Birding: A Beginner’s Guide To Birding In Sabah
From the moment the first pale light spills across the dense canopy, the forest awakens with a symphony of calls, whistles, and songs that echo through the undergrowth like an ancient melody. Sabah, perched at the northern tip of Borneo, is a treasure trove for bird lovers, boasting over 600 species of birds, including many endemic species which can only be found in Sabah. What makes Sabah so special is its incredible diversity of habitats, from lowland rainforests and mangroves to misty mountain forests and peat swamps. Each habitat is home to its own cast of characters, creating a rich layered symphony of birdlife.
In recent years, many have shown interest in birdwatching. It’s a fun and niche activity that allows people to connect with nature. For anyone who would like to start birdwatching as a hobby, here are some guides that will help you build your birding skills.
Begin with the familiar and build confidence
Sabah’s incredible bird diversity can feel overwhelming at first, especially for newcomers. The best way to start is by focusing on common, easily recognisable species that frequent gardens, parks, and roadside areas such as bulbuls, sunbirds, and kingfishers. These birds are often colourful, vocal, and easier to spot, making them perfect subjects for beginners. By learning to identify these familiar species by both sight and sound, you build a solid foundation of skills. This practice trains your eyes to notice subtle differences in plumage, shape, and behaviour, and your ears to distinguish unique calls and songs. Over time, this foundation will give you the confidence and ability to venture deeper into Sabah’s forests, where birds are more elusive and identification becomes more challenging.
Learn the birds’ language
Bird identification is as much about listening as it is about seeing. Many species in Sabah’s dense forests are secretive and well-camouflaged, making visual sightings difficult. However, their calls and songs often reveal their presence. Investing time in learning the vocalisations of common birds is one of the most effective ways to improve your birding skills. Apps like Merlin Bird ID and BirdNET are invaluable tools for beginners, offering sound recognition features that help identify unfamiliar bird calls to their corresponding species. Regularly practicing with these apps, and even recording bird sounds yourself, will sharpen your auditory skills. The more you familiarise yourself with bird calls, the easier it becomes to detect and identify elusive species hidden deep in the canopy or thick undergrowth.
Invest in basic gear, but do not overdo it
Birding does not require expensive or complicated equipment. A good pair of 8×42 binoculars strikes the perfect balance between magnification, brightness, and ease of use, making it ideal for beginners. Paired with a reliable field guide such as Quentin Phillips’ Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo, you will have the essential tools to begin your journey. These resources help you identify birds accurately and understand their behaviours and habitats. As your passion grows, you may choose to upgrade your gear with better optics or a quality camera, but remember that skills like patience, observation, and knowledge are far more important than the latest gadgets.
Practice Patience and Embrace the Journey
Birding is a practice in patience and mindfulness. Some days will reward you with abundant sightings and vibrant bird activity, while others may require long periods of quiet observation with little to show for it. Use the quiet moments to tune in to the forest’s rhythms, such as the rustling of leaves, distant calls, or the gentle movement of branches. These experiences deepen your connection with nature’s ecosystem and enhance your observational skills.
Join Local Birding Groups and Guided Tours
Sabah boasts a vibrant and welcoming birding community eager to share knowledge and enthusiasm. Joining local birding groups whether through WhatsApp, Telegram channels, Facebook groups, or in-person clubs can significantly enhance your learning curve. These communities provide support, share recent sightings, and organise group outings that are both educational and enjoyable. Additionally, tours led by experienced local birders are invaluable, especially for beginners. These tours possess intimate knowledge of bird habitats, behaviours, and seasonal patterns. They can lead you to prime birding spots, help you spot hard-to-find species, and teach you how to interpret subtle signs in the forest. Birding with others not only makes the experience more social and fun but also accelerates your learning through shared observations and stories.
Where to Book your First Trip
For your first birding adventure in Sabah, booking with a licensed tour operator specialising in birding tours can make all the difference. These operators provide expert guides who know the best locations, understand bird behaviour, and can tailor the experience to your skill level. They also handle logistics such as transportation, permits, and accommodations, allowing you to focus fully on the birds.
Alternatively, reaching out to organisations like the Sabah Birdwatchers Association or the Borneo Bird Club can connect you with local experts, group outings, and valuable advice. These associations often organise birding events, workshops, and community trips that are perfect for beginners looking to learn and network. Starting your journey with professional support ensures a richer, safer, and more rewarding experience in Sabah’s spectacular birding hotspots.
Above all, do not rush, keep your eyes and heart open. Birding is not just about ticking species off a list, it is about falling in love with the wild world, one feathered friend at a time. The journey is as important as the destination, and every moment spent observing, listening, and learning brings you closer to nature’s wonders.
The annual Borneo Bird Festival returns on 25 to 26 October 2025 at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sandakan. Join local and international birding enthusiasts, photographers, and conservation advocates as they gather in camaraderie to celebrate the beauty of birdlife in Sabah.
For more info visit www.sabahtourism.com.