There is something deeply rewarding about guiding a friend you’ve known for nearly a decade. When Sudip first came to Malaysia to bird with me ten years ago, he was a passionate bird photographer. Fast forward to June 2026, and his vision has expanded beautifully into a wide-angle appreciation for landscapes, elusive mammals, and dynamic drone photography. 

When two old friends head to Borneo for an 11-day marathon, you don't waste a single second. Our official itinerary spanned June 5th to 15th, but since we both touched down a day early, we immediately hit the ground running. Our bonus day yielded a flock of Wandering Whistling-Ducks—the perfect prologue to an unforgettable expedition.

Rising Into the Mist: Gunung Alab to Trusmadi 

Day 1 took us up the winding roads to Gunung Alab early in the morning. The air was wonderfully cool and thick with montane mist. Setting up at the bird station felt like opening a treasure chest. The high-elevation specialists came thick and fast: the stunning Bornean Green Magpie, Chestnut-hooded and Sunda Laughingthrushes, Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher, and the legendary Whitehead’s Trogon. We spent hours working the station and exploring all the way to the peak.

From the peaks, we shifted our strategy to the dark, patient confines of the bird hides in Trusmadi for the next two days. Our ultimate target was a male Bulwer’s Pheasant. Nature didn't grant us the full-tailed male this time, but we were richly rewarded when a magnificent female stepped into the open early one morning. The Trusmadi hides kept the momentum going with deep-forest jewels like the Bornean Banded Pitta, Black-throated Wren-babbler, Dayak Blue Flycatcher, and Crimson-headed Partridge. 

Day 4 tested our patience. The weather turned sour as we blanked on the Whitehead’s Broadbill, but a male and female Whitehead’s Trogon saved the afternoon, offering spectacular frames despite the gloom.

Ground Jewels and Canopy Blockades: Telupid to Sepilok 

On Day 5, we were moving well before sunrise, transferring to a 4WD and trekking 40 minutes up a rugged trail to a remote hide in Telupid. The payoff? The legendary Bornean Peacock-Pheasant made numerous appearances. Right on its heels was the Western Hooded Pitta—a fascinating bird for us, featuring the distinct black crown rather than the chestnut crown of the migratory individuals we usually see in Peninsular Malaysia. 

By late afternoon, we reached the Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), where a Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle perched quietly in the fading light, giving Sudip all the time he needed. The next morning at Sepilok brought a classic jungle curveball. We were hunting for the Black-faced subspecies of the Banded Kingfisher. 

We found the bird, but getting an eye-level shot from the canopy walk was entirely thwarted—a rowdy troop of Pig-tailed Macaques completely blockaded the walkway! Defeated by primates, we headed into the trails, only to stumble upon a lone Sabah Partridge at ridiculously close range and a beautifully shy Diard’s Trogon.

The Mighty Kinabatangan: Cruising the "Big Five" 

We spent the next three nights based in Sukau, exploring the dense waters of the Kinabatangan River. Torrential afternoon downpours became a daily ritual, which ultimately cost us our chance at the Bornean Pygmy Elephant. However, the river still delivered beautifully. 

We were targeting the region's famous wildlife icons. While the elephants eluded us, we cleanly logged the remaining heavyweights: Saltwater Crocodiles (also known as Estuarine Crocodiles) sunning on the mud banks, family groups of Proboscis Monkeys, wild Orangutans resting in the canopy, and the magnificent Rhinoceros Hornbill. 

Beyond the hornbills, the riverbanks were teeming with life. We even made the steep trek up the steps to the Gomantong platform to witness the spectacular, swirling vortex of the evening bat exodus.

The Kinabatangan "Mystery Monkey" 

During our river cruises, we kept a sharp eye out for the local primate populations, including Silvered Langurs. Interestingly, the lower Kinabatangan is famous in primatology for hosting rare hybrid Silvered Langurs (crosses between a male Proboscis Monkey and a female Silvered Langur). This cross-genus hybridization is a stark, direct result of habitat fragmentation; as palm oil plantations narrow the riverine forest patches, these two distinct species are forced into close quarters, leading to mixed-species troops and fascinating, unique offspring.

After leaving the river behind, a morning session at the specialized Kinabatangan hide treated us to a spectacular assembly: Bornean Crested Fireback, Ruddy Kingfisher, Rufous-collared Kingfisher (female), and the intricate Banded Broadbill. 

Final Stand in Taliwas and Silam 

Our final two days (June 14th and 15th) were spent in Lahad Datu to explore the pristine forest pockets of Taliwas and Silam. Borneo saved some of its best magic for the finale. We successfully saw the legendary Bornean Ground-Cuckoo and the striking Black-crowned Pitta. To our complete surprise, a Chestnut-capped Thrush made an unexpected appearance. To top it off, I bagged a personal lifer for the year—the Sunda Blue Flycatcher. Watching Sudip capture these final endemics with the refined eye of a decade-long veteran was the perfect end to a wild, rain-soaked, brilliant Bornean odyssey.

Trip Bird List (Categorized by Family)

Phasianidae (Partridges & Pheasants)

• Red-breasted Partridge (Endemic)

• Crimson-headed Partridge (Endemic)

• Crested Partridge

• Sabah Partridge (Endemic)

• Bulwer's Pheasant (Female observed; Endemic)

• Bornean Peacock-Pheasant (Endemic)

• Bornean Crested Fireback (Endemic)

Anatidae (Ducks & Geese)

• Wandering Whistling-Duck

Columbidae (Pigeons & Doves)

• Various green-pigeons and cuckoo-doves recorded

Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

• Bornean Ground-Cuckoo (Endemic)

Ciconiidae (Storks)

• Storm's Stork

• Lesser Adjutant

Sulidae / Anhingidae (Darters)

• Oriental Darter

Accipitridae (Hawks & Eagles)

• Wallace's Hawk-Eagle

Trogonidae (Trogons)

• Whitehead's Trogon (Endemic)

• Diard's Trogon

Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)

• Banded Kingfisher (Black-faced subspecies)

• Blue-eared Kingfisher

• Stork-billed Kingfisher

• Collared Kingfisher

• Ruddy Kingfisher

• Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher

• Rufous-collared Kingfisher

Meropidae (Bee-eaters)

• Species recorded along river channels

Bucerotidae (Hornbills)

• Rhinoceros Hornbill

• Wreathed Hornbill

• Black Hornbill

• Oriental Pied Hornbill

• Wrinkled Hornbill

• White-crowned Hornbill

• Bushy-crested Hornbill

Megalaimidae (Asian Barbets)

• Golden-naped Barbet (Endemic)

Eurylaimidae (Asian Broadbills)

• Banded Broadbill

• Black-and-red Broadbill

• Black-and-yellow Broadbill

Pittidae (Pittas)

• Bornean Banded Pitta (Endemic)

• Western Hooded Pitta (Black-crowned form)

• Black-crowned Pitta (Endemic)

Platylophidae & Corvidae (Magpies & Jays)

• Bornean Green Magpie (Endemic)

Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers & Shamas)

• Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher (Endemic)

• Little Pied Flycatcher

• Dayak Blue Flycatcher (Endemic)

• Malaysian Blue Flycatcher

• Sunda Blue Flycatcher (Lifer!)

• Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher

• White-crowned Shama (Endemic)

Timaliidae & Pellorneidae (Babblers)

• Sunda Scimitar-Babbler

• Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush (Endemic)

• Sunda Laughingthrush

• Black-throated Wren-babbler (Endemic)

• Grey-hooded Babbler

• Bornean Black-capped Babbler (Endemic)

Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)

• Penan Bulbul (Endemic)

Turdidae (Thrushes)

• Chestnut-capped Thrush

Notable Mammals & Reptiles Logged:

• Orangutan

• Proboscis Monkey (Endemic)

• Silvered Langur & Hybrid Silvered Langur

• Pig-tailed Macaque & Long-tailed Macaque

• Least Pygmy Squirrel, Prevost's Squirrel

• Long-footed Treeshrew

• Estuarine Crocodile

• Various localized skinks

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In late May 2026, I had the absolute pleasure of guiding Susan and Jessica on their very first birding trip to Malaysia. They traveled across the world to explore our beautiful tropical rainforests and wetlands. Because it was their first time visiting the country, almost every single bird we encountered was completely new to them!

Our adventure took us through four of the best birding hotspots in Peninsular Malaysia: the lush lowlands of Hulu Langat, the beautiful foothills of Bukit Tinggi, the famous montane forests of Fraser’s Hill, and the coastal wetlands of Kuala Selangor.

Together, we found a mix of colorful rainforest species, rare mountain specialties, and iconic wetland birds.

Exploring the lowland and foothill forests of Hulu Langat and Bukit Tinggi gave Susan and Jessica an incredible introduction to tropical birds. We were incredibly lucky to see some of the most sought-after birds in Southeast Asia, including the stunning Silver-breasted Broadbill, the Black-and-red Broadbill, and the vibrant Black-and-yellow Broadbill.

We also found the elusive, ground-dwelling Rusty-naped Pitta, which gave our guests a spectacular view. Watching their faces light up as they photographed these colorful species for the very first time reminded me why I love being a bird guide in Malaysia.

Up in the cool air of Fraser’s Hill, the birding changed completely. We encountered amazing flocks filled with unique montane species. The highlights here were truly elite: we got fantastic views of the secretive Mountain Peacock-Pheasant and the rare Malayan Partridge.

The trees were alive with the bright colors of the Silver-eared Mesia, Grey-chinned Minivet, and the brilliant Red-headed Trogon. Susan and Jessica also managed to photograph tiny forest residents like the Pygmy Cupwing and the beautiful Rufous-browed Flycatcher.

We wrapped up our journey in the mangroves and open wetlands of Kuala Selangor. The landscape here is vastly different from the mountains, and it brought a whole new set of birds for the cameras. We watched large Painted Storks and Asian Openbills wading through the shallow waters. Overhead, the Crested Serpent Eagle scanned the ground, while bright Collared Kingfishers and Oriental Pied Hornbills flew between the trees along the coast.

It was an unforgettable short trip filled with non-stop "lifers" (first-time bird sightings) for Susan and Jessica. Malaysia truly is a paradise for wildlife photography and birdwatching!

Trip Bird List 

Below is the official list of the birds and major highlights encountered during our May 2026 tour.

### Phasianidae (Partridges, Pheasants, and Quail)

 * Malayan Partridge *(Malayan specialty)*

 * Mountain Peacock-Pheasant *(Montane specialty)*

### Ciconiidae (Storks)

 * Asian Openbill

 * Painted Stork

### Rallidae (Rails, Crakes, and Waterhens)

 * White-breasted Waterhen

### Cuculidae (Cuckoos and Malkohas)

 * Raffle’s Malkoha

 * Asian Koel

### Strigidae (True Owls)

 * Brown Wood-Owl

### Hemiprocnidae (Treeswifts)

 * Whiskered Treeswifts

### Trogonidae (Trogons)

 * Red-headed Trogon

### Bucerotidae (Hornbills)

 * Oriental Pied Hornbill

### Coraciidae (Rollers)

 * Dollarbird

### Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)

 * Collared Kingfisher

### Megalaimidae (Asian Barbets)

 * Gold-whiskered Barbet

 * Black-browed Barbet

 * Red-throated Barbet

### Picidae (Woodpeckers)

 * Laced Woodpecker

### Eurylaimidae (Asian Broadbills)

 * Black-and-red Broadbill

 * Black-and-yellow Broadbill

 * Silver-breasted Broadbill

### Pittidae (Pittas)

 * Rusty-naped Pitta

### Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes and Minivets)

 * Grey-chinned Minivet

### Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)

 * Black-naped Oriole

### Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)

 * Scaly-breasted Bulbul

 * Ochraceous Bulbul

 * Grey-bellied Bulbul

 * Black-crested Bulbul

 * Red-eyed Bulbul

 * Mountain Bulbul

### Cettiidae (Bush Warblers and Allies)

 * Pygmy Cupwing

### Zosteropidae (White-eyes)

 * Hume’s White-eye

### Timaliidae (Babblers and Scimitar Babblers)

 * Grey-throated Babbler

 * Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush

### Pellorneidae (Ground Babblers)

 * Buff-breasted Babbler

### Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)

 * Silver-eared Mesia

 * Long-tailed Sibia

### Sittidae (Nuthatches)

 * Blue Nuthatch

### Paridae (Tits)

 * Sultan Tit

### Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers and Robins)

 * Oriental Magpie Robin

 * White-tailed Robin

 * Lesser Shortwing

 * Large Niltava

 * Hill Blue Flycatcher

 * Rufous-browed Flycatcher

 * Little Pied Flycatcher

### Irenidae (Fairy-bluebirds)

 * Asian Fairy-bluebird

### Chloropseidae (Leafbirds)

 * Lesser Green Leafbird

 * Blue-winged Leafbird

### Dicaeidae (Flowerpeckers)

 * Fire-breasted Flowerpecker

### Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)

 * Black-throated Sunbird

 * Streaked Spiderhunter

### Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)

 * Dark-necked Tailorbird

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