Bornean Wren-Babbler

Ptilocichla leucogrammica

Large, stout wren-babbler. Highly dependent on pristine lowland forests; populations now declining and increasingly fragmented across Borneo as that habitat is rapidly deforested. Shy, foraging quietly under dense cover and amongst fallen trunks, usually in pairs or small groups. Best detected by song, a simple but beautiful two-note series of mournful, clear whistles: “doooo-deeee.” If seen well, note whitish face, white-and-black-streaked underparts, brown back, and pot-bellied appearance.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Ptilocichla leucogrammica
Authority
(Bonaparte, 1850)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Pellorneidae
Genus
Ptilocichla

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Pallas's Fish-Eagle

Pallas's Fish-Eagle

Haliaeetus leucoryphus

A pale-headed raptor of inland marshes and lakes. Tends to be uncommon and thinly distributed throughout its range. Adult is dark brown above with a paler belly and dirty-gray head. When in flight from below, a broad white band on the dark tail is the most eye-catching feature. Juveniles have an all-dark tail, but have two bright white panels on the undersides of the wingtips; this patterning can be similar to that of some kites, but the fish-eagle is much larger, with a longer-winged and comparatively shorter-tailed profile.

Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos

Small bicolored sandpiper which often bobs its tail in a distinctively wagtail-like manner. Plain brown with white underparts; distinguished from bulkier and rounder-headed Green Sandpiper by a prominent white spur at the shoulder. Found in a variety of wetland habitats; breeds on stony ground along rivers and lakeshores, with migrants occurring on muddy and rocky substrates from concrete canal banks to channels in tidal mudflats. Mainly found as singles or in small groups, not in flocks or mixed with other species.

Pale-billed Sicklebill

Pale-billed Sicklebill

Drepanornis bruijnii

A large, long-billed bird of lowland forest. Brown upperparts with black head and grayish facial skin behind the eye. Note the curved, pale bill. Male has a black throat, sides and two small, hornlike tufts on the head. Female has pale underparts with dark barring. Similar to female Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise and Magnificent Riflebird, but female Pale-billed Sicklebill has a longer, thinner, more curved bill. One of several vocalizations, a descending series of low whistles, reminiscent of Common Potoo.

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