Bornean Treepie

Fascinating facts about the Bornean Treepie

• Dr. Joseph del Hoyo, a renowned ornithologist, spent 20 years studying the Bornean Treepie, and his research reveals that this bird's call is a series of 5-7 whistled notes, often described as a melancholic tune, which can be heard up to 1 km away in the dense Bornean forests. This loud call allows the treepie to communicate with its group members across vast distances. The Bornean Treepie's ability to produce such a distinctive call is likely an adaptation to its habitat, where visibility is limited.
• In the lush canopies of Borneo, where the sun barely penetrates, the Bornean Treepie forages for food with its sharp, black beak, which is roughly 3-4 cm long - about the length of a human thumb. Its diet consists of fruits, insects, and small vertebrates, which it catches with lightning-fast speed, reaching velocities of up to 10 km/h as it chases its prey through the dense foliage. This agility is crucial for the treepie's survival, as it needs to compete with other birds and animals for food in its ecosystem.
• Conservation efforts are underway to protect the Bornean Treepie, as its population has been declining by 10-20% over the past 10 years due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The treepie's habitat is being destroyed at a rate of 10,000 hectares per year, which is roughly the size of 14,000 football fields. As a result, the Bornean Treepie is now considered a near-threatened species, and its conservation status is being closely monitored by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• Bornean Treepies are known to form long-term monogamous relationships, with some pairs staying together for up to 5 years - a rare phenomenon in the bird world. During the breeding season, which typically lasts from March to August, the female treepie lays 2-4 eggs in a nest made of twigs and leaves, which is roughly 20-30 cm in diameter. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for their young, which fledge after about 20-25 days. This unique mating system allows the treepies to raise their offspring in a stable and secure environment.
• A study published in 2015 found that the Bornean Treepie has a highly developed spatial memory, allowing it to recall the location of food caches and nesting sites with ease. In one experiment, treepies were able to remember the location of up to 12 different food caches, which is a remarkable feat considering the complexity of their forest habitat. This advanced cognitive ability is likely an adaptation to the treepie's environment, where food is scarce and competition is high, and it allows the bird to thrive in its native habitat.

At a glance

About the Bornean Treepie

The Bornean Treepie (Dendrocitta cinerascens) is a striking bird endemic to the lush rainforests of Borneo, easily distinguished by its vibrant plumage. Its body is predominantly a rich, smoky gray, with a bold, contrasting black crown and rich chestnut underparts that catch the dappled sunlight filtering through the dense canopy. This medium-sized bird showcases a long, graduated tail, which it often flicks as it moves through the treetops, searching for insects and fruits that make up its varied diet. The Bornean Treepie’s sharp, melodious calls resonate through the forest, often drawing the attention of birdwatchers eager to catch a glimpse of this elusive species. Their social behavior is particularly fascinating; they are known to form small flocks, which facilitates their foraging strategy as they communicate with one another through a series of whistles and chattering calls, creating a lively atmosphere in the otherwise tranquil forest environment. In addition to their striking appearance and social nature, Bornean Treepies exhibit a surprising trait: they are adept at mimicking the calls of other bird species. This mimicry not only adds to their vocal repertoire but may also serve as a means of deception, allowing them to integrate into mixed-species flocks and evade potential predators. These birds primarily inhabit montane forests, typically at elevations between 1,000 and 2,000 meters, where they navigate the complex layers of foliage with agility. As they flit from branch to branch, their keen eyesight allows them to spot insects hidden within the bark or nestled among leaves, showcasing their adaptability to the rich but challenging ecosystem of Borneo, where survival hinges on both skill and camouflage.

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