Kingdom of Thailand

Silver-breasted Broadbill Serilophus lunatus ©Gary Kinard Website
Birding Thailand

Thailand is situated in South-east Asia, in the Indo-Chinese peninsula of the Oriental Region and has been described as a zoogeographic crossroads because the country’s avifauna comprises Sino-Himalayan, Indo-Burmese, Indo-Chinese and Sundaic elements and there are a large number of migrant visitors from the Palaearctic Region. There are approximately 962 species (2 endemics) currently recorded, in other words 10% of the world species are present in Thailand.

Thailand has a tropical monsoon climate. Generally the dry season is during November to April and the rainy season from May to October but, the southern and Southeastern provinces receive rain during November-January.

Geologically the country can be divided in the following way. The Central Plain extends to the coast around Bangkok and consists of areas of marshy floodplains. The North lying between the Mekong and Salween Rivers, is mainly mountainous, the highest peak at Doi Inthanon is 2,565m above sea level. The Northeast consists of dry plateau (Korat Plateau) mostly consisting of dry soil but there are some good forests such as Khao Yai located in this region. The East and Southeast has the isolated mountains of Khao Soi Dao at the westward part of the country near the Cambodia border. The West and Southwest has a large forested area and is divided from the Burmese border by the Tanassarim range. The South lying between the Andaman sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Peninsula Thailand is the southern part, which is a part of Sunda faunal sub-region.

Thailand has a variety of types of forest as follows:

Evergreen Forest – Tropical rain forest is dense, continuous canopy has a middle storey and a herbaceous forest floor etc. In Thailand it can be divided into two subtypes; the Thai type of rainforest, which formerly occupied most the lowland of Thailand and the Malayan rainforest type which is confined to the provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and southern Trang. Small areas of rainforest are also found in the wettest areas of South-east Thailand. Bird species diversity in this forest type is very high. Semi-evergreen, and dry-evergreen, forest is dense and stratified and usually has a deciduous component, these occur in the lowland and submontane slope below 900m throughout the country. This forest type also supports a great diversity of bird species including pheasants, pigeons, cuckoos, owls, trogons, hornbills, kingfishers, barbets, woodpeckers and many passerine families. Hill evergreen forests occur above 900m or 1,000m on the higher peaks throughout the country especially the north, west, some in the Southeast and Peninsula. Dominant trees are oaks and chestnuts etc. This type of forest supports a great diversity of birds including minivets, bulbuls and babblers and is especially good for Rufus-throated Partridge, Humes` Pheasant and Rufus-throated Hornbill etc.

Deciduous Forests – are found in the lowlands where the rainfall is too seasonal to support evergreen forest. Mixed deciduous forests occur in the plains or valleys and on hill slope up to 1,000m, they are found in the North, Northeast and Southwest regions. Teak is dominant in this forest type. The bird species show less diversity than lowland evergreen forests but it is ideal habitat for Black-headed Woodpecker, Rufus Treepie and Golden-fronted Leafbird, Banded Broadbill, Blue Pitta etc.

Dry Dipterocarp Forests – occur in all the lowlands but the largest and least disturbed areas are found in the north and west. This supports a lower range of birds species than other forest types as there is less middle story and under-story vegetation. Among the smaller birds are Black-winged Cuckoo-Shrike & Golden-fronted Leafbird, Rufescent Prinia, Brown Prinia, Great Slatey Woodpecker, While-bellied Woodpecker, Lineated Barbet, Eurasian Jay, Blue Magpie and Rufus Treepie etc.

Coniferous Forests – occur on drier ridges and plateaus at elevations of 400m – 1,400m in the North, and Northeast regions. It supports a low diversity of bird species but is the place for Giant Nuthatch, Great tit, Grey-headed Woodpeckers, Greater Yellow-nape, Eurasian Jay and Grey Treepie etc.

Bamboo – occurs as a mosaic with other forest habitats and a great many bird species utilise bamboo including White-browed Piculet, Rufus Warbler and Pin-tailed Parrotfinch, etc.

Forests On Limestone – occur around the margins of the major mountain massifs. One species of forest bird, the Limestone Wren Babbler is confined to limestone habitats and is found in small areas of the North, Southwest and at the southwest margin of the Khorat Platteau in the Northeast region. Other species relate to this area including Dusky Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Peregrine Falcon etc.

Mangrove Forests – are found in the Gulf of Thailand and along both Peninsular coasts. It provides nesting and roosting areas for large colonial water-birds. Species such as Brown-winged Kingfisher, the Mangrove Pitta, Ruddy Kingfisher, Flycatcher, Mangrove Whistler, Copper-throated Sunbird etc. are found in the mangrove.

Freshwater Swamp Forest – Some small areas of secondary, scrub forest remain in Peninsular Thailand in Pa Phru of Narathiwat Province, in the far south. No species of birds are restricted to swamp forests but some species such as Cinnamon-headed pigeon, Large Green Pigeon, Red-crowned Barbet, Fluffy-backed Tit-Babbler utilise this type of forest in particular.

Birdwatching Activities

Some years ago a group of foreign birdwatchers and some Thais lead by Dr. Boonsong Lekagul founded a birdwatching group called the Bangkok Bird Club. The BBC has developed its activities and became (1993) the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST). The activity has been spreading to other NGOs, private organisations such as other bird clubs, bird tours or individuals and, in less than 10 years, birdwatching has become popular among Thais (both men and women).

Birding Spots And Time To Observe

There are 96 National Parks, 48 Wildlife Sanctuaries and a number of Non-Hunting areas, Watershed Reserves, Forest Parks and Biosphere Reserves that have been protected by law. These areas are the main birding spots all over the country where birds can be seen all year round.

November-February is the peak time for migrating species, most areas are good for birdwatching especially the north where the weather is cooler than in other areas. The most popular destinations are Doi Inthanon National Park, Doi Pui/Suthep National Park, Doi Chiengdao Wildlife Sanctuary, Doi Angkhang of Chiengmai province and Chiengsaen of Chiengrai etc. The West and Southwest areas are also good at Kroeng-Kravia and Tung Yai Wildlife Sanctuary of Kanchanaburi province, Kaeng Krachan National Park of Petchaburi and further south at Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park of Prachaubkirikhan. One of the most popular spots is Khao Yai National Park located at the Northeastern part of the country (a wonderful place for early morning birding as The Fat Birder can attest).

March-June is the second best time for both passage migrants and resident species, which are then breeding. The best areas are the West, Southwest and the south. The most popular birding spots are Krabi province areas such as the mangroves, Khao Nor Chu Chi and newly established destination is Halabala Wildlife Sanctuary in the far south, Narathiwat province etc.

July-October is the rainy season, a quiet time but good for resident species, breeding visitors and, in the later part of this period during August-October, passage migrants. The best areas are in the central plains such as suburban areas of Bangkok, Kampangsaen of Nakhon Pratom province etc. and during September-October at the coastal areas near Bangkok such as Bangpu and Samutsakhorn etc.

Useful Reading

Two field guides are widely used in Thailand. A Guide to the Birds of Thailand written by B. Lekagul and Philip D. Round published in 1991 is very easy to use for field identification but has become very hard to get at the moment. The new guidebook for Thailand and South-east Asia was published this year (2000); A Field Guide to the Birds of Thailand and South-East Asia written by Craig Robson. (The title of the book in Thailand has a name different from that in Europe)

How To Prepare

How to dress and what to bring – While bird-watching in the tropical forest wearing shorts is not advised because, in some areas, there are lots of insects and thorny plants and the forest trails are not like the smooth paths of woodlands in Europe. Light cotton long-sleeved shirt and trouser are recommended for most areas during day time but some areas in the mountains, especially during early mornings and evenings, can be cooler. During December-January, early mornings in the mountains of the north can be very cold so a sweater or jumper is useful. Solid walking shoes are necessary as well as leech-proof socks which may be needed in some areas, particularly during the rainy season (something else The Fat Birder can attest). Apart from a hat, a folded umbrella (dull colour) can be very useful either to protect you from bright sunshine or from rain. Insect repellent and torch are also advised.

(Some parts of this text were extracted and paraphrased from Resident Forest Birds in Thailand by Philip D. Round, ICBP 1988.)

This page is sponsored by Birding Ecotours

Top Sites
  • Chiang Mai - Doi Angkhang

    InformationSatellite View
    Doi Angkhang is an easier version of Doi Chiang Dao, it is easily accessed unlike the hair raising ride needed to get to the best birdwatching on the former mountain but it does lack a certain something and the main ingredient lacking is forest. Nevertheless, it does have the open montane scrubland that attracts certain north Asian birds such as the White-browed Laughingthrush Garrulax sannio and the Brown-breasted Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthorrhous.
  • Chiang Mai - Doi Chiang Dao

    Satellite View
    Doi Chiang Dao is situated approximately 60km. due north of Chiang Mai and it is noted for being the southernmost range of the north asian birds. Three birds that are the main target of the more fanatical birdwatchers are the very rare Deignan's Babbler Stachyris rodolphei, the rare Hume's Pheasant Syrmaticus humiae and the uncommon Giant Nuthatch Sitta magna.
  • Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon

    InformationSatellite View
    Doi Inthanon and Mae Klang River lies 60km. south-west of Chiang Mai and at 2,565 metres is the highest mountain in Thailand. Because of its height it has certain montane species that can be found nowhere else in Thailand, among these are the Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis and the Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis-angkanensis. This sunbird is, in fact, endemic to the summit of Doi Inthanon.
  • Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

    Satellite View
    Doi Suthep Pui is the mountain that forms a backdrop to the city of Chiang Mai (1,685m) and is the most convenient for people who are in a hurry and can only manage a half day tour. It has other attractions such as a large Buddhist Temple perched halfway up the mountain, it can be seen with its golden chedi from the city below.
  • Chiang Mai - Mae Hia

    Satellite View
    Mae Hia is another lowland area consisting of scrub, grassland and dipterocarp. For some reason it plays host to a whole range of lowland birds and it is not unusual to list 40-50 species of birds in a couple of hours. Blue Magpies Urocissa erythrorhyncha, Green Bee-Eaters Merops orientalis, the Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus and the Hoopoe Upupa epops are almost certain to be seen.
  • Chiang Mai - Tha Thon

    Satellite View
    Tha Thon, this is a lowland area and again can produce some rare and uncommon birds, three that come to mind are the rare Jerdon's Bushchat Saxicola jerdoni, the rare Long-billed Plover Charadrius placidus and the rare Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola. Tourists aren't left out altogether as a little farther north we come to the Mekong river and the Golden Triangle, also a whole host of birds.
  • Chonburi - Bang Pra

    Satellite View
    This lowland site, just over an hour southeast of Bangkok, consists of open water, grassland, scrub and dry dipterocarp woodland. An excellent variety of birds can be found here and 50-60 species can often be seen in a morning. This is a good place to look for Rain Quail Coturnix coromandelica, Chinese Francolin Francolinus pintadeanus and Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda; this is also an attractive place for a morning or afternoon walk.
  • Doi Lang - Tha Ton

    Satellite View
    Doi Lang (2200m) is an extension of Doi Pahompok yet has its own share of uncommon to rare birds, including flocks of Black-throated Tits, Crested Finchbills, Red-faced Liocichlas and Crimson-breasted Woodpecker. Around March is not a good time to go as there is a lot of polution due to slash and burning. A good place to stay is the Garden Home Nature Resort.
  • Khok Kham

    Satellite View
    Khok Kham salpans extend for 10km and there seem to be flocks of waders all over the place. Broad-billed Sandpipers Limicola falcinellus and Red-necked Stints Calidris ruficollis. If any birders are going to try for Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmeus at Khok Kham I would strongly recommend they pay a visit to the Bird Centre sign posted just before the double bridges. They keep a log book here with updates and location details.
  • Petchaburi - Laem Pak Bia

    Satellite View
    This is a large area of salt pans with some mangrove remnants and a sand spit. It is probably the premier birdwatching site for shorebirds in Thailand with many rare species putting in regular appearances. This is a reliable spot for Spoon-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus, Nordmann's Greenshank Tringa guttifer and Pallas's Gull Larus ichthyaetus. In fact there are shorebirds and seabirds just about everywhere you look here and this is a good place to add a species to the Thai list!
  • Samut Prakarn - Bang Poo

    For some reason this area of mudflats and scrubby ponds proves very attractive to large numbers of wintering waders and a flock of two to three thousand Brown-headed Gulls Larus brunnicephalus. Less than an hour from central Bangkok this is a reliable place to see Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus in the winter and Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes in April/May. A number of rarities consistently turn up here too, maybe it's to eat at the excellent seafood restaurant!
  • Samut Prakarn - Muang Boran Fish Ponds

    WebpageSatellite View
    Muang Boran Fishponds, in Samut Prakarn province, consists of a patchwork of shallow fish ponds and drainage ditches of varying size, with areas of reeds, open water and lillies. This is a really good place to visit whilst staying in Bangkok, a taxi will only take about 30-40 minutes from the city centre early in the morning.
Contributors
  • Patcharee Komolphalin

    | ntrails@samart.co.th

  • Nick Upton

    http://www.thaibirding.com
  • Tony Ball

    Chiang Mai [All Chiang Mai top sites were contributed by Tony] | tonyball@loxinfo.co.th

Number of Species
  • Number of bird species: 1076

    (As at April 2020)

    National Bird: Siamese Fireback Lophura diardi

Endemics
  • Number of endemics: 2

    Turquoise-throated Barbet Psilopogon chersonesus
    Rufous Limestone-babbler Turdinus calcicola
Checklist
  • iGoTerra Checklist

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

  • A Field Guide to the Birds of Thailand

    | By Craig Robson | Bloomsbury | 2016 | Paperback | 272 pages, 128 plates with colour illustrations; 1000 colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9781472935823 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • A Naturalist's Guide to the Birds of Thailand

    | By Philip D Round & Wich'yanan Limparungpattanakij | John Beaufoy Books | March 2018 | Paperback | 176 pages, 300 colour photos | ISBN: 9781909612099 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • A Pocket Photo Guide to the Birds of Thailand

    | By Michael Webster & Chew Yen Fook | Bloomsbury Publishing | 2017 | Paperback | 144 pages, colour photos | ISBN: 9781472937926 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birds of Thailand

    | By Uthai Treesucon & Wich'yanan Limparungpattanakij | Lynx Edicions | 2018 | Hardback | 452 Pages | 2200 colour illustrations, 1025+ colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9788416728091 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Guide to the Birds of Thailand

    | By Boonsong Lekagul & Philip D Round | White Lotus | 1991 | Hardback | 457 pages, 135 colour plates, maps | ISBN: 9789748567365 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • New Holland Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia

    | By Craig Robson | New Holland | 2005 | Paperback | 304 pages, 142 plates with colour illustrations; 2 b/w maps | ISBN: 9781843307464 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Thailand Birds A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species

    | By James R Kavanagh | Illustrated by Raymond Leung | Waterford Press | 2017 | Unbound | 12 pages | ISBN: 9781620052778 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Useful Information
  • Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST)

    BirdLife Partner in Thailand: Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST) 221 Moo 2, Soi Ngamwongwan 2 Tambol Bangkhen, Ampur Meung Nontaburi 11000 Thailand Tel: +66-2-588-2277 Email: bcst@bcst.or.th
  • Birds of Thailand

    This Website is devoted to bird names in Thailand in Thai, Latin and English - very useful reference…
Organisations
  • Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST)

    Facebook Page
    Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST) is the BirdLife Partner in Thailand. They can be located at: Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST) 221 Moo 2, Soi Ngamwongwan 2 Tambol Bangkhen, Ampur Meung Nontaburi 11000 Thailand Tel: +66-2-588-2277 Email: bcst@bcst.or.th Also see: BirdLife Thailand
  • WWF

    Website
    Thailand, with its unique geography and natural attractions, has long been a draw for visitors. The country's mountainous north is bordered to the east by the Mekong river and Laos, and Cambodia further to the southeast
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • NP Doi Inthanon

    WebpageSatellite View
    Birdwatching at Doi Inthanon National Park can be a fun and an interesting way to discover nature at a leisurely pace. You can easily cover many kilometers in a day without getting tired because you spend more time looking then walking. You pay more attention to the sounds and beauty of the forest so you discover many wonderful things you would normally miss if just hiking. As you read this article you will learn more about Doi Inthanon than just birds but also about the environment in which they live.
  • NP Doi Suthep-Pui

    WebpageSatellite View
    There are nearly 2000 species of ferns and flowering plants, nearly 300 species of birds and number of mammal species. Some of mammal species are Indian muntjac, wild boar, Assam macaque, Indochinese serow, Asian golden cat, Malayan porcupine and Asian black bear. Common birds found in the national park are white-crested laughingthrush, grey-headed canary-flycatcher, great barbet, blue-throated barbet, grey-capped pygmy woodpecker, grey-chinned minivet, Blyth's shrike-babbler, Yunnan fulvetta and slaty-backed flycatcher.
  • NP Erawan

    WebpageSatellite View
    Founded in 1975 as Thailands 12th National Park, it is covering an area of km². Located on West Thailand in the Tenasserim Hills of Kanchanaburi Province, it is one of the most famous national parks in Thailand. Due to limited number of trails, wildlife watching possibilities around the waterfalls are very limited, macaques are common, occasionally water monitor lizards can be seen walking around water streams. Deeper into the forest some more exciting animals like Indian muntjac, wild elephants, lar gibbon, Indochinese serow, wild boar, sambar deer can be found. Some of common birds in the park are crested serpent eagle, black-naped monarch, blue whistling thrush, black-crested bulbul, blue-winged leafbird, dark-necked tailorbird, green-billed malkoha, grey peacock-pheasant and kalij pheasant.
  • NP Kaeng Krachan

    WebpageSatellite View
    Among the birds recorded in the park are six species of hombills, red junglefowl, both Kalij and grey peacock-pheasants, woolly-necked stork, black eagle, and many species of songbirds, woodpeckers, and other forest birds. The ratchet-tailed treepie, first seen here by members of the Bangkok Bird Club (Bird Conservation Society of Thailand) on an outing in 1991, has not been recorded anywhere else in Thailand.
  • NP Khao Chamao-Khao Wong

    WebpageSatellite View
    Despite the small size, thanks to the extension of the mountain range and adjacent protected sites, the park has some exiting animals to offer. Animal sighting is very rare on low elevations near the villages and along the trails to the waterfalls due to high amount of daily visitors, but deeper inside the park and specially on higher altitudes animals like elephant, gaur, Indochinese serow, bear, leopard, leopard cat, pileated gibbon, banded langur and boars can be found. There are more than 50 confirmed bird species in the park of which some are; Siamese fireback, wreathed hornbill, great hornbill, lineated barbet, Indian roller, thick-billed green pigeon.
  • NP Khao Luang

    WebpageSatellite View
    Located along the Southern Tenasserim Hills Range in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in Southern Thailand, Khao Luang National Park is a mountainous national park covering 570 km². The park is popular for its numerous waterfalls spread out all over the park. The park forests include moist evergreen, hill evergreen, deciduous and bamboo forests. The park is known for its over 300 species of orchid species, some of them only to be found in the park. It is also a popular destination for birders, home to over 200 species of birds, one of best locations in southern Thailand for bird watching. Although the sigthing for bigger and more impressive ones are quite rare, the park is home to many interesting mammals. Some of many interesting birds are; great argus, crested fireback, white-crowned hornbill, plain-pouched hornbill, helmeted hornbill, bushy-crested hornbill, black eagle, Wallace's hawk-eagle, green broadbill, Javan frogmouth and red-crowned barbet.
  • NP Khao Sam Roi Yot

    WebpageSatellite View
    The entire area of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park plus the whole area of Sam Roi Yot freshwater marsh and adjacent areas of coastal beaches and shallow sea outside the national park boundary (3,000 m outwards); including villages and prawn ponds.
  • NP Khao Sok

    WebpageSatellite View
    Being the most popular mainland national park destination in South Thailand, Khao Sok is a rainforest with great diversity of plants and wildlife. It is one of the few bigger national parks in the country relatively easily accessible by public services from nearby Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, Surat Thani, Ao Nang (Railey Beach). Great hornbill, helmeted hornbill, white-crowned hornbill, osprey, brahminy kite, blue-banded kingfisher, rufous-collared kingfisher are few of the hundreds of bird species that can be found in the park.
  • NP Khao Yai

    WebpageSatellite View
    Khao Yai is no doubt the best national park in Thailand for regular visitors where it is relatively easy to see number of interesting animals. Khao Yai checkpoint is just 2.5 hours away from Bangkok. The park covers an area of 2,168 square kilometres, including rain/evergreen forests and grasslands. 1,351 m high Khao Rom is the highest mountain within the park. The average altitude of the national park ranges from 400 to 1000 m above the sea level. The national park is home to around 300 resident and migratory birds and has one of Thailand's largest populations of hornbills. Some of the interesting birds that can be found in the park are barbets, scarlet minivets, broadbills, pittas, mountain scops-owls, great slaty woodpeckers, collared owlets, blue-winged leafbirds, Asian fairy bluebirds, trogons, drongos and magpies. Many ground dwelling birds such as silver pheasants, junglefowls, green-legged partridges and Siamese fireback are common on the roads and trails.
  • NP Kui Buri

    WebpageSatellite View
    Established in 1999 Kui Buri National Park is located in the Tenasserim Hills in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Known to be the best elephant and gaur sighting place in Thailand, it is almost 99% sure visitors will see elephants any day.
  • NP Mae Wong

    WebpageSatellite View
    Covering 894 sq km, Mae Wong is situated in the Dawna Range, West of Thailand in Nakhon Sawan and Kamphaeng Phet provinces. The park is rugged and hilly with the highest peak Khao Mo Ko Chu at 1,964 m., one of highest in Thailand. Mae Wong is one of the best places in Thailand for birdwatching, home to many rare birds such as rufous-necked hornbill, Burmese yuhina, coral-billed scimitar babbler, grey peacock-pheasant, mountain hawk-eagle. According some sources, with migratory birds counted 450 species of birds has been seen in the park.
  • NP Nam Nao

    WebpageSatellite View
    Designated as national park in 1972, Nam Nao covers 966 km² in the mountainous forests of Phetchabun and Chaiyapum provinces in Northeast Thailand. It is the best national park in the area and one of best in the country with good wildlife viewing, birdwatching and hiking possibilities, supporting a range of IUCN red listed animals and birds. Nam Nao has over 220 known bird species, dry condition of the forests makes it easy for birdwatching. Around HQ area it is possible to see species like red-headed trogon, red-billed blue magpie, great barbet, greater yellownape, grey-headed woodpecker, grey-capped pygmy woodpecker, bamboo woodpecker, large woodshrike, eurasian jay, black-throated laughingthrush, lesser necklaced laughing-thrush, golden-crested myna, golden-fronted leafbird, plain flowerpecker and ruby-cheeked sunbird. Getting aorund the park by foot on many trails or driving further away to distinctly different habitats of the park will give more rewarding possibilities to see silver pheasant, blue pitta, bar-backed partridge, collared owlet, collared falconet, blossom-headed parakeet and oriental turtle dove.
  • NP Pang Sida

    WebpageSatellite View
    Covering 844km² at Sa Kaeo Province, Pang Sida was declared as a national park in 1982. The national park lies within Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO, covering 5 protected areas from Khao Yai to Cambodian border. The other protected areas are; Khao Yai National Park, Thap Lan National Park, Ta Phraya National Park and Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary. Eared pitta, siamese fireback, banded kingfisher, oriental pied hornbill and dusky broadbill are few of many birds seen in the park.
  • NP Phu Hin Rong Kla

    WebpageSatellite View
    Situated mainly in Phitsanulok Province nearly 130 km from Phitsanulok city center, this 307 km² mountainous park extends east into Loei and Phetchabun provinces nearly 40km from the Laotian border. The park has hundreds of bird species; red-billed scimitar babbler, silver-eared mesia, Davison's leaf warbler, great barbet, dusky crag martin and the rare Nepal house martin only few to mention.
  • NP Phu Pha Thoep

    WebpageSatellite View
    Formerly known as Mukdahan National Park, Phu Pha Thoep National Park is a small protected area covering 48.5 km² in Mukdahan Province east of Thailand only 17 km south from Mukdahan city near the border to Laos. Interesting birds are red junglefowl and green peafowl.
  • NP Sai Yok

    WebpageSatellite View
    Covering 958 km² in Sai Yok District of Kanchanaburi Province 100 km northwest of Kanchanaburi City, Sai Yok National Park is part of the Western Forex Complex that covers 18,730 km² and comprises 19 protected sites between Myanmar and Thailand. The park is a popular destination for local and foreign tourists, known for it's waterfalls, caves, historical sites and raft houses along the River Kwai. Mammal species found in the park include elephant, gibbon, macaque species, Malayan porcupine, slow loris, serow, barking deer, sambar deer, wild boar and many more. There may also be a smaller tiger population in the park.
  • NP Tat Mok

    WebpageSatellite View
    Tat Mok National Park is a relatively small national park at 290 km², around 15 km east from Phetchabun City in Phetchabun Province. The main attraction of the park is Tat Mok Waterfall. Both park and the waterfall are named after Tat Mok Mountains. Being so small, the park still have some impressive wildlife thanks to being adjacent to two major protected sites like Nam Nao National Park to north and Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary to the east. Although not commonly seen, elephant, gaur, boar, muntjac, serow are few of the bigger mammals found in the park.
  • Thai National Parks

    WebsiteSatellite View
    National parks are protected areas of land because they have unspoilt landscapes and a diverse number of native plants and animals. There are 127 national parks in Thailand, of them 22 marine national parks. These parks offers a diverse range of flora and fauna, home to important population of endangered species.
  • WS Khao Nor Chuchi Lowland Forest

    InformationSatellite View
    Khao Nor Chuchi Lowland Forest Project is implemented by the Center for Conservation Biology, Mahidol University and DOF-BirdLife Denmark, in cooperation with Krabi Province Administration and Wildlife Conservation Division, Royal Forest Department, with support from DANCED (Danish Cooperation for Environment and Development).
  • WS Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng

    InformationSatellite View
    Stretching over more than 600,000 ha along the Myanmar border, the sanctuaries, which are relatively intact, contain examples of almost all the forest types of continental South-East Asia. They are home to a very diverse array of animals, including 77% of the large mammals (especially elephants and tigers); 50% of the large birds and 33% of the land vertebrates to be found in this region…
  • Wetlands

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Thailand currently has 14 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 399,714 hectares.
Sightings, News & Forums
  • Thai Bird Report

    Sightings & News
    The purpose of this group is for submitting bird reports. Please read the guidelines via the link above before posting.
Guides & Tour Operators
  • Aem Promdet

    Private Guide
    Guide Aem Promdet arranges private nature tours in Khao Yai and upon request throughout Thailand. Leave a message and ask what she can do for you. She is the daughter of a Khao Yai National Park ranger.
  • All Thailand Experiences

    Tour Operator
    Birdwatching at Doi Inthanon National Park can be a fun and an interesting way to discover nature at a leisurely pace. You can easily cover many kilometers in a day without getting tired because you spend more time looking then walking. You pay more attention to the sounds and beauty of the forest so you discover many wonderful things you would normally miss if just hiking.
  • Birding Ecotours

    Tour Operator
    The peninsula of southern Thailand, part of geological Sundaland, is a birders and naturalists paradise. Our tour is designed to incorporate the most spectacular of the region’s unique karst limestone scenery in searching for the region’s diversity of specials. The Gurney’s Pitta of Khao Nor Chu Chi is the star attraction for any avid world birder. Please contact us for more tours that are run in Thailand.
  • Rockjumper Birding Tours

    Tour Operator
    Our Northern & Central Thailand tour provides a detailed overview of the major sites of this quintessential Southeast Asia birding destination. Our Southern Extension then takes us to the Malay Peninsula, which supports some of the world’s most endangered birds, including the critically endangered Gurney’s Pitta.
  • ThaiBirding

    Tour Operator
    thaibirding.com provides reliable information on birdwatching in Thailand with the aim of make planning birdwatching vacations to Thailand simple.
  • Wild Watch Thailand - Birdwatching in Thailand

    Tour Operator
    Wild Watch offers flexible birdwatching trips that can be tailored to suit the requirements of your group. Your trip is led by one of our field ecologists, all of whom have an intimate knowledge of the local avifauna. Our birding programmes concentrate on western Thailand and Khao Yai National Park, areas harbouring some of the country's most impressive and rare species such as the Alexandrine Parakeet, the Great Slaty Woodpecker and the Red-headed Vulture. Here the great hornbill, Asian fairy bluebird, black-naped oriole, blue magpie and other such colourful species are locally common inhabitants. All the protected forest areas we use for bird watching trips are within approximately 3-4 hours drive of Bangkok.
  • WildBirdEco

    Tour Operator
    We are a group of well-known birdwatchers who have for a long time handled activities on bird and nature conservation in Thailand, since 1986. As a result, we have known good birding spots in Thailand and all respects about our native bird species. Simultaneously, we also have had a good relationship with both local and foreign birdwatchers in order to introduce our feathered heritage and help promote birdwatching in Thailand…
Trip Reports
  • 2014 [01 January] - Dave Sargeant

    Report
    …Indochinese Bush Lark, Racquet-tailed Treepie, Thick-billed Warbler, Indian Nightjar, Bluethroat and Ruddy-breasted Crake. Much time was then spent scanning through the waterbirds near the abandoned building, with a hybrid Milky x Painted Stork of particular note, as well as 20 Painted Stork and at least 22 Red-necked Phalarope. Late morning we tried various local fields, reeds and scrub eventually finding a wet area containing Greater Painted-snipe, Red Avadavat and several Yellow Bittern. As usual the area contained numerous mistnets killing an indiscriminate collection of prinias, weavers, kingfishers and bitterns. Two accessible nets were removed and destroyed….
  • 2014 [02 February] - Dave Sargeant

    Report
    …The return walk was fairly productive with several Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Sultan Tit, Black-throated Laughingthrush and a group of four Silver Pheasant resting in the middle of the track. From 15:00 - 17:00 we tried the two photography hides; the first being completely dead, but the second much better with Orange-headed Thrush, a range of bulbuls, Siberian Blue Robin, Bar-backed Partridge, Indochinese Ground Squirrel and Lesser Mouse Deer. Late afternoon return to the nearby lake with this time only a single flyover White-winged Duck. An entertaining hunt for Mountain Scops Owl was eventually successful in finding the bird…
  • 2014 [02 February] - Dave Stejskal & Uthai Treesucon - Peninsular Thailand

    Report
    …daytime sightings of Barred Eagle-Owl, Oriental Bay-Owl, Great Eared-Nightjar, and Gould's Frogmouth, a gaudy Whiskered Treeswift, a stunning Scarlet-rumped Trogon, the local Brown-winged Kingfisher, a tiny Rufous-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher, an elusive Rufous-collared Kingfisher, fantastic Red-bearded Bee-eater….
  • 2014 [02 February] - Dave Stejskal & Uthai Treesucon - Peninsular Thailand

    Report
    …Our first forest venues, Khao Yai and Kaeng Krachan national parks, treated us very well indeed this year, with the former producing prizes like Siamese Fireback, Silver Pheasant, Coral-billed Ground-Cuckoo, Banded Kingfisher, Great and Wreathed hornbills, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Banded Broadbill, and so many others. And while Kaeng Krachan produced a number of these same species, we were treated to many more birds that are mostly Sundaic in distribution. Who can forget that incredible Crested Jay or the close group of local Ratchet-tailed Treepies? Or the gaudy Black-and-red Broadbills or Crimson-winged Woodpecker? We left the south with well over 300 species under our belts -- a fine introduction to the fabulous birds of this rich region….
  • 2014 [03 March] - Fred van Gessel

    Report
    …All day on Doi Lang. Most of the morning was spent at, and around, the lower photoshoot localities, where we recorded Giant Nuthatch, Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Slender-billed Oriole, Maroon Oriole, Striated Bulbul, Buff-throated Warbler, White-browed Laughingthrush, Rufous-backed Sibia, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Spot-breasted Parrotbill and Hume's Treecreeper…
  • 2014 [04 April] - Ian Dugdale

    Report
    …The trip out to Koh Man Nai took less than 30 minutes, and by 11:30 we were already ashore finding our first migrants - Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, Mugimaki Flycatcher, Crow-billed Drongo, White-throated Rock Thrush and Pale-legged Leaf Warbler to name a few. Being small - less than a kilometre walk around the island - it's possible to cover the island quite easily….
  • 2014 [04 April] - Ron Hoff

    Report
    …A final look at Laem Phak Bia saltpans gave us a good group of Nordmann's Greenshank, whereafter we headed to Ratchaburi. With temperatures around 40°C we gave the middle of the day a miss, venturing out to Huay Mai Teng later in the afternoon. Birding a couple of areas around the lake was very rewarding, with Rain Quail, Blossom-headed Parakeet, Asian Golden Weaver, Pacific Golden Plover, Oriental Pratincole, Small Pratincole, Savanna Nightjar and migrating Oriental Honey Buzzard….
  • 2014 [10 October] - Dave Sargeant - Khao Dinsor Raptor Migration

    Report
    ... Awoken by Malaysian Pied Fantail in the resort garden. According to the literature this would likely be the most northwesterly record of this species in Thailand. A ten hour drive to Hua Hin where had another overnight stop in town, at the Manthana Hotel...
  • 2014 [11 November] - Exploratory and Targets Trip

    Report
    ...We steamed directly west of Phuket for about three and a half hours to the 1,500 metre drop-off, around 40 kilometres out. En route rather quiet with only a single Green Turtle, Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin, a few Little Tern, a male Christmas Frigatebird, and a few Bridled Tern....
  • 2014 [11 November] - Julian Bell - (Not) Birding Northern Thailand

    Report
    This is a trip report from a largely non-birding trip to Northern Thailand from Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao, onwards to Phaayo and finally to Chiang Khong. The trip continued into Laos and ultimately ended up in Bangkok where a full days birding in the area around Pak Thale/Pak Bia was truly a day to remember. The trip was largely planned around a "typical" Lonely Planet back-packing/road trip style holiday in order to take in a selection of the sights to see in this area. Birding was more or less incidental for the majority of the time, although we did aim to spend time in the countryside...
  • 2014 [12 December] - Jeff Verrill

    Report
    ...Although we'd intended to head straight to Doi Inthanon, the baggage issue meant we headed first to Mae Hia for some local birding. A couple of hours here were quite productive, with Burmese Shrike, Bluethroat, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Indochinese Bush Lark, Wire-tailed Swallow, Thick-billed Warbler and Red Avadavat. ..
  • 2014 [12 December] - Jeff Verrill - Northern Mountains

    Report
    ...A couple of hours here were quite productive, with Burmese Shrike, Bluethroat, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Indochinese Bush Lark, Wire-tailed Swallow, Thick-billed Warbler and Red Avadavat. Returned to the airport, where the baggage fortunately arrived on the first flight, before continuing to Doi Inthanon. Being a weekend we'd expected the park to be busy but it proved to be way more overcrowded than usual, so we headed straight to Km 34 to escape the crowds. However, rather quiet with no bird parties. With the day cooling down, and the hoards leaving, we headed to the summit where a quiet walk at the gave us Dark-sided Thrush, White-browed Shortwing, Pygmy Wren-babbler and Himalayan Bluetail. Overnight at Mr. Daeng's with the temperature dropping to 10°C...
  • 2014 [12 December] - Southwest Thailand

    Report
    ...A leisurely start to the pier in town for the 11:00 ferry to Phi Phi island that, surprisingly, was only five minutes late departing. The two hour crossing was totally uneventful for birds, save for Common Tern, a couple of Bridled Tern, and an unidentified frigatebird....
  • 2015 [03 March] - Bruce Wedderburn - Peninsular Malaysia & Central Thailand

    Report
    Saw many interesting birds including brief views of Crestless Fireback, six Crested Partridge, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Banded Woodpecker, Maroon Woodpecker, Buff-necked Woodpecker, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Black-and-red Broadbill, Rufous-winged Philentoma, Lesser Green Leafbird, Ochraceous Bulbul, Chestnut-winged Babbler, Rufous-crowned Babbler and Asian Fairy-bluebird.
  • 2015 [03 March] - Nick Bray

    Report PDF
  • 2015 [03 March] - Paul A Brown - Ao Nang, Southern Thailand

    Report PDF
    ...so I went back to the grounds of thePakasai Resort but had only a male leucionensis Brown Shrike in the next door plot and moreviews of Plain-throated Sunbirds and Scarlet-backed flowerpecker but nothing else!
  • 2015 [03 March] - Peregrine Tours

    Report
    The ancient Buddhist Kingdom of Thailand is simply a superb birding destination, we saw, not recorded, but saw, a staggering 464 species of birds, which included no less than 45 species of waders, 10 species of nocturnal birds, all seen well, no less than 19 different species of woodpeckers, all 6 species of superb broadbills that occur in Central and Northern Thailand.
  • 2015 [04 April] - Dave Sargeant - East and West

    Report
    ...but as the day progressed things slowly improved, enabling us to record a fair selection of species including Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, Blue-winged Pitta, Mugimaki Flycatcher, Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, Slaty-legged Crake, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Grey Nightjar, Ruddy Kingfisher and Eyebrowed Thrush.
  • 2015 [05 May] - Central Peninsular Thailand

    Report PDF
    ...we took a longtail boat out to Koh Bida Nok to look for frigatebirds. Alongthe way we found a few breeding pairs of Black-naped Terns, and Bridled Terns fed aroundthe small islands.
  • 2015 [06 June] - Dave Sargeant - Far Southern Thailand

    Report
    ...This achieved, a quick lunch in town then out to the Krabi Mangrove Walkway where, in the heat of the day, we found little other than some fairly aggressive Long-tailed Macaques and a vocal Mangrove Pitta.
  • 2015 [06 June] - Dave Sargeant - Mae Moei and more

    Report
    ...Amazingly after only 20 minutes we heard Rufous-headed Parrotbill singing nearby, and were able to get some frustratingly brief glimpses of one bird. A single Pale-billed Parrotbill was far more obliging and perched perfectly in view.
  • 2015 [07 July] - Dave Sargeant - Khao Ramrom Exploratory Trip

    Report
    An internet search and questions to other resident birders revealed, surprisingly, that the mountain has never been explored ornithologically. Two southern mountain specialities are known from the nearby Khao Luang: Malayan Laughingthrush and Turquoise-throated Barbet - the endemic chersonesus race of Blue-throated Barbet.
  • 2015 [08 August] - Dominic Le Croissette - Krung Ching Waterfall

    Report
    I visited Krung Ching for 3.5 days as part of a solo wet season birding tour of southern Thailand. My aim was to have a crack at seeing some of the elusive specialties of the area (Malayan Banded Pitta, Rail-Babbler ….) as well as getting some common southern Thailand forest birds on my Thai list that until now I had only seen in Borneo.
  • 2015 [09 September] - Dominic Le Croissette - Hala Bala

    Report
    Hala Bala is about 280km from Hat Yai, and is relatively easily reached along the main coastal highway through Songkhla, Pattani, and Narathiwat provinces, with a journey time of just under 4 hours. From eastern Songkhla onwards, the region is under martial law. Military checkpoints are frequent, and armoured vehicles and machine-gun toting troops are much in evidence...
  • 2015 [12 December] - Dave Sargeant

    Report
    Started at Km 34 in cool conditions with drizzle, resulting in limited bird activity - White-gorgeted Flycatcher and Large Niltava being the best. After an hour we gave up and headed to the summit where similarly cloudy but at least not raining. Birded the boardwalk and summit area for a couple of hours, finding Dark-sided Thrush and the usual Blyth's Leaf Warbler, Ashy-throated Warbler, Silver-eared Laughingthrush, Bar-throated Minla and Rufous-winged Fulvetta. With the last hour we descended a little to bird around the sunrise viewpoint, finding Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Speckled Wood Pigeon and many Black Bulbul.
  • 2015 [12 December] - Peter Ericsson

    Report
    ...Early morning at Beung Borapet where we met up with the boatman. We spent 5 hours on the lake taking in a lot of avi fauna with stunning flocks of thousands of Garganies, Cotton Pygmy Geese, the very rare Common Pochard (rare in Thailand), Pheasant-tailed Jacanas and much more. (Only 2 weeks later Baer’s Pochard arrived on the lake)...
  • 2016 [01 January] - Birding Ecotours

    PDF Report
    Our clients’ main aim of this custom trip was to push their global list past the 5000 markwhile enjoying the birding and scenery of Thailand. We started with a pick-up from ChiangRai International Airport with a plan to bird the far north first and then slowly move south,ending up in the central area of the peninsula.
  • 2016 [01 January] - Jean-Yves Barnagaud

    PDF Report
    I chose Thailand as an obvious destination for my first time in South East Asia, with the Spoon-billedSandpiper as my single well-defined target, plus in mind to see as much as I could of the regional birddiversity in an express 12-days trip. Bird trip reports about Thailand are so numerous that I doubt thisone will add much to the extant ; I therefore concentrate on practical information that cancomplement pre-existing trip reports.
  • 2016 [02 February] - John van der Woude

    Report
    ...In Thailand we drove around in a rental car, and used the booking.com app for finding accommodation. Information for finding the bird sites was gathered mainly from the websites of Dave Sargeant (norththailandbirding.com), Games (souththailandbirding.com) and Nick Upton (thaibirding.com), and from trip reports on cloudbirders.com (especially Barnagaud, Poelstra)....
  • 2016 [02 February] - Paul Davis

    Report
    ...Further down the mountain is the Royal Garden Siribhume, not much to speak of, but always worth a quick visit. I saw both Plumbeous Water Redstart and White-capped Redstart along with a Grey Wagtail at the waterfall area. Several warblers and flycatchers were about but didn't sit still long enough for a positive ID. At one of the other waterfalls I saw two Blue Whistling Thrushes....
  • 2016 [03 March] - Dave Sargeant - NE Thailand

    Report
    With Jeff Verrill. Having birded Thailand on several occasions, Jeff has become a man on a mission - to see 700 species in Thailand. As a casual visitor this target could be described as difficult, but achievable with perseverance. A couple of three weeks trips, covering northern and southern Thailand at the appropriate times of year will likely produce a list in the range of 580 - 600 species. Following that, selective itineraries to more out-of-the-way places are needed to find the additional 100 plus required. With this in mind, and starting at 644 species, we set out to cover a number of less frequently visited areas with some interesting specialities. This itinerary demanded some extensive driving
  • 2016 [03 March] - Erik Forsyth - Northern, Central & Southern Thailand

    Report PDF
    Our trip total of 535 species in 23 days reflects the immense birding potential of Thailand.Participants were treated to an amazing number of star birds including Spoon-billed Sandpiper,Nordmann’s Greenshank, Pallas’s Gull, Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Mrs. Hume’s and SilverPheasants, Siamese Fireback, Green Peafowl, Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Jerdon’s Baza, Black-tailedCrake, Great and Wreathed Hornbills, Hodgson’s and Blyth’s Frogmouths, Barred Eagle-Owl,Spotted Wood and Brown Wood Owl and the near mythical Oriental Bay Owl, stunning MalayanBanded, Blue, Rusty-naped and Mangrove Pittas, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Limestone, Streaked, Eyebrowedand Pygmy Wren-Babblers, Scarlet-faced Liocichla, Grey-headed and Spot-breastedParrotbills, Giant Nuthatch, Slaty, Heart-spotted, White-bellied and Black-headed Woodpeckers,Sultan Tit, Chestnut-naped Forktail, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, and Nicobar Pigeon.
  • 2016 [04 April] - Dave Sargeant - SE Thailand

    Report
    With Ian Dugdale plus, in part, Matti Sakari. Our fifth trip to southeastern Thailand with the primary aim, yet again, to find the barely recorded specialities of the area. Of these five species, to date we'd only managed one - Siamese Partridge - so hopes were not high of adding to the list based on previous experience! We also included a few days, a kind of annual pilgrimage, to Ko Man Nai coinciding with the Spring migration.
  • 2016 [05 May] - Dave Sargeant - Khao Luang National Park

    Report
    ...The trail for the first hour, rising to 800 metres, was pretty tame, with few birds of interest. We heard our first Turquoise-throated Barbet at 730 metres, though impossible to locate. Initially Lek had thought of camping at this altitude by a river, but we decided to press on to 1,000 metres for our initial camp as we had time to spare and it would cut the hard day's climb tomorrow. This proved to be a good idea, as at this altitude the barbet suddenly became much commoner, outnumbering the other three barbets in the area - Golden-whiskered Barbet, Red-throated Barbet and Blue-eared Barbet. Intriguingly we also encountered Fulvous-chested Jungle Flycatcher here...
  • 2016 [07 July] - Birding in Bankok

    Report
  • 2016 [11 November] - Bangkok

    Report
  • 2016 [11 November] - Dave Sargeant - South and West Thailand

    Report
    ...As usual, quiet bird wise but Banded Bay Cuckoo, Oriental Bay Owl and Sunda Scops Owl heard along the way. As the last kilometre of this climb is steep and slippery, we were sweating profusely by the time we reached the summit, at just over 400 metres....
  • 2016 [11 November] - James Huntington - Northern Thailand

    Report
    ...It was gloomy and bleak and bird activity was low but the Grey Peacock Pheasant thankfully showed well at its regular stake out and other birds of higher level followed suit: Great Hornbill, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, White-throated Fantail, Marten’s Warbler, Speckled Piculet, White-browed Piculet, Blue-throated Barbet, Davison’s, Claudia’s and Sulphur-breasted Warblers, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Golden and Grey-throated Babbler, Grey Wagtail and more. ...
  • 2016 [12 December] - Dave Sargeant - Southeast Thailand

    Report
    ...The hoped for Cardamom Green Pit Viper not found, but a reasonable collection of frogs seen, including Taiwanese Frog, Striped Sticky Frog, Mortensen's Frog and a couple of unidentified species. Night birds heard included Great Eared Nightjar, Collared Scops Owl and Brown Hawk-Owl. Cool and pleasant overnight temperature....
  • 2016 [12 December] - Glen Valentine

    PDF Report
    The birding at Khao Yai proved challenging at times, but westill managed to encounter most of the reserve’s specialspecies. We birded both the higher and lower elevation forestduring our time here. These varied elevations gave us twosightings of Silver Pheasant, as well as several stunningOrange-breasted Trogons, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, thelocalised Moustached Barbet, the impressive Great Hornbill,Himalayan Swiftlet, nesting Vernal Hanging Parrots, hordesof Asian Fairy-bluebirds around fruiting trees, the resident,yellow-billed race of Blue Whistling Thrush, Abbott’sBabbler, a female Blue Rock Thrush and Grey Wagtail; whilemixed species flocks yielded the scarce Heart-spottedWoodpecker, Large Woodshrike, several sizable flocks ofSwinhoe’s Minivet, White-bellied Erpornis, Puff-throated and Grey-eyed Bulbuls, Sulphur-breastedWarbler, the very attractive and charismatic White-crested Laughingthrush, Oriental White-eye, HainanBlue and Verditer Flycatchers, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Little Spiderhunter, the vibrant Sultan Titand numerous Claudia’s Leaf Warblers.
  • 2017 [01 January] - Birding in Benjakitti Park, Bangkok

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  • 2017 [01 January] - Birding in Suan Rot Fai

    Report
  • 2017 [01 January] - Dave Sargeant - Doi Phu Kha

    Report
    ...The few species seen in open areas around the park headquarters included Barred Cuckoo-Dove, Greenish Warbler and a good number of Indochinese Yuhina....
  • 2017 [01 January] - Peter Ericsson

    Report
    ...Best bird for the morning undoubtedly was Giant Nuthatch. A must see bird! Mountain Bamboo Partridges also showed on the road and we picked up things like Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Long-tailed Minivets, Mountain Tailorbird, Crested Finchbill, Rufous-backed Sibia and Grey-backed Shrike. Some other good ones seen: Bay Woodpecker, Stripe-breasted Woodpecker and Grey-capped Woodpecker....
  • 2017 [02 February] - Andy Walker

    PDF Report
    The tour connected with numerous exciting birds. A total of 486 bird species were recorded, with some highlights including Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant, Silver Pheasant, Chinese Egret, Pied Harrier, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank, Greater Painted-snipe...
  • 2017 [02 February] - Dave Sargeant - Northeast Thailand

    Report
    ...a change of strategy required so headed for the hides to try Manchurian Bush Warbler. In two hours, hardly a bird stirred, with only a single Siberian Rubythroat and a Taiga Flycatcher present. Definitely Birders 0 - Birds 1. Later that evening we discovered a single Mandarin Duck had been found on the lake late afternoon....
  • 2017 [02 February] - Dave Stejskal

    Report
    ...Among the many, many highlights of our time in the upper part of the park were: incredible views of a male Gray Peacock-Pheasant; close looks at a scarce Little Cuckoo-Dove at a fruiting tree at the upper camp; our first encounters with the spectacular Great Hornbill; a beautiful Red-bearded Bee-eater perched in the subcanopy; a trio of wonderful broadbills (Long-tailed, Silver-breasted, and Black-and-yellow); the unique and very local Ratchet-tailed Treepie; striking Sultan Tits...
  • 2017 [02 February] - Peter Ericsson - Central & Northern Thailand

    Report
    ...Green Bee-eater, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Common and Great Myna, Painted and Openbill Storks, Pied Starlings, Bronze-winged Jacanas, various Egrets, Germains Swiftlets, Asian Palm Swift, Asian Koel, Asian Golden Weaver, Black-winged Kite, Oriental Honey Buzzard, White-throated and Common Kingfisher, Ashy Woodswallow and many more birds were seen. ...
  • 2017 [03 March] - Dave Sargeant - Northern Mountains

    Report
    ...so visited the summit boardwalk where we lucked into the Slaty-legged Crake that had been seen on and off recently, as well as at least four Dark-sided Thrush and a single Snowy-browed Flycatcher. During our return to lower elevations a couple of Silver Pheasant and Speckled Wood Pigeon. A very nice haul for our first day....
  • 2017 [03 March] - Erik Forsyth - Northern & Central Thailand

    PDF Report
    ...On our last morning, we visited Prapoeng Dam, where we scored with several new birds, includingBronze-winged Jacana, Cotton Pygmy Geese, Yellow-bellied Prinia, a cracking Yellow Bittern,Black-browed and Clamorous Reed Warbler and after a bit of a scan, we eventually tracked down adistant Pheasant-tailed Jacana walking on floating vegetation. From here, we drove to the Bang TanBoon wetlands, where we found four large Spot-billed Pelicans – a scarce winter visitor here –many stunning Painted Storks, Black-headed Ibis, Black-tailed Godwits, Wood Sandpipers andseveral smart Long-toed Stints....
  • 2017 [03 March] - Janne Aalto - Phetchaburi

    Report
    ...Our next target was Kaeng Krachan National Park which wasn’t as easy to find as we had expected. We found the information center easily and walked a little there and heard a Lineated Barbet and saw some Paddyfield Pipits, but almost nothing else. But when we continued towards the National Park, there were soldiers blocking the road....
  • 2017 [03 March] - Keith Vaalentine

    PDF Report
    ...we pickedup a good number of interesting species, includinga possible first for the area in the form of 6 SmallPratincole. Oriental Pratincole were also inattendance whilst we added Barred Buttonquail,Richard’s Pipit, brief Burmese Shrike, ThickbilledWarbler, Indochinese Bush Lark and PlainbackedSparrow....
  • 2017 [05 May] - Dave Sargeant - Yala - the Extreme South

    Report
    ...so headed to forest areas of Bang Lang National Park, where we spent more than five hours in good forest, with an excellent selection of both butterflies and birds, including Great Argus heard, Violet Cuckoo, Little Bronze Cuckoo, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Yellow-crowned Barbet, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Bamboo Woodpecker, Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Banded Broadbill, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Large Woodshrike, Rufous-winged Philentoma, Ferruginous Babbler, Pale Blue Flycatcher, Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher and Plain Sunbird...
  • 2017 [06 June] - Tom Tarrant - Bhutan & Thailand

    Report
    At the Bang Phra non-hunting Reserve we ‘dodged’ a couple of showers but still managed some great birds, including two owls, Brown Boobook and Asian Barred, Spot-billed Pelican, Green-billed Malkoha, Osprey and 7 Lesser Adjutants.
  • 2017 [10 October] - Dave Sargeant - Northern central Thailand

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    ...Even compared with Khao Yai and Hala-Bala this was bad. Few birds in the damp conditions, though Bar-backed Partridge heard, plus Greater Flameback and Greater Yellownape. A longer walk in forest edge and inspection of flowering plants around the campsites gave us a few butterflies, with Common Silverline and Burmese Batwing the pick of the bunch. Later drove the long dirt road toward Phu Goom Khao, with Red-billed Blue Magpie, but little else...
  • 2017 [11 November] - Dave Sargeant - Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary

    Report
    ...Again little around the view point other than a few Brown-backed Needletail and Long-tailed Minivet, so headed directly to the sanctuary headquarters area where we spent several hours, finding Black-headed Woodpecker, Greater Yellownape, Collared Falconet, Kalij Pheasant and Grey-headed Parakeet. Late afternoon, on the return, we checked a few dirt tracks randomly with varying success - best butterfly sighting being Club Silverline...
  • 2017 [12 December] - Dave Sargeant - Mae Hong Song

    Report
    ...At the top of the falls a female Plumbeous Water Redstart found. Other than that, the best birds of the day were Orange-breasted Trogon, Bamboo Woodpecker, Greater Flameback, Blue-bearded Bee-eater and Vernal Hanging Parrot. Late afternoon we chanced upon a group of Chestnut-headed Bee-eater picking off bees from several large colonies attached to a water tower...
  • 2019 [01 January] - Chris Lotz

    PDF Report
    This three-week set departure Thailand tour started in Bangkok for a circuit of central Thailand. We then flew north to Chiang Mai for some mountain birding before returning to Bangkok, where the tour concluded.
  • 2019 [02 Feb] - Matthew Kwan - Northern Thailand

    Report
    We had an early start at 4:30am to drive towards the western slope of Doi Lang, as we wanted to arrive at the Hume's Pheasant stakeout before sunrise. We arrived in complete darkness, and Ball helped pitched the portable bird hides on the side of the road...
  • 2019 [03 March] - Andy Walker

    PDF Report
    Highlight birds seen were many and during our time in the central Thailand region included a couple of Spoon-billed Sandpipers, a large flock of Nordmann’s Greenshanks, and hundreds of Terek Sandpipers on the saltpans among about 40 species of shorebirds, with several ‘White-faced’ Kentish Plovers, Malaysian Plovers, and Chinese Egrets on the nearby beach. A lake and rice fields near the coast hosted Spot-billed Pelican, Asian Dowitcher, Greater Spotted Eagle, and Black-headed Ibis.
  • 2019 [03 March] - Peg Abbott

    PDF Report
    Some of the wild birds we saw included Greater Coucal, both Lineated and Coppersmith Barbets, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Shikra, Oriental Honey-Buzzard, Blue Whistling Thrush (Yellow-billed), and Hill Blue Flycatcher to name a few.
  • 2019 [11 November] - Charley Hesse

    PDF Report
    This custom tour followed a similar itinerary to our set departure tour with an additional day to explore the eastern slope of Doi Lang which required a high-clearance vehicle. Despite our aim being to maximize lifers seen (almost 200!) rather than overall number, we racked up quite a trip list with over 420 species without even visiting the south of Thailand!
  • 2020 [02 February] - Pete Morris

    PDF Report
    Thailand once again delivered a top-class birding experience and holiday to our intrepid group. With just about 515 species of bird recorded, we did extremely well for variety, and within that vast total were a great number of very special birds, ranging from the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper, to stunning gamebirds like Ferruginous Partridge, Grey Peacock-Pheasant and Silver Pheasant, and of course incredible pittas including the superb Eared Pitta, gorgeous Blue Pitta and outrageous Malayan Banded Pittas
  • 2020 [03 March] - Southern Thailand - Birding Ecotours - Andy Walker

    PDF Report
    This fourteen-day set-departure birdwatching tour of Southern Thailand commenced in Phuket on the 1st of March 2020 and ended back there on the 14th of March 2020. This tour visited Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, Phang Nga mangroves, Ko Phra Thong, Sri Phang Nga National Park, Khao Sok National Park, Khao Luang National Park (Krung Ching Waterfall), Thale Noi, Khao Nor Chu Chi (Khao Pra Bang Kram Wildlife Sanctuary), and Krabi mangroves, as well as several lesswell- known sights along the way. A total of 259 species were seen...
  • 2022 [11 November] - Gergő Nagy

    PDF Report
    Thailand is a perfect destination couples who are interested in nature and culture. I am a keen birdwatcher while my wife likes hiking, temples, and the different elements of the everyday Thai life, such as gastronomy and marketplaces. The number of high-quality birds, beautiful temples, marketplaces combined with easy travelling and great food makes Thailand a very nice destination.
  • 2022 [12 December] - Ronald de Mol

    PDF Report
    During my visit to Singapore and Malaysia in early 2020, just COVID-19 locked down the world, I experienced the natural splendour South-East Asia has to offer for first time. During 2022, as the world started to open up again, it was time to find a new travel destination. With at least 1049 bird species (depending on which taxonomy you follow), a multitude of rare mammal species, good infrastructure and a splendid network of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, Thailand was the logical next destination. F
  • 2023 [03 March] - Andy Walker - Thailand: Jewels of the South

    PDF Report
    Some of the non-passerine highlights included top-quality birds like Helmeted Hornbill, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Great Hornbill, White-crowned Hornbill, Brown-winged Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Banded Kingfisher, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Orange-breasted Trogon, Scarlet-rumped Trogon, Little Bronze Cuckoo, Red-billed Malkoha, Back-bellied Malkoha, Raffles’s Malkoha, Knob-billed Duck, Oriental Plover, Oriental Pratincole, River Lapwing, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Lesser Fish Eagle, Black Baza, Bat Hawk, Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle, Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle, Pied Harrier, Oriental Bay Owl, Buffy Fish Owl, Brown Wood Owl, Red-breasted Parakeet, Black-thighed Falconet, Oriental Hobby, Red-throated Barbet, Golden-whiskered Barbet, Sooty Barbet, White-browed Piculet, Rufous Piculet, Streak-breasted Woodpecker, Banded Woodpecker, and Buff-necked Woodpecker
  • 2023 [03 March] - Bill Simpson

    PDF Report
    I always wanted to do a slow, winter South East Asia trip when I retired and this was the ideal time to do one with gas and electricity prices soaring at home. Add to that a potentially once-in-a-lifetime chance of Bulwer’s Pheasant and Bornean Peacock-Pheasant and it was all too good to miss...
  • 2023 [03 March] - Carlos Sanchez

    PDF Report
    A trip of superlatives! Over the course of three weeks, we explored a wide variety of habitats from lush montane forests north of Chiang Mai to the saltpans of Pak Thale a couple hours drive from Bangkok, observing an astounding array of bird (432 species) and other wildlife. T
  • 2023 [03 March] - Peter Ericsson

    Report
    I picked up two tired Frenchman from Suwannaphum Airport in the early morning. Our destination for the day was Khao Yai National Park but we decided to visit the experimental rice beds at Pathum Thani for starters...
  • Nick Upton

    Report
    A series of reports
Places to Stay
  • Baan Maka Nature Lodge - Kaeng Krachan NP

    Accommodation
    We offer comfortable rooms with hot showers & air conditioning and a restaurant specialising in local and regional Thai dishes. The lodge is situated a few kilometres from Kaeng Krachan NP in three hectares of gardens and forest.
  • Chiang Dao Nest - North Thailand

    Accommodation
    North Thailand`s best kept secret. Doi Chiang Dao is one of the less well known birding sites in Thailand. It is gaining recognition amongst birders as there are over 300 documented species which visit this area. Stars of the show are the Mrs. Hume`s Pheasant and the Giant Nuthatch, but the supporting cast is pretty impressive too. 6 Simple, Clean Bungalows with amazing views.
  • Gecko Villa - Northeast Thailand

    Accommodation
    Gecko Villa offers a convenient base from which to explore the local woods, meadows, and fields, and in particular from which to explore the listed wetlands of Nong Han Kumphawapi. The lake and wetlands are easily accessed by bicycle (or car), and deeper excursions into the region may be made by small boat. Alternatively of course, Gecko Villa's rural location and extensive decks make it an excellent place in which to laze on one of the terraces with a pair of binoculars to observe the local bird life. Endangered species and migratory waterfowl will be of principal interest to bird watchers
  • Malee's Nature Lovers Bungalows

    Accommodation
    Malee Nature Lovers Bungalows lies at the base of the Chiang Dao. It is a beautiful area with lots of trails. More information about the nature can be found at the Chiang Dao pages.
Other Links
  • Bangkok’s birdwatching scene

    Article
    Much like formerly nerdy pursuits such as books clubs and board games, birding is cool again too. It makes sense. Just go into the woods and let the stress of life melt away while you concentrate of watching the tranquil life of little feathered friends...
  • Joys of Birding

    Website
    Joys of Birding is a group of people sharing their passions and joys in bird watching and bird photography. Founded by Bernie and Arpha as they both became serious in bird photography, Bernie has already been an artist and have painted birds for major exhibitions in Bangkok while Arpha showed her works in bird photography at the same exhibitions.
  • North Thailand Birding

    Website
    North Thailand Birding focuses on Birds, Birding and Nature Photography in Thailand. Information covers Birding Sites, Checklists, Trip Reports and Resources, as well as a wealth of background, travel and logistical information.
  • Ornithology

    Website
    Some papers relevant to birding in Thailand
  • Thai Bird Spot

    Website
    Birding Locations, Sightings, Tours, Forum and much more all in one spot...
  • Thai Birding

    Website
  • Wildlife Thailand

    Website
    Wildlife & National Parks of Thailand - Wildlife Thailand is a community website for sharing information, photographs and experiences on Thailand's wildlife, bio-diversity and protected areas. Creating awareness of this wonderful world around us.
Blogs
  • Brian Hewitt - TahiBirdSpot

    BLOG
    Bird watching in Thailand and S.E Asia
  • David Gandy - Bangkok City Birding

    BLOG
    Bangkok-based patch-worker in Suan Rot Fai, a large park close to the city's famous weekend market. I have recorded 150 species on my patch since 2008. As one of the only big green spaces in the city, "SRF" acts as a real magnet for migrants during spring and autumn, and holds a healthy selection of "sibes" during the winter months.
  • Gerry - Birds of Thailand and Beyond

    BLOG
    I live in Ratchaburi which is about 100 km due west of Bangkok and I am surrounded by great birds with easy access to some of the best birding sites in Thailand: Laem Pak Bia & Kaeng Krachan. This means variety, shorebirds at the former and typical forest birds at the latter. I regret to say I don't make it to Kaeng Krachan as often as I should. Add in local open country birds and you will appreciate I am really rather spoiled….
  • Neil Lawton - A Norfolk Birder in Thailand

    BLOG
    Last updated 2016 - I am a Norfolk birder who now spends the winter months living and birding in Thailand. The summer months are spent working and living on Scolt Head Island, Norfolk, England as permanent summer warden for Natural England.
  • Thai Birds 'n' Pies

    BLOG
    Birding Photography and the Occasional Pie in Thailand…
  • Thaibirds and more

    BLOG
    All comments are welcome as this serve to inspire me (Peter Ericsson) to keep posting. My photographic site is at www.pbase.com/peterericsson
  • Tony Ball - A Birdwatcher's Diary (Thailand)

    BLOG
    My eighteen years of living in Thailand haven't been wasted,though others might think so, It has been spent studying the birds of Thailand. Also doing bird checklists for various national parks, writing articles on birds, taking out birding tours and recording bird-calls which has resulted in three CD's, Birds of Thailand 1 & 2 and Thai Soundscape. Long may it continue…
Photographers & Artists
  • Photographer - Gary Kinard

    Gallery
    I am retired in Thailand. Am originally from Texas. The Hill country there got me interested in wildlife. But i only started shooting wildlife seriously when i came to Thailand
  • Photographer - Peter Ericsson

    Gallery
    Birds in Thailand are beautiful. Thailand is tropical and lush with beaches, fields, mountains and exotic birdlife. Consequently, Thailand makes for a great holiday destination. I have lived here since 1982 which is almost half of my life!

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