Broadbills are one of the bird families that many birdwatchers traveling through Southeast Asia hope to encounter, and it is easy to understand why. These remarkable birds often receive a page or two of attention in field guides, usually appearing alongside the highly sought-after pittas and positioned among a mix of passerines and non-passerines.

Together with pittas, broadbills are among the only Old World representatives of the sub-oscine passerines, a group that is otherwise mainly found in the Americas. New Zealand wrens are considered a separate evolutionary branch. Unlike many of the more subdued American sub-oscines, such as most cotingas and flycatchers, broadbills are often brightly colored and visually striking.

The illustrations and photographs found in bird books rarely capture their true beauty. The first broadbills I ever encountered were a small group of Long-tailed Broadbills in Peninsular Malaysia, and I was completely amazed. Nothing I had seen in a guidebook prepared me for how stunning they looked in real life. They are like colorful treasures of the treetops, much like pittas are jewels of the forest floor.

Searching for broadbills in the wild

I am not certain whether broadbills are considered one of the more difficult bird families to locate, but my own experiences suggest they can be surprisingly challenging to find. During the years I spent in Africa, I never managed to see one, even in forest habitats where they were known to occur.

Before traveling to Borneo during the Christmas holiday, I had only observed a single broadbill species. However, this trip completely changed my luck. I managed to find four different species and hear a fifth one. The famous Whitehead’s Broadbill remained the one that escaped me, but seeing so many others was already a wonderful experience.

A Christmas encounter with the Black-and-yellow Broadbill

My first broadbill sighting in Borneo happened at Poring Hot Springs, a popular tourist destination. Some birders jokingly refer to it as “Boring Hot Springs” because bird sightings there can sometimes be disappointing.

I plan to discuss the location in more detail in another post, but during our short visit on Christmas Day, we were not expecting to discover many birds. The area was busy with visitors, and the canopy walkway was especially crowded. Still, our excellent guide Adrian suddenly spotted something exciting near the end of the walkway: a Black-and-yellow Broadbill.

The bird was incredibly close, sitting less than six feet away from us. Seeing such a spectacular bird in such an unexpected place instantly made the location memorable. A place with a bird this beautiful could never truly be boring.

Another encounter in Danum Valley

Later, while visiting Danum Valley, I had another opportunity to observe the Black-and-yellow Broadbill. The sighting happened during a particularly exciting few minutes when several incredible birds appeared almost at once.

There was a brief glimpse of a Diard’s Trogon, followed by quick movements from Rufous Piculets and Rufous-fronted Babblers. Among all the activity, the broadbill was the one that gave me the best chance for photographs because it stayed still long enough for me to capture some images.

Its calm behavior was a welcome contrast to the other fast-moving birds around it.

Why Borneo is a paradise for broadbill lovers

For anyone hoping to see broadbills in the wild, Borneo is one of the best destinations to visit. The Black-and-yellow Broadbill is already an unforgettable bird, but it is not even considered the most spectacular species found there.

The forests of Borneo hold many incredible surprises for birdwatchers, and broadbills are among the brightest highlights. If you want to make the experience even more special, perhaps plan your visit around Christmas — there is something magical about discovering a jewel-like bird during the holiday season.