Intro
Sabah
Sabah, ‘The Land Below the Wind’ as it is famously known, is located on the northern part of the Island of Borneo. It is given that name by seafarers to describe locations below the typhoon belt, and free from climatic disturbances.
Kota Kinabalu
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Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah. A
busy city, always a hive of activity as locals
go about their daily business while tourists
try to take in as much as they can of this
thriving city.
Likas Bay
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Likas Bay
Likas Bay and Likas Swamp is a 10-minute
car ride to the north of Kota Kinbalu.
The beach and coast is separated from
the freshwater lagoon by a busy road.
Crocker Range
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Crocker Range
Crocker Range Nature Park, established in
1984 and recognised as an Endemic Bird
Area and IBAs (MY20), is located about
144 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu.
Kinabalu Park
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Kinabalu Park
One of the country’s natural gem and
wonder is the World Heritage Site, Mount Kinabalu. This magnificent mountain is located within the Kinabalu Park which
is a must-visit site for birdwatchers and
photographers keen on observing unique
and endemic birds of Borneo.
Danum Valley Conservation Area
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Danum Valley Conservation Area
One of Sabah’s most important
conservation biospheres, covering 438
square kilometres of lowland forest, is the
Danum Valley Conservation Area.
Kinabatangan River
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Kinabatangan River
Malaysia has its very own version of the
famous Zambezi river, the Kinabatangan!
This is the place to catch Pygmy Elephants,
Orang Utans and Proboscis Monkeys
along with saltwater crocodiles, apart from
the bird life! Measuring 560 kilometres, it
winds its way to the east of Sabah through
the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.
Gomantong Caves
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Gomantong Caves
Gomantong Caves are made up of the
Black Cave, which reaches a height of
60 metres and the White Cave, famous
as an ecotourism site in Sabah.
Sepilok (Kabili-Sepilok) Forest Reserve and Orang Utan Centre
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Sepilok (Kabili-Sepilok) Forest Reserve and Orang Utan Centre
Sepilok Forest Reserve and Orang Utan
Centre is made up of 60 square kilometres
of primary lowland rainforest, but visitors
may also explore the surrounding gardens
and canopy walk at the Rainforest
Discovery Centre, which received its IBAs
designation in 2009, (MY29).
Tabin Wildlife Reserve
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Tabin Wildlife Reserve
Located in the centre of the Dent
Peninsula in eastern Sabah, lies Tabin
Wildlife Reserve. It is about 50 kilometres
northeast of Lahad Datu.
- Contact Info
- Sabah Parks
- Block H, Level 1-5, Lot 45 & 46, Signature Office, KK Times Square, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
- Tel: 088-523 500
- hello@sabahparks.org.my
- www.sabahparks.org.my
- Conservation Environmental Management Division – Yayasan Sabah Group (Danum Valley Field Centre)
- 12th Floor, Menara Tun Mustapha, 88817 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
- Tel: 088 326 300 (Ext. 321) @ +60 17-348 8435
- camd.reservations@gmail.com
- Sandakan Borneo Bird Club Sabah
- Registration No.: 2456-10-SBH. Block 64, Lot B640, Lorong 22, Phase 2C, Taman Indah Jaya, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
- Tel : 016-820 9044
- borneobirdclub@gmail.com
- www.borneobirdfestival.com
Kinabalu Park
Species Count :
+300 bird species.
Habitat : A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kinabalu Park
covers lowland dipterocarp forests, submontane and
montane forests, oak-laurel forests, and subalpine scrubs
near the summit of Mount Kinabalu. The variation in altitude
creates distinct ecological zones, each hosting unique bird
assemblages.
Visitor Experience : Kinabalu Park is highly accessible and
well developed, with trails, canopy walks, and visitor facilities
that includes accommodation, restaurants, and an education
centre. Birdwatching can be done along roadsides, garden areas, and forest trails. The park is famous among birders for
highland specialties that are difficult to see elsewhere.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Whitehead’s Trogon, Whitehead’s Broadbill, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter, Mountain Black-eye, Friendly Bush Warbler, Crimson-headed Partridge, Fruit-hunter, and Bornean Whistler. Migratory Birds (August–March) : Eyebrowed Thrush, Mugimaki Flycatcher,, Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Arctic Warbler, and Blue-and-White Flycatcher.
Resident Birds : Whitehead’s Trogon, Whitehead’s Broadbill, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter, Mountain Black-eye, Friendly Bush Warbler, Crimson-headed Partridge, Fruit-hunter, and Bornean Whistler. Migratory Birds (August–March) : Eyebrowed Thrush, Mugimaki Flycatcher,, Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Arctic Warbler, and Blue-and-White Flycatcher.
Tabin Wildlife Reserve
Species Count :
+300 bird species.
Habitat : Tabin spans 120,500 hectares of lowland, swamp,
and regenerating forests in eastern Sabah. Its size and
habitats support diverse birds and iconic mammals like
orangutans and Borneo Pygmy Elephants.
Visitor Experience : Birdwatching in Tabin is rewarding due
to its mix of rare lowland species and Bornean endemics.
Visitors can explore trails, riverbanks, mud volcanoes, and
canopy areas. The Tabin Wildlife Resort provides lodging,
guided tours, and night safaris.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Black-crowned Pitta, Bornean Ground Cuckoo, Blue-headed Pitta, Giant Pitta, White-fronted Falconet, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Helmeted Hornbill, and Bornean Black Magpie. Migratory Birds (August–March) : Oriental Honey Buzzard, Asian Brown Flycatcher, and Barn Swallow.
Resident Birds : Black-crowned Pitta, Bornean Ground Cuckoo, Blue-headed Pitta, Giant Pitta, White-fronted Falconet, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Helmeted Hornbill, and Bornean Black Magpie. Migratory Birds (August–March) : Oriental Honey Buzzard, Asian Brown Flycatcher, and Barn Swallow.
Tanjung Aru Beach
Species Count :
+180 bird species.
Habitat : Coastal beach with casuarina trees, palm trees,
roadside vegetation nearby mangroves, and some land
scaped park areas (Prince Philip Park, Perdana Park) at the
edge of Kota Kinabalu.
Visitor Experience : Best times are near dawn or early
morning for quieter activity, and also late afternoon for the
parrot activity and sunset. Birdwatching can be done from
the beach, among trees, at the park edges, and in casuarina
groves.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Blue-naped Parrot, Long-tailed Parakeet, White-breasted Woodswallow, Green Imperial-Pigeon, Ori ental Magpie-Robin, and Dusky Munia.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Gull-billed Tern, and White-winged Tern.
Resident Birds : Blue-naped Parrot, Long-tailed Parakeet, White-breasted Woodswallow, Green Imperial-Pigeon, Ori ental Magpie-Robin, and Dusky Munia.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Gull-billed Tern, and White-winged Tern.
Kinabatangan River
Species Count :
+250 bird species.
Habitat : The Kinabatangan River meanders through lowland
dipterocarp forests, freshwater swamp forests, oxbow lakes,
and riparian areas. This mosaic of habitats provides ideal
foraging, nesting, and roosting grounds for a wide variety of
birds as well as other wildlife like orangutans and Proboscis
Monkeys.
Visitor Experience : The river is accessible via Sandakan or
Kinabatangan lodges, with boat tours being the primary
method of exploring the area. Local guides enhance
the experience by spotting cryptic and rare species.
Accommodations range from rustic lodges to eco-resorts.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Storm’s Stork, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Bat Hawk, Straw-headed Bulbul, Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle, and Bornean Ground-Cuckoo.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Barn Swallow, Yellow rumped Flycatcher, Rainbow Bee-eater, and Scared Kingfisher.
Resident Birds : Storm’s Stork, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Bat Hawk, Straw-headed Bulbul, Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle, and Bornean Ground-Cuckoo.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Barn Swallow, Yellow rumped Flycatcher, Rainbow Bee-eater, and Scared Kingfisher.
Danum Valley Conservation Area
Species Count :
+300 bird species.
Habitat : Danum Valley features primary lowland
dipterocarp rainforests, riverine forests, and montane forests
at higher elevations. The diversity of habitats supports
a wide range of forest specialists, canopy dwellers, and
migratory birds.
Visitor Experience : Access is via Lahad Datu, followed by
a 1–2 hour drive to the conservation area. Accommodation
is available at eco-lodges with basic facilities. Birding
trails, canopy walkways, and river tours allow visitors to
experience both the understory and canopy layers. Guided
tours are mandatory.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Bornean Crested Fireback, Sabah Partridge, Blue-headed Pitta, Black-crowned Pitta, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, and White-fronted Falconet.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Narcissus Flycatcher, Dark-sided Flycatcher, Mugimaki Flycatcher, and Asian brown Flycatcher.
Resident Birds : Bornean Crested Fireback, Sabah Partridge, Blue-headed Pitta, Black-crowned Pitta, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, and White-fronted Falconet.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Narcissus Flycatcher, Dark-sided Flycatcher, Mugimaki Flycatcher, and Asian brown Flycatcher.
Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)
Species Count :
+350 bird species.
Habitat : RDC is located within the protected lowland
dipterocarp rainforests of the Sepilok Forest Reserve. The
area includes forest trails, a canopy walkway, and freshwater
streams that provide diverse habitats for understory and
canopy species.
Visitor Experience : RDC is easily accessible from Sandakan
and offers well-maintained trails and a canopy walkway
for elevated viewing. Guided tours are available and
highly recommended for better bird identification. Sepilok
Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear
Conservation Centre are also nearby if you’d like to visit.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Bornean Bristlehead, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Blue-headed Pitta, Cream eyed Bulbul, Ventriloquial Oriole, and Sabah Partridge.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Blue and White Flycatcher, Dark-sided Flycatcher, and Asian Brown Flycatcher.
Resident Birds : Bornean Bristlehead, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Blue-headed Pitta, Cream eyed Bulbul, Ventriloquial Oriole, and Sabah Partridge.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Blue and White Flycatcher, Dark-sided Flycatcher, and Asian Brown Flycatcher.
Maliau Basin Conservation Area
Species Count :
+200 bird species.
Habitat : The Maliau Basin Conservation Area contains a rich
variety of forest types, primarily consisting of lower montane
forests, rare montane heath forests, and lowland to hill
dipterocarp forests. The lower montane forest, characterized
by towering Agathis spp. along with oaks, laurels, and
conifers like Dacrydium spp., gradually transitions into mossy
cloud forests along the northern rim.
Visitor Experience : Access is challenging, usually via
a combination of road transport and multi-day treks.
Accommodation is limited to basic eco-lodges and camps within the conservation area. Birdwatching trails include
both lowland walks and higher elevation routes. Early
mornings offer the best bird activity. Local guides are
essential for finding rare species and navigating the area
safely
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Sabah Partridge, Helmeted Hornbill, Brown
barbet, White-fronted Falconet, and Blue-headed Pitta.
Migratory Birds (August–March) :
Dark-sided Flycatcher,
Siberian Blue Robin, and Grey Wagtail.
Mount Trusmadi
Species Count :
+250 bird species.
Habitat : Mount Trusmadi features five different types of
vegetations —lowland mixed dipterocarps, hill mixed
dipterocarp forests, lower montane forests, upper montane
forests and summit scrubs.
Visitor Experience : There are bird hides in the Trusmadi
area located around ~1,300m elevation, which are useful
for observing submontane & lower montane bird species,
including the Bulwer’s Pheasant.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Bulwer’s Pheasant, Crested Partridge, Red breasted Partridge, Bornean Banded Pitta, Grey-hooded Babbler, Temminck’s Babbler, and Black-throated Wren Babbler.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Dark-sided Flycatcher, Narcissus Flycatcher, and Blue-and-white Flycatcher.
Resident Birds : Bulwer’s Pheasant, Crested Partridge, Red breasted Partridge, Bornean Banded Pitta, Grey-hooded Babbler, Temminck’s Babbler, and Black-throated Wren Babbler.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Dark-sided Flycatcher, Narcissus Flycatcher, and Blue-and-white Flycatcher.
Tawau Hills Park
Species Count :
+250 bird species.
Habitat : Lush dipterocarp forest vegetation and lianas cover
the lower regions giving way to thick damp mossy forests as
the altitude gets higher and temperatures get cooler.
Visitor Experience : Tawau Hills Park is accessible from
Tawau town via a short drive. Birdwatching trails range from
easy walks to moderate hikes.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Blue-headed Pitta, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Bold-striped Tit Babbler, and Rufous-backed Dwarf kingfisher
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Siberian Blue Robin, Asian Brown flycatcher, and Dark-sided Flycatcher.
Resident Birds : Blue-headed Pitta, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Bold-striped Tit Babbler, and Rufous-backed Dwarf kingfisher
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Siberian Blue Robin, Asian Brown flycatcher, and Dark-sided Flycatcher.
Poring Hot Springs
Species Count :
+300 bird species.
Habitat : Poring Hot Springs is located within the Kinabalu
Park lowland and hill dipterocarp forests. The area features
hot springs, canopy walkways, and riverine habitats,
providing diverse environments for forest and riparian bird
species.
Visitor Experience : The site is easily accessible from
Kinabalu Park headquarters. Birdwatching can be done
along the well-maintained trails, canopy walkways, and near
the river. Early morning is the best time to spot forest and
canopy birds. Facilities include accommodations, public hot
springs, and picnic areas.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Hose’s Broadbill, Blue-banded Pitta, Bornean Leafbird, Chestnut-crested Yuhina, and Charlotte’s Bulbul.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Siberian Blue Robin, Narcissus Flycatcher, and Mugimaki Flycatcher.
Resident Birds : Hose’s Broadbill, Blue-banded Pitta, Bornean Leafbird, Chestnut-crested Yuhina, and Charlotte’s Bulbul.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Siberian Blue Robin, Narcissus Flycatcher, and Mugimaki Flycatcher.
Gomantong Forest Reserve
Species Count :
+260 bird species.
Habitat : The Gomantong Forest Reserve consists of lowland
dipterocarp forests, limestone karst formations, and riverine
areas. The caves and surrounding forest provide unique
habitats for cave-dwelling birds and forest specialists.
Visitor Experience : Visitors can explore forest trails and
boardwalks leading to cave entrances. Early morning is ideal
for birdwatching, especially near rivers and forest edges.
Guided tours are recommended for spotting cave-nesting swiftlets and elusive forest birds. Facilities are basic but
adequate for day visits. At dusk, the Bat Hawk hunts bats
emerging from the cave.
Potential Bird Sightings :
Resident Birds : Bat Hawk, Oriental Pied-Hornbill, Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle,Black-nest Swiftlet, White-nest Swiftlet, Mossy nest Swiftlet, and Plume-toed Swiflet.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Arctic Warbler, Asian brown Flycatcher, and Grey-streaked Flycatcher.
Resident Birds : Bat Hawk, Oriental Pied-Hornbill, Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle,Black-nest Swiftlet, White-nest Swiftlet, Mossy nest Swiftlet, and Plume-toed Swiflet.
Migratory Birds (August–March) : Arctic Warbler, Asian brown Flycatcher, and Grey-streaked Flycatcher.
