A Birder’s Guide to Sabah’s Wild Treasures

Can you imagine standing quietly on a narrow leaf-strewn trail, the air is thick with humidity, heavy with the scent of damp earth, decaying leaves, and fresh growth? Above you, the canopy filters sunlight into a soft green glow and suddenly, a flash of brilliant blue darts past—a Bornean Blue Flycatcher shimmering like jewel against the lush backdrop. Your heart skips a beat. This small, elusive bird is just one of many endemics that make Sabah a birder’s dream. Not far off, the distinctive calls of hornbills echo through the trees. These birds, often called the “forest engineers,” play a vital role in keeping the forest healthy by spreading seeds far and wide.

Nearby, you might catch the elusive call or even a rare glimpse of the Blue-banded Pitta, one of Borneo’s most sought-after and enigmatic birds. The Pitta is notoriously shy and difficult to spot, making any sighting a treasured moment for birders. And then there is the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant, the true phantom of the forest. For years, many thought this stunning ground-dweller had disappeared from parts of Sabah because of logging and habitat loss. But thanks to the dedication of local birders, we now know it still survives, quietly roaming the forests around Telupid.

Birding in Sabah is a journey into a breathing storybook where every rustle, chirp, and flash of colour tells us about the avian’s uniqueness, unfolding Sabah’s wild treasures.

Birding Essentials & Practical Tips for Birders

You do not need to pack a suitcase full of gear to dive into Sabah’s birding magic, but a few trusted companions will make your adventure more rewarding.

1. Extra Pair of Eyes

For Sabah’s dense forests and varied terrain, an 8x magnification paired with a 40-42mm objective lens is a sweet binocular spot for you. This combination offers a bright, sharp image with a wide enough field of view to quickly locate and follow fast-moving birds without the shakiness that higher magnifications can bring. A camera with a telephoto lens in the range of 300mm f/2.8, 600mm f/4, or even 800mm is ideal for capturing detailed shots of distant or shy birds without disturbing them. These lenses allow you to photograph even the most elusive species from a respectful distance. For added stability and sharper images, especially in the low light of dense forests, pairing your lens with a sturdy tripod or monopod is highly recommended.

2.Digital Tools & Field Guides

If you are birding in Sabah, the eBird app is a game-changer. It lets you keep digital checklists, log your sightings as they happen, and discover hotspots shared by other birders. Another great app is Aboutbirds, made by birders for birders. It works offline, so you can use its image and sound recognition, detailed species info and bird call playback even when you are deep in the forest without internet. When it comes to identifying bird calls, Merlin Bird ID and BirdNET are incredibly useful too. They use sound recognition technology to help you pinpoint which bird is calling. Merlin even lets you download bird packs in advance so you can use them offline. But nothing beats a good old-fashioned field guide. Quentin Phillipps’ Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo is the go-to book here, with illustrations, maps, and notes that both beginners and seasoned birders will appreciate.

3.Outfit Matters

Wear appropriate outfit suitable for the outdoors. Sabah’s trails can be slippery, muddy, and wild. A sturdy, comfortable pair of hiking shoes or boots with good grip will keep you steady as you navigate roots, rocks, and the occasional leech-infested patch. Add a wide-brimmed hat or cap to shield you from the tropical sun and sudden downpours. Birds are surprisingly sensitive to colours and movement. Wearing clothing in natural, muted tones like greens, browns, and earth tones helps you blend into the forest background. Bright colours or flashy patterns can startle birds, sending them fluttering away before you get a good look. Lightweight, breathable fabrics that dry quickly are ideal for Sabah’s humid climate, and long sleeves and pants help protect you from insects and thorny undergrowth.

4.Be Patience

Birds do not rush, and neither should you. Move slowly, breathe quietly, and tune in to the subtle sounds around you. Often, the most memorable sightings happen when you stop chasing and simply let the forest reveal its secrets. Early mornings are the golden hours, just as dawn breaks, the forest comes alive with birdsong. Look beyond just the obvious movements. Watch for subtle signs like rustling leaves, sudden silence, or a flash of colour among the branches. Listening carefully can often lead you to birds hidden from sight.

5.Respect the Forest and its Inhabitants

Remember, you are a guest in their home. Avoid chasing birds or getting too close, as this can stress them and disrupt their natural behaviour. Use your binoculars and camera zoom to observe from a distance. When photographing, avoid sudden movements or loud noises. This respect not only protects the birds but also ensures you have a better chance of observing natural behaviours. Sabah’s forests are delicate ecosystems. Stick to marked paths to minimize your impact and avoid damaging plants or disturbing wildlife. Be mindful of where you step, especially in areas with ground-nesting birds or fragile undergrowth.

The Struggles or When Birding Tests Your Spirit

The challenges you encounter in Sabah’s forests are not setbacks but essential stepping stones on your birding journey. Over time, these experiences transform you from casual birdwatchers into passionate, knowledgeable birders.

Unpredictable Weather

Sabah’s tropical climate is famously unpredictable. One moment, the sun bathes the forest in golden light, next, torrential rain transforms trails into muddy challenges that can slow your progress to a crawl. This is not just an inconvenience, it affects bird activity too. Many species retreat into dense cover during heavy rain, making sightings rare. Experienced birders learn to adapt by carrying lightweight rain gear, waterproof bags for their equipment, and embracing these weather shifts as part of the adventure.

Mistaken Sightings

Sabah’s birdlife includes some of the world’s most skilled mimics and cryptic species, which can easily fool even seasoned birders. After hours of scanning, it is common to realize that what seemed like a rare or unusual sighting was actually a mimic or a more common species in disguise. This humbling experience is part of the learning curve and highlights the importance of combining visual cues with calls, behaviour, and habitat knowledge. Carrying a good field guide, using bird call apps, and joining local birding groups can help sharpen your identification skills and reduce these moments of doubt.

When Birds Go Quiet and Invisible

There are days when the forest feels eerily silent. Birds, especially shy or rare species, often retreat deep into the canopy or thick undergrowth, avoiding exposure. In Sabah’s dense rainforests, visibility is naturally limited, and the absence of calls or movement can be disheartening. You must understand that silence is part of the forest’s rhythm, sometimes the best strategy is to slow down, listen carefully, and watch for subtle signs like rustling leaves or fleeting shadows. Patience during these quiet moments often leads to the most rewarding encounters.

The annual Borneo Bird Festival returns on 25 to 26 October 2025 at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sandakan. Join local and international birding enthusiasts, photographers and conservation advocates as they gather in camaraderie to celebrate the beauty of birdlife in Sabah.