For birdwatchers visiting Borneo, their main objectives are to see as many Bornean endemics as possible. Numero uno is unquestionably the Bornean Bristlehead on this ‘most wanted’ list. This one-of-a-kind species ticks all the boxes: Weird-looking yet beautiful, uncommon and challenging to see, and, of course, found nowhere else in the world. It even has a bizarre scientific name: Pityriasis gymnocephala, which translates roughly as ‘scaly, bald head’!
Seeing the Bristlehead has been a longstanding wish of mine. Unfortunately, the ‘BB’ has proven elusive despite trying several times to see it. As fate would have it, I was given another chance, this time at Danum Valley, as part of Birdwatching Asia’s coverage of the birding experience there.
Behold, the Bornean Bristlehead! – A Birdwatching Asia Birding Trip Report
In January 2025, Birdwatching Asia was invited to stay at the prestigious Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) in the heart of Danum Valley. Our primary directive was to cover the birdwatching experience there and highlight the two new bird hides that were recently built. We stayed for a total of 6D/5N and got to experience what birdwatching there is all about.
Check out our coverage of birding at Danum Valley at the links below:
Pre-trip
When I discovered I would visit Danum, the Bornean Bristlehead immediately popped into my mind. After all, Danum Valley is often said to be one of the best places in Borneo to see this bird. A quick check on eBird confirms they’re regularly seen there; nevertheless, sightings aren’t guaranteed.
Naturally, I couldn’t wait to visit the world-famous Danum Valley to try and finally ‘tick’ the Bristlehead off my life list.
Arrival
After a 7-hour journey (3-hour flight plus 4-hour road transfer), we finally arrived at BRL Danum Valley. During our first birding session, I wasted no time asking our guides, Nevin and Cassy, about my target. They gave me the most welcome news, as the Bristlehead was seen just the previous morning. Nevertheless, earlier disappointments at Sepilok RDC told me not to get too excited. I also had to remind myself not to be too distracted by the search for it. After all, our primary mission here is to cover the overall birding experience, not just to look for the Bristlehead.
Birding at BRL
Unsurprisingly, the overall birding experience at the BRL area was fantastic. Each birding session gave us something new to marvel at. The morning sessions were incredibly productive, with the main access road being the best location to spot birds. The rainy mornings were often better, as the birds became extra active as soon as the rain stopped.
The night sessions didn’t yield as many birds, but we still had some good sightings—for example, the Brown Wood-Owl, Buffy Fish-Owl and sleeping Chestnut-naped Forktail. Unfortunately, some resident nocturnal birds didn’t show up (looking at you, Gould’s Frogmouth). Nevertheless, the night sessions were still outstanding, as they were chock-full of non-avian wildlife.
Wandering and wondering
Danum Valley does indeed live up to its lofty reputation. Every day gave us new things to wonder at as we wandered along Danum’s jungle trails, dirt roads and, of course, the iconic canopy walkway. Despite the rainy weather (our visit coincided with the rainy season), we had a great time exploring some of the most pristine rainforests I’ve ever visited. The richness of flora and fauna at Danum was simply astounding.
Still, the spectre of the Bornean Bristlehead remained at the back of my head. I would scan the treetops on every birding session, hoping to glimpse the ‘bald crow’. Yet as the days passed by, nothing was forthcoming. With our departure day drawing near and no sightings at all, I was beginning to lose hope.
Penultimate Day
The morning of our penultimate day at BRL began miserably. It was raining, and white mist enveloped the forest like low-hanging clouds. The mist lingered around even after the rain had long stopped, making it a bit difficult to spot the birds in the canopy. Despite the wet weather, there were still plenty of birds, from bulbuls to babblers and everything in between. And the ethereal beauty of the mist rising from the trees was undeniably spellbinding.
First Glimpse
We were tracking a group of Bornean Black Magpies when suddenly our guide Cassy said the long-awaited ‘B-word’. Frantically, I looked up to see a group of birds flying into a tree above us. The mist was heavy, and the lighting was poor, but I could still discern their silhouette: Medium-sized birds with broad wings, short tails, and a large head and bill, giving it a front-heavy appearance. It must be them!
Yet when these black birds settled on the branches, I lost track of them. My birding companion kept pointing at the tree, but I only saw leaves, not lifers. I can’t deny that at that moment, I began to panic. This can’t be how I finally see the ‘grail’ of Bornean birds. To the heart of Sabah for a mere silhouette? Is this even ‘tickable?’
Behold, the Bornean Bristlehead!
Mercifully, the veil of mist lifted, and I could finally behold the birds in better detail. Peeking out from the leaves, their red heads seemingly glow amongst the dark foliage. Their jet-black body contrasts sharply against the gaudy red. The black ear ‘patch’ makes them look like they’re wearing earmuffs. And finally, the robust, hooked beak seems too big for the bird. It’s a weird combination of features, yet beautiful nonetheless. How such an attractive bird got saddled with such an unappealing scientific name is a wonder. Pityriasis is literally the same name as several dermatological conditions!
(Note: The Bristlehead got its name from the small bristle-like projections on its featherless crown. This ‘bald’ area is yellow, but wasn’t visible from my vantage point)
Bristling with blissfulness
Observing the flock was sheer bliss. There were 5 or 6 of them, and they flew from tree to tree while vocalising throughout. Joining in the fun were several other bird species, all seemingly caught up with the excitement of the Bristlehead flock. Trying to track the Bristleheads amongst the frenetic flocks made for a hectic morning.
An American birding couple who began a bit earlier than us came sprinting to our position as soon as our guide announced the sighting on her walkie-talkie. It turns out that they tried to get the bristlehead at Sepilok a few years back but without success. Happily for them, they finally got their wish this time, on their first full day at Danum, no less!
The birds were in view for 6 to 8 minutes, which was long enough for everyone. As the birds melted back into the forest canopy, all I could feel was the unbridled elation and satisfaction of seeing a mega-lifer, by chance, in the wild. This feeling is what birding is all about.
No photo
Unfortunately, try as I might, I couldn’t photograph the Bristleheads well. A combination of mist, poor lighting, and obsolete camera equipment meant all of my photos turned out to be duds—record shots at best, really.
Nevertheless, this didn’t bother me one bit. I was happy to see the bird that so many others have tried and failed to notice. Even though the encounter was in less-than-ideal conditions, I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. This was undoubtedly a lifer moment that will linger long in my memory.
BB stats
Some misc stats relating to my encounter with the Bornean Bristlehead at Danum:
- Exact location: At the new telecom tower, roughly 600m from the lodge entrance
- Exact date and time: 17th January 2025; 8:05 am
- Number of times I said ‘yes!’ out loud while looking at the Bristlehead: 2
- Number of times I said ‘yes!’ in my head: too many, didn’t count
- Birding days I tried for the Bristlehead before finally seeing it:
- 2 days in Kubah NP, Sarawak (2018)
- 9 total days at Sepilok RDC (2019, 2023)
- 4 days at Kinabatangan (2023)
- 5 days at Tawau & Tabin (2024)
- 4 days at Danum (2025)
- Total lifers on this trip (including the Bornean Bristlehead): 5
Conclusion
My encounter with the Bornean Bristlehead is undoubtedly one that I will cherish for the rest of my life. To finally see the ‘Holy Grail’ of Bornean endemics was a wish come true. Even though it was under suboptimal conditions, this first encounter will always be the most special.
Needless to say, I will continue to search for this bird whenever I’m in Borneo. After all, I still need a good photo of it….
References
- Wikipedia contributors, “Bornean bristlehead,” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bornean_bristlehead&oldid=1268073600 (accessed February 17, 2025).
- Phillipps, Q. & Phillipps, K. (2014). Phillips’ Field Guide To The Birds of Borneo. Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan (Third edition). John Beaufoy Publishing, Oxford, England.
