White-crowned Shama @ Mount Trusmadi, Tambunan, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

White-crowned Shama (Copsychus stricklandii) is a colorful, active and attractive bird can be found in Mount Trusmadi, Tambunan, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia.

White-crowned Shama is endemic to mountain range of Borneo. The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2000, 1/100, F 5.6, EV -0.7. 

Mount Trusmadi is the second highest mountain in Malaysia after Mount Kinabalu. The place needs no introduction to the world, especially well-known to the nature lovers, hikers and jungle trekkers. It is "a less travelled place" as compared to Mount Kinabalu. Located in the district of Tambunan, South-east of Sabah, island of Borneo, East Malaysia, some 80 km from the capital city, Kota Kinabalu. It can be reached in approximately 2 hours by car from Kota Kinabalu International Airport through winding mountainous road. Due to it high elevation, weather in the area is very unpredictable. It can be very chilling and foggy hence, prepare for suitable clothing. 

At the time of this writing, the main access road to Mount Trusmadi main gate is under major improvement, which makes the access to the said place only possible by four-wheel drive. The major road improvement for a distance of approximately 8 km is expected to complete by middle of 2024. For those who are interested to explore Mount Trusmadi for any purposes, Tambunan is the nearest town which only takes half an hour to the main gate by car. Although Tambunan is a small town, to cater for both local and foreign tourists, there are some basic rest-house for rent and budget hotels. Some local restaurants, cafeterias and convenience shops are also available.

Mount Trusmadi has the most diversified and unique treasures, both flora and fauna, including more than 350 species of bird and 100 species of mammal. 

For bird lovers, Mount Trusmadi certainly is the place to test your passion and perseverance in getting the best from the rain forest of Borneo. Some target birds include many species of Sunbirds, Pittas, Trogons, Pheasants, Babblers, Warblers, Barbets, Flowerpeckers, Flycatchers, Drongos, Owls, Partridges, Whitehead's Broadbill, Bornean Treepie just to name a few.

White-crowned Shama @ Batu Puteh, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia

White-crowned Shama (Copsychus stricklandii) is a colorful, very active and attractive resident bird can be found in Batu Puteh forest, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia. 

White-crowned Shama is endemic to the island of Borneo, East Malaysia. The photos were taken using Nikon D850 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2500, F 5.6, EV -0.7. 

How to get to Batu Puteh, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu

Lahad Datu is a district located some 400 km away from the capital city Kota Kinabalu. Located in the Tawau division of Sabah, Batu Putih has both primary virgin forest and secondary forest, which attract a lot of birds both residents and migratory birds. 

Lahad Datu can be reached in approximately 7 hours 30 minutes from Kota Kinabalu by car. Alternatively, it can also be reached from Sandakan city in approximately 2 hours 30 minutes by car for a distance of 170 km. To reach birding location, it requires to hike approximately one kilometer through secondary forest behind a village crossing a small river. Special protection is needed against leaches for visiting the place during rainy season.

The Connecting City - Kota Kinabalu 

Kota Kinabalu can be considered as a transit place for many bird watchers and birders to Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia as it is a gateway to other more exciting bird watching and bird photography destinations in the island, such as Mount Alab, Rainforest Discovery Center (RDC) and Mount Trusmadi. 

Due to its geography, Kota Kinabalu has a large bird population and varieties with a recorded more than 30 species of birds. It certainly entices many birders to be there. The main target birds include different types of kites, eagles, parrots, bee-eaters, swallows, kingfishers, shrikes, weavers, flycatchers, bulbuls, pigeons just to name a few. It has become a destination for migratory birds too. Other excellent nearby birding locations are Penampang and Tanjung Aru.

White-rumped Shama [Juvenile] @ Berjaya Hill, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, Malaysia

White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus) [Juvenile] is yet another colorful, active and attractive bird among hundred species of birds can be found in Berjaya Hill, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, Malaysia. It can be found in the forest edges at the Hill.

Berjaya Hill, Bukit Tinggi is certainly another wonderful birding destinations as it is a residence to many exotic birds. Although the area is not as large as Fraser's Hill, but the bird population and density certainly entice many birders to be there. The main target birds in Berjaya Hill include Partridge, Mountain Peacock, Orange-breasted Trogon, Orange-headed Thrush, Silver-breasted Broadbill just to name a few. Berjaya Hill can be reached by car in approximately one hour from Kuala Lumpur. 

To enter Berjaya Hill, an entrance fee of RM16 or approximately USD4 per person will be collected at the foothill. The Hill is open for guests from 9.30 a.m. onward. Since Berjaya Hill is also a popular destinations for family get away especially during weekend, be there early and wait for the desire lighting to come and search for the exotic birds.