Bornean Whistling-Thrush
Myophonus borneensis
Dark thrush-like bird of rocky streams and gullies in mountains and foothills. Male shows faint blue gloss in good lighting, while female is entirely dark brown. Frequently fans tail while perched. Can be quite tame, and often perches up on manmade structures such as fence posts and streamside stairways. Gives high whistled calls, including a shrill screeching “shreeee” and a more mellow whistled note.
Identification
The Bornean whistling thrush (Myophonus borneensis) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is found in Indonesia and Malaysia, where it is endemic to the island of Borneo. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. On average, Borean whistling thrushes lay clutch sizes of about 2 eggs, which they incubate for about 18 days. The nesting period lasts 24 days. They are threatened by climate change, especially droughts.
Taxonomy
Genus: Myophonus; Family: Muscicapidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Myophonus borneensis
- Authority
- Slater, HH, 1885
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Myophonus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds

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Medium-sized parrot, short square tail, body all green with blue head and red undertail coverts. Plumage is distinctive if seen well. Sexes alike. Note deep wingbeats that don’t come above horizontal on the upbeat. Screeching call note rises noticeably in pitch, usually given doubled or tripled.

Rufous-thighed Kite
Harpagus diodon
Small unobtrusive raptor. Adults have a gray body (darker above than below), and rufous thighs and eyes. The throat is white with a very thin dividing black line helping to distinguish it from the similar Bicolored Hawk. In flight, adults have distinctive rufous underwings (white in juveniles), and three pale bands on the tail. Juveniles are streaked below with barred rufous thighs. Found in the canopy of primary forests and at borders. Often seen soaring high overhead.

White-chinned Thrush
Turdus aurantius
A dark plumaged ground feeder that prefers wooded areas but also occurs in gardens and plantations. Its most distinctive features are its bright orange bill and legs. The namesake white chin is inconspicuous. Also note the white slash, which is usually visible, on the upper wing. Superficially similar to the shier White-eyed Thrush, which has a white eye plus a dark bill and legs. Most common call is a slightly shrill, up-slurred “p’weet,” sometimes given as a longer “p’ooo-weeet.” Song is a series of varied sweet notes given singly or as couplets.
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