Bornean Ground Cuckoo

Best places would be at Kinabatangan River, Sabah and also at Sungai Wain, Balikpapan according to friends who went to Kalimantan a few times in search for the Bornean Peacock Pheasant. Based on my records, this bird moved quietly on the floor without making any noise and when it replied on the playback, usually on the horizontal branches or logs on the ground.

Sometimes it takes hours before we get a glimpse of this rare birds too... The images below were taken at Kinabatangan River on cruise.

Taken with Nikon D300s + Nikon Fieldscope EDG85. All Rights Reserved ©

 It was also seen feeding on carcass at Danum Valley several years ago by researchers.

Rare and exquisite...

Happy birding!



For birdwatching/bird photography tours, please check my other blog http://birdersofborneo.blogspot.com/

This post is Supported by Sandakan Foto

Helmeted Hornbill

7th August 2012

The largest Hornbill in the world and rare by its status in Borneo itself besides White-crowned and Wreathed Hornbill. My first sighting at Kinabatangan River in 2003 near Pangi Hill then after many years, heard and it was responding the playback after few minutes. A pair flew near the boat at Oxbow Lake providing excellent pictures with blue sky !

Other notable species seen with Daniel and Arlief during their 6 days trip with me and John Bakar recently was :

• Crimson-headed Partridge
• Red-breasted Partridge
• Wreathed Hornbill
• Fruithunter
• Bornean Pygmy Elephant

Taken with Nikon D300s + 300mm 2.8 VR II

Female with white throat

Record shot of this elusive Bornean Ground Cuckoo

A very healthy dominant male Orang Utan !

Happy birding !

Birding With Dave Irving

27th April - 1st May 2012 

Spent few days with Dave Irving who hailed from England but currently based in Taiwan, taking pictures of birds and wildlife at Sepilok then few nights at Sukau Greenview Bed & Breakfast.

Key species seen during the 5 days trip was :

• Storm's Stork ~ Performing mating ritual on air 
• White-crowned Hornbill ~ A pair seen crossing the Menanggul river
• Rhinoceros Hornbill ~ Seen at Sepilok Bed & Breakfast feeding on the fruiting tree
• Bornean Ground Cuckoo ~ Seen running very fast up and down the riverbank. Heard 2 days in a row
• Bornean Bristlehead ~ Only single bird seen in flight from Bristlehead Tower
• Bornean Pygmy Elephant ~ More than 100++ at the river !
• Orang Utan ~ On final morning at Menanggul river !

Digiscoped with Nikon Fieldscope EDG85 via Nikon FSA-L2 DSLR Photo Adapter on Nikon D300s and 80-400mm VR

Dave Irving shooting at the Baya Weaver

Female Baya Weaver

Javan Myna only found on the East Coast of Sabah

Blue-eared Barbet at one of the fruiting tree at RDC

Cream-vented Bulbul

Bornean Brown Barbet

Olive-winged Bulbul

Flying Lizard

Female Brown-throated Sunbird

John Bakar

Mark at Kinabatangan River

Bornean Pygmy Elephant

Sunset at Kinabatangan River

The elusive Bornean Ground Cuckoo

Blue-eared Kingfisher

The endangered Storm's Stork 

Snake sp.

Purple Heron

Oriental Pied Hornbill

Wrinkled Hornbill ~ My favorite !

Commonest raptor at the river, Crested Serpent Eagle

Endemic Proboscis Monkey

Lesser Fish Eagle

Female Malaysian Blue Flycatcher with nesting material

Orang Utan

Wagler's Pit Viper

My favorite shot so far of this resident Pacific Swallow from the jetty at Sukau Greenview Bed & Breakfast

My lifer, Baya Weaver ! Thanks to Alphon aka Beastmaster :)

Happy birding !

Birding With Keith & Maureen

11th - 27th March 2011

Had an enjoyable trip with Keith and Maureen searching for endemic species around Sabah recently plus managed to see wild Orang Utan, the rare Bornean Ground Cuckoo and a pair of very confiding Whitehead's Trogon with pictures !

Total species seen : 280 over and key species :

• Bornean Ground Cuckoo - A pair seen well for more than a minute !
• Dark Hawk Cuckoo - Enjoying the morning sun at Kinabalu National Park
• Mt. Serpent Eagle - Seen soaring from Mempening Trail
• Crimson-headed and Red-breasted Partridge
• Blue-headed and Black & Crimson Pitta - At Borneo Rainforest Lodge
• 8 species of Hornbills
• Whitehead's Broadbill
• Black-throated Wren-Babbler
• Fulvous-chested Jungle Flycatcher - A pair seen at Poring Hot Spring
• Thick-billed Flowerpecker
• Whitehead's Spiderhunter - Usual place at Tambunan :)

Digiscoped with Nikon Fieldscope EDG85 via Nikon FSA-L2 DSLR Photo Adapter on Nikon D300s

Paul with Keith and Maureen waiting for the Black & Crimson Pitta

Morning cruise on misty Kinabatangan River

Whitehead's Trogon

Black-sided Flowerpecker

Pale-faced Bulbul

Long-tailed Shrike

Dark Hawk Cuckoo

Indigo Flycatcher

Little Cuckoo Dove

Rufous-winged Philentoma

Common Kingfisher

Thick-billed Flowerpecker

Fiery Minivet

Ruddy Kingfisher

Red-bearded Bee Eater

Bornean Ground Cuckoo

Malaysian Blue Flycatcher

Bornean Crested Fireback

Blue-headed Pitta

Striped Wren Babbler

Happy birding !