Birdlife In Montane Forest – Mount Kinabalu

 

In year 2000, Kinabalu National Park has been recognized as one of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Located at the higher ground of the south-west coast in Sabah, the rainforest in the lower ground, the boreal forests, the shrub and grass plateau habitat located at the altitude of 4000 meters, are rich in exotic plants like
oaks, orchids, azaleas, and pitcher plants.

 

 

 

This lush vegetation has attracted
numerous wild animals and birds to build their habitats here. Therefore, Borneo is definitely the best place for bird-watching activities. 
 There are 52 types of endemic birds in Borneo and Kinabalu National Park has 24 types itself. There are specifically 3 species of birds namely “3W”, they are the Whitehead’s Trogon, Whitehead’s Broadbill, and the Whitehead’s Spiderhunter. Many bird lovers around the world come here mainly for these birds. 
Here you can find also a montane Barbet called Golden-naped Barbet, this colorful and unique Barbet you can find only at montane forest 2,000 meter and above.

There are also many of the montane endemic bird species which you can watch in Kinabalu National Park, they are Bornean Whistler, Eyebrowed Jungle Flycatcher, Crimson-headed Partridge, Red-breasted Hill Partridge, Bornean Swiftlet, Pale-faced Bulbul, Fruithunter, Mountain Wren Babbler, Bornean Stubtail, Mountain Black-eye, Friendly Bush-Warbler, Golden-naped Barbet, Bornean Whistling-Thrush, Kinabalu Serpent Eagle, Mountain Barbet, Bornean Treeple, Chestnut-hooded Laughing Thrush, Sunda Laughing Thrush, Bornean Laughing Thrush, Whitehead’s Broadbill, Whitehead’s Trogon, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter, Bornean Flowerpecker and Chestnut-crested Yuhina.

 

The Whitehead’s Broadbill (Calyptomena whiteheadi) is a species of bird in the Eurylaimidae family. It is restricted to montane forest in Northern Borneo Sabah. It is the largest member of the genus Calyptomena.

The Whitehead’s Trogon (Harpactes whiteheadi) is a species of birds in the Trogonidae family. It is found in North Borneo Sabah. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane.