Kingdom of Cambodia

Cambodian Tailorbird Orthotomus chaktomuk ©James Eaton Website
Birding Cambodia

Cambodia also Kampuchea (officially the Kingdom of Cambodia) is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is 181,035 square kilometres (69,898 square miles) in area, bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. The sovereign state of Cambodia has a population of over 16 million. Cambodia’s landscape is characterised by a low-lying central plain that is surrounded by uplands and low mountains and includes the Tonle Sap (Great Lake) and the upper reaches of the Mekong River delta. Extending outward from this central region are transitional plains, thinly forested and rising to elevations of about 650 feet (200 metres) above sea level.

To the north the Cambodian plain abuts a sandstone escarpment, which forms a southward-facing cliff stretching more than 200 miles (320 kilometres) from west to east and rising abruptly above the plain to heights of 600 to 1,800 feet (180–550 metres). This cliff marks the southern limit of the Dângrêk Mountains.

Flowing south through the country’s eastern regions is the Mekong River. East of the Mekong the transitional plains gradually merge with the eastern highlands, a region of forested mountains and high plateaus that extend into Laos and Vietnam. In southwestern Cambodia two distinct upland blocks, the Krâvanh Mountains and the Dâmrei Mountains, form another highland region that covers much of the land area between the Tonle Sap and the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia’s biodiversity is largely founded on its seasonal tropical forests, containing some 180 recorded tree species, and riparian ecosystems. There are 212 mammal species, 536 bird species, 240 reptile species, 850 freshwater fish species (Tonle Sap Lake area), and 435 marine fish species recorded by science. Much of this biodiversity is contained around the Tonle Sap Lake and the surrounding biosphere. Other key habitats include the dry forest of Mondolkiri and Ratanakiri provinces and the Cardamom Mountains ecosystem, including Bokor National Park, Botum-Sakor National Park, and the Phnom Aural and Phnom Samkos wildlife sanctuaries.

The Worldwide Fund for Nature recognises six distinct terrestrial ecoregions in Cambodia – the Cardamom Mountains rain forests, Central Indochina dry forest, Southeast Indochina dry evergreen forest, Southern Annamite Range tropical forest, Tonle Sap freshwater swamp forest, and Tonle Sap-Mekong peat swamp forest. About two-thirds of the country is forested, however the more accessible areas have been degraded by slash and burn agriculture and logging. Cambodia’s tropical climate has a wet and a dry season of equal length; temperature and humidity are normally high throughout the year.

Top Sites
  • Ang Tropaeng Thmor

    The 12,500 ha Ang Trapeang Thmor (ATT) Sarus Crane Reserve was gazetted by Royal Decree in February 2000. The artificial reservoir, built with forced labor during the Pol Pot regime, provides wetland habitat for 40% of the non-breeding population of the Globally Threatened Sarus Crane and numerous other threatened species of wildlife. The site is particularly good for birds of prey, starlings, ducks and large water and grassland birds, depending on the season.ATT can boast a list of 198 bird species, the high diversity being due to the quality and variety of its natural habitats: rice paddies, trapeang and nearby deciduous dipterocarp forest. SVC usually takes birders to the site from Siem Reap, leaving at 5 a.m. and birding until lunch time. We also visit the local village silk weavers for local, hand-made souvenirs. Overnight visits can be arranged.
  • Birding Destinations in the Northern Plains

    The deciduous dipterocarp forests that once spread across much of Indochina and Thailand were formerly home to the greatest aggregation of large mammals and water birds that have existed beyond the savannas of Africa. These forests have largely disappeared from Thailand and Vietnam; currently, the Northern and Eastern Plains of Cambodia form the largest remaining contiguous block of this unique and critically important habitat. Much of the Northern Plains is still covered in intact habitat – extensive areas of deciduous dipterocarp forest, with scattered seasonal wetlands (called trapeangs in Khmer) and large grasslands (veals), which flood during part of the wet season (June-October). Dense evergreen forest is found along water-courses and in the more fertile soils of the upland regions.Tmatboey VillageWildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has established a pilot ibis ecotourism project at Tmatboey in Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary, Preah Vihear province, the only known site where both Giant and White-shouldered Ibises breed and can be reliably seen. The birds are found in the forests surrounding the village, which are a mosaic of seasonally inundated dipterocarp deciduous trees.Sam Veasna Center (SVC) for Wildlife Conservation has the responsibility to promote this project, which actively involves the local community in conservation. Tourism visits are linked to community conservation agreements, whereby income from visits supports local development and engagement in conservation activities. Local site tourism is managed by an elected village ecotourism committee. This committee is responsible for enforcement of the community conservation agreements, managing tourist visits, and ensuring that the benefits of tourism are distributed throughout the village.Trips are usually for three nights and visitors stay in a communally-run basic wooden guesthouse with limited hours of electricity and dormitory-style beds. A separate toilet and shower facility is located behind the building. Simple but good Khmer food is prepared by the local cooks’ group using western hygiene standards. Packed lunches are available for groups staying out all day. Cold beer soft drinks and other items are available for sale at a concession stand run by the women’s group. Local villagers serve as guides to the birds.Vulture RestaurantThe Northern Plains also support one of the last remaining populations of Asian vultures. Populations of three species (White-rumped, Slender-billed and Red-headed vultures) have declined by over 97% in South Asia in the last decade due to poisoning by veterinary use of the drug diclofenac, and are now threatened with local extinction. Cambodia is of global importance for conservation of these species as diclofenac is not available; hence these birds have an excellent chance of long-term survival. The Cambodian populations are primarily threatened by like of available food sources. Consequently semi-permanent feeding stations have been established across the vulture range to provide a safe, reliable, source of carrion.Two-night trips to one of the vulture restaurants, at Chhep in the Northern Plains, can be arranged through the SVC. The site is very remote – requiring a 4-6 hour drive from Tmatboey on forest trails. All three species of vultures can be seen, in addition to Giant Ibises, Greater Adjutant, Sarus Cranes, Black-necked Stork and many deciduous dipterocarp forest specialties. Accommodation at the restaurant is in a basic wooden house in the forest with basic toilet and washing facilities. Food is provided by the Tmatboey cooks’ group.
  • Florican Grasslands

    The Tonle Sap Great Lake floodplain once supported several thousand square kilometers of seasonally inundated grassland. These support more than half of the world population of a highly endangered bird, the Bengal Florican. There are also many other threatened or important species including Sarus Crane, White-shouldered Ibis (infrequent), Greater Adjutant (seasonal), rare turtle species and a high diversity of fish. A new land-use designation - Integrated Farming and Biodiversity Areas (IFBAs) has recently been set up to protect existing grassland management systems. This will benefit both threatened wildlife and local communities, and is expected to bring wider benefits by maintaining land-use diversity in these districts, leading to better ecological and economic stability.Trips to see the Floricans at Stoung, Kruos Kraom or Chong Doung can be combined with travel to or from Tmatboey or as a stand-alone day trip or, when visiting several sites, an overnight trip and staying at a nice hotel in Kompong Thom.
Contributors
Number of Species
  • Number of bird species: 553

    (As at April 2020)

    National Bird: Giant Ibis Thaumatibis gigantic

Endemics
  • Number of endemics: 2

    Cambodian Tailorbird Orthotomus chaktomuk & Cambodian Laughingthrush Garrulax ferrarius
Checklist
  • iGoTerra Checklist

    iGoTerra Checklist
    Fatbirder Associate iGoTerra offers the most comprehensive and up to date birds lists on the web
Useful Reading

  • Birds of Cambodia

    | By Cambodia Bird Guide Association (CBGA) | Lynx Edicions | 2019 | Flexibound | 1300+ colour illustrations, 600+ colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9788416728213 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Pocket Photo Guide to the Birds of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos

    | By Peter Davidson | Bloomsbury Publishing | 2016 | Paperback | 144 pages, colour photos, 1 colour map | ISBN: 9781472932846 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Organisations
  • Birdlife News

    Website
  • Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation (SVC)

    Website
    Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation (SVC) was created as a memorial to Sam Veasna, former head of the Siem Reap provincial wildlife office, and a key player in promoting conservation initiatives in Cambodia. Instrumental in discovering the population of Sarus Crane at Ang Tropeang Thmor, he succeeded in having it declared a Sarus Crane Protected Area by Royal Decree. He rediscovered the Bengal Florican in Kompong Thom, until then believed to have been extinct in Cambodia, and worked closely with local villagers to promote conservation efforts. Veasna died at the age of 33 of malaria contracted during field work. Friends, family and colleagues established the center as a tribute to him
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • BR Tonle Sap Great Lake

    WebsiteSatellite View
    The Tonle Sap Great Lake consists of the lake and a flood plain of interconnected streams, ponds, flooded forests and wetland vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity of species including; aquatic plants, fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects and microorganisms…
  • BS Ang Trapeang Thmor Sarus Crane Reserve

    InformationSatellite View
    Ang Trapaing Thmor is a 129.06 km2 (49.83 sq mi) protected forest in northwestern Cambodia. The sarus crane, Grus antigone is an all-year resident breeding bird in northern Pakistan and India (especially Central India and the Gangetic plains), Nepal, Southeast Asia and Queensland, Australia. It is a very large crane, averaging 156 cm (5 ft) in length, which is found in freshwater marshes and plains.
  • BS WII Prek Toal

    InformationSatellite View
    Prek Toal is a bird sanctuary and Ramsar site located within the Tonlé Sap Biosphere Reserve, at the north-west corner of the Tonlé Sap.[1] It is a popular area for ecotourism and birdwatching given the area's rich biodiversity and rare waterbirds, particularly abundant during the dry season.
  • NP Botum Sakor

    InformationSatellite View
    Situated on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, Botum Sakor (or Botumsakor) is a peninsula projecting southwest from the Cardamom Mountains. The national park comprises an area of 1,825.85 km2 (704.96 sq mi) and spans three districts of Koh Kong Province: Kiri Sakor, Botum Sakor and Koh Kong. There are several hundred species of birds to be found within the park area, but only preliminary research has been carried out so far. Of particular interest to conservationists is the white-winged duck (Cairina scutulata), which is endangered and one of the rarest waterfowl in Asia. There are a number of other threatened or near-threatened birds here too, like green peafowl (Pavo muticus), lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), Oriental darter (Anhinga melanogaster), great hornbill (Buceros bicornis) and grey-headed fish eagle (Icthyophaga icthyaetus).
  • NP Cardamom Mountains

    InformationSatellite View
    The mountain range extends along a southeast-northwest axis from Koh Kong Province on the Gulf of Thailand to the Veal Veang District in Pursat Province, and is extended to the southeast by the Dâmrei (Elephant) Mountains. While the forests are habitat for more than 450 bird species, half of Cambodia’s total of which four, the chestnut-headed partridge, Lewis's silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera lewisi), the green peafowl (Pavo muticus) and the Siamese partridge (Arborophila diversa) are endemic to these mountains.
  • NP Cardamom Mountains

    InformationSatellite View
    The mountain range extends along a southeast-northwest axis from Koh Kong Province on the Gulf of Thailand to the Veal Veang District in Pursat Province, and is extended to the southeast by the Dâmrei (Elephant) Mountains. While the forests are habitat for more than 450 bird species, half of Cambodia’s total of which four, the chestnut-headed partridge, Lewis's silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera lewisi), the green peafowl (Pavo muticus) and the Siamese partridge (Arborophila diversa) are endemic to these mountains.
  • NP Cardamom Mountains

    InformationSatellite View
    The mountain range extends along a southeast-northwest axis from Koh Kong Province on the Gulf of Thailand to the Veal Veang District in Pursat Province, and is extended to the southeast by the Dâmrei (Elephant) Mountains. While the forests are habitat for more than 450 bird species, half of Cambodia’s total of which four, the chestnut-headed partridge, Lewis's silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera lewisi), the green peafowl (Pavo muticus) and the Siamese partridge (Arborophila diversa) are endemic to these mountains.
  • NP Cardamom Mountains

    InformationSatellite View
    The mountain range extends along a southeast-northwest axis from Koh Kong Province on the Gulf of Thailand to the Veal Veang District in Pursat Province, and is extended to the southeast by the Dâmrei (Elephant) Mountains. While the forests are habitat for more than 450 bird species, half of Cambodia’s total of which four, the chestnut-headed partridge, Lewis's silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera lewisi), the green peafowl (Pavo muticus) and the Siamese partridge (Arborophila diversa) are endemic to these mountains.
  • NP Kep

    InformationSatellite View
    Kep National Park is a national park in Cambodia's Kep Province that was established in 1993 and covers an area of 66.64 km2 (25.73 sq mi). The nearest town lies at Krong Kaeb.
  • NP Kirirom

    InformationSatellite View
    Preah Suramarit-Kossamak Kirirom National Park is a national park in Cambodia. It is located mostly in Phnom Sruoch District, Kampong Speu Province, while a smaller section is in neighboring Koh Kong Province. The park extends over the eastern part of the Cardamom Mountains. It is located 112 km from Phnom Penh of National Highway 4 on the road to Sihanoukville.
  • NP Phnom Kulen

    InformationSatellite View
    Preah Cheyvaraman-Norodom Phnom Kulen National Park is located in the Phnom Kulen mountain massif in Siem Reap Province.
  • NP Preah Monivong

    InformationSatellite View
    It is a national park in southern Cambodia's Kampot Province and covers 1,423.17 km2 (549.49 sq mi). It is located in the Dâmrei Mountains, forming the southeastern parts of the Cardamom Mountains. Most of the park is about 1,000 metres above sealevel and the highest peak is Phnom Bokor at 1,081 metres, also referred to as Bokor Mountain.
  • NP Ream

    InformationSatellite View
    Preah Sihanouk Ream National Park is a national park of Cambodia located 18 km (11 mi) from Sihanoukville city in the Prey Nob district of the Sihanoukville Province in south-eastern Cambodia. The national park's biological value is defined by its combination of rivers, forests, mangroves, estuaries, beaches, coral reefs, wildlife, and marine life.
  • NP Virachey

    InformationSatellite View
    The park overlaps Ratanakiri and Stung Treng Provinces. Located in some of the most deep and isolated jungles of Cambodia, Virachey is largely unexplored and holds a large assortment of wildlife, waterfalls and mountains. The park comprises dense semi-evergreen lowlands, montane forests, upland savannah, bamboo thickets and occasional patches of mixed deciduous forest. Most of the area lies above 400 meters up to 1,500 meters.
  • NR Boeng Tonle Chhmar

    InformationSatellite View
    Boeng Tonle Chhmar is a 145.6 km2 (56.2 sq mi) large multiple use management area in Cambodia bordering Tonlé Sap lake. It is home to important colonies of numerous globally or regionally threatened bird species including the brahminy kite (Haliastur indus), painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala), black-necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus), lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), greater adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius), spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), Indian cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) and the Oriental darter (Anhinga melanogaster).
  • NR Prey Lang

    InformationSatellite View
    The Prey Lang Forest, also known as the Prey Long Forest, is a nature reserve forest in Kampong Thom, Preah Vihear, Kampong Cham, Kratie and Stung Treng Provinces in Northern Cambodia.[1] The forest covers an estimated 3,600 square kilometres (1,390 square miles). It is one of Southeast Asia’s last remaining lowland evergreen woodlands.
  • WS Beng Per (aka Boeng Peae)

    InformationSatellite View
    Beng Per Wildlife Sanctuary is a 2,494.08 km2 (962.97 sq mi) large protected area in northern Cambodia. It hosts wild cattle and deer, large water birds and elephants.
  • WS IBA Phnom Samkos

    InformationSatellite View
    Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary is a 3,307.56 km2 (1,277.06 sq mi) large protected area in western Cambodia that was established in 1994. It borders Thailand in the north.
  • WS IBA Snoul

    InformationSatellite View
    Snoul Wildlife Sanctuary was located in eastern Cambodia on the border to Vietnam. It is classified as part of an Important Bird Area.
  • WS Kulen Promtep

    InformationSatellite View
    The Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest protected area in Cambodia and was set aside to protect the critically endangered, possibly extinct Kouprey (species of wld cattle). It is located in the northern plains of Cambodia, near the border to Thailand. The sanctuary contains lowland forest as well as the largest swamp in the country. It is part of the Northern Plains Dry Forest Priority Corridor.
  • WS Mondulkiri

    InformationSatellite View
    Mondulkiri Protected Forest is a 3,720.54 km2 (1,436.51 sq mi) large protected forest in eastern Cambodia. It is part of the largest protected area complex in Southeast Asia.
  • WS Peam Krasaop

    InformationSatellite View
    The area is known for its mangroves and numerous islands separated by a maze of bays and channels.
  • WS Phnom Aural

    InformationSatellite View
    Phnom Aural Wildlife Sanctuary is a 2,544.85 km2 (982.57 sq mi) large protected area in central Cambodia
  • WS Phnom Prich (aka Phnum prech)

    InformationSatellite View
    Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary is a 2,218.18 km2 (856.44 sq mi) large protected area in eastern Cambodia.
  • WS Stung Sen

    InformationSatellite View
    Stung Sen is a protected multiple use management area and wildlife sanctuary in the Kampong Thom Province of Cambodia. It is located near the south-eastern tip of the Tonlé Sap, one of three wildlife sanctuaries around the lake, including Boeng Tonlé Chhmar and Prek Toal
  • Wetlands

    WebpageSatellite View
    Cambodia currently has 5 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 85,235 hectares.
Guides & Tour Operators
  • Cambodia Bird Guide Association

    Website
    Welcome to Cambodia Bird Guide Association (CBGA) Based in Siem Reap, the Cambodia Bird Guide Association is an NGO which provides birding tours and natural heritage tours across Cambodia. We are committed to the preservation of wildlife, nature and developing the livelihoods of people in conservation areas. We work closely with the provincial Department of Environment, in this regard, to raise awareness and educate local people on avian and environmental issues. CBGA tours are led by professional local bird guides to 17 different destinations. These range from half a day tour in Siem Reap, to a full three-week tour across Cambodia. Contact us and we can help plan a perfect birding itinerary and an unforgettable holiday.
  • Sam Veasna Conservation Tours

    Tour Operator
    As Cambodia’s first ever bird tour operator, we’ve been running custom birding tours in Cambodia since 2006, with the most passionate and experienced guides in the region. We take you to the most breathtaking and biologically diverse places in the country. SVC manages wildlife viewing trips with exclusive access to Wildlife Conservation Society sites across Cambodia. We were registered as a local NGO with the Ministry of Interior in 2006. Our goal is to provide an alternative sustainable livelihood from ecotourism for the local communities at the sites that WCS prioritises for conservation.
  • WildBirdEco

    Website
    Wild Bird Eco Tour was established in since 1998 by Mr.Panuwat Sasirat, the founder. The head office is located in Bangkok Thailand. Our business has been known in the group of bird watcher and the conservative tourism companies in Thailand. Nowadays, the first class tourism companies and the local guides from nationwide and foreign countries participate and join with us.
Trip Reports
  • 2013 [03 March] - Jim Holmes

    Report
    …I spent February 27 – March 9, 2013 in Cambodia. I had arrived on my own from Thailand. Initially, I planned to do a portion of Cambodia on my own and then a portion guided by the Sam Veasna Center (SVC) Sam Veasna Center. Ultimately, I ended up doing the entire Cambodia trip guided by the Sam Veasna Center. Fortunately, I had a second person with me for six of my 10 days as the costs of doing a guided trip on one’s own is quite high…
  • 2013 [03 March] - Phil Gregory

    Report
    …The great wetland at Ang Trepeang Thmor (ATT) gave us a big soaring flock of 130 Spot-billed Pelican, around 70 Painted Stork, and a hybrid Painted x Milky Stork, plus Yellow Bittern, another fine Watercock, both jacanas, and Black-backed Swamphen, with a trepeang wetland en route stop giving great looks at Sarus Crane, which we even saw dancing, as well as a fine male Pied Harrier and the first of several Eastern Marsh Harriers. The very rare Eld's Deer was a good mammal tick here too; we saw a fine stag with those odd brow antlers, and several hinds with fawns….
  • 2013 [11 November] - Geoff Upton

    PDF Report
    Sarah and I spent three weeks in Cambodia and northern Thailand, mainly sightseeing with some birding. We’d been to Thailand a couple of times before but never to the north; Cambodia was entirely new to us….
  • 2014 [03 March] - Phil Gregory & Srun Sikol

    Report
    …Sarus Crane and Eld's Deer showed nicely, we had 6 species of owl in daylight again -- Brown Wood-Owl, Spotted Wood-Owl (at ATT for the first time), Spotted Owlet (also at ATT), Brown Fish-Owl (on nest too), and Brown Hawk-Owl, plus Asian Barred Owlet, of course. Major stars were of course the amazingly rare Giant and White-shouldered ibises, for which Cambodia is the very last remaining stronghold….
  • 2015 [02 February] - Birthe Rasmussen & Erik Vikkelsø Rasmussen - Thailand & cambodia

    PDF Report
    This report deals with a journey through Thailand and Cambodia for 4 weeks in January and February 2015 by a group of 4 Danish birdwatchers.
  • 2015 [02 February] - Joshua Bergmark - Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam

    PDF Report
    ... a Tropical Birding group had Slaty-breasted Rail lined up in the scope, and a Spot-breasted Woodpecker hung around briefly (Nathan's first woodpecker, finally, after 3 other Asia trips) but unfortunately the best birds came out after they left.
  • 2015 [03 March] - Phil Gregory & Srun Sikol

    Report
    We managed the major great rarity targets much as advertised, though getting far closer to Greater Adjutant than usual with 30 in one day at Prek Toal being very special. A family of Black-necked Storks was a plus also, as were 2 Milky Storks, plus a hybrid. Major stars were of course nice views and experiences with the amazingly rare Giant and White-shouldered ibises, for which Cambodia is the very last remaining stronghold.
  • 2015 [11 November] - Orient Birding

    PDF Report
    ...When we visited, most birds had not started to breed yet, but still there was animpressive sight of Open-billed Storks sitting in the trees, Painted Storks, OrientalDarters & Spot-billed Pelicans flying high above, on their way to feed in inundated ricefields.We saw 2 Grey-headed Fish-Eagles on our way. These Eagles still nest aroundTonle Sap....
  • 2016 [02 February] - John van der Woude

    Report
    ...In Cambodia, the first three days were spent at sites not too far from our base in Siem Reap, the pleasant and famous (for the temples) city near the huge lake Tonle Sap. The latter four days were spent in the extensive woodlands in the central North of Cambodia, the area of the rare Giant and White-shouldered Ibises. It was a very pleasant trip across a high diversity of habitats....
  • 2016 [02 February] - Mike Nelson - Laos & Cambodia

    PDF Report
    Since the discovery of Bare-faced Bulbul in the foothills of the Anamite Mountains of Laos it has become aregular addition to our Cambodia tour in search of this odd looking but highly desirable bird.
  • 2016 [03 March] - Mike Nelson

    PDF Report
    ...some of Cambodia’s birding highlights like Giant and White-shouldered Ibis, White-rumped Falcon and an arrayof colorful woodpeckers. Its waterways are home to huge Greater and Lesser Adjutant and its wide grasslandsprovide a hiding place for Bengal Florican.
  • 2016 [03 March] - Phil Gregory

    Report
    ...White-throated Rock-Thrush, Forest Wagtail, and Black Baza, for example! Another good thing about the tour is that much of the money we pay goes directly back into grass-roots level conservation, where a relatively small amount of money seems to achieve a lot, and valuable employment is provided for the excellent guides and drivers...
  • 2016 [11 November] - Greg Roberts - Cambodia & Laos

    Report
    A mixed cultural and birding trip with Glenn Scherf to Cambodia and Laos, followed by a visit to Penang (see postscript to this trip report). An annotated diary follows.
  • 2016 [12 December] - Peter & Robin Marsh

    PDF Report
    ...The following day our primary target was the White-rumped Pygmy-falcon. Quite quickly 3 ofthe falcons were seen in a distant tree. Miraculously, no sooner had we noticed them than theyflew into a much nearer tree and provided superb views of 2 males and a female. We stoppednearby for another field breakfast and one of the local guides flushed a Brown Wood Owl whichflew into thick vegetation. We were able to find it again after some searching and got slightlyobscured scope views....
  • 2017 [02 February] - Phil Gregory & Doug Gochfeld

    Report
    ...Baeng Toal vulture restaurant got off to a flying start, with a great show of gluttony by the regular trio of Critically Endangered (CR) vulture species (White-rumped, Slender-billed, and Red-headed). All were excellent and gave wonderful views, with the new, much closer, well-camouflaged blind enabling crippling views as the birds fed on the nearby carcass....
  • 2017 [02 February] - Ulrik Andersen

    PDF Report
    ...Only two species are strictly endemic to the country – Cambodian Tailorbird and Cambodian Laughingthrush. However, its avian attractions include a series of large wading birds, all severely threatened: Greater Adjutant, Milky Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, Giant Ibis (the #1 target for any birding tour of Cambodia) and White-naped Ibis. Bengal Florican has its main remaining stronghold in Cambodia, and White-winged Duck can be seen with a bit of luck. Other great birds to be seen are White-rumped Falcon, Oriental Bay Owl (see cover photo), Bar-bellied Pitta, Green Peafowl, many woodpeckers and lots more.....
  • 2017 [05 May] - Matthew Kwan - Cambodia

    Report
    However, when birders speak of Cambodia, the first thing that comes to mind is "last chance to see", as this country holds several critically endangered species that is now extremely difficult to find elsewhere, such as the mythical Giant Ibis, the equally mysterious White-shouldered Ibis, the very rare Bengal Floricans and many more...
  • 2018 [02 February] - Mike Nelson - Cambodia & Laos

    PDF Report
    The dry deciduous forests, open grasslands, marshy wetlands and limestone karst of Cambodia and Laos make for some brilliant birding. Some of South-east Asia’s most sought-after rarities reside here like Giant and Whiteshouldered Ibis, Greater Adjutant, Milky Stork, Bengal Florican, Cambodian Laughingthrush and recently described Bare-faced Bulbul, and these were just a few of the mouthwatering species we encountered on this tour.
  • 2018 [02 February] - Phil Gregory

    Report
    The first morning of the tour saw us getting right into a dizzying array of birds at the Phnom Krom rice paddies to the south of town. Not only were some more birds with a strong southeast Asian flavor, such as Chestnut-capped Babbler, Oriental Darter, and Pheasant-tailed Jacana, but we also had a great showing of migrant shorebirds which were wintering in the area, including such locally scarce birds as Temminck’s and Long-toed Stints. We also had a surprise “Chinese” White Wagtail. The afternoon brought us to the high quality locally made crafts at Artisans Angkor, and then onto the Royal Gardens park where we got to observe the large daytime roost of several hundred Lyle’s Flying-Foxes. We were also treated to a great comparison of Asian Brown and Taiga flycatchers interacting with each other.
  • 2019 [02 February] - Craig Robson

    PDF Report
    This year’s tour saw several additions to the itinerary, with Okoki, Phnom Aural and Pursat Grasslands. The main highlights amongst our total of 331 Species were: Chestnut-headed Partridge, Siamese Fireback, Milky Stork at the nest, Greater Adjutant, Giant and White-shouldered Ibises, White-rumped Vulture, Bengal Florican, Oriental Bay Owl, Blyth’s Frogmouth, White-rumped Falcon, Bamboo Woodpecker, Bare-faced Bulbul, Cambodian Tailorbird, Cambodian Laughingthrush, Sooty Babbler, Chinese Grassbird, Green Cochoa, Jerdon’s Bush Chat, Asian Golden Weaver, and Mekong Wagtail. Irrawaddy Dolphin headed-up the mammal list as usual.
  • 2020 [02 February] - Mike Nelson

    PDF Report
    Residing in the old heartland of the Khmer Empire, Cambodia boasts some of the world’s most stunning temples. It is also home to several of Asia’s most desirable species that include Giant and White-shouldered Ibis, White- rumped Falcon, White-winged Duck, Mekong Wagtail, Bengal Florican, Cambodian Tailorbird and Chinese Grassbird.
  • 2022 [12 December] - Sam Veasna

    Report
    WINGS Birding Tours International trip report of a 14-day Cambodia birding tour in November and December 2022 with Sam Veasna Conservation Tours (SVC).
  • 2023 [01 January] - Sam Veasna

    Report
    Cambodia birding trip report of a 7-day Cambodia birding tour in January 2023 with Sam Veasna Conservation Tours (SVC).
  • 2023 [02 February] - Sam Veasna

    Report
    Wild Cambodia and Chinese Grassbird Report covers an 11-day Cambodia birding tour in February 2023 with Sam Veasna Conservation Tours (SVC).
  • 2023 [03 March] - Sam Veasna

    Report
    Giant Ibis Birding Tour with Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary Report covers a 4-day Cambodia birding tour in March 2023 with Sam Veasna Conservation Tours (SVC).
  • 2023 [03 March] - Sam Veasna - Northern Cambodia

    Report
    Northern Cambodia birding trip report of a 6-day Cambodia birding tour in February 2023 with Sam Veasna Conservation Tours (SVC).

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