The uber-rare Bornean Peacock-Pheasant has historically been very difficult to see. However, this bird has begun appearing regularly near Telupid, Sabah, over the last few years. This small town in the interior of Sabah suddenly experienced an influx of birdwatchers, all wanting to see and photograph this rare Bornean endemic. The Telupid Bornean Peacock-Pheasant hide is undoubtedly the best place on earth to see this otherwise impossible bird.

Telupid Bornean Peacock-Pheasant Hide

In early September 2024, the Birdwatching Asia team visited the Telupid Bornean Peacock-Pheasant Hide in Sabah. The visit was part of our Sabah-wide expedition to highlight and promote birdwatching and bird photography locations within the state. 

During our pre-trip research, we found that there is little information about visiting this hide on the Internet. Therefore, our main objective was to obtain and provide information on visiting this hide for anyone interested.

Introduction to the Telupid Bornean Peacock-Pheasant Hide

This is a paid bird hide located near Telupid, Sabah. Khairul Ikhwan initially set it up a few years ago to allow visitors to see the rare Bornean Peacock-Pheasant. Subsequently, the management of this hide was handed over to Bestaria Eco-tourism, a cooperative formed by residents of the nearby village of Kampung Bestaria.

This hide has been open to the public for at least two years. However, the hide began before the pandemic, when the peacock pheasants were first discovered in the area. It took several years of ‘training’ for the birds to become accustomed to humans. Only then was the hide opened for visitors.

Bestaria Eco-tourism also operates two other hides in the area: one for the Straw-headed Bulbul and the other for the Blue-banded Pitta. This article focuses only on the peacock-pheasant hide.

What birds can you see at the Telupid Bornean Peacock-Pheasant Hide?

Obviously, the star attraction of this hide is the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant. In the past, this exceedingly rare endemic was next to impossible to see, primarily due to its scarcity and reclusiveness. This hide has allowed birdwatchers and photographers worldwide to reliably see this special bird.

Nevertheless, the Telupid Bornean Peacock-Pheasant hide also attracts other species. They include, but are not limited to:

• Bornean Crested Fireback. A Bornean endemic pheasant. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant actively avoids this species. Thus, if the fireback is present, you’re much less likely to see the peacock-pheasant.
• Short-tailed Babbler (Leaflitter).
• Ferruginous Babbler
• Grey-hooded Babbler
• Bornean Black-capped Babbler
• Grey-chested Jungle-Flycatcher
• White-crowned Shama

Is the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant guaranteed here?

As of October 2024, the chances of seeing the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant at this hide are very good. However, even though these birds are fed, they’re still fully wild. Therefore, as with any wildlife encounter, there’s always a chance the main subjects will not show up. 

How to go birdwatching here?

To visit the Telupid Bornean Peacock-Pheasant hide, contact Birdwatching Asia. We work closely with reputable Sabah bird tour companies that specialise in this. Of course, this applies to those who need a bird guide, transport, and other logistic services.

Where is Telupid?

Telupid is a small town located near the geographic centre of Sabah.

• Sandakan is 2.5 hours drive away.
• Kota Kinabalu is 4.5 hours drive away.

Telupid is accessible from Kota Kinabalu or Sandakan, as both towns have major airports. You’ll likely have to rent a car or follow a bird guide to reach the town.

Arriving at the hide in the early morning is essential so as not to miss the peacocks and pheasants. To facilitate this, you’ll likely have to stay overnight in town. During our trip, we stayed at the City Hotel, Telupid. This is a basic but perfectly acceptable budget hotel for a night’s stay.

How do you reach the hide?

In the morning (6 a.m.), you’ll meet the representative from Bestaria Eco-tourism at the Loung-Loung Restaurant (about a 20-minute drive from Telupid). You’ll have your breakfast here and buy extra food if necessary. 

The guide will then lead you to Kampung Bestaria itself (a 30-minute drive from the restaurant). At the village, they’ll transfer you to a 4×4 vehicle, which will take you to the starting point of the hide. 

After leaving the 4×4 vehicle, the hide is a further 30-40 minute hike up a hill. The trail is steep in parts and may be muddy after rains. Therefore, this hide may not be reachable for everyone. It’s unsuitable for people with heart problems or knee issues.

You may request a porter in advance should you require assistance carrying heavy photography equipment up to the hide.

How is the hide?

The Telupid Bornean Peacock-Pheasant hide is fully enclosed and covered, thus affording you protection from the elements. Nevertheless, the facility is still relatively basic, especially when compared to the bird hides at Trusmadi (for example – KK Lee’s Trusmadi Bird Hide). Take note of the following:

• No toilet.
• Food/drinks are not included; therefore, bring your own food and water.
• The floor is simply the dirt itself. The ground is uneven at parts, so setting up tripods may be tricky.
• Plastic chairs for sitting. 
• Bring along insect repellent.

The hide has two sections:

• The main (oldest) section houses up to 20 people and is located slightly uphill from the bird-feeding area.
• A newer second section is located on a slight slope adjacent to the main hide. This section only fits 6-7 people, but it offers better view angles.

How is the birdwatching experience here?

Simply wait for the bird(s) to show up. Their appearance times vary, but early morning seems to be the best. According to the guides, they also sometimes reappear in the late afternoon. Of course, these birds may pop up at any time – they’re wild animals.

During our visit, we were lucky as the birds appeared early, around 8 a.m., and loitered around the area for about an hour. The male was the first to appear. A few minutes later, the female and chick arrived. The male continued to patrol the area, making sure everything was safe for his family. They came and went three times during that hour, finally disappearing by mid-morning. We left the hide around 9.30 a.m.

Of course, your experience may be quite different from ours. Ultimately, the duration of your visit will depend on when the peacock pheasants show up.

Finally, don’t neglect other species while waiting for the peacock pheasants. Many lowland rainforest birds, including some Bornean endemics, will visit the hide, looking for an easy meal.

Recommended photography gear?

Photography here may be tricky since lighting at the hide is often relatively poor.

• Bring a sturdy tripod to minimise camera shake.
• At least 400mm to 600mm lenses.
• A ‘fast’ lens is very beneficial. Otherwise, you’ll need to bump up the ISO.

Important considerations

The Bornean Peacock-Pheasants have become accustomed to humans over the years. Nevertheless, they’re still wild, and may flee if excessive noise are present. Therefore, it’s a good idea to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Keep voices to a minimum. 
• Put mobile phones on silent.
• Silent mirrorless cameras are of great benefit here.
• For DSLR users, use quiet shutter modes, if available.
• Don’t move around unnecessarily; this will scare the birds and annoy other hide users.

What are the fees and charges?

Expect to pay around RM 150 – RM 500 (or more) per person to visit the hide. This may change; indeed, the rates were previously much higher. Bestaria Eco-tourism will advise you of the latest rates when you are there. They have separate rates for local Sabahans (cheapest), non-Sabahan Malaysians (a bit more expensive), and non-Malaysians (most expensive).

Finally, there’s also an additional payment for the 4×4 ride. This fee is per vehicle, and each 4×4 can carry up to 6 passengers. We had to pay RM 100 during our visit. Enquire directly with Bestaria Eco-tourism for the exact price.

These rates may seem expensive. However, remember that you’ll support the local ecotourism industry while seeing a once-in-a-lifetime bird. Moreover,  you’ll be helping to prove the economic value of hides such as this, thus indirectly helping secure the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant’s future in Sabah.  

Conclusion

The Telupid Bornean Peacock-Pheasant hide is currently the only hide in the world that offers reliable encounters with rare birds. While basic, the hide does the job and is more than adequate for observing and photographing them. 

For now, the Bornean Peacock-Pheasants at Telupid remain a reliable star attraction. However, who knows what the future of this endangered and declining species may hold? Therefore, now is as good a time as any to visit this unique hide and see this one-of-a-kind bird.

Do you have any questions about this article? Feel free to comment below, or better yet, contact us at https://birdwatching.asia/contact-us.

The post Telupid Bornean Peacock-Pheasant Hide first appeared on Bird Watching Asia.

Borneo is well-known for its endemism, harbouring many species not found elsewhere on earth. For birdwatchers, seeing these Bornean endemics is one of the main reasons for visiting the third-largest island in the world. And sitting right on top of the must-see list is the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant. 

This rare pheasant has historically been very difficult to see. However, this bird has been making headlines in the birdwatching community over the last few years. Seemingly out of nowhere, the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant started being seen regularly near the small town of Telupid, Sabah. The otherwise unremarkable town is suddenly thrust into the global limelight as flocks of birdwatchers made a beeline here to see this otherwise impossible bird. 

The Bornean Peacock-Pheasant 

Over the last few years, many birders have come to Sabah to see the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant. However, some might not know anything else about this bird. Therefore, this article aims to provide additional information on this species.  Hopefully, this article will also raise awareness of the importance of conserving this precious species.

This article’s information and photos are based on my visit to Telupid in September 2024. The main reference material used is the excellent Phillips’ Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo, the Birds of Malaysia by Lynx Edicions, and eBird. 

Information on the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant

This species is relatively poorly known, primarily due to its scarcity and reclusiveness.

Taxonomy

The Bornean Peacock-Pheasant (Polyplectron schleiermacheri) is part of the gamebird family, Phasianidae. This family includes pheasants, partridges, quails, peacocks, and the humble domestic chicken. 

Among the family, the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is part of the genus Polyplectron, or peacock-pheasants. Eight species occur around Asia. Within this group, the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is most closely related to the Palawan Peacock-Pheasant and Malayan Peacock-Pheasant. Indeed, the latter species looks quite similar, differing only in a few details.

Description of the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant:

Male:

• Orange-red skin around the eyes
• Iridescent purple-blue crest. When the male ruffles up his crest in the sunlight, the shimmering effect is show-stopping!
• Metallic green neck/breast feathers, with a white line in the middle running up the neck.
• Brown upperparts, with fine vermiculations (small, squiggly lines) throughout. 
• Black belly.
• The wings and tail feathers have  iridescent ‘eyespots’ or ocelli (singular – ocellus). The colour of these ocelli depends on the angle of the light, ranging from green to blue.
• These ocelli are larger on his tail feathers.
• The male  spreads his feathers when he displays to the female, fully showcasing the ‘eyespots’.
• It’s also possible that the male uses these ‘eyespots’ to startle and discourage would-be predators.

Female:

• Brown overall
• Dull red facial skin
• The female has black spots on her wings,  instead of ‘eyespots’,
• There’s only one row of ‘eyespots’ on her tail.
• Juveniles resemble the females, with males gradually developing their adult plumage as they age.

Vocalisations

Unknown, until relatively recently. Two types of vocalisations are frequently heard at Telupid:

• Call: A harsh, honking sound, akin to a high-pitched quack. 
• Song: A two-note whistle, with the second note louder than the first.

Confusion species

The male Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is unique in Borneo and unmistakable. However, the more demure females might be mistaken for other female gamebirds:

• The female Great Argus has a blue head and lacks the Peacock-Pheasant’s tail ‘eyespots’. It’s also much larger.
• The female Bornean Crested Fireback also lacks the ‘eyespots’, and has scaly underparts.
• Female Bulwer’s Pheasants have blue facial skin and are wholly brown without any other markings.
• All the above birds are also more common than the Peacock-Pheasant. You’ll need to be extremely lucky to encounter the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant in the wild

Range, distribution and habitat

The Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is endemic to Borneo. Within the island, it can theoretically occur throughout lowland and lower montane forests. However, it’s often absent from otherwise suitable habitats.

Encounters with this bird have been sporadic, at best. Sungai Wain near Balikpapan, Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) was previously the best place to see it. Now, the small forest reserve near Telupid in Sabah offers birdwatchers the best and easiest chance of seeing this special species.

Their preferred habitat is primary lowland dipterocarp forest. It’s possible that this species prefers drier areas and ridges instead of level terrain. Moreover, some records from logged and/or burned forests exist, indicating that the species can survive in disturbed habitats.

Like other pheasants, the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is a ground-dwelling bird. It is naturally rare as well as exceptionally shy and reclusive. This is likely the reason so little is known about its biology, behaviour, and distribution.

Conservation status

Very little is known about the populations of this bird in the wild. However, with large-scale deforestation continuing throughout Borneo, their population will likely decline. As a result, IUCN and BirdLife International classify this species as Endangered (EN).

The main threat to this species’ survival is habitat loss. Like everywhere else in the world, Borneo’s rainforests are vanishing at an alarming rate. Every year, more suitable habitats for this bird (and other flora and fauna) disappear forever. Combined with this species’ naturally low population densities, it’s not difficult to see how their long-term future remains uncertain.

Hopefully, the continued success of the Telupid bird hide highlights the economic viability and importance of conserving special species such as this bird. This will ultimately help secure the long-term future of the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant in Sabah and Borneo.

Where to see the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant in Malaysia?

Currently, the only reliable location to see this bird is a paid hide near Telupid, Sabah. This hide is managed by Bestaria Eco-tourism, a cooperative formed by locals from the nearby village of Kampung Bestaria.

As of October 2024, the chances of seeing the bird at this hide are very good. However, as with any wildlife encounter, there’s always a chance the subjects will not show up.

For more information on visiting this hide, check out the following article:

• Telupid Bornean Peacock-Pheasant Hide

Tips to observe and/or photograph it

At the hide, you need only wait for the bird(s) to show up. Their appearance times vary, but early morning is the best. Keep unnecessary sounds to a minimum, as these birds are still quite skittish.

Photographing them is challenging, as lighting at the hide is often quite poor. Try the following tips:

• A tripod is essential to minimise camera shake.
• At least 400mm to 600mm lenses, as the birds are often at a reasonable distance away.
• A ‘fast’ lens is of great benefit. For slower lenses (like mine), you’ll likely have to open the aperture fully and increase the ISO.
• High ISO settings, while undesirable, are often necessary. 
• Additionally, using silent mirrorless cameras will reduce the chances of startling the birds. For DSLR users (like me), try to use the quiet shutter modes, if available.

Other tips:

• Like many pheasants, the birds walk slowly, stopping now and then to scan their surroundings. Wait for them to stop before shooting to minimise motion blur.
• The area may become brighter in mid-morning, and the bird may walk into sunlit areas. Time your shots carefully, and you’ll capture the gorgeous iridescence of the male’s feathers in the sun.
• If a chick is present, it will follow its mother closely. Get them together in one frame.
• The male will occasionally display to the female, which makes for jaw-dropping photos!  
• Lastly, the hide  has two sections. The newer, smaller section provides better view angles (from my experience).

Conclusion

If there’s only one Bornean bird for any birdwatcher to see, then it must be the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant. This spectacular species is found nowhere else on earth. Very few people have historically encountered this bird, let alone observed and photographed it. 

Telupid in Sabah is undoubtedly the most reliable and easily accessible location to see this rare and endangered Bornean endemic. Therefore, don’t miss this chance to see the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant in Sabah! 

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.

BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/bornean-peacock-pheasant-polyplectron-schleiermacheri on 10/10/2024.

The post The Bornean Peacock-Pheasant first appeared on Bird Watching Asia.