A first look at the Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus reminds you of the smaller Black and Yellow Broadbill.  Both birds display similar wing patterns and blue bills.  However the Banded does not have the white collar and the pinkish belly of the Black and Yellow.  The calls of the two birds are very similar with the Banded starting its song with a loud note.  They also share the same habitat in lowland forest up to 1,200m.

The Crimson-headed Partridge Haematortyx sanguiniceps is locally common in the montane areas of Borneo.  However it is also found in some lower habitat as in Tabin Wildlife Reserve.  The male bird’s loud territorial calls can be heard in the early morning, becoming less frequent as the day goes on.  I believe this is the least sensitive of the partridges in Borneo, so head to the area where you hear the calls.  Good luck !

The Oriental Bay Owl Phodilus badius is supposed to be a bird of the lowland forest but here is one up at Kinabalu Park, just over 1,500 metres above sea level.  A definite altitude record for this beautiful owl.  It was perching upright against the trunk of the tree, perhaps giving it additional stealth in this daytime roost.  When I took this photo in fading light, the bird was just slowly opening its eyes.  I think it would be great fun for someone who has never seen this bird before to spot the location of the eyes when they are closed.

Thanks to Andy Boyce and Adam Mitchell of the University of Montana Avian Life History project.

It is very unlikely that you will miss this bird on a visit to the mountains of Borneo.  However in recent years, there has been a noticeable drop in the population of the Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus. It is most easily seen at the edge of forest in the early hours of morning, hawking for insects.  The Bornean race stigmatops has a prominent white patch around the eyes.