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Taliwas River Conservation Area

Bird hide

Roughly 9,500 hectares of lowland and unusual ultramafic forest east of Lahad Datu, managed by Yayasan Sabah and long known mainly as a camping and recreation spot. Its hide targets arguably the hardest bird on the island to see: the Bornean ground-cuckoo, a large, secretive, pheasant-like cuckoo with iridescent purple-green wings that forages on the forest floor, often trailing ant swarms or bearded pigs, and is far more often heard than seen. Recent visiting groups have been connecting with it. Accessible forest trails, a resident river system and ranger support make it a straightforward add-on for birders already in the Lahad Datu area.

Best for: Bornean Ground-Cuckoo, ultramafic forest, river trails
Mammals: Bornean Bearded Pig
Birds: Bornean Ground-Cuckoo, Black-crowned Pitta, Bornean Bristlehead

Top highlights

  1. Bornean Ground-Cuckoo
  2. Black-crowned Pitta
  3. Bornean Bristlehead
  4. Bornean Bearded Pig

Accommodation

The conservation area runs its own basic on-site camping ground and fan-cooled chalets, bookable directly with Yayasan Sabah — grid power runs only 5pm to 11pm as part of a sustainability policy.

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