Though the plains around Bario itself are mostly about 3, 300 feet above sea level, some of the outlying hills are as high a 6,000 feet a.s.l., with Mount Murud itself a good 2000 feet higher! On the other hand, areas such as Pa' Da'lih and beyond, to Pa' Ramudu and the Batang Kelapang trail south to Long Bangga are quite a bit lower, at only around 2800 feet a.s.l.. Thus, both the upper end of lowland species as well as true sub-montane species are found here, along with the higher montane specialists.

Habitat variations extends the list with niche specialists from rice fields and orchards to tall grass and scrub, stunted kerangas pole forests, sub-montane dipterocarp forests, and mossy forests in the higher montane areas.