Kinabalu Park needs no introduction. This World Heritage Site is famous worldwide for its rich and unique biodiversity, hosting many species not found elsewhere. The birds of Kinabalu Park showcase this biodiversity perfectly. Trogons, barbets, partridges, babblers, warblers and many more call the park home. What’s more, Kinabalu Park is also where many Bornean endemic species live. These unique birds are highly sought after by birdwatchers and photographers alike.
Therefore, it’s easy to see why Kinabalu Park is heaven on earth for birdwatchers. Visitors from all over the globe flock here to see these amazing birds, as well as to enjoy the natural splendour of the park itself.
This article series aims to highlight some of these species, giving them the spotlight they deserve. Hopefully, this will also give would-be visitors an idea of what to expect when birdwatching here.
Birds of Kinabalu Park – Part 1: Common endemics
The most sought-after birds at Kinabalu Park are undoubtedly the three species making up the Whitehead’s Trio. To find out what they are, head over to the article linked below:
The Star Birds of Kinabalu National Park – The Whitehead’s Trio
This article will focus on some Bornean endemic species commonly encountered at Kinabalu Park HQ (KPHQ) and Timpohon Gate. The headquarters area is located in Kundasang, at an elevation of around 1500 m above sea level (ASL). Timpohon Gate is around 1800 m asl. KPHQ is the main access point for the national park, especially for Mount Kinabalu climbers.
The information and photos provided in this article are mainly based on my visits to KPHQ in 2019 and 2023. The excellent Phillips’ Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo is the main reference material.
Noisy and obvious endemic birds of Kinabalu Park
The three species below are noteworthy due to their conspicuous nature.
Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush
A ubiquitous laughingthrush that is nevertheless quite attractive. The bird is primarily slaty-grey but has a chestnut-red hood adorning the head. The vent is also chestnut. There is an orange crescent-shaped mark behind the eyes.
The Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush moves about in garrulous flocks, often with other species. Therefore, whenever you encounter a flock of these birds, don’t simply dismiss it. Look closely, and you might spot something rarer following them (for example, the Bare-headed Laughingthrush). They can be quite tame and inquisitive, sometimes coming quite close. Photographing them can take a bit of luck, though, as they are always on the move!
Interestingly, this bird has a similar-looking counterpart in Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra – the Chestnut-capped Laughinghtrush. Indeed, the two were previously considered to be the same species.
Bornean Treepie
A large, loud, obvious bird is a common sight at KPHQ. The Bornean Treepie is an attractive member of the crow family and the only treepie in Borneo. A combination of brownish-orange underparts, black wings, grey back and a long tail make it one of the more unmistakable birds of Kinabalu Park. The loud, harsh calls are also an ever-present feature of Borneo’s mountain forest soundtrack.
Pleasingly, this species frequently joins the so-called ‘bird waves’. You can often spot the treepie accompanied by the Hair-crested Drongo, Bornean Green-Magpie, Laughingthrushes, and occasionally, even the Whitehead’s Broadbill!
Penan Bulbul
Possibly the most common bulbul at KPHQ. This noisy and active bulbul is one of the more conspicuous birds of Kinabalu Park. These birds often forage in small flocks, noisily singing and calling as they zoom through the forest. Occasionally, they will also join mixed-species feeding flocks.
The bulbul is primarily brown, a drab-looking bird with a greyish-brown face. There is a crest present. The throat is puffy and bright white and is quite conspicuous amidst the gloom of the jungle. The vent is chestnut, although this can be hard to discern in the field.
This bulbul was, until recently, considered a subspecies of the widespread Ochraceous Bulbul. The common name commemorates one of the indigenous tribes in Borneo, the Penan people.
Flycatchers and their relatives
The following species are all part of the flycatcher family.
Eyebrowed Jungle-Flycatcher
A medium-sized, chunky flycatcher that is quite sombre in colouration. The adult birds have brown upperparts and dirty grey underparts. The throat is a bright white, contrasting nicely with the grey belly. There is also a white eyebrow or supercilium, giving the bird its common name. The black bill is rather long for a flycatcher, ending in a slightly hooked tip.
The Eyebrowed Jungle-Flycatcher loves to perch quietly on bare branches in the understory. They are quite tame; consequently, you can often get close to them. This makes them excellent photography subjects!
Look for them throughout the KPHQ area, where they are reasonably common. I often find them in jungle trails, with the Silau-Silau trail especially good. However, they can also be seen along the main road to Timpohon Gate.
Bornean Forktail
This is a medium-sized bird with a superficial resemblance to the familiar Magpie-Robin. It is primarily black, with a prominent white wing patch. The forehead and belly are also white. The tail is very long and is black with transverse white bars.
At KPHQ, look for this primarily terrestrial bird near streams. They are often spotted foraging along the rocky stream banks and nearby roads or trails. Unlike most forktails, this species isn’t as skittish; consequently, good views are often possible. Photographing one is tricky, however, as their riverside habitat is often poorly illuminated.
The Bornean Forktail looks almost identical to the White-crowned Forktail, also present in Borneo. The difference between the two is very subtle. In the Bornean Forktail, the white head markings are limited to the forehead only; additionally, it has a longer tail. It also inhabits higher elevations, although it’s possible there’s some overlap at middle elevations.
KPHQ is situated well above the typical elevations preferred by the White-crowned Forktail. Therefore, the birds seen at KPHQ are very likely Bornean Forktails.
Bornean Whistling-Thrush
As the name suggests, this bird has a whistling call frequently heard near streams at KPHQ. However, the name is a misnomer as this bird isn’t a thrush. Instead, it’s a large, ground-dwelling relative of the flycatchers.
The Bornean Whistling-Thrush is primarily dark brown but often appears black in the field. The males have a dark blue gloss on their head, back and breast, which the female lacks. The bill and legs are black.
You can find this bird along the streams that crisscross KPHQ; occasionally, it’ll also forage on roads. Early morning is the best time to spot and hear this bird. However, getting a sharp photo can be challenging, as their favoured habitat is usually dimly lit.
Birds of Kinabalu Park that are easier to hear than see!
The following species are easily heard; however, seeing them may be challenging!
Golden-naped Barbet
This species is the most common barbet at KPHQ. The distinctive song of this barbet is the easiest way to confirm its presence. The bird itself, like most barbets, can be challenging to see. While not exactly a shy bird, it prefers staying at canopy level; hence, clear views are uncommon. However, the bird will occasionally forage lower down, especially if fruits are present.
This chunky bird is a luminous green with a golden-yellow nape (back of the neck). There are attractive turquoise markings on the crown and throat. Like other barbets, it has a robust bill to find food and excavate its nest.
This barbet can be heard or seen throughout KPHQ, up to Timpohon Gate (and higher).
Crimson-headed Partridge
This ground-dwelling bird is relatively common around KPHQ. Their loud calls can frequently be heard resonating around the HQ area, especially during early morning.
Like many partridges, their favourite habitat is the forest’s dark understory. Unfortunately, this secretive lifestyle makes them quite hard to see. Typically, a glimpse is all you’ll get; unobstructed views are uncommon.
Your best chance at seeing this partridge is probably along any jungle trail. Walk quietly, and you may be lucky enough to stumble upon a pair crossing your path!
The Whistler of KPHQ
Bornean Whistler
The Bornean Whistler is the most brightly coloured of the three whistlers in Borneo. This bird has bright yellow underparts with olive-green upperparts. This bird only inhabits mountain forests, where it can be pretty standard.
At KPHQ, you can spot this bird relatively quickly as it usually inhabits the middle and lower stories. It often joins mixed-species feeding flocks, adding a dash of yellow to the action. This bird is also reasonably easy to photograph, as its movements are sluggish.
Look for this bird along the main road to Timpohon Gate (a.k.a. Power Station Road) or any forest trail.
Other common endemic birds of Kinabalu Park
In addition to the birds listed above, you may also encounter the following species at KPHQ:
- Chestnut-crested Yuhina – Common around KPHQ. Small, active birds that travel around in flocks.
- Black-sided Flowerpecker – The only flowerpecker at KPHQ. Males are blue above and have a bright red throat. Females are much duller, being mainly grey, pale yellow and olive.
I don’t have decent photos of these birds (yet), so they will have to wait their turn for the spotlight!
One thing to note….
Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed some birds in the photos above have ‘bling’ on their legs. These colour-coded rings are part of an ornithological study done by a North American university on the birds of Kinabalu Park. The study concluded recently, but some birds still have the rings present.
I will update this info whenever I find out which university was involved and what they were researching.
More Information
Check out the second part of this article series, which spotlights several more interesting Bornean endemic species found at KPHQ:
For more information on birdwatching at Kinabalu Park HQ, head over to the articles linked below:
- Birdwatching at Kinabalu Park HQ – Part 1: Birdwatching info
- Birdwatching at Kinabalu Park – Part 2: General information
Conclusion
Several of the Bornean endemic birds of Kinabalu Park are reasonably common and relatively easy to encounter. Nevertheless, they are still very desirable. These birds are an essential component of the park’s biodiversity and part of why KPHQ is such an amazing birdwatching destination.
References:
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.
Puan, C.L., Davison, G. & Lim, K.C. (2020). Birds of Malaysia. Covering Peninsular Malaysia, Malaysian Borneo and Singapore. Lynx and BirdLife International Field Guides. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
