Borneo Birds

I flushed out this of a pair of roosting Malaysian Eared Nightjar Eurostopodus temminckii after going off trail while birding recently at the Sungai Wain Protected Forest near Balikpapan in Kalimantan.  Prior to this, I have seen this bird only in flight.  Its habits are quite predictable, roosting during the day and flying out as soon as it gets dark.  It usually flies just over the forest canopy, accompanied by its distinctive 3 note calls.  It was truly exciting to be able to see it perched.

Despite it being mentioned as common in various publications, I have not been able to spot the Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker frequently.  When I do, it is usually low down on a flowering plant.  I really enjoy looking for its orange-red patch on the crown which I thought adds class to an already beautiful bird.

If you are looking for a face for Borneo birding, the Bornean Bristlehead must be it.  This is the only member of the family Pityriaseidae and the genus Pityriasis.  This uncommon bird of the lowland and peatswamp forest finds itself pasted on posters and publications.  Not surprisingly then, it is on the wanted list of most visiting birders to Borneo.  The lucky get to see it moving nosily through the forest canopy, usually in groups of 5 to 8 birds.  What joy!

If you are at the British Bird Fair this weekend, look for this bird at Marquee No. 1.

Babblers are really difficult to digiscope and this White-chested Babbler Trichostoma rostratum is no different.  However it is a noisy bird and easy to find especially along rivers and wet areas in lowland forest.  At 15cm, it makes up its lack of size with its loud call.  Birders who complain about unimaginative common names will probably let this one go.

Pittas are often considered as the jewels of the forest floor in the tropics.  Borneo is lucky to have 4 endemic pittas including this Pitta usherri  (also called Black-headed Pitta) which is only found in the northern portion of the island.  Previously it was lumped together with the Garnet PItta which is found south of the Sabah border.  These birds are ventriloquial, so don’t forget to look upwards where they sometimes are perched on branches.