Massive, lovely and brimming with life, Borneo is a “organic treasure chest,” says Court docket Whelan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Pure Habitat Adventures.
“Rising up, watching nature documentaries, moving into biology, Borneo was so excessive on my record as a result of it set the bar for what actual tropical wilderness might appear to be,” provides Whelan, who’s additionally led Nat Hab expeditions on the island—Asia’s largest—since 2017. “And I can let you know: Each expedition leaves me increasingly more glad with what I uncover.”
It’s no surprise: Amongst its leafy coasts, labyrinthine mangroves and plush rainforests—amongst Earth’s oldest—Borneo shelters myriad species, together with greater than 5,000 flowering crops, 3,000 bushes and 200 terrestrial mammals, similar to pygmy elephants, clouded leopards and endangered orangutans.
And whereas these orangutans are usually what first draw vacationers to the island, as soon as individuals go to, they open a treasure chest of all the opposite outstanding issues about Borneo. This consists of uncommon wildlife finds starting from nature’s largest bloom (the monster corpse flower) to “flying” lemurs and frogs, together with an immense trove of avian species—700-plus (together with greater than 50 endemics) by some counts—that makes Borneo one of many world’s prime spots for birding.
So, which birds are you able to hope to see on Nat Hab’s Wilds of Borneo: Orangutans & Past journey and our Borneo Wildlife Photograph Expedition? How are you going to distinguish a feminine rhinoceros hornbill from a male? What’s the key to reaching a gorgeous “bokeh” impact whereas photographing a black-and-red broadbill? And what are Nat Hab and our journey companion World Wildlife Fund doing to assist guarantee Borneo’s forests stay pleasant for our feathered buddies? Seize your finest binocs and subject pocket book, and let’s get birding. It’s time so as to add to your life record!
Birds within the Bush: A Few of Our Favourite Finds in Borneo
Should-see No. 1.: Borneo’s nationwide chook, the rhinoceros hornbill, is “completely extraordinary,” says Whelan. A frequent motif in Bornean artwork and dance, the rhino hornbill sports activities a protracted yellow invoice under an orange-red, pompadour-esque casque that contrasts with its shiny black-and-white plumage. Males’ irises are purple, and females’, white.
Search for these birds whereas boating the Kinabatangan River and its community of floodplains, one of many many birding meccas in Sabah, the Malaysian state of northern Borneo (different elements of the island belong to Brunei and Indonesia). Whereas chook watching right here, you’ll additionally discover the rhino’s extra conservatively clad cousins, bushy-crested hornbills (draped in dark-brown plumage save for naked bluish pores and skin round their eyes), together with Borneo’s six different hornbill species. Endemic floor cuckoos and Bornean bristleheads, vacationing ruddy kingfishers and even endangered Storm’s storks are additionally identified to frequent the floodplains.
Bonus: The Kinabatangan floodplains are perfect for photographing birds in flight, says Whelan. Hold your head up and digicam poised for hovering Brahminy kites (Borneo’s model of bald eagles), which look particularly elegant from under (except you’re a fish).
Brahminy kites
Night time cruises alongside the Kinabatangan permit vacationers to sidle up alongside sleeping birds like stork-billed kingfishers, shawled beneath brilliant blue remiges (wing feathers).
Stork-billed kingfisher © Brad Josephs
Nat Hab vacationers might glimpse buffy fish owls, identified for his or her attractive golden eyes, on the river at night time.
Buffy fish owl
Farther south in Sabah state lies the Danum Valley and the Danum Valley Conservation Space, the place greater than 325 chook species have been recorded. Highlights embody flashy blue-headed pittas, extra modestly coloured large pittas, Bornean wren-babblers and, on an particularly good day, critically endangered helmeted hornbills.
Helmeted hornbill
A keep on the secluded Borneo Rainforest Lodge and strolls throughout surrounding cover walkways present chook’s-eye views of the densely vegetated valley. Doubtless sightings embody black-and-red broadbills (maroon underparts match properly with a black breast-band), nice slaty woodpeckers (the world’s largest woodpecker species), endemic white-crowned shamas and migrating fairy pittas with aquamarine sequined wings.
Fairy pitta
Visits to locations similar to Bako Nationwide Park, Semenggoh Orangutan Middle and Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary provide further alternatives to spy extra birds of Borneo—and the island’s different wildlife stars. Simply bear in mind: Hold your life record at hand—it’s prone to refill quick. Further factors should you spot a spectacled flowerpecker, recognized as a brand new species in 2019, or a black-browed babbler, just lately rediscovered in Borneo’s rainforests 172 years after it was first seen.
For the Birds: Borneo’s Avian Conservation in Motion
Sadly, the birds of Borneo face a staggering variety of threats, touchdown scores of the island’s avian species on the IUCN Crimson Checklist, together with many with susceptible, endangered and critically endangered standing.
Chief amongst these threats, based on WWF, are the unlawful wildlife commerce; extractive industries similar to valuable hardwoods, rubber and coal; and looking (regardless of its standing as susceptible, even Borneo’s iconic rhinoceros hornbill is usually hunted for its meat and tail feathers). Speedy deforestation—74% of Borneo was coated in forest in 1985, in comparison with solely 33% in 2020—and ever-expanding palm oil plantations are additionally decimating crucial avian habitats. That is particularly regarding, given the pure function Borneo’s birds play in dispersing seeds for fruit bushes whereas rising its forests.
To reverse the tide, WWF works with native communities and governments in Borneo, urgent for accountable forestry, sustainable agriculture and elevated transparency to make sure a protected future for all of the island’s species. One among WWF’s largest successes, the Coronary heart of Borneo mission, helped protect stretches of Bornean rainforest bigger than the state of Kansas.
For the Birders: Chicken-Pleasant Organizations, Citizen Science & a Helpful New Map
How are you going to assist? For starters, by eschewing illegally harvested hardwoods and merchandise made with palm oil. Contributing to organizations similar to WWF and the World Land Belief, whose efforts embody working with native companions in Borneo to restore hornbill habitats, additionally helps, as does touring solely with conscientious, eco-first journey suppliers. Nat Hab, as an illustration, designs its itineraries together with WWF and offsets all carbon emissions from every journey, proceeds of which assist fund WWF’s efforts.
Whenever you go: Think about contributing to citizen science packages throughout your journey. By utilizing apps similar to iNaturalist, developed by the California Academy of Sciences and the Nationwide Geographic Society, vacationers may help scientists determine the birds of Borneo and map their distribution. Up to now, iNaturalist customers have logged almost 500 species throughout the island.
And earlier than you permit: Remember to try Nat Hab’s packing recommendations, together with binocular specs for optimum wildlife viewing and concepts for waterproof daypacks (your digicam tools will thanks). This colourful new birding map created by Tourism Malaysia Sabah and the Sandakan Borneo Chicken Membership may also offer you an in on further birds to hunt out whereas in Sabah, together with the Kinabatangan floodplains and Danum Valley.
For the Birding Photographers: Professional Recommendations on Getting the Good Shot
Now, about that bokeh, or pleasing background blur that actually makes birding pics pop. Reaching that look includes a two-step course of, says Whelan, additionally an achieved wildlife photographer, who particulars the strategy in his article, “The Greatest Settings for Chicken Images.”
Begin with a wide-open lens aperture (e.g., f/2.8 or f/3.5) after which “maximize the gap between the chook and the background and decrease the gap between your digicam and the chook,” Whelan advises. “Thus, a part of the technique in getting nice chook photographs is to search out an open department with a transparent background behind it.”
Amongst Whelan’s different professional ideas: Observe whereas at dwelling and, when you’re out birding in Borneo, dial your digicam settings in forward of the shot. Then be ready to easily wait till the precise alternative arrives. It might take time, however “when the actual deal is in entrance of you, you’ll be able to get that improbable shot.”
© Court docket Whelan
