Fantastic detail in the scopes!
RHINOCEROS HORNBILL (Buceros rhinoceros) – We saw quite a few of these, but my most memorable was the pair investigating nesting sites along the Tenegang R. one afternoon near Sukau.
BUSHY-CRESTED HORNBILL (Anorrhinus galeritus) – Well seen along the Menanggol R.
BLACK HORNBILL (Anthracoceros malayanus) – This and the similarly sized Oriental Pied-Hornbill seemed to both be in short supply this year.
ORIENTAL PIED-HORNBILL (Anthracoceros albirostris)
WREATHED HORNBILL (Rhyticeros undulatus) [*]
WRINKLED HORNBILL (Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus) – We finally found a feeding group of these beautiful hornbills one afternoon along the Tenegang R. near Sukau.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
COMMON KINGFISHER (Alcedo atthis) [b]
BLUE-EARED KINGFISHER (Alcedo meninting) – Plentiful in the Sukau area.
RUFOUS-BACKED DWARF-KINGFISHER (Ceyx rufidorsa) – We recorded this one several times, but none better than the first bird we encountered along the trails at RDC on the first morning.
BANDED KINGFISHER (BLACK-FACED) (Lacedo pulchella melanops) [*]
STORK-BILLED KINGFISHER (Pelargopsis capensis) – Relatively scarce on this tour this year.
RUDDY KINGFISHER (Halcyon coromanda) – Difficult this year in the Sukau area.
COLLARED KINGFISHER (Todiramphus chloris) – Most of ours were along the roadsides in the oil palm plantations.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
RED-BEARDED BEE-EATER (Nyctyornis amictus) – An exceptional look at a pair of these from the walkway at RDC on our first morning.
BLUE-THROATED BEE-EATER (Merops viridis) – Nesting in numbers right outside our accommodations at BRL.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
DOLLARBIRD (Eurystomus orientalis)
Megalaimidae (Asian Barbets)
BROWN BARBET (Caloramphus fuliginosus tertius) – This form is now split from those on the mainland and in Sumatra. [E]
BLUE-EARED BARBET (BLACK-EARED) (Psilopogon duvaucelii duvaucelii) – A very common voice in the lowland forests here.
We saw this lovely Orange-bellied Flowerpecker from the restaurant at BRL. Photo by participant Paul Bisson.
BORNEAN BARBET (Psilopogon eximius) – Our second attempt after lunch yielded decent looks at a young bird foraging along the roadside. [E]
RED-THROATED BARBET (Psilopogon mystacophanos) [*]
GOLDEN-NAPED BARBET (Psilopogon pulcherrimus) – A common voice in the montane forests at Kinabalu Park. Thanks to Anders for finding an active nest for us! [EN]
YELLOW-CROWNED BARBET (Psilopogon henricii) [*]
MOUNTAIN BARBET (Psilopogon monticola) – Good looks at this rather dull-plumaged barbet in the Crocker Range this year. Heard again at Kinabalu Park, but never close enough to try for. [E]
GOLD-FACED BARBET (Psilopogon chrysopsis) – We finally got a look at this recent split from Gold-whiskered Barbet along the roadside in the Crocker Range. Another recently-split endemic! [E]
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
RUFOUS PICULET (Sasia abnormis) – Nicely from the boat along the Menanggol R. near Sukau.
GRAY-CAPPED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos canicapillus) – Decent views high in the canopy along the Gomantong road.
WHITE-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus javensis) – I don't believe that as a group, we ever saw this one perched – certainly distinctive in flight.
BANDED WOODPECKER (Picus miniaceus) – Only one distant bird at RDC from the Bristlehead Tower on the first morning.
CRIMSON-WINGED WOODPECKER (Picus puniceus) [*]
CHECKER-THROATED WOODPECKER (Picus mentalis) – A nice 'save' from the bus on the final morning of the tour in Kinabalu Park.
Proboscis Monkeys are endemic to Borneo, making them another must-see mammal. We saw quite a few in the Sukau area, where participant Becky Bradley got this nice shot of a mother and baby.
OLIVE-BACKED WOODPECKER (Dinopium rafflesii) – Our only sighting was that one furtive bird along the Gomantong road.
RUFOUS WOODPECKER (Micropternus brachyurus) – From the boat along the Menanggol R. near Sukau. Formerly placed in the New World woodpecker genus Celeus.
BUFF-RUMPED WOODPECKER (Meiglyptes tristis) – Only a couple of birds from the canopy walkway at BRL.
BUFF-NECKED WOODPECKER (Meiglyptes tukki) – Excellent views in the scope at Gomantong.
MAROON WOODPECKER (Blythipicus rubiginosus) – Brief views for some folks at BRL and at Kinabalu Park. This shy woodpecker is always tough to see well.
ORANGE-BACKED WOODPECKER (Reinwardtipicus validus) – At Gomantong and at Kinabalu Park for most folks.
GRAY-AND-BUFF WOODPECKER (Hemicircus concretus) – Because it's so small, and because it favors the high canopy, this one can be a real pain to try and see well.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
WHITE-FRONTED FALCONET (Microhierax latifrons) – We found a close pair perched above the Menanggol R. one morning at Sukau. This one eats a lot of flying insects, but it does take small birds like sunbirds and flowerpeckers. [E]
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
Psittaculidae (Old World Parrots)
BLUE-RUMPED PARROT (Psittinus cyanurus) – A few quick flybys from the canopy walkway at BRL.
LONG-TAILED PARAKEET (Psittacula longicauda) – Most of our sightings were at Sukau, but we did have some nice perched birds in the scopes at the small coastal park in Kota Kinabalu.
BLUE-NAPED PARROT (Tanygnathus lucionensis) – Established in the coastal habitats in the Kota Kinabalu area. [I]
BLUE-CROWNED HANGING-PARROT (Loriculus galgulus) – Most of these were just quick flyby looks, but we did eventually see this one perched near Sukau.
Calyptomenidae (African and Green Broadbills)
GREEN BROADBILL (Calyptomena viridis) [*]
WHITEHEAD'S BROADBILL (Calyptomena whiteheadi) – This unmistakable endemic broadbill was well seen on a couple of occasions at Kinabalu Park. Uncharacteristically easy this year! [E]
Eurylaimidae (Asian and Grauer's Broadbills)
BLACK-AND-RED BROADBILL (Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos) – Including a few active nests along the rivers at Sukau. [N]
LONG-TAILED BROADBILL (Psarisomus dalhousiae) – Conspicuous this year in the Crocker Range as we found a couple of pairs actively nesting along the roadside. [N]
BANDED BROADBILL (Eurylaimus javanicus) – Nice looks of a pair of these actively nesting within sight of Tower #3 at BRL. [N]
BLACK-AND-YELLOW BROADBILL (Eurylaimus ochromalus) – Easily the most common of the broadbills on this tour, at least by voice.
This Bornean Ground-Cuckoo is normally super-shy and very difficult to see on this tour, but we had no trouble with it this year! Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
Pittidae (Pittas)
BLACK-CROWNED PITTA (Erythropitta ussheri) – We finally found the right responsive bird right along the main road at BRL for some great looks! This one used to be called Black-headed Pitta. [E]
BLUE-BANDED PITTA (Erythropitta arquata) – Darn it! [E*]
GIANT PITTA (Hydrornis caeruleus) [*]
BLUE-HEADED PITTA (Hydrornis baudii) – No sooner had we all seen the above Black-crowned Pitta when this one showed up at the very same spot! Two gorgeous endemic pittas within five minutes of each other - how about that! [E]
HOODED PITTA (Pitta sordida) – The first bird that we tried along the Gomantong road was extremely responsive, sitting up high in the roadside trees for some great looks!
Acanthizidae (Thornbills and Allies)
GOLDEN-BELLIED GERYGONE (Gerygone sulphurea) – Nice looks of a pair of these attending a nest in the Crocker Range. [N]
Vangidae (Vangas, Helmetshrikes, and Allies)
LARGE WOODSHRIKE (Tephrodornis virgatus) – We had this one daily at BRL.
BAR-WINGED FLYCATCHER-SHRIKE (Hemipus picatus) – This widespread species replaces the Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike at higher elevations on Borneo.
BLACK-WINGED FLYCATCHER-SHRIKE (Hemipus hirundinaceus) – We watched a pair of these attending a nest about ten feet above the water along the Menanggol R. near Sukau. [N]
RUFOUS-WINGED PHILENTOMA (Philentoma pyrhoptera) – We found both color morphs along the trails at BRL.
MAROON-BREASTED PHILENTOMA (Philentoma velata) – Quick, but decent, views of birds at BRL and at Gomantong.
We saw this Dark-necked Tailorbird very well at BRL. Photo by participant Brian Armstrong.
Artamidae (Woodswallows)
WHITE-BREASTED WOODSWALLOW (Artamus leucorynchus) – A regular sight along the telephone wires during our drives.
Pityriaseidae (Bristlehead)
BORNEAN BRISTLEHEAD (Pityriasis gymnocephala) – YESSSS!!!! How sweet was that to get this enigmatic and monotypic endemic on our first morning?! It had been several years since I had seen this one at RDC, so it was a thrill for me to get it there once again. We heard others at BRL and actually saw a few birds fly over the Menanggol R. near Sukau, so we scored on this one at all of our major lowland venues this year – a first for me! [E]
Aegithinidae (Ioras)
COMMON IORA (Aegithina tiphia) – Outnumbered on this tour by the next species.
GREEN IORA (Aegithina viridissima) – Daily in the lowlands, at least by voice.
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
GRAY-CHINNED MINIVET (Pericrocotus solaris) – The race here looks very black-headed, making birders think that they're looking at some other species of minivet.
PIED TRILLER (Lalage nigra) – Nicely in the little coastal park in Kota Kinabalu.
LESSER CUCKOOSHRIKE (Lalage fimbriata schierbrandi) – Not uncommon at BRL, but its love of the tallest trees makes this one difficult to see well.
Pachycephalidae (Whistlers and Allies)
BORNEAN WHISTLER (Pachycephala hypoxantha) – Very common in the highland forests of Kinabalu Park. [E]
Laniidae (Shrikes)
LONG-TAILED SHRIKE (Lanius schach) – A recent invader to the altered habitats of lowland Sabah.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
BLYTH'S SHRIKE-BABBLER (BLYTH'S) (Pteruthius aeralatus robinsoni) – Another common voice of Kinabalu Park. A recent split from the White-browed Shrike-Babbler.
WHITE-BELLIED ERPORNIS (Erpornis zantholeuca) – Formerly called White-bellied Yuhina - but now thought to be more closely related to the Vireos (?!).
Scarlet-rumped Trogons put on a nice show for us. Photo by participant Anders Paulsrud.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
DARK-THROATED ORIOLE (Oriolus xanthonotus) – We heard quite a few of these but never caught up with looks for all until we got to Poring Hot Springs at the end of the tour.
BLACK-AND-CRIMSON ORIOLE (Oriolus cruentus) – A couple of beautiful males in the highland forests.
Dicruridae (Drongos)
ASHY DRONGO (BORNEAN) (Dicrurus leucophaeus stigmatops) – The race here is endemic and sedentary, but it bears a strong resemblance to the highly migratory race leucogenis form China.
BRONZED DRONGO (Dicrurus aeneus) – A couple of birds only this year along the main road at BRL.
HAIR-CRESTED DRONGO (HAIR-CRESTED) (Dicrurus hottentottus borneensis) – This is clearly a species that needs some taxonomic revision – these birds look nothing like the widespread and migratory mainland race hottentottus.
GREATER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus paradiseus brachyphorus) – Widespread in the lowlands. The endemic race here lacks the frontal crest that the mainland races possess.
Rhipiduridae (Fantails)
SPOTTED FANTAIL (Rhipidura perlata) – Excellent views on the final morning at BRL.
MALAYSIAN PIED-FANTAIL (Rhipidura javanica) – Widespread in the lowlands.
WHITE-THROATED FANTAIL (Rhipidura albicollis) – Common and widespread in the highland forest here.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
BLACK-NAPED MONARCH (Hypothymis azurea) – A welcome splash of color in the infrequent understory flocks in the lowland forests.
BLYTH'S PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone affinis) – Formerly lumped with Indian PF and Amur PF as Asian Paradise-Flycatcher.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CRESTED JAY (Platylophus galericulatus) [*]
BORNEAN GREEN-MAGPIE (Cissa jefferyi) – Formerly called the Short-tailed Magpie, this Bornean taxon is now split from the birds on Java. [E]
BORNEAN TREEPIE (Dendrocitta cinerascens) – This one was called the Sunda Treepie when I first visited Borneo; now split from Sumatran birds. [E]
SLENDER-BILLED CROW (SLENDER-BILLED) (Corvus enca compilator)
Eupetidae (Rail-babbler)
MALAYSIAN RAIL-BABBLER (Eupetes macrocerus) – We heard this one calling incessantly while we were trying for the Blue-banded Pitta at BRL, but neither of them would show themselves. A very poorly-known species in Borneo. [*]
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
PACIFIC SWALLOW (Hirundo tahitica)
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
GRAY-HEADED CANARY-FLYCATCHER (Culicicapa ceylonensis)
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
VELVET-FRONTED NUTHATCH (Sitta frontalis) – A couple of birds seen early on in the tour.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
PUFF-BACKED BULBUL (Pycnonotus eutilotus) – Difficult to see this year, but we finally prevailed.
BLACK-HEADED BULBUL (Pycnonotus atriceps)
STRAW-HEADED BULBUL (Pycnonotus zeylanicus) – This rare species finally came out of hiding for us at BRL long enough to get a good look from the viewing balcony.
The Bornean Treepie is a member of the corvid family, and is another Bornean endemic that we saw well. Photo by participant Paul Bisson.
BORNEAN BULBUL (Pycnonotus montis) – A recent split from Black-crested Bulbul, we got a couple of good looks while we searched for the other local endemics in the Crocker Range. [E]
SCALY-BREASTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus squamatus) – High in a fruiting fig at Poring Hot Springs.
FLAVESCENT BULBUL (PALE-FACED) (Pycnonotus flavescens leucops) – One of these birds came in for prolonged looks while we waited for the Mountain Black-eye to show. Another likely split to put in the bank.
YELLOW-VENTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus goiavier)
OLIVE-WINGED BULBUL (Pycnonotus plumosus)
CREAM-VENTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus simplex) – With the above Scaly-breasted Bulbuls at Poring.
RED-EYED BULBUL (Pycnonotus brunneus) – Perhaps the most common bulbul on the tour.
SPECTACLED BULBUL (Pycnonotus erythropthalmos) – Not far behind the Red-eyed Bulbul in abundance when considering how often it was heard.
HAIRY-BACKED BULBUL (Tricholestes criniger) – A bit of an outlier among the bulbuls - there's nothing very similar to it.
FINSCH'S BULBUL (Alophoixus finschii) – Not as cooperative as they often are at BRL, but we still got decent views of this generally scarce bulbul species.
OCHRACEOUS BULBUL (Alophoixus ochraceus) – This one seems to be different enough from mainland races, both visually and vocally, to at least warrant consideration of a split.
GRAY-CHEEKED BULBUL (Alophoixus bres)
YELLOW-BELLIED BULBUL (Alophoixus phaeocephalus) – A very brief encounter at Gomantong for most.
Our timing for seeing these Bornean Pygmy Elephants along the Kinabatangan River near Sukau was excellent! They had been foraging near the mouth of the river, miles from where we eventually found them, just several days before. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
CHARLOTTE'S BULBUL (Iole charlottae) – The most recent addition to the growing list of endemic species on Borneo is this split from Buff-vented Bulbul. [E]
ASHY BULBUL (GREEN-WINGED) (Hemixos flavala connectens) – Another split-in-waiting? Visually and vocally quite different from other 'races'.
STREAKED BULBUL (Ixos malaccensis) – Seemingly a rather scarce bird here.
Scotocercidae (Bush Warblers and Allies)
BORNEAN STUBTAIL (Urosphena whiteheadi) – One of the first highland endemics that we tallied at Kinabalu Park that first morning there. That song is so high-pitched that many of my clients never hear this one sing! [E]
YELLOW-BELLIED WARBLER (Abroscopus superciliaris) – A bamboo specialist throughout its wide range.
MOUNTAIN TAILORBIRD (Phyllergates cucullatus) – Not at all closely related to the Orthotomus tailorbirds, though it was traditionally placed with them for years.
SUNDA BUSH WARBLER (Horornis vulcanius) – A couple of really close encounters with this one at Kinabalu Park.
Phylloscopidae (Leaf Warblers)
MOUNTAIN LEAF WARBLER (MOUNTAIN) (Phylloscopus trivirgatus kinabaluensis) – This species is usually much more conspicuous at Kinabalu Park on this tour – perhaps they were all nesting?
YELLOW-BREASTED WARBLER (Seicercus montis) – A real beauty, and quite common, too.
Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
STRIATED GRASSBIRD (Megalurus palustris) – This one favors disturbed habitats here.
PALLAS'S GRASSHOPPER-WARBLER (Locustella certhiola) – This species seems to be rarely detected as a winter resident here. Good looks at the bridge on our last day of the tour. [b]
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
DARK-NECKED TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus atrogularis) – Excellent views along the roadside at BRL.
ASHY TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus ruficeps) – On the mainland, I know this bird as a denizen of the coastal mangroves.
Whitehead's Broadbill is yet another endemic; we saw several of these interesting birds at Kinabalu Park. Photo by participant Brian Armstrong.
RUFOUS-TAILED TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus sericeus) – Detected daily in the lowland habitats.
YELLOW-BELLIED PRINIA (Prinia flaviventris) – The only Prinia that made it to Borneo from the mainland.
Zosteropidae (White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies)
CHESTNUT-CRESTED YUHINA (Yuhina everetti) – The most common forest landbird at Kinabalu Park. [E]
PYGMY WHITE-EYE (Oculocincta squamifrons) – A very brief sighting for some along the roadside in the Crocker Range. [E]
MOUNTAIN BLACK-EYE (Chlorocharis emiliae) – Bad luck cost us seeing this one! [E*]
BLACK-CAPPED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops atricapilla) – Found here and on Sumatra only.
Timaliidae (Tree-Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers, and Allies)
BOLD-STRIPED TIT-BABBLER (Mixornis bornensis) – Striped Tit-Babbler was split into two species not long ago, with this one occurring primarily on Borneo and Java.
FLUFFY-BACKED TIT-BABBLER (Macronus ptilosus) [*]
CHESTNUT-WINGED BABBLER (Cyanoderma erythropterum) – We got this one to reveal those blue patches of skin on the neck when it sang.
RUFOUS-FRONTED BABBLER (Cyanoderma rufifrons) – Not much to look at on this one.
BLACK-THROATED BABBLER (Stachyris nigricollis) – On our third try at Gomantong, I think we all eventually got a look that we could count.
CHESTNUT-RUMPED BABBLER (Stachyris maculata) – Nice looks along the "Trogon" Trail at BRL.
GRAY-THROATED BABBLER (Stachyris nigriceps) – It took a surprisingly long time to track this one down on Mt. Kinabalu for some decent views. There are rumors of this one being split into multiple species, but I'm not sure if the Bornean birds are among those being considered.
GRAY-HEADED BABBLER (Stachyris poliocephala) – One of the more uncooperative babblers of the ones that we encountered.
Pellorneidae (Ground Babblers and Allies)
MOUSTACHED BABBLER (Malacopteron magnirostre) – This one and the next three species all sound and look pretty similar.
SOOTY-CAPPED BABBLER (Malacopteron affine)
SCALY-CROWNED BABBLER (Malacopteron cinereum) – Pink legs on this one helps to separate it from the others.
RUFOUS-CROWNED BABBLER (Malacopteron magnum)
Blue-throated Bee-eaters were nesting near our lodging at BRL. Photo by participant Brian Armstrong.
BLACK-CAPPED BABBLER (Pellorneum capistratum) – Nicely from the boardwalk behind our rooms at Sukau.
TEMMINCK'S BABBLER (Pellorneum pyrrogenys) – These were actively nesting during our visit to Kinabalu Park, so they were very quiet and difficult to track down.
SHORT-TAILED BABBLER (Pellorneum malaccense) – Great looks on our second attempt at BRL.
WHITE-CHESTED BABBLER (Pellorneum rostratum) – The most common babbler in the streamside vegetation along the Menanggol R.
FERRUGINOUS BABBLER (Pellorneum bicolor) – We heard more than we saw.
STRIPED WREN-BABBLER (Kenopia striata) – This generally scarce species was silent until our final visit to Gomantong, when we found one singing across the road from our surprise Black-throated Wren-Babbler.
BORNEAN WREN-BABBLER (Ptilocichla leucogrammica) – Our second bird along the Hornbill Trail at BRL was better behaved than the first bird that we tried for on the Trogon Trail. [E]
HORSFIELD'S BABBLER (Turdinus sepiarius) – Not a very satisfying encounter with this one at BRL.
BLACK-THROATED WREN-BABBLER (Turdinus atrigularis) – We had a very shy pair of these very briefly at BRL, but only the tallest in the group got to see them. That bird at Gomantong - my first ever there - was a brilliant catch-up bird for everyone else! [E]
MOUNTAIN WREN-BABBLER (Turdinus crassus) – Our first highland endemic on Mt. Kinabalu on our first morning there. [E]
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)
BROWN FULVETTA (Alcippe brunneicauda) – Like the above Rufous-fronted Babbler, this one isn't much to look at.
SUNDA LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax palliatus) – We had no trouble seeing this one or the Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush at Kinabalu Park.
BARE-HEADED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax calvus) – This endemic laughingthrush is always the one that gives us trouble, but we eventually found a group of them along the Mempening Trail one morning. Split from Black Laughingthrush on the Malay Peninsula. [E]
CHESTNUT-HOODED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Ianthocincla treacheri treacheri) – One of the most common landbirds in the highland forests of Kinabalu Park. [E]
Though this lovely male Copper-throated Sunbird wasn't recorded on the 'official' tour, most, if not all, of the folks on this year's tour saw this beauty in the parking lot of the Rainforest Discovery Center near Sepilok just prior to the start of the tour. Photo by participant Brian Armstrong.
Irenidae (Fairy-bluebirds)
ASIAN FAIRY-BLUEBIRD (Irena puella) – Our only birds were late in the tour at Poring Hot Springs. This is another species that is rumored to be split up soon - but we'll see if these are in the mix or not.
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
DARK-SIDED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa sibirica) – Only a single bird along the road at BRL this year. Also called Siberian Flycatcher. [b]
ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa dauurica) – One migrant bird briefly along the Menanggol R. [b]
ORIENTAL MAGPIE-ROBIN (Copsychus saularis) – All of our birds were the endemic race adamsi with the mostly black underparts and white undertail coverts.
RUFOUS-TAILED SHAMA (Copsychus pyrropygus) – We were able to lure this shy species high in a tree next to the canopy walkway at BRL for some great looks.
WHITE-RUMPED SHAMA (WHITE-CROWNED) (Copsychus malabaricus stricklandii) – All of the birds that we saw were this short-tailed, white-crowned form that was once considered to be a separate endemic species.
PALE BLUE FLYCATCHER (Cyornis unicolor) [*]
MALAYSIAN BLUE FLYCATCHER (Cyornis turcosus) – A common sight along the waterways near Sukau.
BORNEAN BLUE FLYCATCHER (Cyornis superbus) – Seen well along the main road one afternoon at BRL. [E]
FULVOUS-CHESTED JUNGLE-FLYCATCHER (Cyornis olivaceus) – This was only the second time that I've recorded this species at Poring Hot Springs, but it's probably regular at that site.
BLUE-AND-WHITE FLYCATCHER (Cyanoptila cyanomelana) – A couple of migrant birds in the Crocker Range. [b]
INDIGO FLYCATCHER (Eumyias indigo) – We had a couple of really super views while birding the road at Kinabalu Park.
VERDITER FLYCATCHER (Eumyias thalassinus) – I've never found this one to be very common in Sabah.
WHITE-BROWED SHORTWING (BORNEAN) (Brachypteryx montana erythrogyna) – We found a very cooperative male along the Silau-Silau Trail on Mt. Kinabalu. All of the things that are now called "White-browed Shortwing" are going to be revised sometime soon, so keep this one in the bank.
BORNEAN WHISTLING-THRUSH (Myophonus borneensis) – If there's any color on this one, I sure can't see it! [E]
WHITE-CROWNED FORKTAIL (WHITE-CROWNED) (Enicurus leschenaulti frontalis) – Probably the most memorable was the one that Paul spotted sleeping next to the road at BRL on one of our night drives.
WHITE-CROWNED FORKTAIL (BORNEAN) (Enicurus leschenaulti borneensis) – Good views along the stream on Mt. Kinabalu. These highland and lowland forms differ slightly in plumage and in size, so it's likely that we'll get a split of this one in the future.
CHESTNUT-NAPED FORKTAIL (Enicurus ruficapillus) – We couldn't have asked for a better view of this beauty along the creek at BRL on our last morning there.
MUGIMAKI FLYCATCHER (Ficedula mugimaki) – A fairly common wintering bird on the slopes of Mt. Kinabalu. [b]
SNOWY-BROWED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula hyperythra sumatrana) – A common forest bird in Kinabalu Park, but it's not frequently seen given its behavior.
LITTLE PIED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula westermanni) – We had a few dapper males in the highland forests.
RUFOUS-CHESTED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula dumetoria) – A gorgeous male along the Trogon Trail at BRL.
Dark-throated Orioles were heard throughout the tour, but we didn't actually see one until we got to Poring Hot Springs. Photo by participant Brian Armstrong.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
EVERETT'S THRUSH (Zoothera everetti) – One of the more exciting encounters on the tour was finding this one early one morning along the edge of the road on Mt. Kinabalu. It allowed us to get out of the bus and proved to be quite confiding! One of the most difficult of the highland endemic species here. [E]
EYEBROWED THRUSH (Turdus obscurus) – Seeing that big swirling flock at dawn up at the Timpohon Gate on Mt. Kinabalu was quite something! [b]
FRUIT-HUNTER (Chlamydochaera jefferyi) – We nailed this shy endemic on our first morning on the mountain this year, freeing up an incalculable amount of time to search for other goodies! [E]
Sturnidae (Starlings)
ASIAN GLOSSY STARLING (Aplonis panayensis) – Particularly common around Sepilok.
COMMON HILL MYNA (Gracula religiosa) – The only birds that we saw this year were near Sukau one afternoon. I suspect that these birds are being caught for the cagebird trade.
JAVAN MYNA (Acridotheres javanicus) [I]
CRESTED MYNA (Acridotheres cristatellus) – A single bird at the small coastal park in Kota Kinabalu was only the second time I've seen it on the island. [I]
Chloropseidae (Leafbirds)
GREATER GREEN LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis sonnerati) [*]
LESSER GREEN LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis cyanopogon) – The most common Leafbird on this tour.
BORNEAN LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis kinabaluensis) – A recent split from Blue-winged Leafbird, we saw several of these well along the road in the Crocker Range - the elevation where this one seems to be the most common. [E]
Dicaeidae (Flowerpeckers)
YELLOW-BREASTED FLOWERPECKER (Prionochilus maculatus) – Most of ours were seen at BRL.
YELLOW-RUMPED FLOWERPECKER (Prionochilus xanthopygius) – I can't remember if this one or the Dusky Munia was our first Bornean endemic on this year's trip. [E]
ORANGE-BELLIED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum trigonostigma) – Great views of a couple of males from the restaurant balcony at BRL.
The Golden-naped Barbet was never out of earshot at Kinabalu Park. Photo by participant Paul Bisson.
BLACK-SIDED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum monticolum) – Mostly heard in the highlands, but a few were seen well. A very close relative of the Fire-breasted Flowerpecker. [E]
SCARLET-BACKED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum cruentatum) – From the boat on the Menanggol R.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
RUBY-CHEEKED SUNBIRD (Chalcoparia singalensis) – More warbler-like than other sunbirds.
PLAIN SUNBIRD (Anthreptes simplex) – A few along the main road at BRL. The name is very fitting.
PLAIN-THROATED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes malacensis) – More of a forest edge species than the next.
RED-THROATED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes rhodolaemus) – Seen pretty well from the canopy walkway at BRL for most. This one favors good forest, but that red on the throat can be surprisingly difficult to see!
VAN HASSELT'S SUNBIRD (Leptocoma brasiliana) – One of our first birds from the Bristlehead Tower at RDC. Now split from the Purple-throated Sunbird, which is now a Philippine endemic.
OLIVE-BACKED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris jugularis) – Common along the roadsides in the oil palm plantations.
TEMMINCK'S SUNBIRD (Aethopyga temminckii) – This one is usually the only sunbird species that I see in the highland forests.
CRIMSON SUNBIRD (Aethopyga siparaja) – One particularly nice male in the late afternoon sun along the Resang R. near Sukau.
LONG-BILLED SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera robusta) – Particularly good views of a pair along the road in the Crocker Range. [N]
LITTLE SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera longirostra)
PURPLE-NAPED SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera hypogrammicum) – The look that we got from the Bristlehead Tower on that first morning at RDC was absolutely perfect! Formerly known as Purple-naped Sunbird, but it's now been moved in with the spiderhunters.
Mountain Treeshrew was the only treeshrew that we saw, although there are a number of other species that occur along our tour route. Photo by participant Becky Bradley.
YELLOW-EARED SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera chrysogenys) – Great views from the canopy walkway at BRL.
BORNEAN SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera everetti) – Again re-split from the Streaky-breasted Spiderhunter, we saw it well both at BRL and in the Crocker Range. [E]
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (EASTERN) (Motacilla tschutschensis tschutschensis) – One or two birds from the bridge on the last day as we drove to Kota Kinabalu. [b]
GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea) – A few wintering birds in the highlands. [b]
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus) [I]
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
BAYA WEAVER (Ploceus philippinus) [IN]
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
DUSKY MUNIA (Lonchura fuscans) – Seen early and often. [E]
SCALY-BREASTED MUNIA (Lonchura punctulata) – An increasing recent invader from the north and south.
CHESTNUT MUNIA (Lonchura atricapilla) – Lots of these at the bridge on the last day. [N]
MAMMALS
COLUGO (Cynocephalus variegatus) – A tiny family of mammals (only 2 species) found only in the Philippines, the greater Sundas and s.e. Asia. Seen nicely on one of our night drives at BRL.
LARGE FLYING FOX (Pteropus vampyrus) – Excellent views at the mouth of the Menanggol R. near Sukau one night.
WRINKLE-LIPPED FREE-TAILED BAT (Chaerephon plicatus) – 99.9% of the bats that we saw emerge at Gomantong were this widespread species.
MOUNTAIN TREESHREW (Tupaia montana) – Surprisingly, this was the only treeshrew species that we encountered on the tour this year. I've never found just one species of treeshrew on any Borneo tour in the past! [E]
SLOW LORIS (Nycticebus cougang) – This one was mostly eye-shine from the back of the truck on our first BRL night drive.
CRAB-EATING MACAQUE (Macaca fascigularis) – Also known as Long-tailed Macaque. Abundant in the Sukau area.
PIGTAIL MACAQUE (Macaca nemestrina) – Not as common as the Crab-eating Macaque, but still pretty darned common in the Sukau area.
SILVERED LEAF MONKEY (Presbytis cristata) – Quite scarce now in the Kinabatangan forests, surely due to the clearing of habitat there.
RED LEAF MONKEY (Presbytis rubicunda) – The two that Hazwan spotted from the overlook on Mt. Kinabalu were my first ever for the park. [E]
PROBOSCIS MONKEY (Nasalis larvatus) – One of the big draws for tourists in the Sukau area is seeing this endemic primate - which happens to be abundant there. [E]
GRAY GIBBON (Hylobates muelleri) [E*]
ORANGUTAN (Pongo pygmaeus) – We found this charismatic species on seven different days, according to my tally. Our first was right behind the restaurant on our arrival to BRL on the first full day of the tour! [E]
This Malay Civet was seen on one of our night excursions along the Menanggol River. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
PALE GIANT SQUIRREL (Ratufa affinis) – We found this big forest squirrel from the lowlands at RDC up to the montane forest on Mt. Kinabalu.
PREVOST'S SQUIRREL (Callosciurus prevostii) – The common black squirrel with the red belly throughout the lowlands.
PLANTAIN SQUIRREL (Callosciurus notatus) – A few around Sukau.
BORNEAN BLACK-BANDED SQUIRREL (Callosciurus orestes) – Several very cheeky individuals, who have obviously gotten food handouts in the past, up at Timpohon Gate in Kinabalu Park. [E]
HORSE-TAILED SQUIRREL (Sundasciurus hippurus) – One briefly along the upper stretches of the Hornbill Trail at BRL.
LOWE'S SQUIRREL (Sundasciurus lowii) – The best was seen right next to the boardwalk leading to the cave entrance at Gomantong.
JENTINK'S SQUIRREL (Sundasciurus jentincki) – Only a couple of brief looks at this normally common arboreal squirrel in the highland forests. [E]
BORNEAN MOUNTAIN GROUND-SQUIRREL (Dremomys everetti) – A couple of these plain-looking ground-squirrels crossed our path in Kinabalu Park. [E]
PLAIN PYGMY SQUIRREL (Exilisciurus exilis) – Certainly the tiniest squirrel that I've encountered anywhere! Numbers of these seemed to have declined markedly in the last couple of years here. [E]
WHITEHEAD'S PYGMY SQUIRREL (Exilisciurus whiteheadi) – Very distinctive with those long ear tufts. Tiny and incredibly cute! [E]
SPOTTED GIANT FLYING SQUIRREL (Petaurista elegans) – Anders and I were the only lucky ones to see this one behind our 'cabin' at Kinabalu Park.
RED GIANT FLYING SQUIRREL (Petaurista petaurista) – We had good comparisons between this and the very similar Thomas's Flying Squirrel on our night drives at BRL.
THOMAS'S FLYING SQUIRREL (Aeromys thomasi) – A slightly different shade of rufous pelage and an all-rufous tail separate this one from the above species. [E]
LONG-TAILED PORCUPINE (Trichys fasciculata) – This and the above Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel were my two lifers on the tour! It turns out that this widespread species often loses its tufted tail tip to predators, but ours had a complete tail.
MALAY CIVET (Viverra tangalunga) – We had a very nice close encounter with this one on the banks of the Menanggol R. one night.
LEOPARD CAT (Felis bengalensis) – Paul and our local BRL guide (Paul Dimus) were the only ones to get on this tiny cat before it disappeared at BRL.
BORNEAN PYGMY ELEPHANT (Elephas maximus borneensis) – We ran into the local herd on our second attempt downstream from Sukau Rainforest Lodge. This herd, the last on this lower stretch of the Kinabatangan, is losing ground to oil palm plantations every year.
BEARDED PIG (Sus barbatus) – A distant, but decent, view of at least one individual on the banks of the Kinabatangan.
GREATER MOUSE DEER (Tragulus napu) – We had both species of mouse deer pretty well while at BRL.
LESSER MOUSE DEER (Tragulus javanicus)
SAMBAR (Cervus unicolor) – Routinely found at night on the soccer pitch at the workers accommodations at BRL.
No larger than some of the small lizards that we saw on this tour, this tiny and endemic Plain Pygmy Squirrel is one of the smallest sciurids in the world! Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
Herps
COMMON HOUSE GECKO (Hemidactylus frenatus) – The common small gecko on the walls at night at nearly all of our venues.
MANGROVE CAT SNAKE (Boiga dendrophila) – Good looks of a sleeping individual in a tree over the water at the Resang R. near Sukau one afternoon.
GREEN PADDY FROG (Hylarana erythraea (Ranidae)) – This was the tiny frog on the lily pads at the small coastal park in Kota Kinabalu.
BORNEAN HORNED FROG (Megophrys nasuta (Megophryidae)) – The call pointed out to us by BRL guide Paul Dimus. [E*]
SALTWATER CROCODILE (Crocodylus porosus) – We saw a few of these, but none more impressive than the big one on the banks of the Kinabatangan late one morning near Sukau.
CRESTED GREEN LIZARD (Bronchocela cristatella) – This is the one that we called the Crested Agama Lizard.
FLYING LIZARD SP. (Draco sp.) – A few seen, but none identified to species.
KINABALU CRESTED DRAGON (Hypsicalotes kinabaluensis) – This one was spotted in a tree as we tried to get a look at the Checker-throated Woodpecker on the final morning at Kinabalu Park. [E]
SMITH'S GIANT GECKO (Gekko smithii ) – I don't think we ever laid eyes on this one, but it was certainly heard frequently while we were in the lowlands. [*]
COMMON SUN SKINK (Eutropis multifasciata) – The common lizard in the lowland forest leaf litter.
WATER MONITOR (Varanus salvator) – A few impressive individuals along the many watercourses in the lowlands.
Other Creatures of Interest
RAFFLESIA (PORING) (Rafflesia keithii) – None of the guides or driver had aver been to this particular spot before near Poring, but I'm glad we did! It was probably the most extensive exhibit of the amazing Rafflesia keithii that any of us had ever seen! [E]
BROWN LEECH (Haemadipsa zyelanica) – Everyone got to experience this small, drab leech, as well as the larger and more colorful Tiger Leech, at BRL this year.
TIGER LEECH (Haemadipsa picta)
BORNEAN PILL MILLIPEDE (Glomeris connexa) – We found a few of these crossing the main road at BRL and Gomantong this year. It looks a lot like a pill bug (an Isopod), but these are truly millipedes
TRACTOR MILLIPEDE (Barydesmus, sp.) – Commonly encountered along the roads and trails at BRL.
LONG-LEGGED CENTIPEDES (Scutigera spp.) – Numerous on the walls of Gomantong Cave.
GIANT FOREST ANT (Camponotus gigas) – Pretty big for an ant, but it was obviously named before anyone knew about Paraponera clavata ants (Bullet ant) in the New World tropics!
COMMON BIRDWING (Tioides helena (Papilionidae)) – The big black butterfly with yellow hind wings that we saw commonly on this tour.
RAJAH BROOKE'S BIRDWING (Trogonoptera brookiana (Papilionidae)) – We saw a few of these lovely birdwings around the buildings at Kinabalu Park.
COMMON TREE NYMPH (WOOD NYMPH) (Idea stolli (Nymphalidae)) – This was the 'tissue paper' butterfly that we frequently saw floating by while we were birding.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 308 bird taxa and 33 mammal taxa