Elusive terrestrial endemic
Bornean ground cuckoo
Carpococcyx radiceus
Look for this terrestrial rainforest specialist at purpose-built hides or from boats along lowland rivers.
Species profile
The Bornean ground cuckoo
The Bornean ground cuckoo lives entirely on the forest floor in the remote lowland areas of the island. Modern taxonomy universally recognises it as Carpococcyx radiceus. It survives by letting larger mammals do the hard work, actively following bearded pigs and sun bears to catch the disturbed prey.
This bird mimics the walking style of a terrestrial forest pheasant to blend in and possesses foul-smelling, unpalatable flesh to deter native predators. Getting a clear view takes preparation. Most serious birders now depend on established hides where the birds are habituated to human presence.
Utan Rainforest Lodge
The focal point for photographing the Bornean ground cuckoo is the Utan Rainforest Lodge. It operates the renowned Cuckoo Hide on the boundary of the Tabin Wildlife Reserve in eastern Sabah.
Seasonal water levels
The Bornean ground cuckoo is a resident species. The prime window for the Utan Rainforest Lodge hide runs from March through August, when receding water levels concentrate the bearded pigs into specific mud wallows.
Nearby reserves and lodges
Other locations
Keep planning
Tabin Wildlife Reserve
A 122,500-hectare lowland reserve bordered by oil palm, Tabin is Sabah’s premier destination for night drives. The sharp forest edge concentrates small cats and civets along the boundary roads.
Danum Valley
2.5 hours by road from Lahad Datu, Danum Valley is 438 square kilometres of lowland rainforest that was never logged with three very different places to stay inside it.
Kinabatangan River
The Kinabatangan floodplain holds the highest concentration of wildlife in Borneo. This is where you go to track orangutans and proboscis monkeys from a boat.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Situated on the Danum River inside a primary rainforest of a lineage some 130 million years old, this 31-chalet lodge offers high-end comfort and expert wildlife guiding 2.5 hours from Lahad Datu.
Species profile
Plan your photography trip
Speak with the team to arrange your photography sessions at Utan Rainforest Lodge for the Bornean ground cuckoo.