The Unpredictable Wild: 9 Days Across Sabah with Friends
That is the true magic of birding and wildlife exploration. You can study the maps, prep the gear, and check off target lists in your head, but nature never reads the script! Nothing is ever guaranteed in the wild—and that exact anticipation, the waiting, and the sudden rush of a surprise sighting is what keeps us coming back for more.
I just wrapped up an unforgettable 9-day expedition traversing Sabah from west to east alongside three passionate birders from Hong Kong. Together with a local birder Andy whose dedication and love for Sabah birds is second to none, we journeyed across Klias, Kota Kinabalu, the Crocker Range, Trusmadi, Telupid, Ranau, Sandakan, and the famous Kinabatangan River.
Coastal Lowlands & Capital Outskirts (Klias & Kota Kinabalu)
Our adventure kicked off in the lowlands surrounding Klias and Kota Kinabalu. The wetlands and open habitats provided a great mix of resident and coastal species:
Gray-hooded Babbler
Violet Cuckoo
Red-crowned Barbet & Black-eared Barbet
Wandering Whistling-Duck
Chestnut Munia, Dusky Munia, and Java Sparrow
Brahminy Kite & White-breasted Woodswallow
Pacific Reef-Heron (also known as Pacific Reef-Egret, Egretta sacra)
Nankeen Night-Heron
Up into the Misty Highlands (Crocker Range)
Moving inland, we climbed into the cooler air of the Crocker Range. Birding along roadside trails and dedicated stations yielded an incredible list of montane specialists and Bornean endemics:
Bornean Endemics: Bornean Treepie, Bornean Shortwing, Bornean Whistler, and the striking Crimson-headed Partridge.
Highland Favorites: Sunda Laughingthrush and Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush (resembling the Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush from Peninsular Malaysia).
Other Highlights: Temminck’s Babbler, Little Pied Flycatcher, Indigo Flycatcher, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Ashy Drongo, Yellow-breasted Warbler, Golden-naped Barbet, and an remarkably obliging Temminck’s Sunbird that stole the show!
The Deep Forest Magic (Trusmadi)
Trusmadi was nothing short of extraordinary. Spending time in both a forest hide and along the road gave us a front-row seat to some of Borneo’s most sought-after ground and canopy species:
Bornean Endemics: Bornean Barbet, Mountain Barbet, Bornean Bulbul, Bornean Banded-Pitta, Bornean Leafbird, Pygmy Heleia, Red-breasted Partridge, and Chestnut-crested Yuhina.
Hide & Trail Highlights: Crested Partridge, Bold-striped Tit-Babbler, Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker, Sunda Scimitar-Babbler, Rufous-fronted Babbler, Penan Bulbul, Dayak Blue Flycatcher, Rufous-chested Flycatcher, Orange-headed Thrush, Emerald Dove, White-crowned Shama, and our first hornbill of the trip—the Wreathed Hornbill!
Foothills & The Elusive Pheasant Hunt (Ranau)
Stopping overnight in Ranau, a short afternoon session delivered a quick burst of colorful species:
Gold-whiskered Barbet (represented here by the distinct Bornean subspecies chrysopsis, often called Gold-faced).
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Long-tailed Shrike, and White-fronted Falconet (plus hearing the elusive Blue-breasted Quail in the grass).
The following morning was the big test. To reach the famous hide for the endemic Bornean Peacock-Pheasant, we loaded into a pickup truck, hiked up a forest trail, and settled in for a silent wait. That unpredictable nature of birding kicked in—it took time, but patience paid off when this magnificent bird finally strutted into view!
While waiting, we kept busy with Short-tailed Babbler, Ferruginous Babbler, Malaysian Blue Flycatcher, and Emerald Dove. We missed out on Western Hooded Pitta (Sunda) here, but that’s the game!
Into the Canopy Walkways (Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok)
Moving eastward to Sepilok, we squeezed in an afternoon, a night walk, and a morning session at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC):
Sunbirds & Spiderhunters: Brown-throated, Red-throated, Plain, and Ruby-cheeked Sunbirds, along with Purple-naped and Long-billed Spiderhunters.
Canopy & Night Action: Oriental Pied Hornbill, Long-tailed Parakeet, Blue-crowned Hanging-Parrot, Baya Weaver, Gray-hooded Babbler, and a fantastic night view of an Oriental Bay Owl.
Riverine Paradise (Kinabatangan River)
The multi-night stay on the Kinabatangan River was the ultimate finale. Cruising the waterways brought us face-to-face with river giants and incredible canopy life:
The Hornbill Sweep: A phenomenal 8-hornbill species total! (Oriental Pied, Black, Bushy-crested, Wrinkled, Wreathed, Rhinoceros, Helmeted, and White-crowned Hornbill).
River & Wetland Targets: Storm’s Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Oriental Darter, Grey-headed Fish-Eagle, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Blue-throated Bee-eater, Dollarbird, and Green Imperial-Pigeon.
The Pitta Redemption: After dipping earlier, we finally landed a magnificent Western Hooded Pitta along the riverbanks—what a relief!
Night Cruise: Spotted 3 Buffy Fish-Owls perched along the water's edge and heard an Oriental Bay Owl calling at close range.
Final Farewell
Before heading to the airport on our last day, we returned to RDC one last time to add Olive-winged Bulbul, Brown Barbet, Crimson Sunbird, and Greater Racket-tailed Drongo to the trip tally.
9 days, hundreds of kilometers, dozens of endemics, and endless memories. We said our goodbyes at the airport, already looking forward to the next wild trail!
SABAH 9-DAY EXPLORATION CHECKLIST (AUG 2026)
Locations: Klias, KK, Crocker Range, Trusmadi, Ranau, Sepilok (RDC), Kinabatangan River
Ducks, Geese & Waterfowl (Anatidae)
Wandering Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna arcualis)
Pheasants, Grouse & Allies (Phasianidae)
Blue-breasted Quail (Synoicus chinensis) — Heard only
Crimson-headed Partridge (Haematortyx sanguiniceps) [Bornean Endemic]
Red-breasted Partridge (Arborophila hyperythra) [Bornean Endemic]
Crested Partridge (Rollulus rouloul)
Bornean Peacock-Pheasant (Polyplectron schleiermacheri) [Bornean Endemic]
Pigeons & Doves (Columbidae)
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis)
Little Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia ruficeps)
Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica)
Green Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula aenea)
Mountain Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula badia)
Cuckoos (Cuculidae)
Violet Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus)
Owls (Strigidae)
Oriental Bay Owl (Phodilus badius)
Buffy Fish-Owl (Ketupa ketupu)
Storks (Ciconiidae)
Storm's Stork (Ciconia stormi)
Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus)
Anhingas (Anhingidae)
Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster)
Herons, Egrets & Bitterns (Ardeidae)
Nankeen Night-Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus)
Pacific Reef-Heron / Egret (Egretta sacra)
Hawks, Eagles & Kites (Accipitridae)
Grey-headed Fish-Eagle (Icthyophaga ichthyaetus)
Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)
Hornbills (Bucerotidae)
White-crowned Hornbill (Berenicornis comatus)
Bushy-crested Hornbill (Anorrhinus galleryi)
Helmeted Hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil)
Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros)
Black Hornbill (Anthracoceros malayanus)
Oriental Pied-Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)
Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus)
Wrinkled Hornbill (Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus)
Rollers (Coraciidae)
Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)
Kingfishers (Alcedinidae)
Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)
Bee-eaters (Meropidae)
Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis)
Asian Barbets (Megalaimidae)
Brown Barbet (Calorhamphus fuliginosus) [Bornean Endemic]
Blue-eared Barbet (Psilopogon duvaucelii) — Logged as Black-eared
Red-crowned Barbet (Psilopogon rafflesii)
Golden-naped Barbet (Psilopogon pulcherrimus) [Bornean Endemic]
Gold-whiskered / Gold-faced Barbet (Psilopogon chrysopsis) [Bornean Subspecies/Endemic]
Mountain Barbet (Psilopogon monticola) [Bornean Endemic]
Bornean Barbet (Psilopogon eximius) [Bornean Endemic]
Falcons & Caracaras (Falconidae)
White-fronted Falconet (Microhierax latifrons) [Bornean Endemic]
Old World Parrots (Psittaculidae)
Long-tailed Parakeet (Psittacula longicauda)
Blue-crowned Hanging-Parrot (Loriculus galgulus)
Pittas (Pittidae)
Bornean Banded-Pitta (Hydrornis schwaneri) [Bornean Endemic]
Western Hooded Pitta (Pitta sordida abbotti / cucullata)
Woodswallows (Artamidae)
White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus)
Cuckoo-shrikes & Minivets (Campephagidae)
Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus)
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)
Crows, Jays & Magpies (Corvidae)
Bornean Treepie (Dendrocitta cinerascens) [Bornean Endemic]
Swallows (Hirundinidae)
Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica)
Fairy-wrens, Tits & Allies (Paridae / Aegithalidae)
Bold-striped Tit-Babbler (Mixornis bornensis)
Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae)
Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus)
Bornean Bulbul (Rubigula montis) [Bornean Endemic]
Penan Bulbul (Alophoixus ruficrissus) [Bornean Endemic]
Leafwarblers & Grassbirds (Locustellidae / Phylloscopidae)
Yellow-breasted Warbler (Abroscopus superciliaris)
White-eyes & Yuhinas (Zosteropidae)
Pygmy Heleia / White-eye (Oculocincta squamifrons) [Bornean Endemic]
Chestnut-crested Yuhina (Yuhina everetti) [Bornean Endemic]
Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers & Allies (Timaliidae)
Sunda Scimitar-Babbler (Pomatorhinus bornensis)
Grey-hooded Babbler (Cyanoderma erythropterum)
Rufous-fronted Babbler (Cyanoderma rufifrons)
Short-tailed Babbler (Pellorneum malaccense)
Temminck's Babbler (Pellorneum pyrrogenys)
Ferruginous Babbler (Pellorneum bicolor)
White-chested Babbler (Pellorneum rostratum)
Laughingthrushes (Leiothrichidae)
Sunda Laughingthrush (Garrulax palliatus)
Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush (Ianthocincla treacheri) [Bornean Endemic]
Thrushes & Allies (Turdidae)
Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina)
Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae)
Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis)
White-crowned Shama (Copsychus stricklandii) [Bornean Endemic]
Rufous-chested Flycatcher (Ficedula dumetoria)
Snowy-browed Flycatcher (Ficedula hyperythra)
Little Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula westermanni)
Indigo Flycatcher (Cyornis indigo)
Dayak Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis montanus) [Bornean Endemic]
Malaysian Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis turcosus)
Bornean Shortwing (Brachypteryx erythrogyna) [Bornean Endemic]
Leafbirds (Irenidae / Chloropseidae)
Bornean Leafbird (Chloropsis kinabaluensis) [Bornean Endemic]
Flowerpeckers (Dicaeidae)
Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker (Prionochilus xanthopygius) [Bornean Endemic]
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum)
Orange-bellied Flowerpecker (Dicaeum trigonostigma)
Yellow-vented Flowerpecker (Dicaeum chrysorrheum)
Sunbirds & Spiderhunters (Nectariniidae)
Ruby-cheeked Sunbird (Chalcoparia singalensis)
Plain Sunbird (Anthreptes simplex)
Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis)
Red-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes rhodolaema)
Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja)
Temminck's Sunbird (Aethopyga temminckii)
Purple-naped Spiderhunter (Kurocheckia hypogrammica)
Long-billed Spiderhunter (Arachnothera robusta)
Shrikes (Laniidae)
Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach)
Starlings & Mynas (Sturnidae)
Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis)
Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)
Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus)
Weavers & Widows (Ploceidae)
Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus)
Waxbills, Munias & Allies (Estrildidae)
Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla)
Dusky Munia (Lonchura fuscans) [Bornean Endemic]
Java Sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora)
Here is the extracted list of all 22 Bornean endemic species recorded during your 9-day Sabah exploration, categorized by the locations where you encountered them:
1. Crocker Range (Montane Endemics)
Crimson-headed Partridge (Haematortyx sanguiniceps)
Note: Sighted along roadside stations and montane forest trails.
Bornean Treepie (Dendrocitta cinerascens)
Note: Active along roadside canopies throughout the high elevations.
Bornean Shortwing (Brachypteryx erythrogyna)
Note: Skulking in the cool, mossy understory along the trail edges.
Bornean Whistler (Pachycephala hypoxantha)
Note: Frequently joining mixed-species feeding flocks in the montane forest.
2. Trusmadi (Hide & Deep Forest Endemics)
Red-breasted Partridge (Arborophila hyperythra)
Note: Excellent ground views from the forest hide.
Bornean Banded-Pitta (Hydrornis schwaneri)
Note: A major trip highlight observed stepping out near the hide setup.
Bornean Barbet (Psilopogon eximius)
Note: Spotted in the mid-to-upper canopy along the forest road.
Mountain Barbet (Psilopogon monticola)
Note: Heard calls echoing across the valleys before securing canopy views.
Bornean Bulbul (Rubigula montis)
Note: Active in fruiting trees near the forest edge.
Penan Bulbul (Alophoixus ruficrissus)
Note: Noisy foliage gleaner recorded around the hide perches.
Bornean Leafbird (Chloropsis kinabaluensis)
Note: Foraging high in the sunlit sub-canopy.
Chestnut-crested Yuhina (Yuhina everetti)
Note: Very common and vocal in energetic roving flocks.
Pygmy Heleia (Oculocincta squamifrons)
Note: high-canopy activity noted along the trail and eventually came low for great views
Dayak Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis montanus)
Note: Understory flycatcher recorded from the hide perches.
White-crowned Shama (Copsychus stricklandii)
Note: Vocal singer providing great views around the hide and trails.
3. Ranau & Hide Pursuit
Bornean Peacock-Pheasant (Polyplectron schleiermacheri)
Note: The ultimate prize of the trip—finally strutted into view after a patient wait at the specialized hide.
Gold-faced Barbet (Psilopogon chrysopsis)
Note: Observed in the sub-canopy during a short afternoon birding session (recognized as the distinct Bornean endemic/subspecies).
White-fronted Falconet (Microhierax latifrons)
Note: Perched high on dead snags
4. Sepilok & Lowland Foothills
Brown Barbet (Calorhamphus fuliginosus)
Note: Recorded along Kinabatangan River and at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC).
5. Kinabatangan River & Coastal Lowlands
Dusky Munia (Lonchura fuscans)
Note: Common in small flocks around open grassy edges from Klias to Kinabatangan.
Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker (Prionochilus xanthopygius)
Note: Tiny canopy specialist recorded visiting flowering trees.
6. Widespread Montane Cross-Over
Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush (Ianthocincla treacheri)
Note: Found across both Crocker Range and Trusmadi; ubiquitous and highly inquisitive.
