Tabin is a bird-watcher's paradise as the forest of
Tabin attracts an amazingly rich diversity of birds,
including rare and endemic species, due to the abundance
of food plants here. The relatively low canopy with
sufficient natural lights makes birding and photography
a delightful experience.
About 42 indigenous
families representing more than 260 species have been
recorded here including all the 8 of Sabah’s Hornbill
species; Black Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Wreathed
Hornbill, Pied Hornbill, White-crowned Hornbill,
Wrinkled Hornbill, Bushy-crested Hornbill and Helmeted
Hornbill. Other sought-after species, such as the
Blue-headed Pitta, Black-and-crimson Pitta,
Malaysian Blue Flycatcher, Temminck’s Sunbird,
Purple-throated Sunbird, Everett's White-eye, Yellow-rumped
Flowerpecker, and rarely seen species such as Storm’s
Stork, Jambu Fruit Dove, Large Green Pigeon,
White-fronted Falconet, Great-billed Heron and Giant
Pitta have been sighted in Tabin.
Good places for bird watching
☼ Around the resort
Explore the vicinity of the resort and you will be
pleasantly surprised by the abundance of bird life found
here. The Sunbird Café is wonderfully surrounded by
greenery and flowering plants that attracts a number of
brightly coloured birds. Sipping your coffee, your
eyes will be kept busy following active species such as
the Black-backed Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher,
Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker, Red-throated Sunbird,
Malaysian Blue Flycatcher, Large Green Pigeon, Dusky
Broadbill and Black-and-Yellow Broadbill. Be entertained
by the melodious calls of Black Magpie in the nearby
ground.
A bird hide built facing the flowing Lipad River
provides a wonderful site for the viewing of birds.
Huge boulders in the river are favourite place for
Oriental Darter, Stork-billed Kingfisher and Lesser Fish
Eagle to perch especially after the rain. Happy families
of Otters; Small-clawed Otter and Smooth-coated Otter
have been seen up and down this part of the river and
delights guests.
Take a stroll along the road nearby the resort.
White-bellied Munia and Dusky Munia can be commonly
found in the bushes. A family of Lesser Coucal
sometimes make their appearances here. The rare
Storm’s Storks have made Tabin their home and can
sometimes be seen. You will most likely be able to see
one or more of the eight species of hornbills in Borneo
such as Black, White-crowned, Rhinoceros, Wreathed,
Oriental Pied and Wrinkled Hornbills either flying in
groups across the sky, or in pairs perching on bare
branches. Let the guide share with you the tales
and origins of the Helmeted Hornbill’s calls.
☼ The Lipad mud volcano and Tomanggong road
Tabin has several mud volcanoes and salt-water springs
that are high in minerals of importance to wildlife.
Frequently visited by animals and birds, the mud
volcanoes are ideal locations to view wildlife or find
evidence of their visits.
Lipad mud volcano is the one nearest to the main base.
The endemic Black-and-Crimson Pitta and Blue-headed
Pitta has been sighted along the trail leading to the
mud volcano. After jungle- trekked for twenty
minutes, arrive at the elevated bare area of the mud
volcano. Try to identify the multitude of animal
footprints here. Those adventurous can experiment the
effect of the volcanic mud said to be responsible for
fine complexion. Walk up the observation tower and
admire the contrasting landscape of the bare area and
its surrounding thick forest.
Finsch's Bulbul and Black-throated Wren-babblers,
White-crowned Forktail, Dark-throated Oriole, Malaysian
Blue Flycatcher are some species that can be seen around
the area. A nearby fig-tree is a busy feasting
place for hornbills and other birds and primates during
the fruiting season. Across the observation tower, bare
branches of towering trees are favourite perching place
for Green Imperial Pigeon, Large Green Pigeon and Jambu
Fruit Dove with its wonderful coloured chest.
Strolling along the Tomanggong Road is likely to yield a
superb bird list. The Giant Pitta has been sighted along
this road. The White-fronted Falconet, Long-tailed
Parakeet and Orange-backed Woodpecker as well as other
good birds, Red-naped Trogon, Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker
may be sighted. You will most likely be able to observe
Long-tailed Macaque and Orang-Utang along this road.
☼
Road to the Core Area
The Core Area lies in the heart of Tabin Reserve.
Walking along the initial stretch of the road leading to
the core area, you are likely to be entertained by wild
bird songs and the calls of Borneon Gibbons. On some
bare tree trunks, busy Dollarbird can be found along
with Rufous Woodpecker, Bronzed Drongo, Blue-crowned
Hanging Parrot, Speckled Piculet, Chestnut-capped
Thrush, White-fronted Falconet, Long-tailed Parakeet,
Black Eagle, Black Magpie and are some of the species
that can be seen. The abundance of wild ginger plant
attracts colourful varieties of birds, including the
Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Temminck’s Sunbird,
Purple-throated Sunbird, Red-throated Sunbird,
Thick-billed Spiderhunter, Grey-and-Buff Woodpecker and
many others. This road would also be the best place to
look for the very rare Bornean Bristlehead.
Bird
Lists of Tabin