NaTuRe FoCuS Thailand

	Bird Watching Sites

Bird Watching Sites in Thailand

The North

Northern Thailand is very mountainous, covered by hills of mostly 500 - 1,000 m in elevation. Some areas here are mostly between 1,000 and 2,000 m, and five peaks rise over 2,000 m. South of Chiang Mai city, Doi Inthanon is the Kingdom's highest peak at 2,565 m. Most permanent settlements are still confined to the lowlands and foothills, along the valleys of the four main southward-flowing rivers ( Ping , Wang, Yom and Nan ) and in the Fang and Chiang Rai basins of the far north, both of which drain northeastwards into the Mekong .

» Top bird watching site in the North

1. Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai province. With the peak at 2,565m, this area is good for both montane and sub-montane forest birds. One of the richest bird watching sites in the entire country, with a unique patch of forest around the summit extending almost 300 m higher than that of any other mountain in Thailand . Dry dipterocarp woodland on the lower slopes still supports many birds. Bird of interest are Green-tailed Sunbird (only in the summit), Rufous-throated Partridge, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Spectacled Barwing, Rufous-backed Sibia, Brown Wood-Owl, Ashy-throated Warbler, Green Cochoa, Purple Cochoa, Black-tailed Crake, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Black-throated Parrotbill.

2. Doi Luang Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary in Chiang Mai province. 2,175 m. Spectacular mountain scenery. Supports a rich variety of montane birds associated with the more open hill evergreen forest and pines. Birds of interest are Giant Nuthatch, Mrs Hume's Pheasant, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Black-tailed Crake.

Green-tailed Sunbird

Red-faced Liocichla

3. Doi Ang Khang in Chiang Mai province.    1,928 m. Chiefly deforested, though still fairly rich in smaller montane forest birds. Red-faced Liocichla, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Giant Nuthatch, Mrs Hume's Pheasant, Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Brown-breasted Bulbul, Crested Finchbill.

4. Doi Lang in Chiang Mai province.    New bird watching site. Supports montane forest birds. Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Maroon Oriole, Jerdon's Bushchat.

5. Chiang Saen in Chiang Rai province.    Sandbars on the Mekong River, low deforested hills, paddy basins and a nearby lake support a good variety of open country wintering birds, including many scarcer species. Birds of interest are Spot-billed Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Jerdon's Bushchat, Red Avadavet, Small Pratincole.

Birding in Doi Inthanon National Park

Crested Finchbill

6. Doi Phuka National Park 1,980 m. The highest mountain in Nan province. The park is named after the highest peak in the park boundaries, Doi Phuka. There are three main different forest types found within the park. Mixed Decidous forest, Dipterocarp with Oak Forest and Hill Evergreen Forest. Besides, there is also rare plant - Chompoo Phuka Tree. Birds of interest are Beautiful Nuthatch, Brown-breasted Bulbul, Crested Finchbill.

7. Doi Pha Hom Pok in Chiang Mai province. It's part of Mae Phang National Park. 2,285 m. Thailand's second highest mountain. A number of smaller montane forest birds are restricted to this site. Interesting birds are Cutia, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Fire-capped Tit, Black-throated Tit, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Scarlet Finch.

The Northeast

In the Northeast lies the Korat plateau. It is part of the middle Mekong Basin , drained by the rivers Mun, Chi, Songkhram and other tributaries of the Mekong River which forms its eastern boundary. The mountains of the flat-topped, sandstone Dong Phaya Yen range, along its western margin, rise to 1,000 - 1,500 m, and are sometimes considered part of the North with which they share much of their montane flora and fauna. The Phanom Dongrak range stretches from the Mekong itself to Khao Yai National Park . Of the Northeast uplands, the contiguous Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary and Nam Nao National Park in the Dong Phaya Yen mountains are two of the large birds and mammals habitats remaining in the country. Both are flat-topped and still well-covered in healthy mixed forest.

» Top bird watching site in the Northeast

1. Khao Yai National Park in Nakornratchasima province. 1,351 m. Some of the least disturbed and most accessible tall forest anywhere in the country, supporting a good variety of lowland and submontane forest birds. Birds of interest are Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo, Siamese Fireback, Silver Pheasant, Great Hornbill, Wreath Hornbill, Brown Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Eared Pitta, Blue Pitta, Red-headed Trogon, Orange-breasted Trogon.

2. Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctaury in Chaiyaphum province. 1,310 m. Together with Nam Nao NP, constitutes part of a large, contiguous forest block supporting a rich variety of deciduous and evergreen forest birds. Birds of interest are Blue Magpie, Siamese Fireback, Oriental Darter, Oriental Scops-Owl, White-bellied Pigeon, Red-headed Trogon, Orange-breasted Trogon, Green Cochoa.

Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo

Great Hornbill

3. Nam Nao National Park in Phetchaboon province. 1,271 m. Nam Nao covers the border between northeastern and northern Thailand. Its particularly part of the Phetchabun mountainous range running through Chaiyaphum and Phetchabun provinces. Phu Phajit mountain is the tallest in the Park and topography comprises evergreen forests and streams. The forest of Nam Nao contains many different forest types, including dipterocarp, deciduous, evergreen, hill evergreen and pine forest. Birds of interest are Eurasian Jay, Chinese Francolin, White-bellied Woodpecker, Great Slaty Woodpecker, White-crowned Forktail, Blossom-headed Parakeet, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Banded Kingfisher.

Banded Kingfisher

The Central Plains

The Central Plains comprise the alluvial basin of the Chao Phraya River that have been mostly converted into rice paddies and intensively cultivated. Most of the area lies below 50 m elevation and some parts in the south are less than 10 m above sea level. But the rice paddies themselves are an important wetland habitat. They support much smaller wildlife, including ricefield crabs, many fishes, insects, frogs, and small aquatic animals, as well as a great range of birds, including cormorants, ducks, waders and warblers. Although very little mangrove scrub remains around the coast, extensive areas of coastal mudflats extending east and west of Bangkok support large concentrations of wintering and passage shorebirds.

» Top bird watching site in the Central Plains

Orange-breasted Trogon

1. Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province. 1,513 m. Thailand's largest natioanl park. More than 80% of the park area is covered with evergreen forest, 10% with mixed deciduous forest and the remainder is made up of dry dipterocarp forest, pine, scrub, cultivation and others. The forest types in the park can be seperated into different habitats for birds. The park has the highest bird list for any protected area in Thailand. Interesting birds are Ratchet-tailed Treepie, White-hooded Babbler, Tickell's Brown Hornbill, Kalij Pheasant, Grey Peacock Pheasant, Great Barbet, Blue Pitta, Great Slaty Woodpecker, 7 species of Broadbills.

Tickell's Brown Hornbill

Nordmann's Greenshank

2. Inner Gulf of Thailand from Samut Sakorn to Phetburi provinces. Extensive intertidal mudflats and salt-pans which support spectacular concentrations of wintering and passage shorebirds. Interesting birds are Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann's Greenshank, Asian Dowitcher, Malaysian Plover, Long-toed Stint, Temminck's Stint, Great Knot, Red Knot, Spotted Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Many species of Gulls and Terns.

3. Field in Phetburi , Chachoengsao and Prachinburi provinces They provide secure nesting and roosting areas for many waterbirds, herons and egrets, which survive by foraging in the ricefields. Interesting birds are Asian Openbill, Painted Stork, Pied Kingfisher, Asian Golden Weaver, Painted Snipe, Pied Harrier, Greater and Lesser Spotted Eagle.

Spoon-billed Sandpiper

4. Bung Boraphet (non-hunting area) in Nakornsawan province. One of the most important wetlands in the country, supporting large numbers of breeding and wintering waterfowl. Interesting birds are Glossy Ibis, Spot-billed Pelican, White-browed Crake, Bronze-winged Jacana, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Black-headed Munia, many species of Ducks in winter.

The South

The South mountain spine is very steep and rises to more than 1,800 m. Cliffs of limestone, occurring both as offshore islets and as rocky crags, are common in the south and contribute to its undeniable natural beauty. Lapped by the waves of the Indian Ocean , the west coast is indented with many mangrove inlets and studded with islands. The eastern shore, bound by the Gulf of Thailand , is mostly one long sweep of sandy beach. Both coasts support a wealth of coastal and marine species. The western islands are important for Nicobar Pigeon and terns. The forest of the south is evergreen. They share many species of plants and animals with the forests further south in Malaysia and Indonesia .

» Top bird watching site in the South

White-crowned Hornbill

1. Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary in Narathiwat province. Hala and Bala, at the southern most extremity of Thailand on the Malaysian border. The greatest area of habitat is intermediate hill forest that shares a rich avifauna of species, many of which do not occur in many other areas of Thailand . The highlights for birders to Hala-Bala are the hornbill - ten out of 13 species that exist in Thailand can be found here. Interesting birds are Wrinkled Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, White-crowned Hornbill, Helmeted Hornbill, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Black Hornbill, Wreath Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Plain-pouched Hornbill, Malaysian Rail-Babbler, Green Broadbill, Javan Frogmouth, Reddish Scops-Owl, Chestnut-naped Forktail, Scaly-breasted Bulbul, Crested Jay, and etc.

Chestnut-naped Forktail

Red-throated Barbet

2. Phu Toh Daeng Research Station in Narathiwat province. Peat swamp forest is a place which maintains the balance of nature and the environment, and consists of a wide range of biodiversity. The last remnant of primary peat swamp forest in Thailand . Extremely rich in many arboreal lowland forest birds, and may be the last remaining site in the Peninsula for a number of species. The total Phru Toh Daeng area as a wildlife conservation zone in honor of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Some species of birds are very special such as Malaysian Blue Flycatcher ; it is the only site in Thailand where it is breeding. Other interesting birds are Black Hornbill, Fluffy-backed Tit-Babbler, Olive-backed Woodpecker.

3. Krung Ching (waterfall) in Nakornsitammarat province. One part of Khao Luang National Park . Its name comes from the Ching tree, which is a kind of palm prevalent in the area. The waterfall has many levels and the most breathtaking level is Nam Fon Saen Ha where water drops off a sheer cliff 100 meters high, splashing down creating a mist covering the area like rain unlike other falls. Supports a rich variety of birds along the

road to the waterfall. Interesting birds are Malaysian Rail-Babbler, Banded Pitta, Bat Hawk, Wallace's Hawk Eagle, Black Hornbill, White-crowned Hornbill, Chestnut-capped Thrush, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Scarlet-rumped Trogon, Diard's Trogon.

Bird Watching Tower in Thalae Noi

4. Khao Nor Chuchi in Krabi province. Almost all of this area is forest on hill slopes. A good variety of birds may be seen at Khao Nor Chuchi at practically any time of year. Gurney's Pitta occurs here, it appears to have some tolerance of secondary growth. Other interesting birds are Large Wren Babbler, Red-crowned Barbet. Near Krabi town are extensive Mangrove forests that hold Mangrove Pitta and Brown-winged Kingfisher.

5. Thalae Noi (non-hunting area) in Satun province. A freshwater lake and marsh supporting a good variety of smaller breeding waterfowl and many wintering egrets. Interesting birds are White-crowned Hornbill, Banded Pitta, Black-and-White Bulbul.

Bat Hawk

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