BORNEO: SARAWAK & KALIMANTAN TOUR REPORT 2022

1 - 14 August 2022

by Dáni Balla

This was the second time the Malaysian state Sarawak was combined with the Indonesian Kalimantan part of Borneo on a Birdquest tour. Starting our tour in Kota Kinabalu where we met Yeo, our local guide, who we are very thankful for an unforgettable and smooth birding experience on the first half of our stay on the third largest island on Earth. We first visited the Klias Peat Swamp Forest in West-Sabah before crossing the state border to Sarawak. We switched to comfortable 4×4 vehicles to continue deeper into the state to reach the diverse upland habitats close to the border with Kalimantan. Using cosy homestays and camping one night on a more remote hill we drove back to the airport in Sabah. After flying back to mainland and around to the Indonesian Balikpapan, the second major part of the tour was focusing on birds in the Sungai Wain Protected Forest found in the southeast of Kalimantan province. Logistics were easier here, and basically, we were spending all our day inside this magnificent patch of lowland rainforest accompanied by the very kind local staff of the sanctuary.

Our time in the field spent birdwatching was always full of exciting moments and were only challenged by a few rains during our stay, finally ending with a nice set of species including most of the specialties we were searching for. During the two weeks birdwatching we had memorable sightings of several great species including Red-breasted Partridge, Dulit and Bornean Frogmouth, Mountain Serpent Eagle, Sunda Owlet, Brown Wood Owl, Banded Kingfisher, Red-crowned, Mountain and Bornean Barbets, the sought-after Malaysian Honeyguide and Olive-backed Woodpecker to finish the non-passerines. Our songbird collection had many gems as well including the tricky Hose’s Broadbill, Bornean Banded Pitta, Blue-banded Pitta, Black Oriole, Spotted Fantail, Crested Jayshrike, Hook-billed Bulbul, Bornean Bulbul, Pygmy White-eye, Grey-headed Babbler, White-necked Babbler, Bornean Black-capped Babbler, a big surprise Bare-headed Laughingthrush, superb Rufous-tailed Shamas, Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher and Bornean Forktail just to mention a few highlights.

From Kota Kinabalu airport we drove to Beaufort where, after a lunch and occupying our hotel rooms, we headed out birding for the late afternoon in the Klias Peat Swamp Forest Reserve. Our main target here was Hook-billed Bulbul – a hard species to find on most of its distribution area. It took some time but our efforts were rewarded with a bird nicely perched for us near the boardwalk and we had time to search for other species and had nice views of Red-crowned Barbet, Grey-and-buff Woodpecker and found a Van Hasselt’s Sunbird as well. As it got dark, we tried for some owls and made it success with Oriental Bay Owl and Brown Hawk-Owl seen.

Next morning, we got back as one of the group members had arrived late yesterday and bagged the Hook-billed Bulbul for him as well. We took our time and waited at a fruiting tree where Pink-necked and Thick-billed Green Pigeons, Red-crowned and Blue-eared Barbets were coming and going. The highlight of the morning became a Bornean Black-capped Babbler which we had nice views of as it was just walking on the forest floor sometimes coming out from the dense cover of the vegetation. Other notable birds we enjoyed were Rufous Piculet, Banded Woodpecker and a skulking Fluffy-backed Tit Babbler before heading towards Sarawak.

After crossing the Sabah-Sarawak border and having Yeo as our bus driver we arrived for a lunch and switched to 4-wheel drive vehicles. The afternoon was rainy and as we were heading to Ba’kelalan village we only had a few comfort stops on the way when the weather enabled us getting out of the cars. The road conditions were challenging our cars but the drivers doing their best were making it fun and relaxing. Birdwise, the route was quiet. A stop produced Hume’s White-eyes and Chestnut-naped Forktail was seen at a stream crossing. We stopped at one of Yeo’s special spots just before it got dark and immediately saw a Barred Eagle-Owl leaving the forest and perched on a tree top where we saw the silhouette of the bird with telescope. A short walk into the forest, some careful positioning and waiting for magic which suddenly happened, we were watching a Dulit Frogmouth perched in front of us – a very pleasant welcome to the Sarawak part of the tour. The upcoming three nights we spent in a lovely homestay at Ba’kelalan village.

On the first full day spent in the region we aimed to reach the highest elevation here, unfortunately our plans to drive high up were interrupted by a landslide which was blocking us from driving as high up as planned. From the landslide we walked further up the road and started collecting the higher altitude species including some unexpected ones like Bare-headed Laughingthrush and Whitehead’s Trogon. Further up we lured out a White-browed Shortwing and when reaching our highest altitude our main target revealed itself, a Whitehead’s Spiderhunter, which after several attempts finally showed well for everyone. Some nice additions to the morning list were Black Eagle, several Mountain and Bornean Barbets, a family of Black-thighed Falconet, Sunda Cuckooshrike, Black-and-crimson Orioles, Ashy Drongos, Bornean Treepies, Ochraceous Bulbul, Cinereous Bulbul, the endemic Bornean Bulbul, a flock of Chestnut-crested Yuhinas, Sunda Scimitar-Babbler, several Bornean Leafbirds, a Black-sided Flowerpecker and Bornean Spiderhunter were all seen.
A short break after lunch to skip the hot middle hours of the day were taken every day here, but later in the afternoon we were back for birding and started our seemingly never-ending search for Hose’s Broadbill, Pittas and other skulking specialties. Mostly birding from the road, we had a fantastic male ‘Bornean’ Banded Kingfisher a.k.a. Black-faced Kingfisher and more prolonged views of Mountain and Bornean Barbets. With some encouragement, we managed to see a beautiful Olive-backed Woodpecker and enjoyed a small flock of Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrushes. Our plan was to stay until dark and sometime after the last Banded Broadbills and Banded Bay Cuckoo got silent, we tried for our other target Frogmouth in the area. The first time it only stayed a few seconds on a tree but fortunately Yeo did his magic again and made a Bornean Frogmouth perch on an open branch in front of us.

Early morning start and stopping at a loud flock of bulbuls, which had several Scaly-breasted, a Hairy-backed, a few Charlotte’s Bulbuls and two Cream-eyed Bulbul amongst the commoner ones. In the canopy a small flock of Pygmy White-eyes were calling, fortunately they came further down and gave chance for a better-quality observation. While colours were provided by a beautiful Scarlet-rumped Trogon the plainer looking Brown Fulvettas were also seen in a small flock ending with Sunda Scimitar-Babblers. We had prolonged views of a Bornean Spiderhunter which finally sat a little longer on a branch before we entered the roadside forest on a well-hidden, narrow trail. Moving slowly, we found lower feeding Mountain Barbet, a few Spotted Fantails, White-bellied Erpornis, Ochraceous Bulbuls and a Rufous-fronted Babbler feeding in the lower canopy.
It was getting warm and a good time to start looking for raptors and as a starter we had a low circling Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle as we came back on the road. Driving further up and choosing a good observation point was crucial for observing Mountain Serpent Eagle which at the end first revealed itself with loud calls before appearing above us.
In the afternoon we started birding in light rain, but after it stopped, activity became very good and soon produced a few new species like Golden-whiskered Barbet and Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo. Fortune turned to our side when finally, a Hose’s Broadbill called under the road. We had one chance, but thanks to Yeo they exactly landed where we wanted them. Stunning views, they were staying in the tree roughly for a minute, we could even put the telescope on them to see the shining blue on the belly of the male. During our time here it became our hobby to stare at some nice-looking logs waiting for the gems of the forest floor to pop-up. We almost lured in a Rail-Babbler, it was answering almost in front of us, but stayed in cover. Our day still had a magical bird left, we had incredible views of a Crested Jayshrike. We waited until dusk and were watching a Malaysian Eared Nightjar calling and hunting above us. When walking back to our car a last-minute Bat Hawk just appeared in the last rays of light crossing the sky near us.

We had one more morning around Ba’kelalan village, where the usual early morning birding started with a Philippine Cuckoo-Dove then later we had a tame Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker and the bulbuls and Ashy Drongos. This morning’s log was nearly successful again we heard two Rail-babblers and a Blue-banded Pitta calling very close but staying in the cover. After giving up the log, walking further up the road a Blue-banded Pitta was calling and finally it showed his amazing red colours under the road for a few seconds before disappearing back into the forest. Heading back to our homestay checking Dusky Munias and White-rumped Munias for the last time on the way before leaving.
Our next accommodation was in Long Tuyo village, a few hours’ drive from Ba’kelalan. On the way we had just a few stops. At our first stop we heard the loud calls of Red-breasted Partridge from the distance, fortunately they were quite responsive and we managed to lure them in. The same spot also gave us a splendid Green Iora and some nice looking Hairy-backed, Cinereous and Charlotte’s Bulbuls beside Temminck’s Sunbirds which seemed quite common in Sarawak. Yeo had a good spot for the surprisingly good-looking Grey-headed Babbler, which didn’t consume too much time to collect, a couple birds were coming up from a gulley and showing well in a few minutes after arriving to the dedicated spot. The rain was ready to start pouring when we stopped at our last birding spot, where we trekked a few minutes down on a non-used logging road to try Bornean Banded Pitta which we heard calling when walking down. Unfortunately, the rain was not waiting anymore and slowly started blessing us and made the Pitta silent, on the other hand we spotted a small flycatcher which after luring showed well – a male Rufous-chested Flycatcher, a gorgeous Ficedula species to end the birding for the day as our next accommodation in Long Tuyo wasn’t that far anymore.
Hiking up to Paya Maga was the main plan the following morning, which was slightly altered by the pouring rain. We were waiting for the rain to stop so we can have at least a drier start of our hike. Moving on to the meeting point where we met our porters, we had a nice view on the surrounding mountains. Patiently waiting we saw Pacific Swallows and a few Barn Swallows moving around and when the conditions were slightly improving a Little Green Pigeon appeared on a tree in front of us. As the rain stopped it was time to leave and we had a short ride to the start of the trail going up to the abandoned logging camp – Paya Maga. The hiking was acceptable, though the rain which started again made it less birdy Dayak Blue Flycatcher being a notable one seen on the way up. Even in these challenging conditions we got up to the camp just in three hours, seeing beautiful waterfalls, and rushing streams. When reaching the camp, our fantastic porters were already waiting for us with a warm tea and soon the lunch was ready, charging us for the afternoon birding. Everyone was excited, so we had a very short break after lunch before ‘going out’ while Bornean and Cinereous Bulbuls, Mountain and Bornean Barbets were seen from the camp. Walking only a few minutes further up we started harvesting species in a feeding flock almost immediately picking out Black Oriole from the birds around us. What a start here! This magnificent flock had Brown Fulvettas, Spotted Fantail and a Maroon-breasted Philentoma to mention a few. Going deeper in the forest we saw a second Dayak Blue Flycatcher for the day and heard two Rail-babblers, both unresponsive to our playbacks – how sad. The machine gun calls of Crested Jayshrikes were heard several times and we had short views of them when walking on the trails. A light rain made us retreat back to the camp where we were surprised to find a singing Black Oriole in the canopy of a small tree, the upcoming half an hour the bird and another one spent around the camp letting us great scope views from them. After dinner we heard a Bornean Frogmouth calling near the camp, but we didn’t want to disturb the individual as we already had incredible views of the species a few days ago.

Our morning up in the camp started with the song of Temminck’s Babbler, a few minutes later we sighted them from the terrace. Finishing our coffee and heading into the forest, where one of the first birds we saw was a Black-throated Wren-Babbler. Further on, we tried calling the Bornean Banded Pitta again, but no sign of the species now, however we heard a Red-bearded Bee-eater, which after a few minutes finally showed itself for everyone. We saw Spotted Fantail again, Bornean Spangled Drongo (officially still Hair-crested Drongo) and a singing Pale Blue Flycatcher has been tracked down, the mega species again being a Black Oriole seen high up in the canopy in a feeding flock. A small stream held a pair of the stunning endemic Bornean Forktail in the forest, they were very shy, but finally everyone had good views of them. During the morning we were lucky with hornbills and had a pair of Wreathed Hornbills and a pair of Rhinoceros Hornbills passing above the canopy close to us. On the trail back to the camp we saw Grey-headed Babblers and Pygmy White-eyes to mention the more interesting ones. We had lunch at the camp and packed together preparing to leave. Seeing a Black-bellied Malkoha behind the camp was the last mentionable sighting here before heading back to civilization. Our way back was a fruitful and nice trekking. Several stops and lots of birding gave us Rusty-breasted Cuckoo and an incredibly cooperative Red-breasted Partridge pair which crossed the trail to show themselves running down the hill in front of us in the forest. We stopped at a small flock which had Hairy-backed Bulbuls, Bulbuls, Yellow-rumped and Plain Flowerpecker amongst them when a Sunda Owlet answered to our calls from somewhere in front of us. It took some time to find it calling from a huge tree and left it behind having everyone enjoying its presence as long as we wanted. The tall grass along the trail had the Bornean latrunculus race of Yellow-bellied Prinia, which is a good candidate for split as Bornean Prinia in the future. During our walk further down, we had Cream-eyed Bulbul, a Dayak Blue Flycatcher before stopping at one of Yeo’s spots. We tried playing a special song, but no response was heard, so decided to go on, of course we had to turn back – fortunately a White-necked Babbler started singing back. It was a tough one, we nearly spent 20 minutes before everyone saw the bird, surprisingly hard to spot in the dark undergrowth of the forest. We were enjoying the perched Babbler, when all of a sudden, a well-known call hit our ears. Bornean Banded Pitta. Positioning ourselves behind a tree but with good view on the hillside we started luring the bird closer. It took a few minutes and once it was there, in all its glory. A male Bornean Banded Pitta, calling in front of us slightly above eyelevel on the ground. Magical moments for everyone, as the bird was staying for several minutes and calling from the same spot before hopping further back into the forest. We got back on the trail and could still see the bird calling in the forest, literally we had to leave him behind after we got ‘bored’. Everyone was smiling and we almost didn’t feel the rest of the trekking back to the cars, it just passed. Arriving back to the accommodation we went out to try nightbirds before dinner. Not far from our rooms we were surprised to hear a Large Frogmouth, which answered to the tape, however the only bird coming in was a Brown (Bornean) Wood Owl, we were not complaining.

Next morning, we tried the Frogmouth again at dusk, it was calling back, but not coming closer. As it got brighter songbirds were more active and from the garden, we saw Lesser Green Leafbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, a Black Hornbill, Crested Goshawk, Dusky Munias, Yellow-bellied Prinia and Bold-striped Tit-Babblers. A little excitement was generated for some of us by a Blue-breasted (King) Quail, which called a few times in the garden before going silent forever. We had our breakfast and started packing and preparing for our journey – with a lunch stop in Lawas – back to Kota Kinabalu airport, where we thanked Yeo his fantastic help and company. We took an afternoon flight to Kuala Lumpur, where we spent the night in a hotel.
The next day was all about airports and planes, we flew to Jakarta, where we switched terminals and flew back to the island of Borneo, but this time finding ourselves on the Indonesian side in Kalimantan as we landed in Balikpapan city.We met our driver and went to the hotel to have a nice dinner and a well-deserved rest after the tiring journey.

The next four days we were spending on the same trails of the truly magical Sungai Wain Protected Forest. Only 25 minutes’ drive from our hotel, it was a fascinating habitat, where birding was tough but with patience several specialties were bagged while birding the area. Our days were basically planned along the same principle – spending as much time in the forest as possible. Leaving early in the morning, eating a lunch in the forest and coming back for dinner to the hotel.
The first day was more of an exploration of the habitat, though we almost hit the jackpot when a Bornean Ground-Cuckoo was calling and we managed to lure it extremely well, before forest workers appeared and our chances seeing the bird were vanished. Some good species were seen though, Grey-hooded Babblers, Short-tailed Babblers and Rufous-tailed Shama were showing well and the forest was full of the loud calls of Great Argus and even a Short-toed Coucal was calling once in the distance. We had a short shower when eating our lunch, fortunately we had shelter and it was perfect timing from the weather. Other species enjoyed during the day were Diard’s and Scarlet-rumped Trogons, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Rufous-winged Philentomas and a nice Yellow-bellied Bulbul to name a few.

The second day, we saw an Abbot’s Babbler in the morning, added Chestnut-breasted Malkoha to our list here, we saw a nice Red-naped Trogon, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, a Bornean Black Magpie, the sadly famous cagebird Common Hill Myna, Chestnut-rumped Babbler and Purple-naped Sunbird. A good bird of the day being a nice Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher, which could easily be underrated after its name and the late afternoons. The best bird though was no question a Garnet Pitta, which we followed for half an hour before finally we had it in our bins sitting in the dark forest, its blues and reds shining for us. The rain hit us in the early afternoon causing a necessary break, which filled us up enough to go for a night walk. Lead by the local manager of the area we were following the extensive trail system in the dark to find our self on the spot for Large Frogmouth. We called the bird which answered a few times, unfortunately only two of us saw it flying by in the light of the torch. A Brown Hawk-Owl was calling a few minutes later on the same spot but kept the distance. Going around the trails we heard a few Sunda Scops Owl before returning to the hotel.
Our third day back to the forest, we went early to try Great Argus on a known display site. We heard the incredible morning calls of Müller’s Bornean Gibbon, which really filled the air and a Green Broadbill was also calling few times when we were stationary waiting for the bird to appear which, however, was calling just behind the visible patch and kept staying in cover. A short walk before lunch where we tried to get closer to a distant calling Bornean Ground Cuckoos, but they were out of our range, however we had nice views of the all-time-favourite Black-naped Monarch, and Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher. Later the day a rain hit us in the forest, luckily, we managed to reach shelter in time and for the program after we decided to bird the extensive boardwalk system in the forest. We heard an incredible number of Hooded Pittas calling, they seemed to be found everywhere here, we managed to see two of them, letting the rest undisturbed. Other birds nice to see were Rufous Piculets, Rufous Woodpecker, Fluffy-backed and Bold-striped Tit-Babblers and a few stunning Blue-throated Bee-eaters.

On our last day we tried the Great Argus display again, but only the head of the bird was visible for a split second. Checking other patches of the forest we heard the weird call of a Malaysian Honeyguide, which we could get near to and enjoy as long as we wanted becoming the star of the day. Leaving the Honeyguide behind we heard a singing Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher which soon showed very well again. Further walk produced a Puff-backed Bulbul, Black-headed Bulbuls and Short-tailed Babbler in the forest. The afternoon started with a storm arriving above us, inside the forest it felt like night and we just managed to reach a shelter before a torrential rain hit the area. After surviving the tough weather, we slowly walked to the boardwalk where we had short views of a Grey-breasted Babbler pair as they continuously calling passed the site. Our last worth to mention birds here being White-chested Babblers as they were feeding on the boardwalk, we were quite pleased. We went back to the forest for a last nightbird session. We were keen and spotted the Large Frogmouth flying several times, being our very last species of our great tour before we went back to our hotel for the last dinner together.

BIRD OF THE TRIP

1st: Bornean Banded Pitta

2nd: Hose’s Broadbill

3rd: Crested Jayshrike

4th: Dulit Frogmouth

5th: Bornean Black-capped Babbler

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED

BIRDS

Red-breasted Partridge ◊  Arborophila hyperythra Endemic.

Great Argus ◊  Argusianus argus

Crimson-headed Partridge ◊  Haematortyx sanguiniceps Endemic.

King Quail  Synoicus chinensis Heard only.

Malaysian Eared Nightjar  Lyncornis temminckii

Large-tailed Nightjar  Caprimulgus macrorus

Large Frogmouth ◊  Batrachostomus auritus

Dulit Frogmouth ◊  Batrachostomus harterti Endemic.

Bornean Frogmouth ◊  Batrachostomus mixtus Endemic.

Grey-rumped Treeswift  Hemiprocne longipennis

Plume-toed Swiftlet  Collocalia affinis

Edible-nest Swiftlet  Aerodramus fuciphagus

Silver-rumped Spinetail (S-r Swift)  Rhaphidura leucopygialis

House Swift  Apus nipalensis

Short-toed Coucal ◊  Centropus rectunguis Heard only.

Greater Coucal  Centropus sinensis

Lesser Coucal  Centropus bengalensis

Bornean Ground Cuckoo ◊  Carpococcyx radiceus Endemic, heard only.

Raffles’s Malkoha  Rhinortha chlorophaea

Red-billed Malkoha  Zanclostomus javanicus

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha  Phaenicophaeus curvirostris

Black-bellied Malkoha  Phaenicophaeus diardi

Banded Bay Cuckoo  Cacomantis sonneratii

Plaintive Cuckoo  Cacomantis merulinus Heard only.

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo (Indonesian Brush C)  Cacomantis sepulcralis

Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo  Surniculus lugubris

Indian Cuckoo  Cuculus micropterus

Rock Dove (introduced)  Columba livia

Spotted Dove  Spilopelia chinensis

Philippine Cuckoo-Dove ◊ (Ruddy C-D)  Macropygia tenuirostris borneensis formerly considered a subspecies of Ruddy Cuckoo-Dove (M. emiliana), recently placed into the Philippine C-D.

Little Cuckoo-Dove  Macropygia ruficeps nana

Common Emerald Dove (Asian E D)  Chalcophaps indica

Zebra Dove (introduced)  Geopelia striata

Little Green Pigeon  Treron olax

Pink-necked Green Pigeon  Treron vernans

Thick-billed Green Pigeon  Treron curvirostra

Green Imperial Pigeon  Ducula aenea

Mountain Imperial Pigeon  Ducula badia

White-browed Crake  Poliolimnas cinereus

White-breasted Waterhen  Amaurornis phoenicurus

Wood Sandpiper  Tringa glareola

Cinnamon Bittern  Ixobrychus cinnamomeus

Javan Pond Heron  Ardeola speciosa

Eastern Cattle Egret  Bubulcus coromandus

Great-billed Heron  Ardea sumatrana

Purple Heron  Ardea purpurea

Intermediate Egret  Ardea intermedia

Little Egret  Egretta garzetta

Crested Honey Buzzard (Sunda H B)  Pernis ptilorhynchus

Crested Serpent Eagle  Spilornis cheela

Mountain Serpent Eagle ◊  Spilornis kinabaluensis Endemic

Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus alcinus

Changeable Hawk-Eagle  Nisaetus cirrhatus

Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle  Nisaetus alboniger

Rufous-bellied Eagle  Lophotriorchis kienerii

Black Eagle  Ictinaetus malaiensis

Crested Goshawk  Accipiter trivirgatus

Oriental Bay Owl  Phodilus badius

Brown Hawk-Owl (B Boobook)  Ninox scutulata borneensis

Sunda Owlet ◊  Taenioptynx sylvaticus borneense Formerly considerd Collared Owlet, but ssp. sylvaticum and ssp. borneense recently split as separate Sunda Owlet.

Sunda Scops Owl  Otus lempiji Heard only.

Barred Eagle-Owl ◊  Bubo sumatranus

Brown Wood Owl (Bornean W O)  Strix leptogrammica vaga

Red-naped Trogon  Harpactes kasumba

Diard’s Trogon  Harpactes diardii

Scarlet-rumped Trogon  Harpactes duvaucelii

Orange-breasted Trogon (Spice T)  Harpactes [oreskios] dulitensis Heard only.

White-crowned Hornbill ◊  Berenicornis comatus Heard only.

Rhinoceros Hornbill  Buceros rhinoceros

Black Hornbill  Anthracoceros malayanus

Bushy-crested Hornbill  Anorrhinus galeritus

Wreathed Hornbill  Rhyticeros undulatus

Oriental Dollarbird  Eurystomus orientalis

Banded Kingfisher ◊ (Black-faced K)  Lacedo [pulchella] melanops The Bornean subspecies might be split as a separate species in the future as Bornean Banded or Black-faced Kingfisher (Lacedo melanops).

Stork-billed Kingfisher  Pelargopsis capensis innominata

Collared Kingfisher  Todiramphus chloris laubmannianus

Blue-eared Kingfisher  Alcedo meninting verreauxii

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (Rufous-backed K)  Ceyx erithaca

Red-bearded Bee-eater  Nyctyornis amictus

Blue-throated Bee-eater  Merops viridis

Golden-whiskered Barbet ◊ (Golden-faced B)  Psilopogon [chrysopogon] chrysopsis

Red-crowned Barbet ◊  Psilopogon rafflesii

Red-throated Barbet  Psilopogon mystacophanos

Mountain Barbet ◊  Psilopogon monticola Endemic.

Yellow-crowned Barbet  Psilopogon henricii

Blue-eared Barbet (Black-eared B)  Psilopogon duvaucelii

Bornean Barbet ◊  Psilopogon eximius Endemic.

Malaysian Honeyguide ◊  Indicator archipelagicus

Rufous Piculet  Sasia abnormis

Grey-and-buff Woodpecker  Hemicircus [concretus] sordidus

Banded Woodpecker  Chrysophlegma miniaceum malaccense

Crimson-winged Woodpecker  Picus puniceus observandus

Common Flameback  Dinopium javanense

Olive-backed Woodpecker ◊  Gecinulus rafflesia dulitense

Maroon Woodpecker  Blythipicus rubiginosus

Orange-backed Woodpecker  Reinwardtipicus validus Heard only.

Rufous Woodpecker  Micropternus brachyurus badiosus

Buff-rumped Woodpecker  Meiglyptes [tristis] grammithorax

Black-thighed Falconet  Microhierax fringillarius

Blue-rumped Parrot  Psittinus cyanurus

Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot  Loriculus galgulus

Dusky Broadbill  Corydon sumatranus non-leader, Heard only.

Black-and-red Broadbill  Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos Heard only.

Banded Broadbill  Eurylaimus javanicus brookei

Black-and-yellow Broadbill  Eurylaimus ochromalus

Green Broadbill  Calyptomena viridis Heard only.

Hose’s Broadbill ◊  Calyptomena hosii Endemic

Whitehead’s Broadbill ◊  Calyptomena whiteheadi

Bornean Banded Pitta ◊  Hydrornis schwaneri Endemic.

Garnet Pitta ◊  Erythropitta granatina

Blue-banded Pitta ◊  Erythropitta arquata Endemic.

Hooded Pitta ◊ (Western H P)  Pitta sordida mulleri

Golden-bellied Gerygone (Flyeater, Sunda G)  Gerygone sulphurea Heard only.

Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike  Hemipus picatus intermedius

Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike  Hemipus hirundinaceus

Large Woodshrike  Tephrodornis virgatus frenatus

Rufous-winged Philentoma  Philentoma pyrhoptera

Maroon-breasted Philentoma  Philentoma velata caesia

Bornean Bristlehead ◊  Pityriasis gymnocephala Endemic, heard only.

White-breasted Woodswallow  Artamus leucorynchus

Green Iora  Aegithina viridissima

Grey-chinned Minivet (Grey-throated M)  Pericrocotus solaris cinereigula

Scarlet Minivet  Pericrocotus speciosus insulanus

Sunda Cuckooshrike ◊ (Black-faced C-S)  Coracina larvata

Lesser Cuckooshrike  Lalage fimbriata schierbrandi

Long-tailed Shrike ◊ (Sunda L-t S)  Lanius schach bentet

Blyth’s Shrike-babbler  Pteruthius aeralatus Heard only.

White-bellied Erpornis  Erpornis zantholeuca

Black-and-crimson Oriole ◊  Oriolus cruentus

Black Oriole ◊  Oriolus hosii Endemic

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (G Racquet-t D)  Dicrurus paradiseus brachyphorus

Hair-crested Drongo (Bornean Spangled D, B Blue D)  Dicrurus [hottentottus] borneensis

Ashy Drongo ◊ (Bornean Grey D)  Dicrurus [leucophaeus] stigmatops Currently considered as Ashy Drongo but the Bornean subspecies is a good candidate for a future split as Bornean Grey Drongo (D. stigmatops).

Malaysian Pied Fantail (Sunda P F)  Rhipidura javanica longicauda

Spotted Fantail ◊  Rhipidura perlata

Black-naped Monarch  Hypothymis azurea prophata

Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher (Asian P F)  Terpsiphone affinis borneensis

Crested Jayshrike (Jay Shrike)  Platylophus galericulatus coronatus

Bornean Black Magpie ◊  Platysmurus aterrimus Endemic.

Bornean Treepie ◊  Dendrocitta cinerascens Endemic.

Slender-billed Crow  Corvus enca

Rail-babbler ◊  Eupetes macrocerus borneensis Heard only.

Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher  Culicicapa ceylonensis antioxantha

Hairy-backed Bulbul ◊ (Bornean H-b B)  Tricholestes [criniger] viridis

Hook-billed Bulbul ◊  Setornis criniger

Yellow-bellied Bulbul  Alophoixus phaeocephalus sulphuratus

Grey-cheeked Bulbul ◊ (Guttural B)  Alophoixus tephrogenys Heard only.

Ochraceous Bulbul ◊ (Chestnut-vented B)  Alophoixus ochraceus fowleri The Bornean subspecies of the taxon might be split as Chestnut-vented Bulbul as an endemic species.

Charlotte’s Bulbul ◊ (Buff-vented B)  Iole charlottae If the two ssp. of Buff-vented Bulbul split, then the Bornean ssp. charlottae will be an endemic species to the island.

Cinereous Bulbul ◊  Hemixos cinereus connectens

Streaked Bulbul  Ixos malaccensis Heard only.

Sooty-headed Bulbul (introduced)  Pycnonotus aurigaster

Puff-backed Bulbul ◊  Euptilotus eutilotus

Black-headed Bulbul  Brachypodius melanocephalos

Spectacled Bulbul  Ixodia erythropthalmos

Scaly-breasted Bulbul ◊  Ixodia squamata borneensis

Bornean Bulbul ◊  Rubigula montis

Cream-vented Bulbul  Pycnonotus simplex

Olive-winged Bulbul  Pycnonotus plumosus Heard only.

Asian Red-eyed Bulbul  Pycnonotus brunneus

Cream-eyed Bulbul ◊  Pycnonotus pseudosimplex Endemic.

Yellow-vented Bulbul (Sunda Y-v B)  Pycnonotus goiavier

Pacific Swallow  Hirundo tahitica

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica

Yellow-bellied Warbler  Abroscopus superciliaris schwaneri

Yellow-bellied Prinia ◊ (Bornean P)  Prinia [flaviventris] latrunculus

Dark-necked Tailorbird  Orthotomus atrogularis

Rufous-tailed Tailorbird  Orthotomus sericeus

Ashy Tailorbird  Orthotomus ruficeps

Chestnut-crested Yuhina ◊  Staphida everetti Endemic.

Pygmy White-eye ◊ (P Ibon, P Heleia)  Heleia squamifrons Endemic.

Hume’s White-eye ◊  Zosterops auriventer medius

Bold-striped Tit-Babbler ◊  Mixornis bornensis

Fluffy-backed Tit-Babbler  Macronus ptilosus trichorrhos

Grey-hooded Babbler ◊  Cyanoderma bicolor Endemic, formerly conspecific with Chestnut-winged Babbler.

Rufous-fronted Babbler ◊ (Sunda Leaf B)  Cyanoderma rufifrons

Bare-headed Laughingthrush ◊ Melanocichla calva

Sunda Scimitar Babbler ◊  Pomatorhinus bornensis

Black-throated Babbler ◊  Stachyris nigricollis Heard only.

Chestnut-rumped Babbler  Stachyris maculata

Grey-throated Babbler (Montane B)  Stachyris nigriceps borneensis

Grey-headed Babbler  Stachyris poliocephala

White-necked Babbler ◊ (Fluting B)  Stachyris [leucotis] obscurata

Black-throated Wren-Babbler ◊  Turdinus atrigularis Endemic.

Sooty-capped Babbler  Malacopteron affine Heard only.

Grey-breasted Babbler  Malacopteron albogulare moultoni

Scaly-crowned Babbler  Malacopteron cinereum

Rufous-crowned Babbler  Malacopteron magnum

Moustached Babbler ◊ (Bornean M B)  Malacopteron [magnirostre] cinereocapilla Heard only.

Bornean Black-capped Babbler ◊  Pellorneum capistratoides Endemic.

Short-tailed Babbler ◊ (Leaflitter B)  Pellorneum malaccense poliogene

Temminck’s Babbler ◊  Pellorneum pyrrogenys longstaffi

White-chested Babbler  Pellorneum rostratum macropterum

Ferruginous Babbler  Pellorneum bicolor

Abbott’s Babbler  Malacocincla abbotti concreta

Brown Fulvetta ◊  Alcippe brunneicauda eriphaea

Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush ◊  Pterorhinus treacheri

Asian Fairy-bluebird  Irena puella

Asian Glossy Starling  Aplonis panayensis

Common Hill Myna  Gracula religiosa

Javan Myna (introduced)  Acridotheres javanicus

Oriental Magpie-Robin (Black M R)  Copsychus saularis

Rufous-tailed Shama ◊  Copsychus pyrropygus

White-rumped Shama  Copsychus malabaricus Heard only.

Pale Blue Flycatcher  Cyornis unicolor

Dayak Blue Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis montanus Endemic.

Bornean Blue Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis superbus Endemic, heard only.

Malaysian Blue Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis turcosus

Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis umbratilis

Verditer Flycatcher  Eumyias thalassinus thalassoides

White-browed Shortwing ◊ (Bornean S)  Brachypteryx [montana] erythrogyna Good candidate for a split, then it will appear as an endemic species to Borneo.

Chestnut-naped Forktail ◊  Enicurus ruficapillus

Bornean Forktail ◊  Enicurus borneensis Endemic.

Little Pied Flycatcher  Ficedula westermanni Heard only.

Rufous-chested Flycatcher ◊  Ficedula dumetoria muelleri

Greater Green Leafbird  Chloropsis sonnerati zosterops

Lesser Green Leafbird  Chloropsis cyanopogon

Bornean Leafbird ◊  Chloropsis kinabaluensis Endemic.

Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker ◊  Prionochilus xanthopygius Endemic.

Orange-bellied Flowerpecker  Dicaeum trigonostigma dayakanum

Plain Flowerpecker  Dicaeum minullum borneanum

Black-sided Flowerpecker ◊  Dicaeum monticolum Endemic.

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker  Dicaeum cruentatum nigrimentum

Ruby-cheeked Sunbird  Chalcoparia singalensis borneana

Plain Sunbird  Anthreptes simplex

Brown-throated Sunbird  Anthreptes malacensis

Van Hasselt’s Sunbird  Leptocoma brasiliana

Olive-backed Sunbird (Ornate S)  Cinnyris [jugularis] ornatus

Crimos Sunbird  Aethopyga siparaja

Temminck’s Sunbird  Aethopyga temminckii

Purple-naped Sunbird  Kurochkinegramma hypogrammicum

Little Spiderhunter  Arachnothera longirostra buettikoferi

Bornean Spiderhunter ◊  Arachnothera everetti Endemic.

Whitehead’s Spiderhunter ◊  Arachnothera juliae Endemic.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (introduced)  Passer montanus

Scaly-breasted Munia  Lonchura punctulata

Dusky Munia ◊  Lonchura fuscans Near-endemic.

Chestnut Munia  Lonchura atricapilla

MAMMALS

Lesser Mouse Deer  Tragulus kanchil

Bornean Yellow Muntjac  Muntiacus atherodes

Southern Red Muntjac (Indian M)  Muntiacus muntjac Heard only.

Sunda Stink-badger  Mydaus javanensis

Lesser Dog-faced Fruit Bat (Short-nosed F B)  Cynopterus brachyotis

Large Flying Fox  Pteropus hypomelanus

Sheath-tailed Bat (Lesser S-t B)  Emballonura monticola

Common Tree Shrew  Tupaia glis

Pygmy Tree Shrew (Lesser T S)  Tupaia minor

Painted Tree Shrew  Tupaia picta

Crab-eating Macaque (Crab-eating M)  Macaca fascicularis

Proboscis Monkey  Nasalis larvatus

Hose’s Langur (Grey Leaf Monkey)  Presbytis hosei

Maroon Leaf Monkey (M Langur, Red L M)  Presbytis rubicunda

Müller’s Bornean Gibbon  Hylobates muelleri

Plantain Squirrel  Callosciurus notatus

Bornean Black-banded Squirrel  Callosciurus orestes

Least Pygmy Squirrel  Exilisciurus exilis

Tufted Pygmy Squirrel  Exilisciurus whiteheadi

Cream-coloured Giant Squirrel (Pale G S)  Ratufa affinis

REPTILES

Blue Malaysian Coral Snake  Calliophis bivirgata

Sumatra Pitviper  Trimeresurus sumatranus

Saltwater Crocodile  Crocodylus porosus