SANDAKAN: The 16th Borneo Bird Festival (BBF) brought the rainforest of Sepilok alive with excitement, discovery and a shared passion for birds and nature on 7–8 November 2026.
Held at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), Sabah Forestry Department, the two-day festival attracted thousands of nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, photographers, students and families from Malaysia and abroad.
Recognised as one of Malaysia’s largest nature festivals, the BBF has grown into a major platform for promoting birdwatching, wildlife tourism, environmental education and biodiversity conservation in Sabah.
Over the past 16 editions, the festival has helped position Sabah, particularly Sandakan and Sepilok, as a premier birdwatching destination in the region.
One of this year’s highlights was the highly anticipated Bird Race, which attracted some 45 teams, which is the largest participation since the inaugural event in 2009. Bird Race participants were from the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, New Zealand and Malaysia.
The event brought together birdwatchers of different nationalities and backgrounds, united by their passion for discovering and documenting Borneo’s remarkable birdlife.
Beyond the Bird Race, the festival featured an exciting line-up of exhibitions, educational talks, bird photography walks, a Bird Run and interactive activities for families and children.
Some 300 participants took part in the Borneo Bird Run, covering 12 km within the Sepilok area.
Renowned regional bird photographers and authors also shared their experiences, demonstrating how wildlife photography and storytelling can inspire greater appreciation for nature and encourage conservation action.
More than a celebration of birds, the BBF carries an important conservation message: protecting birds means protecting the forests and ecosystems upon which both wildlife and people depend.
Birds play vital ecological roles as seed dispersers, pollinators, predators of insects and indicators of environmental health.
Their presence and diversity reflect the condition of forest ecosystems, making bird conservation an integral part of sustainable forest management.
The festival also highlights the growing economic importance of birdwatching and nature-based tourism.
By creating opportunities for local guides, homestay operators, transport providers, food businesses and other tourism-related services, bird tourism demonstrates how healthy forests can generate sustainable economic benefits for local communities.
The 16th Borneo Bird Festival was jointly organised by the Sandakan Borneo Bird Club (BoBC) and the Sabah Forestry Department, with support from the Sabah Tourism Board of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS).
The organisers extend their heartfelt appreciation to all sponsors, partners, volunteers, exhibitors and participants whose enthusiasm and support contributed to the success of this year’s festival.
As another successful edition draws to a close, the Borneo Bird Festival continues to reinforce an important message: conserving birds and their forest habitats is not only about protecting biodiversity, but also about safeguarding our natural heritage, supporting local livelihoods and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
