The Bornean Whistling Thrush (Myophonus borneensis) is a fascinating bird species endemic to the island of Borneo.
Here is a description of the bird, its habitat, and its notable features:
General Information
Scientific Name: Myophonus borneensis
Family: Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
Endemicity: It is found exclusively on the island of Borneo (Indonesia and Malaysia).
Conservation Status: Currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though populations are noted to be declining.
Physical Characteristics (Appearance)
The Bornean Whistling Thrush is a medium-sized bird, about 26 cm in length.
Coloration: It is generally a dark or dark overall bird, often described as being less bluish than some of its relatives. As a member of the whistling thrush genus, it likely shares the characteristic of having an iridescent or reflective blue sheen on some parts of its plumage (such as on the shoulders or head, which can reflect strongly in ultraviolet light).
Distinctive Behavior: It frequently displays its fan tail, which can be a key identification feature.
Habitat and Distribution
Habitat Type: Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Geographic Range: It is an endemic resident of the foothill and montane forest areas of Borneo, including the mountain ranges in Central, Northwest, and West Borneo.
Specific Locations: It is commonly found around rocky streams in mountains like Mount Kinabalu National Park in Sabah, Malaysia.
Behavioral Adaptability: Unlike some related species, the Bornean Whistling Thrush is relatively adaptable to human presence and can be found nesting on and foraging around buildings in riparian (stream-side) habitats. It is often seen near roadsides feeding.
Call and Song
As its name suggests, its vocalizations are a key feature:
Call: It is known for its high-pitched whistle.
Song: Whistling thrushes in general are known for their loud and melodious whistling songs.
Diet and Breeding
Diet: Like other whistling thrushes, it is an insectivorous or omnivorous bird that forages on the ground, often around streams. They are known to prey on nestlings and eggs of other small passerine birds.
Breeding:
Clutch Size: Averages about 1.89 to 2 eggs per clutch.
Incubation: The incubation period lasts approximately 18 days.
Nesting Period: The young remain in the nest for about 24 days.
