White-crown Shama

This bird was once roam Sabah's forest in abundance before they were poached as cage birds. As I could remember their numbers were abundance that you could always hear them singing in the early mornings, calling each other or just plain singing their hearts out be it trying to please the females or just marking their presence.

Happy Birding

Long-tail Shrike

The long-tail shrike - bentet sp. has build its home at the foot of mount Kinabalu at a small township called Kundasang (known to local as the highest mountain market in Borneo). This small town also houses some of the local hotels, lodges and bed & breakfast for travelers all over the world. A destination that should not be missed.  

Happy Birding.

Orange Headed Thrush

Another lifer and what a beauty. Some friends inform us that it was seen feeding at Tambunan Rafflesia Centre but it look very weak. And when I did managed to find it, it was still very weak but doing well. Notice that it like the sun light and stayed long on the open but still very wary of human presence.

Happy Birding

Whiteheads's Trogon

Whitehead's Trogon - Female

Its was a rewarding weekend. This shy creature always eluded birder and photographers alike. I was just lucky to get this picture and hope to capture the male.

Happy Birding.

Pale-face Bulbul

Endemic of Mt Kinabalu - Pale-faced Bulbul (pycnonotus leucops)

This was as near as I can get to capture it with 300mm F/4.(Nikon). Hope to have another encounter.

Happy Birding.

Dusky Broadbill

 Broadbill family - Dusky (corydon sumatranus)

 Borneo has 8 species,

 including 2 endemics (the whitehead's and Hose's) which the later

 is very difficult to spot and much difficult to photograph.

However with the Dusky Broadbill, I was fortunate this time around. It took me more than 3 months to get this opportunity and finally got it. I sighted at least 6 of them mixed with flocks of young and adult. Good to know that they are breeding and hope to see more of them in the near future.

Happy Birding.

Crested Serpent Eagle

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 Finally a better close-up of this beauty.

 Taken at Tabin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Canon 7D was impressive (courtesy of Jais).

Happy Birding

Red-whiskered Bulbul

 An escapee bird, became the main attraction at Kota Kinabalu last month. 

According to the security guard this fellow was seen flying around the car park and calling for attention or maybe looking for its mate or friend.

It's call gave away its position. As this was the only individual, just wondering what does the future hold for him?

Happy Birding.

Verditer ?

 A flycatcher ? Which one, Verditer or Pale Blue?

This picture was taken with a Canon 7D, 100-400mm OS, courtesy of Jais P. Othman.

Happy Birding

Buff-banded Rail

 I just have to re-post this bird. A last minute call from Eugene Cheah this afternoon told me its still around and if I hurried up I might just get it. 

Happy Birding

Banded Pitta - pitta guajana

 This is my third picture of the Pitta species Borneo island and 7 more to go. Apologies for the poor pictures. Will try for better ones next time. Seen this one at Crocker Range - 1200mm, it was calling so that how I got to get a picture of it but would not come out in the open. 

But some photographers have completed that collection (superb pictures) and it took a life time. I will be happy just to get a record shot.

Happy Birding

Mugimaki Flycatcher

 A scarce winter visitor throughout Borneo and finally caught on my lens Male and Female on the same tree and same day.

Happy Birding..

Banded Kingfisher

It's always a delight to sight this bird, with its beautiful banded blue feathers but still the female eluded me.

Happy Birding.

Tambunan Birding 2012 with CK and Jonathan

The Tambunan Rafflesia Park forest were fruiting and this attracted some attention and interest of the birds. The Ashy Drongo was the last bird that I managed to take before making it a day.

I have yet to get a better shot of this Adult Blue and White flycatcher.

This Mugimaki Flycatcher was so active that it annoyed all of us. It would not sit still even for just a minute. I was not happy with this picture but Jonathan had a sharp picture of him.

With abandon fruits available, most birds were so preoccupied with eating that it did not bother to get close to them just like this Endemic Bornean Flowerpecker (formerly known as Black-sided Flowerpecker)

Its quite common to see the Chestnut Crested Yuhina around the park but not an easy bird to photograph. To ensure a sharp and detailed pictures of this bird, one has to invest a prime lens or you can also ask the bird not to move about during taking its picture.

Happy Birding.

Bornean Treepie

Large and noisy bird but not easy to photograph. I forgot to post this last year hopefully you all will enjoy it.

Happy Birding.

Common Kestrel - falco tinnunculus

Another great find to start the new year. However this was the only picture that I managed to get yesterday.
The Common Kestrel is not common to Sabah Borneo and its considered uncommon winter visitor. This was sighted around housing area and the pictures suggest it was sitting on a construction debris but nevertheless it "Majestic" posture really take away your breath.

Hopefully it will continue visiting us in the near future.

Happy Birding.

New Year with Javan Sparrow - padda oryzivora

Native to Java and Bali but never really populated in Kota Kinabalu - Sabah Borneo.
However it was a delightful find to start the new year 2012.

Happy Birding.