Sabah, Borneo

1st - 13th November 2009

Leader: James Eaton

Participants: John Archer, Michael Duffy, Duncan Himes, Carol Himes, Peter Los, Patrick Nash and Ute Nash

Bristlehead, Sepilok © James Eaton/Birdtour Asia The huge island of Borneo conjures up images of Orang-utan, mammals, vast tracts of rainforest and a dazzling array of wonderful endemics and of course those majestic hornbills. This tour fulfilled all of those images and many more, recording a total of 283 species including 40 endemics (depending on your taxonomic persuasion!). The tour couldn't have started better; our first endemic was the most-wanted, the Bristlehead. Next, the Kinabatangan River, snaking through lowland forest produced the completely different but equally desirable Bornean Ground Cuckoo. Until recently considered a near-mythical species the ground cuckoo performed wonderfully. Other highlights were array of hornbills including a showy pair of White-crowned, plenty of Storm's Storks, White-fronted Falconet and hunting Buffy Fish Owls. The fabulous Danum Valley Conservation Area met our expectations with a huge haul of lowland Bornean and sundaic endemics. Highlights included Blue-headed, Black-crowned and Bornean Banded Pittas, Black-throated and Striped Wren Babblers, Bornean Ground Babbler, Bornean and Large-billed Blue Flycatchers, booming Short-toed Coucals, three species of trogons and we completed all the hornbills of the island in style with a pair of mighty Helmeted Hornbills. A week taking in the mighty Mount Kinabalu found the majority of upland endemics; best of all was the pair of Whitehead's Trogon shortly followed by Fruithunter, circling Mountain Serpent Eagles, Friendly Bush Warbler, 3 endemics barbets, singing Everett's Thrush and fabulous views of a showy Whitehead's

Spiderhunter that refused to say no! Though one of the most appreciated birds was one of the most widespread; a night-time Mountain Scops Owl. This was also a memorable tour for mammals; a tree-shaking Bornean Gibbon, Marbled Cat, Sunda Pangolin, Sunda Loris, lots of flying squirrels and civets and of course, the ‘man of the forest’, plenty of Bornean Orang-utan including one big male within touching distance! Following a short flight across the mountains of Sabah we touched down at Sandakan airport in the early afternoon and transferred to our comfortable accommodation overlooking the lowland forest at Sepilok. Once we had consumed the first of several wonderful lunches we headed for the study canopy walkway. Birding proved slow but this was not a problem as a party of Bristlehead flew across though views weren't great the most highly prized of Borneo's endemics was 'in the bag'. Returning the following morning, a family party of White-bellied Woodpecker produced simply awesome views feeding literally under our noses, even the iphones came out of the pockets for some snap shots! The same fruiting tree the Bristleheads favoured also contained another endemic, a family of Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker along with Streaked and Red-eyed Bulbuls. Remaining on the canopy walkway brought close views of several canopy-dwellers in particular vocal Banded Broadbills and Bornean Brown Barbets. Violet Cuckoo typically undulated over, calling all the while and a couple of flocks of Long-tailed Parakeet noisly flew-over, and a feeding flock produced our first (and only in some cases) sundaic endemics; Fiery Minivets, Black-winged Flycatcher Shrike, Green Iora, Plain and Red-throated Sunbird and wintering Arctic Warblers. On the lone stump up to four Grey-and-buff Woodpeckers took it in turns hammering away and getting all excited. A quick look along the forest edge produced nice views of the distinctive Bold-striped Tit Babbler, several Yellow-eared Spiderhunter and both Ashy and Rufous-tailed Tailorbirds.

Bat Hawks and Storm’s Stork, Kinabatangan River © James Eaton As the heat began to rise we headed off, stopping at Gomantong Caves to witness the marvellous spectacle of a birds-nest cave with thousands of Black-nest Swiftlet nests stuck to the cave ceiling like glue, along with smaller numbers of Mossy-nest Swiftlet though all the Edible-nests had been harvested – fortunately this species is identifiable outside of the nest. Keeping the nest theme a mating pair of Bat Hawk were by their nest in the midday heat, as was finding White-bellied Munia actually nesting inside the cave, as they had been doing on my previous two tours. The final destination for the day was our comfortable lodge on the banks of the Kinabatangan River. With an afternoon, full day and a final morning birding from the comforts of our boat under the beaming sun we could feel it was going to be a memorable time here. We went in search of the number one priority, Bornean Ground Cuckoo and a response was almost instant, though too brief and distant to put in any serious effort until the following morning when a bird started playing with us, calling from afar several times before eventually being coaxed towards us. So typically of this difficult species just when things become silent for a worryingly long time it started calling from just off the waters-edge. With some careful manoeuvring and creeping up the typical tail-pumping gave the bird away, after a frantic five minutes of attempting to get onto the bird in the dense tangle he gave himself up, jumping to the floor and calling in the open before strolling across in front of us then walking along a sunlit log – what a stunner! Our other priority here, the hornbills, excelled with great looks at five species including several Wrinkled, a swamp forest speciality and a pair of White-crowned flying back-and-forth until the photographers amongst us had no excuses for the perfect shot. Numerous Black, Oriental Pied and Bushy-crested Hornbills showed several times both perched and fly-bys over the river. Keeping an eye to the sky raptors

heavily featured, rather bizarrely our first raptors in the deep blue sky were a pair of Bat Hawk flying straight over us. Wallace's Hawk, Rufous-bellied and Lesser Fish Eagles all perched up for us as did a diminutive pair of the often-tricky White-fronted Falconet. Another speciality of the Kinabatangan is the sizeable population of Storm's Stork that continue to hang on here and we enjoyed several excellent views of these odd looking storks from a pair feeding by our accommodation one lunchtime to a flock of 4 birds circling around us and perching overhead in the glorious mid-morning sunshine. A wide selection of other species made our two nights here ever the more enjoyable, three Blue-winged Pitta (at least!) including one feeding out on the lawn by our rooms before breakfast, two Moustached Hawk Cuckoos flew around our boat, frugivores were generally thin on the ground but did include Little Green Pigeon and a surprise flock of Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeons. White-crowned Shama, a common endemic sang in the hotel grounds and a night-time cruise four species of roosting daytime birds including a pair of Red-and-black Broadbill. Wintering Asian Brown Flycatcher, Crimson and Brown-throated Sunbirds, and fantasticly illuminated Maroon-breasted Philentoma, a much underrated bird, and a pair of Bornean Black Magpie perched unusually exposed. The Kinabatangan wouldn't be the same without the mammals and primates, had it not been for the ground cuckoo and hornbills these would have stolen the show. During dinner a Malayan Civet came to investigate the food scraps below us and in the daytime groups of comical Proboscis Monkey loafed and played in the riverside trees as did the not-so charismatic Long-tailed and Sunda Pig-tailed Macaques, though just a troop of Sunda Silvered Langur was found. Bornean Orang-utan of all ages and sizes were plentiful thanks to the numerous fig trees fruiting. Leaving the river behind we drove through seemingly endless lines of Oil Palm until we entered the huge, one million hectare Yayasan Logging Cession, arriving inside the wonderful Danum Valley Conservation Area in the early evening. Our base for the next four nights would be the fabulously situated Borneo Rainforest Lodge. A trip to Danum Valley conjures up images of hornbills, babbler, trogons, Orang-utans and those fabulous jewels of the forest, the pittas! Fortunately, with Bristlehead under our belts we could concentrate on the forest interior. Our pitta quest produced a glowing Black-crowned Pitta in the dense tangles one afternoon after some careful stalking, the next endemic pitta was Bornean Banded which showed itself wonderfully on three separate occasions, the third time bouncing up and down a log for five minutes not knowing which end to jump off! This glowing ball of yellow is soon to be split from its Malayan and Javan relatives. Though Blue-banded Pitta, the hardest of the lot, was heard frustratingly close twice as was a Giant Pitta on one occasion the best of the lot put on some performance as a male Blue-headed Pitta became so excited it actually flew between us to perch on a short angled trunk for several minutes, calling continually.

Red-necked Keelback and Sunda Pangolin, Danum Valley © James Eaton We divided our time birding different sections of this wonderful rainforest. The access road was a great place to scan and observe some of the more canopy-loving species and fruigvores. Greater and Lesser Green Leafbirds, a variety of those brown, sundaic bulbuls that we all love so much, comical Back-and-yellow Broadbills, even a co-operative Yellow-crowned Barbet (yes, barbets can co-operate 60 metres up sometimes!) while Blue-crowned Hanging Parrots whizzed by and their seemingly endless search for who knows what though we did find them perched on two separate occasions. Hornbills were notably thin on the ground, especially the big'uns. Rhinoceros Hornbill took some searching but produced their

characteristic flight over the forest eventually. Wreathed Hornbills whooshed overhead and perched on occasion for us. Though after three days we still hadn't come across the daddy of them all, the Helmeted despite hearing their wonderful laughing call in the distance whenever we tuned our ears. Sitting on the canopy walkway in the late afternoon on our final day I think we were all half-dozing when suddenly one flew-over, perching briefly and away he went, happy at completing the set we still wanted more, after all, we had stunning views of the previous 7 species so why not this one. Hearing the comical sounds of yet another Helmeted Hornbill had us racing to a decent vantage point along the road just in time as a male gave us a wonderful performance, not flapping once as he cruised overhead, shortly followed by his mate. She then perched above us and started that wonderful call, 9 out of 9 and finished off in real style! During our time at the lodge we struggled to decide what was more enjoyable, the sumptuous meals or the wildlife around us. At breakfast Malaysian Blue Flycatcher, Whiskered Treeswifts, Yellow-eared and Spectacled Spiderhunters joined us and at lunch Dark-throated Orioles, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker and best of all, a huge male Orang-utan joined us and kept distracting us from our lunch, though he seemed to prefer the fruit in the tree followed by some tree bark for dessert to help digest the particular fruit. In the evenings a pair of Bornean Firebacks would stroll out of the forest to feed underneath and around our chalets, delightful! We largely kept to the network of forest trails that surround the lodge. Babblers were numerous, Rufous-crowned, Sooty-capped and Scaly-crowned were all encountered on numerous occasions. Fluffy-backed Tit, Chestnut-rumped, Chestnut-winged and Grey-headed Babblers less so but all showed nicely. Searching out the endemics was fun with most of our walks producing a new one, first off was a pair of Bornean Blue Flycatchers singing overhead, a Black-throated Wren Babbler sang his heart out at length from an open perch, the near-endemic Large-billed Blue Flycatcher sang his mournful sang close-by shortly after cracking views of a vocal Striped Wren Babbler. Adding a splash of colour were the good numbers of trogons encountered with numerous Daird's and Scarlet-rumped and a confiding Red-naped Trogon being enjoyed competing with the confiding pair of vocal Rufous-backed Kingfisher next to the trail. Despite all the great passerines and colourful species the pick-of-the-crop went to the two metre -long Great Argus that regally crossed the trail to seemingly disappear into the forest only to be refound perched up just 5 metres away as he pierced our eardrums for a minute or so belting out his wonderful calls.

Marbled Cat, Danum Valley and Pale-faced Bulbul, Mt Kinabalu © James Eaton Birding the higher trails with the rolling slopes and gullies produced a slightly different avifauna as Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher, Moustached Babbler, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Malaysian Hawk Cuckoo, Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler, booming Short-toed Coucal and finally, on our last morning, great looks at a Bornean Ground Babbler, first skirting around us in circles and later sat up on a huge log looking inquisitively around for an intruder. Usually we expect the night-drives to produce a couple of flying-squirrels and perhaps a civet species at best, however, this time round we really struck gold. On our first night-drive a bit of a commotion from the spotlighter and James soon became clear after we had jumped out as a Sunda Pangolin was dragged out of the forest by its tail after it had attempted to flee the roadside! A lifer for James was certainly not expected as we were able to study this bizarre creature at close quarters until we decided to hunt for more. A striking Banded Palm Civet was next up, as it slowly crept through the forest in search of fallen fruit, on top of the Masked Palm Civet we had seen earlier. Three species of flying-squirrel included Black, Red Giant and the common Thomas's were also encountered and to top it off, two species of owl, Buffy Fish and Brown Wood Owl. We all told ourselves to calm down for the night-drive the following evening,

expect nothing more than a Thomas's Flying Squirrel as the group joked for a Clouded Leopard this time with James hoping for Marbled Cat instead. Twenty minutes down the track and there quietly walking towards us in the middle of the road is a Marbled Cat! We then watched it go about its business, eating grass and leaves for several minutes before escaping our intrusion, wow! A young Brown Wood Owl on our return proved entertaining as we watched a Pencil-tailed Tree-Mouse feeding just in front of gazing eyes, waiting for him to pounce, after waiting some more he eventually pounced, only to fool us by not going for the mouse but for a cricket instead! After all that obvious excitement the night-drives almost turned to the norm apart from a couple of Sunda Loris feeding in the mid-storey one evening. It's always difficult to pull yourself away from this unique experience, staying in luxury in the heart of the Bornean rainforest but after four nights we did just that to connect with our flight back to Kota Kinabalu to start our new journey with a new set of endemics in the mountains. Before reaching Mount Kinabalu we spent the first part of a morning doing roadside birding at the Rafflesia Reserve. The large tract of mainly mid-altitude forest is home to numerous endemics, both common and rare. After familiarising ourselves with the more common endemics such as Black-sided Flowerpecker, Bornean Whistler, Bornean Treepie and Bornean Bulbul, we searched for the more tricky species. Bornean Barbet was first to fall as he perched up nicely in the scope. Fruiting trees were hard to come-by so we had to dig deep for many species, Bornean Leafbirds, Cinereous Bulbul both appeared and the clear blue skies had us checking intently for a very missable endemic, Mountain Serpent Eagle which showed impeccable timing at our first vantage point and another pair showed overhead not long after with all the salient fieldmarks noted of this distinctive raptor as did a pair of equally striking Blyth's Hawk Eagle. Mount Kinabalu, standing at 4095m the highest mountain between the Himalaya and New Guinea is a massif, towering above the surrounding lowlands and was to be our birding destination over the next four nights.

Golden-naped Barbet and Mountain Black-eye, Mt Kinabalu © James Eaton The network of forest trails kept us busy during our stay and was necessary for many of the endemics. Driving up in the early morning light Bornean Whistling Thrushes were common and an Orange-headed Thrush fed in a drainage ditch. One of our first good endemics to see on the trail was a pair of odd-looking Bare-headed Laughingthrushes, giving their wonderful booming calls overhead, during a nice birdwave that also contained our first striking Short-tailed Green Magpies. A family of Mountain Wren Babblers bounced around the undergrowth making a lot of noise, rustling, branch-shaking and great views, while unobtrusive Eye-browed Jungle Flycatchers appeared on a couple of occasions and on one occasion we observed a pair of beautifully marked Red-breasted Partridges belting out their full duet actually in the middle of the trail. Bornean Forktails appeared twice at the roadside, this subtle split from the lowland White-crowned Forktail has a restricted white on the fore-crown and a longer tail. Feeding flocks, although seldom encountered, contained endemic Bornean Whistler, dazzling Temminck's Sunbird, Sunda Bush Warbler, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Black-capped White-eye, Grey-chinned Minivet, Mountain Leaf and Yellow-breasted Warblers, endemic Rufous-hooded Laughingthrush, Sunda Laughingthrushes, Short-tailed Green Magpie and Hair-crested Drongos. Visiting the lower slopes of Mount Kinabalu one day took us to Poring Hot Springs, a therapeutic paradise for the tourist, though after the long, uphill walk and back you can be fairly sure not all of us saw it that way, especially with a pre-dawn start! Though the rare Hose's Broadbill was not encountered a nice selection of birds were still seen, best of all was the confiding pair of rasping White-necked Babbler that came in to investigate us, one of the most rarely seen sundaic babblers among a number of babblers

seen well during the morning. A pair of Hill Blue Flycatcher made an appearance, a seldom-seen species in Borneo as did a Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher and a close male Banded Kingfisher. A pair of Rufous Piculet were a joy to watch as they busily excavated a nest-hole below eye-level during one of our many rests. Refreshed from the change of scenery we hit the trails along the upper slopes of the mountain once more with renewed purpose. First up, another pair of vocal Short-tailed Green Magpie with a Maroon Woodpecker in tow, then a party of Mountain Wren Babbler fed trail-side. While watching these delightful birds an excellent flock of mid-sized birds starting moving through; Checker-throated Woodpecker, Sunda Cuckooshrike, Bornean Treepie, all three laughingthrushes, Black-and-crimson Oriole. (Un)fortunately a quiet call from the forest turned our attentions as a blazing red flash through the greenery alerted us to the mountains most-prized inhabitants; Whitehead's Trogon. For the next 30 minutes we had a pair of these elegant beauties on view before we left them in peace. After taking in another showy pair of Eye-browed Jungle Flycatcher we hit a different trail, though quiet initially it only takes a couple of birds to lighten up the dull grey skies. Finally a tiny Bornean Stubtail co-operated, sitting in full view as he sang his song, for those who can hear it anyway! Finally, having played the tape of that oh-so elusive Everett's Thrush a duplicate could be heard from behind us, and there he was, perched just 3-4 metres actually over the trail, happily singing away and did so for the next 5 minutes, albeit from slightly further back, talk about finishing with a flourish! The following day we spent much of the time high up. As the sunshine hit the flowers endemic Mountain Black-eyes and Pale-faced Bulbuls busily fed right next to the roadside. Bornean Swiftlet, a recently split endemic from Cave Swiftlet of Indonesia was found breeding inside a couple of buildings enabling us to see the green-glossed mantle easily. Motivating ourselves we started walking up, and up and a little bit further up until after an hour our quest was finally found, just two metres from us as a Friendly Bush Warbler, perhaps Borneo's most range-restricted endemic, sang away and did so on-and-off in between bouts of creeping mouse-like around us for some time.

Whitehead’s Spiderhunter and Fruit-hunter, Rafflesia Reserve © James Eaton We spent our last full day back at the Rafflesia Reserve. Still fruiting trees were in short supply though the one we did find contained several wintering Blue-and-white and Mugimaki Flycatchers and an Eye-browed Thrush along with the sedentary Bornean and Cinereous Bulbuls. Temminck's Babbler were typically furtive on two occasions giving glimpses of their rather drab plumage! The usually conspicuous Mountain Barbet finally gave itself up, perching nicely though a calling Whitehead's Spiderhunter zipped round the bend not to be seen again just as we got onto him. During our prolonged lunchtime a cry from the forest of 'Fruit-hunter!' had those not present already into a sweaty run up the hill. Four of us had just had wonderful looks at a male coming into an interesting fruiting tree. Fortunately, an hour later while walking nearby a quiet contact call gave away the suspect as a male Fruit-hunter posed for us all this time, producing a few gleeful smiles. Other species seen during the day included Black-and-crimson Oriole, a couple of bulky Ruddy Cuckoo Doves among the large number of Little Cuckoo Doves, Sunda Cuckooshrike co-operated for those that put Whitehead's Trogon ahead of this bird two days previous, Thick-billed Green Pigeons flew-by, Grey-chinned and Scarlet Minivets made up little flocks with Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrikes and one occasion a large family flock of Long-tailed Broadbills. Spiderhunters were well represented as Streaky-breasted and a surprise Long-billed reacted to our calls of Mr Whitehead.

With our flights not until later in the morning he headed back into the hills very early for some night-birding. What sounded like a Bornean Frogmouth got the pulses racing and having carefully positioned ourselves in the area of the source we stood quietly in the dark until a bird flew-in, a quick shine of the spotlight revealed..... a juvenile Mountain Scops Owl! Not what was expected but a new bird for everyone all the same! As daylight approached we had an hour. We jumped out of the vehicle to the noise of a Whitehead's Spiderhunter which we located quickly in scope as he typically sang from an exposed perch and a pair of Banded Woodpeckers noisily drummed at the roadside. Talk about London buses as another Whitehead's Spiderhunter popped up further up the road producing a wonderful cameo flying around and around and around us, perching for prolonged periods under the sun, a perfect way to jump back into the vehicle and bid farewell to this incredible, diverse and endemic-filled island.

Bornean Orang-Utan, Danum Valley © James Eaton/Birdtour Asia Systematic Bird List PELECANIFORMES: Anhingidae

Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster

CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

Eastern Great Egret Ardea [alba] modesta

Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus

Striated Heron Butorides striata

CICONIIFORMES: Ciconiidae

Storm's Stork Ciconia stormi

FALCONIFORMES: Accipitridae

Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus

Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus

Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus

White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster

Lesser Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis

Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus

Mountain Serpent Eagle Spilornis kinabaluensis e

Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela

Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus

Besra Accipiter virgatus

Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis

Rufous-bellied Eagle Aquila kienerii

Changeable Hawk Eagle Nisaetus limnaetus

Blyth's Hawk Eagle Nisaetus alboniger

Wallace's Hawk Eagle Nisaetus nanus

FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae

White-fronted Falconet Microhierax latifrons e

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus ernesti

GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae

Great Argus Argusianus argus

Red-breasted Partridge Arborophila hyperythra e

Chestnut-necklaced Partridge Arborophila charltonii heard only

Crimson-headed Partridge Haematortyx sanguiniceps e heard only

Bornean [Crested] Fireback Lophura ignita nobilis e

GRUIFORMES: Rallidae

White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

CHARADRIIFORMES: Sternidae

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae

Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis

Ruddy Cuckoo Dove Macropygia emiliana

Little Cuckoo Dove Macropygia ruficeps

Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica

Little Green Pigeon Treron olax

Pink-necked Green Pigeon Treron vernans

Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeon Treron fulvicollis

Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra

Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea

Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia

PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae

Blue-rumped Parrot Psittinus cyanurus

Long-tailed Parakeet Psittacula longicauda

Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot Loriculus galgulus

CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae

Dark Hawk Cuckoo Cuculus bocki heard only

Moustached Hawk Cuckoo Cuculus vagans

Malaysian Hawk Cuckoo Cuculus fugax

Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii heard only

Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus heard only

Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus

Asian Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris

Black-bellied Malkoha Phaenicophaeus diardi

Raffles's Malkoha Phaenicophaeus chlorophaeus

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha Phaenicophaeus curvirostris

Bornean Ground Cuckoo Carpococcyx radiatus e

Short-toed Coucal Centropus rectunguis

Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis

STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae

Reddish Scops Owl Otus rufescens heard only

Mountain Scops Owl Otus spilocephalus

Sunda Scops Owl Otus lempiji heard only

Buffy Fish Owl Ketupa ketupu

Brown Wood Owl Strix leptogrammica leptogrammica

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Podargidae

Sunda Frogmouth Batrachostomus cornutus heard only

APODIFORMES: Apodidae

Giant Swiftlet Hydrochous gigas

Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta

Bornean Swiftlet Collocalia dodgei e

Mossy-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus salangana

Black-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus maximus

Edible-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus fuciphagus

Silver-rumped Needletail Rhaphidura leucopygialis

Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus

Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis

APODIFORMES: Hemiprocnidae

Grey-rumped Treeswift Hemiprocne longipennis

Whiskered Treeswift Hemiprocne comata

TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae

Red-naped Trogon Harpactes kasumba

Diard's Trogon Harpactes diardii

Whitehead's Trogon Harpactes whiteheadi e

Scarlet-rumped Trogon Harpactes duvaucelii

CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting

Rufous-backed Kingfisher Ceyx rufidorsa mottleyi

Banded Kingfisher Lacedo pulchella melanops

Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis

Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata

Collared Kingfisher Todirhamphus chloris

CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae

Red-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis amictus

Blue-throated Bee-eater Merops viridis

CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae

Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis

CORACIIFORMES: Bucerotidae

Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris

Black Hornbill Anthracoceros malayanus

Rhinoceros Hornbill Buceros rhinoceros

Helmeted Hornbill Buceros vigil

Bushy-crested Hornbill Anorrhinus galeritus

White-crowned Hornbill Aceros comatus

Wrinkled Hornbill Aceros corrugatus

Wreathed Hornbill Aceros undulatus

PICIFORMES: Capitonidae

Gold-whiskered Barbet Megalaima chrysopogon

Red-throated Barbet Megalaima mystacophanos heard only

Mountain Barbet Megalaima monticola e

Yellow-crowned Barbet Megalaima henricii

Golden-naped Barbet Megalaima pulcherrima e

Blue-eared Barbet Megalaima australis heard only

Bornean Barbet Megalaima eximia e

Bornean Brown Barbet Calorhamphus [fuliginosus] tertius e

PICIFORMES: Picidae

Rufous Piculet Sasia abnormis

White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis

Banded Woodpecker Picus mineaceus

Crimson-winged Woodpecker Picus puniceus

Checker-throated Woodpecker Picus mentalis

Maroon Woodpecker Blythipicus rubiginosus

Orange-backed Woodpecker Reinwardtipicus validus

Buff-rumped Woodpecker Meiglyptes tristis

Buff-necked Woodpecker Meiglyptes tukki

Grey-and-buff Woodpecker Hemicircus concretus

PASSERIFORMES: Eurylaimidae

Black-and-red Broadbill Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos

Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus

Black-and-yellow Broadbill Eurylaimus ochromalus

Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae

Green Broadbill Calyptomena viridis heard only

PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae

Giant Pitta Pitta caerulea heard only

Bornean Banded Pitta Pitta [guajana] schwaneri e

Blue-headed Pitta Pitta baudii e

Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida heard only

Blue-banded Pitta Pitta arquata e heard only

Black-crowned Pitta Pitta ussheri e

Blue-winged Pitta Pitta moluccensis

PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica

PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae

Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus

PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae

Sunda Cuckooshrike Coracina larvata

Lesser Cuckooshrike Coracina fimbriata heard only

Fiery Minivet Pericrocotus igneus

Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus

Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris

Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus

Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus hirundinaceus

PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae

Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps

Bornean Bulbul Pycnonotus montis e

Pale-faced Bulbul Pycnonotus [flavescens] leucops e

Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier

Olive-winged Bulbul Pycnonotus plumosus

Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus brunneus

Spectacled Bulbul Pycnonotus erythropthalmos

Ochraceous Bulbul Alophoixus ochraceus

Grey-cheeked Bulbul Alophoixus bres

Yellow-bellied Bulbul Alophoixus phaeocephalus

Hairy-backed Bulbul Tricholestes criniger

Buff-vented Bulbul Iole olivacea

Streaked Bulbul Ixos malaccensis

Cinereous Bulbul Hemixos cinereus

PASSERIFORMES: Chloropseidae

Greater Green Leafbird Chloropsis sonnerati

Lesser Green Leafbird Chloropsis cyanopogon

Bornean Leafbird Chloropsis kinabaluensis e

PASSERIFORMES: Aegithinidae

Green Iora Aegithina viridissima

PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae

Bornean Whistling Thrush Myophonus borneensis e

Orange-headed Thrush Zoothera citrina

Everett's Thrush Zoothera everetti e

Eye-browed Thrush Turdus obscurus

Fruit-hunter Chlamydochaera jefferyi e

White-browed Shortwing Brachypteryx montana erythrogyna

PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae

Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris

PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae

Bornean Stubtail Urosphena whiteheadi e

Sunda Bush Warbler Cettia vulcania

Friendly Bush Warbler Bradypterus accentor e

Mountain Tailorbird Orthotomus cuculatus

Rufous-tailed Tailorbird Orthotomus sericeus

Ashy Tailorbird Orthotomus ruficeps

Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis

Mountain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus trivirgatus kinabaluensis

Yellow-breasted Warbler Seicercus montis

Yellow-bellied Warbler Abroscopus superciliaris

Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris

PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae

Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher Rhinomyias umbratilis

Eye-browed Jungle Flycatcher Rhinomyias gularis e

Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta

Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica

Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki

Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra

Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni

Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana

Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina

Indigo Flycatcher Eumyias indigo

White-tailed Blue Flycatcher Cyornis concretus everetti

Hill Blue Flycatcher Cyornis banyumas coeruleatus

Large-billed Blue Flycatcher Cyornis caerulatus

Malaysian Blue Flycatcher Cyornis turcosus

Bornean Blue Flycatcher Cyornis superbus e

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis

Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis pluto

White-crowned Shama Copsychus stricklandii e

Rufous-tailed Shama Trichixos pyrropyga heard only

Chestnut-naped Forktail Enicurus ruficapillus

White-crowned Forktail Enicurus leschenaulti frontalis

Bornean Forktail Enicurus [leschenaulti] borneensis e

PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae

White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis

Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica

Spotted Fantail Rhipidura perlata

PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae

Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea

Asian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi

PASSERIFORMES: Pachycephalidae

Bornean Whistler Pachycephala hypoxantha e

PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae

Sunda Laughingthrush Garrulax palliatus

Bare-headed Laughingthrush Melanocichla calvus e

Rufous-hooded Laughingthrush Rhinocichla [mitratus] treacheri e

White-chested Babbler Trichastoma rostratum

Ferruginous Babbler Trichastoma bicolor

Horsfield's Babbler Malacocincla sepiarium

Short-tailed Babbler Malacocincla malaccensis

Temminck's Babbler Pellorneum pyrrogenys

Black-capped Babbler Pellorneum capistratum

Moustached Babbler Malacopteron magnirostre

Sooty-capped Babbler Malacopteron affine

Scaly-crowned Babbler Malacopteron cinereum

Rufous-crowned Babbler Malacopteron magnum

Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus montanus bornensis

Bornean Ground Babbler Ptilocichla leucogrammica e

Striped Wren Babbler Kenopia striata

Black-throated Wren Babbler Napothera atrigularis e

Mountain Wren Babbler Napothera crassa e

Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps

Grey-headed Babbler Stachyris poliocephala

White-necked Babbler Stachyris leucotis

Chestnut-rumped Babbler Stachyris maculata

Chestnut-winged Babbler Stachyris erythroptera

Bold-striped Tit Babbler Macronous bornensis

Fluffy-backed Tit Babbler Macronous ptilosus

Brown Fulvetta Alcippe brunneicauda

Chestnut-crested Yuhina Yuhina everetti

PASSERIFORMES: Acanthizidae

Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea

PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis

PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae

Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Chalcoparia singalensis

Plain Sunbird Anthreptes simplex

Brown-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis

Red-throated Sunbird Anthreptes rhodolaema

Purple-naped Sunbird Hypogramma hypogrammicum

Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis

Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja

Temminck's Sunbird Aethopyga temminckii

Spectacled Spiderhunter Arachnothera flavigaster

Long-billed Spiderhunter Arachnothera robusta

Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra

Yellow-eared Spiderhunter Arachnothera chrysogenys

Streaky-breasted Spiderhunter Arachnothera affinis everetti

Grey-breasted Spiderhunter Arachnothera modesta

Whitehead's Spiderhunter Arachnothera juliae e

PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae

Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker Prionochilus maculatus

Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker Prionochilus xanthopygius e

Yellow-vented Flowerpecker Dicaeum chrysorrheum

Orange-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum trigonostigma

Black-sided Flowerpecker Dicaeum monticolum e

PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae

Black-capped White-eye Zosterops atricapillus

Pygmy Ibon Oculocincta squamifrons e

Mountain Black-eye Chlorocharis emiliae e

PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae

Dark-throated Oriole Oriolus xanthonotus

Black-and-crimson Oriole Oriolus cruentus

PASSERIFORMES: Irenidae

Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella

PASSERIFORMES: Prionopidae

Rufous-winged Philentoma Philentoma pyrhopterum

Maroon-breasted Philentoma Philentoma velatum

PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae

Sunda [Ashy] Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus stigmatops

Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus borneensis

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus

PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae

White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus

PASSERIFORMES: Pityriaseidae

Bristlehead Pityriasis gymnocephala e

PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae

Crested Jay Platylophus galericulatus coronatus

Bornean Black Magpie Platysmurus [leucopterus] aterrimus e

Short-tailed Green Magpie Cissa thalassina

Bornean Treepie Dendrocitta cinerascens e

Slender-billed Crow Corvus enca compilator

PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae

Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis

Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa

Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus

PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae

Dusky Munia Lonchura fuscans e

Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata

White-bellied Munia Lonchura leucogastra

Black-headed Munia Lonchura atricapilla

PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus

PASSERIFORMES: Vireonidae

White-browed Shrike Babbler Pteruthius flaviscapis robinsoni

White-bellied Erpornis Erpornis zantholeuca

MAMMALS

Lesser Gymnure Hylomys suillus

Mountain Treeshrew Tupaia montana baluensis e

Smooth-tailed Treeshrew Dendrogale melanura baluensis

Sunda Loris Nycticebus coucang borneanus

Maroon Leaf Monkey Presbytis rubicunda e

Sunda Silvered Leaf Monkey Presbytis cristata

Proboscis Monkey Nasalis larvatus e

Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis

Sunda Pig-tailed Macaque Macca nemestrina

Bornean Gibbon Hylobates muelleri e

Bornean Orang-utan Pongo pygmaeus e

Sunda Pangolin Manis javanica

Pale Giant Squirrel Ratufa affinis heard only

Black Giant Squirrel Ratufa bicolor

Prevost's Squirrel Callosciurus prevostii pluto

Plantain Squirrel Callosciurus notatus

Bornean Black-banded Squirrel Callosciurus orestes e

Low's Squirrel Sundasciurus lowii

Jentink's Squirrel Sundasciurus jentinki e

Brooke's Squirrel Sundasciurus brookei e

Bornean Mountain Ground Squirrel Dremomys everetti e

Plain Pygmy Squirrel Exilisciurus exilis e

Black Flying Squirrel Aeromys tephromelas

Thomas's Flying Squirrel Aeromys thomasi e

Red Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista petaurista

Muller's Rat Sundamys muelleri e

Common Pencil-tailed Tree-Mouse Chiropodomys gliroides

Malay Civet (Tangalung) Viverra tangalunga

Masked Palm Civet Paguma larvata

Banded Palm Civet Hemigalus derbyanus

Marbled Cat Felis marmorata

Bearded Pig Sus barbatus

Lesser Mouse-Deer Tragulus kanchil

Greater Mouse-Deer Tragulus napu

Red Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak

Sambar Deer Cervus unicolor

Wrinkle-lipped Bat Mormopterus jugularis

Lesser Bent-winged Bat Miniopterus pusillus

Bird of the tour

1 Bristlehead

2 Bornean Ground Cuckoo

3= Fruithunter

3= Great Argus

5 Whitehead's Trogon

View from Mount Kinabalu © James Eaton/Birdtour Asia