The endemic Bornean Whistling-thrush Myophonus borneensis is a common bird around the rocky streams of Mt Kinabalu and other mountains.  With its high pitched whistle and frequent display of its fan tail, you would have little trouble to id this bird.

Here’s another very noticeable bird of the Bornean mountains, the Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush Rhinocichla treacheri.  It forages in small groups, mainly in the lower to mid level canopy.  It also joins up with Sunda Laughingthrush or other mixed feeding flocks.  A Bornean endemic.

The Bornean Whistler Pachyecephala hypoxantha is a common bird of the mountains here.  When at Mt Kinabalu this is probably one of the easiest endemic birds you will encounter.  When it is perched, it likes to tilt its head this way and that while looking out for insects.

Here’s a favourite bird of mine,  the Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker Prionochilus xanthopygius. This species is more common in forest edges and secondary growth.  As with other flowerpeckers, it is small, always active and darts around in all levels of the forest.  A Bornean endemic.

The genus Spilornis is represented by 2 species in Borneo, the widespread and Borneo’s most common raptor S. cheela (Crested Serpent-eagle) and the rare endemic S. kinabaluensis (Mountain Serpent-eagle) occupying the montane habitats not frequented by the former.

The Mountain Serpent-eagle is distinguished from the Crested Serpent-eagle by having longer wings, a darker plumage with black throat and broader white band on the tail.  When seen flying  from a long distance, it is probably easier to id from the voice, with the final note of the Mountain being more sustained.

Mountain Serpent-eagle, Mt Kinabalu

Crested Serpent-eagle, Tabin Wildlife Resort