Where to see Helmeted Hornbill in 2023? (1 Viewer)

[jurek]

I plan a trip to south-east Asia again, and wanted to see one of my bogey birds. Where to see Helmeted Hornbill in 2023? I understand there are still relatively well protected and accessible reserves where it can be seen, save for the inherent shyness of this canopy bird. I was recommended the main entry area of Taman Negara in Malaysia and Belalong Canopy Walkway at Ulu Temburong in Brunei. Any insider or recent info?

I know it was hunted out in large areas as is considered sensitive, but I don't think that sharing information about well visited, accessible and locally well known nature reserves will do any harm to the species. Compare sharing info about White-taield Eagles on Skye in Britain In any case, you can PM me.

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

I saw it pre COVID in Sabah...

 

[temmie]

The obvious places: Taman Negara (maybe better the Northern access), Danum, Deramakot, Kinabatangan.
I would say it's a very easy bird to notice its presence as its call can be heard miles away, but it can be hard to see. That's why a place like Deramakot (with a road going through or Kinabatangan (from the river) could be easier to see one than from a forest trail in Danum or Taman Negara. There are also sites with more hilly terrain where fly-bys from a viewpoint can be easier than on flat terrain, but I haven't seen them in hilly terrain (e.g. around Fraser's hill), so I am not speaking from experience, only from pictures I saw.

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Mine was heard to start vocalising, and a determined yomp got us to the clearing where it was perched before it finished. Just the one encounter during a two week trip (need to dig out notes for where it was; either Danum or Kinabatangan)

 

[AveryBartels]

I got good views of a pair at Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah in early November 2022 at a fruiting tree behind the camping area. I'm not sure if that tree fruits at the same time each year but I believe I heard it from that area on a couple days prior to my sighting as well so if the tree is fruiting, I'd imagine the chances there are good.

 

[pbjosh]

I’m not an expert on Asian birding but I’ve never heard it at Taman Negara (either entrance), but have seen it at Danum and heard it at Way Titias (Sumatra) though I wouldn’t rate your chances of seeing it at Way Titias.

 

[dandsblair]

Guides at Danum will know the fruiting trees.
We saw birds in both September and April before the pandemic.

 

[Frank van Drogen]

Guides at Danum will know the fruiting trees.
We saw birds in both September and April before the pandemic.

Awesome photos ☺️

 

[Dave Boyle]

My understanding is there's still a healthy population in Sabah. They're easy enough to hear at Frasers Hill & Bukit Tinggi but not so easy to see

 

[birdboybowley]

Going back a bit now but we had fab views in Hala Bala in Thailand as they flew by late afternoons. Dunno if they're still there tho now, but it was a great reserve

 

[Andy Adcock]

My understanding is there's still a healthy population in Sabah. They're easy enough to hear at Frasers Hill & Bukit Tinggi but not so easy to see

We saw them dailey at Danum Valley.