Leader; Rob Hutchinson

Trip List:

Tabon Scrubfowl Megapodius cumingii
Common on Pulau Tiga where 10+ seen daily.

Chestnut-necklaced Partridge Arborophila charltonii
Heard once along the Kinabatangan River and commonly at Danum Valley where we had excellent views of a pair.

Red-breasted Partridge   Arborophila hyperythra - Heard only
Regularly heard at Mount Kinabalu and Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve.
Crimson-headed Partridge          Haematortyx sanguiniceps          - Heard only
Regularly heard at Mount Kinabalu and Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve.
‘Bornean’ Crested Fireback         Lophura ignita
Regularly seen at Damun Valley with some great views particularly around the lodge in the early mornings and evening

Great Argus                               Rheinardia argus                        - Heard only
Heard daily at Danum Valley but always distant.
Rufous Piculet                            Sasia abnormis
Single close to our lodge along the Kinabatangan River, total of 6 seen at Danum Valley.

Grey-capped Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus
2 singles at Danum Valley.

White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis
1 along the Kinabatangan river, seen twice at Danum Valley with particularly good views of a noisy pair there.

Banded Woodpecker                   Picus mineaceus
Single bird seen at Danum Valley.
Crimson-winged Woodpecker      Picus puniceus
2 birds at Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve and 2 sightings at Mount Kinabalu.
Checker-throated Woodpecker    Picus mentalis
Seen once with a large feeding flock at Mount Kinabalu.
Common Flameback                   Dinopium javanense
One at Likas Bay on the first evening of the tour.
Maroon Woodpecker                   Blythipicus rubiginosus
Singles seen twice at Danum Valley and once at Poring.
Orange-backed Woodpecker       Reinwardtipicus validus
Pair at Danum Valley, single at Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve and 2 at Mount Kinabalu.
Buff-rumped Woodpecker           Meiglyptes tristis
Seen on 3 occasions at Danum Valley and 2 birds at Poring.
Buff-necked Woodpecker            Meiglyptes tukki
Single at Danum Valley.
Great Slaty Woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus
Often heard at Danum Valley with 2 seen in flight on one occasion.
Mountain Barbet                      Megalaima monticola
Endemic to Borneo.
At least 3 seen during our first visit to Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve and one on the higher parts of the road at Mount Kinabalu.
Golden-naped Barbet Megalaima pulcherrima
Endemic to Borneo.
Regular sightings at Mount Kinabalu particularly along the higher parts of the road and we enjoyed some fantastic close views of these unobtrusive birds.

Bornean Barbet                       Megalaima eximia
Endemic to Borneo.
One calling in the early morning during our second visit to Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve was very elusive and showed only briefly.
Gold-whiskered Barbet   Megalaima chrysopogon
Heard at Danum Valley, Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve and Poring, with 1 seen at the latter site.

Red-crowned Barbet                   Megalaima rafflesii
One seen at Danum Valley.
Red-throated Barbet                   Megalaima mystacophanos          - Heard only
Heard on two days at Danum Valley.
Yellow-crowned Barbet   Megalaima henricii                      - Heard only
Heard just once at Danum Valley where frugivores were noticeably scarce during our visit.

Blue-eared Barbet                      Megalaima australis
Fantastic views of one bird at Danum Valley which responded exceptionally well to playback of its song by appearing in low bushes right beside us.
‘Bornean’ Brown Barbet Calorhamphus fuliginosus
1 near Sandakan, 4 on the Kinabatangan River, 2 at Danum Valley, 3 at poring and 2 at Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve.

Oriental Pied-Hornbill      Anthracoceros albirostris
Common along the Kinabatangan River and on Pulau Tiga.
Black Hornbill                             Anthracoceros malayanus
Several sightings along the Kinabatangan River, one seen at Danum Valley.
Rhinoceros Hornbill                     Buceros rhinoceros
Common along the Kinabatangan River and at Danum Valley.
Helmeted Hornbill                       Buceros vigil
Finally seen at Danum Valley where 2 birds seen on 2 dates, the birds flying directly overhead calling loudly were particularly memorable.
Bushy-crested Hornbill    Anorrhinus galeritus
Heard only at Danum Valley and Poring but excellent views of several noisy groups at Danum Valley.

White-crowned Hornbill Aceros comatus
Wonderful views of 2 birds along the banks of the Kinabatangan River in the evening.

Wrinkled Hornbill Aceros corrugatus
Quite common along the Kinabatangan River, one of the best sites to enjoy this declining species.

Wreathed Hornbill Aceros undulates
Sightings of 6 and 2 birds on separate dates at Mount Kinabalu, 2 at Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve.

Whitehead's Trogon                Harpactes whiteheadi
Endemic to Borneo.
Mega prolonged views of a spectacular male at Mount Kinabalu during a particularly memorable morning was probably the highlight of the tour.
Red-naped Trogon                      Harpactes kasumba
A pair and a single male at Danum Valley where heard daily.

Diard's Trogon               Harpactes diardii
One male at Danum Valley, 3 together (Male and 2 immature birds) at Poring.
Cinnamon-rumped Trogon          Harpactes orrhophaeus - Heard only
Heard on one occasion at Danum Valley but we couldn’t track down this elusive bird.

Scarlet-rumped Trogon Harpactes duvaucelii
Often heard at Danum where we had sightings of single male and female birds.

Common Dollarbird                    Eurystomus orientalis
Daily along the Kinabatangan River and on Pulau Tiga.
Common Kingfisher                    Alcedo atthis
Singles on the Kinabatangan River, Danum Valley and on Pulau Tiga.
Blue-eared Kingfisher                 Alcedo meninting
3 seen along the Kinabatangan River included point blank views of a roosting bird during a night cruise.

Black-backed Kingfisher Ceyx erithacus
Daily sightings of 1-2 birds along the Kinabatangan River and at Danum Valley.
Rufous-backed Kingfisher            Ceyx rufidorsa
1 seen well perched in the forest near our lodge on the Kinabatangan River.

Stork-billed Kingfisher    Pelargopsis capensis
Regular along the Kinabatangan River, 1 seen at Danum Valley.

Ruddy Kingfisher                        Halcyon coromanda
A bird calling along the Kinabatangan River on 2 dates was elusive only showing in flight as it flew from one side to the other.

Collared Kingfisher                     Todirhamphus chloris
Common on Pulau Tiga and regularly seen along roadsides when traveling between sites.

Blue-throated Bee-eater Merops viridis
Regular during cruises along the Kinabatangan River and seen by the roadside between Kuala Penyu and Kota Kinabalu.

Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus vegans
A bird calling from high in the canopy at Danum Valley was difficult to view. Also heard along the Kinabatangan River.

Indian Cuckoo                           Cuculus micropterus                   - Heard only
Heard daily at Danum Valley.
Sunda Cuckoo                           Cuculus lepidus
Often heard at Mount Kinabalu where we eventually tracked one down and enjoyed excellent views. Also heard at Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve.
Banded Bay Cuckoo                   Cacomantis sonneratii     - Heard only
Heard along the Kinabatangan River, at Danum Valley and at Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve.

Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus
Often heard in the lowlands. Singles seen along the Kinabatangan River and at Likas Bay.

Rusty-breasted Cuckoo   Cacomantis sepulcralis    - Heard only
Heard at the Kinabatangan River.
Little Bronze-Cuckoo                  Chrysococcyx minutillus
Singles seen twice along the Kinabatangan River.
Violet Cuckoo                            Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus
Singles seen along the Kinabatangan River, at Danum Valley and at Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve.

Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris
Often heard in the lowlands, singles seen along the Kinabatangan River, at Danum Valley and at Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve.

Asian Koel                                 Eudynamys scolopacea - Heard only
Heard at the Kinabatangan River, Danum Valley and in Kota Kinabalu.                                                                                                                                                        .
Raffles's Malkoha                       Phaenicophaeus chlorophaeus
Several sightings along the Kinabatangan River and at Danum Valley
Red-billed Malkoha                     Phaenicophaeus javanicus
2 from the canopy walkway at Danum Valley.
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha         Phaenicophaeus curvirostris
1 seen at Danum Valley.

Bornean Ground-Cuckoo Carpococcyx radiceus
1 heard calling from the canopy walkway at Danum Valley one afternoon was eventually tracked down in the forest was very shy but showed well on one occasion. The sighting was particularly appreciated after the no-show at the Kinabatangan River where birds have been seen regularly in recent years. This species still ranks as one of Borneo’s most enigmatic and exciting endemics.

Greater Coucal             Centropus sinensis
Seen at Likas Bay, Kinabatangan River and at Danum Valley.
Lesser Coucal                            Centropus bengalensis
One sighting at Danum Valley.

Blue-naped Parrot                      Tanygnathus lucionensis
Daily sightings of 1-2 birds on Pulau Tiga.

Blue-rumped Parrot                    Psittinus cyanurus
3 near Sandakan.
Blue-crowned Hanging-Parrot      Loriculus galgulus
Daily at Kinabatangan River, Danum Valley and Pulau Tiga.
Waterfall Swift               Hydrochous gigas
An opportune photo stop at Mount Kinabalu produced the incredible sight of a group of 80+ of this little known swiftlet. The birds had presumably roosted nearby and gave great views before disappearing en-mass.

Glossy Swiftlet               Collocalia esculenta
Common in the lowlands.

Cave Swiftlet Collocalia linchi
This species is difficult to separate from the Glossy Swiftlet in the field but most if not all birds in the mountains appear to be Cave Swiftlets. Birds nesting on our hotel at Mount Kinabalu clearly showed the green-tinged upperparts of this species.

Mossy-nest Swiftlet                     Collocalia salangana
Collocalia swiftlets were commonly seen in the lowlands but field separation from the next two species is difficult (or impossible). Only birds seen at Gomantong caves were positively identified where they can be easily separated by their distinctive nest structures.
Edible-nest Swiftlet                     Collocalia fuciphaga
Identified at Gomantong caves.
Black-nest Swiftlet                      Collocalia maxima
Identified at Gomantong caves.

Germain’s Swiftlet                      Collocalia germani
1 on Pulau Tiga.
Silver-rumped Swift                    Rhaphidura leucopygialis
1 along the Kinabatangan River, good numbers daily at Danum Valley and at Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve.
Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus
Kinabatangan River, Danum Valley and Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve.
House Swift                               Apus nipalensis
Seen at Kota Kinabalu, Lahad Datu, Pulau Tiga and near Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve.

Grey-rumped Treeswift   Hemiprocne longipennis
Likas Bay, Kinabatangan River and en-route to Mount Kinabalu.
Whiskered Treeswift                   Hemiprocne comata
Several sighings at Danum Valley where we enjoyed some great views.
Reddish Scops-Owl                     Otus rufescens               - Heard only
Heard during one of the night drives at Danum Valley.
Buffy Fish-Owl                Ketupa ketupu
3 during a night cruise along the Kinabatangan River and 1 during a night drive at Danum Valley

Brown Wood-Owl                        Strix leptogrammica
1 close to our lodge at the Kinabatangan River, pair at Danum Valley.
Spotted Dove                             Streptopelia chinensis
Often seen around settlements or along roadsides while traveling between sites.

Litttle Cuckoo-Dove                    Macropygia ruficeps
Common at Mount Kinabalu and Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve.
Emerald Dove                            Chalcophaps indica
Several sightings at Danum Valley.
Zebra Dove                               Geopelia striata
Several sightings.
Nicobar Pigeon               Caloenas nicobarica
Brief sightings of singles on 2 separate dates at Pulau Tiga.
Pink-necked Green-Pigeon          Treron vernans
Seen in Kota Kinabalu town and common on Pulau Tiga.
Thick-billed Green-Pigeon           Treron curvirostra
Common along the Kinabatangan River.

Green Imperial-Pigeon Ducula aenea
Common along the Kinabatangan River and several sighting at Danum Valley and Tabunan Rafflesia Reserve.

Mountain Imperial-Pigeon            Ducula badia
Flocks seen on 2 dates at Mount Kinabalu.
White-breasted Waterhen            Amaurornis phoenicurus
Seen at Likas Bay and along the Kinabatangan River.
White-browed Crake                   Porzana cinerea
1 at Likas Bay.
Black-backed Swamphen            Porphyrio indicus
At least 3 on our first visit to Likas Bay on 1 on our return visit.
Common Moorhen                      Gallinula chloropus
Several at Likas Bay.
Oriental Pratincole                      Glareola maldivarum
On at Kuala Lumpur International Airport while waiting for our flight to Sabah.
Great Crested-Tern                    Sterna bergii
60+ daily off Pulau Tiga.

Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus
4+ seen from Pulau Tiga, other more distant Bridled/Sooty terns remained unidentified.

Sooty Tern                                Sterna fuscata
1 Imm fishing offshore from Pulau Tiga.
Whiskered Tern             Chlidonias hybridus
1 Imm bird seen during our outward boat trip to Pulau Tiga.
Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus
I seen along the Kinabatangan River.
Black-Shouldered Kite    Elanus caeruleus
6 between Kuala Penyu and Kota Kinabalu, 1 near Kota Kinabalu.
Brahminy Kite                            Haliastur Indus
Seen at Likas Bay, Kinabatangan River and Pulau Tiga.
White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster
Singles along the Kinabatangan River and at Pulau Tiga.                                                                                                                                                               &