Rusty-crowned Babbler

Attractive and often confiding laughingthrush, often found around lodges and trails. Endemic to Borneo’s highlands, where it can be one of the most frequently-encountered birds in montane forest and forest edge. Note dark chestnut head, gray body, bright orange bill, and bright silvery wing stripe. Pale crescent behind eye gives it a cartoonishly large-eyed appearance. Hops on the ground and along branches, often with small mammals and other birds, particularly Sunda Laughingthrush. Song, often heard at dawn, is a series of repetitive, rising, mellow warbles. Calls include a harsh buzzing “churrrrr” and rattling notes.

Small and reclusive gamebird of the Malay Peninsula’s forested highlands. If seen well, note white cheeks, dark head, and dappled tortoiseshell back and wings. Like other Arborophila partridges, typically forages quietly on the forest floor in pairs or small groups—rarely out in the open, but can be tame at feeding blinds. Listen for its loud song, a repetitive series of rising ringing notes.

Small, olive-green tinkerbird. There are yellow patches on the wing and rump and a white slash on the face. Found in and around montane forest at middle and high elevations. Most often detected by voice: a chirpy series of “tek” notes, which varies from a fairly slow series of 3-4 notes to a long series of very fast notes. Very similar to Green Tinkerbird, but only overlaps slightly in range, and separated by the white facial mark.