by Borneo is home to an incredible 688 bird species, with 66 endemic to the island and six unique to Sabah, making Sabah one of the important birdwatching destinations. However, a number of native birds are trophy species that birdwatchers highly seek, and the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is definitely on their lists. If there were a Borneo bird beauty pageant and fashion show, the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant would undoubtedly be crowned the most beautiful bird of Borneo (an island shared by three countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei).
Once abundant a century ago, the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant has become a rare and endangered bird. First recorded in the late 1870s in Kalimantan (Indonesia) and later in Sabah during the 1890s, it vanished from Sabah for over a century, as if it had become extinct. Birdwatchers who wanted to see this bird had to fly to Balikpapan (Kalimantan). BirdLife International estimates the population to be between 600 and 1,700 individuals, classifying it as endangered due to habitat loss from deforestation in lowland and hill forests up to 1,000 metres above sea level.
Rediscovery
On 10 Oct 2024, a local newspaper reported that the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant was discovered in Telupid, the central part of Sabah, by a former ranger. The discovery attracted thousands of birdwatchers to this remote town, so you can imagine how charismatic this bird is. Actually, some bird guides, researchers, and poachers had seen the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant in different parts of Sabah, such as Kuamut Forest Reserve, Ulu Tongod Forest Reserve, and Deramakot, as early as 2016.
Peacocks are famous for their iridescent feathers, and while the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is not a peacock, its name derives from its striking teal-green ocellations, or “eyes,” adorning its mantle, wings, and tail feathers. During courtship, males fan their tail feathers and raise their mantle feathers to mesmerise the less colourful females.
Bird that Bears a German Name
Did you know? The Bornean Peacock-Pheasant (Polyplectron schleiermacheri) was named after Christian Schleiermacher, a 19th-century German trader who contributed to natural science. The species was formally described in 1877, and one of its oldest specimens, collected over 130 years ago, is still housed at the British Museum.
“It’s so important to showcase all that I can to get the public to see what’s out there, right now, while there’s still time to save species. We won’t save what we’ve never even met.” – Joel Sartore, photographer and founder of the National Geographic Photo Ark
Where to See Bornean Peacock-Pheasant?
To see the most beautiful bird of Borneo, the easiest way is to visit Kampung Bestaria (or Bistaria Village) in Telupid. You can book the birding trip with Ulu Telupid Birding Center at +60 12-3835034 (Phone/WhatsApp) or email Ulutelupidhide@gmail.com. They have a bird hide at the forest edge where the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant forages almost every day. But please be reminded that though the chance of sighting is good, it’s a wild habitat and not a zoo, so it’ll depend on your luck.
The bird hide is a few kilometres from the village, accessible via an oil palm plantation. At the end of a soil road lies a small forest, where a 400-metre walk leads to the hide. The path, slightly sloped, requires some effort, especially if carrying heavy photography gear. A scentless insect repellent, raincoat, and rain cover for equipment are recommended.
As the bird hide is on private land, visitors need permission to enter. A bird guide accompanies every trip, and a lunch pack is provided. The hide is equipped with chairs and a table but lacks electricity. Basically, you just set up your camera and wait patiently. A small toilet is available 20 metres away. Bring entertainment, like pre-downloaded podcasts or videos with earphones, as the wait from 8 am to 4 pm can be long. A power bank is also useful.
Sightings typically occur between 10 am and 1 pm. The Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is elusive, so you better stay still and silent. Sometimes you would hear their calls really near, but they may not appear. About 12 metres away from the viewpoint of the hide is a small open area in the forest, which is quite well-lit during sunny days. Photographers should use a long lens (500mm or more) to capture better pictures of the birds. My Canon R7 with an RF100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens produced great results, though a larger aperture like F/2.8 would have been ideal.
On my first day, the first Bornean Peacock-Pheasant appeared at 11:07 am. It was a female Peacock-Pheasant with a chick. I was told that there were at least three new chicks around that area, which is good news as their population is growing. They were very sensitive. The mother was constantly looking at the surroundings for any sign of threat while also busy feeding her chick. A few minutes later, heavy rain poured, and they ran away for cover (bummer!). Anyway, I was so happy with my photos that framed both of them. This luck doesn’t come by every day. However, no male appeared that day, though I heard their calls (Listen to their calls) from the woods nearby.
Day two was a sunny day. This time a male Bornean Peacock-Pheasant showed up at 10:08 am. It stepped cautiously from the undergrowth into the open. The male Peacock-Pheasant is more colourful than the female. Too bad there was no female around, or the male would have shown off its beautiful feathers by going fluffy, fanning its tail feathers, and dancing around. It was a fruitful trip as I got the shots of an adult male, female, and chick. Spending at least two days to increase your chances of seeing both male and female birds.
Photos taken in Sabah, Malaysia Borneo
