Bird List and Photographs for Southern VietNam and Laos. Glenn Morris. Go to Glenn's Home Page

 

Visits to "Birds in VietNam" since April, 2010

This is a list of birds I saw in VietNam and Laos from Dec2009-earlyFeb2010, preceded by abbreviations for the main birdwatching sites. Additional earlier records are given in italics with dates (either most recent or highest count). Additional birds or photos from the following year (Dec2010-early Feb 2011) are shown in red and the year after (Dec 2011-early Feb 2012) in blue. Click on the highlighted species to see my best photo so far (I hope to improve these gradually). All photos were taken in VietNam (or Laos) with a lightweight Panasonic DMC-FZ18 camera with up to 23x optical zoom.

My own recordings of bird song have been added to a few species (search "song"). These were recorded as mp3 with an Olympus LS-10, using its built-in microphones.

All enquiries, mis-i.d. complaints (we all make mistakes) and photo-repro requests to glennmanc@hotmail.com

  • NEW for 2012
    New species added: Also many new or improved photos added and a few new recordings
    Scalybreasted Partridge (NCT)     PHOTO; Rufous-throated Partridge (heard Lang Bian); Mallard (Xuan Thuy); Pale-headed Woodpecker (pair NCT); Banded Kingfisher (male, NCT) PHOTO; Chestnut-winged Cuckoo (Cam Ly, DaLat) PHOTO; Lesser Coucal (NCT) PHOTO; Hodgson's Frogmouth (heard DNS); Savannah Nightjar (DNS); Pink-necked Pigeon (Tram Chim); White-browed Crake (Van Long) PHOTO; Eurasian Curlew (Xuan Thuy); Pied Avocet (3 at Ca Na) PHOTO; Heuglin's Gull (Cua Hoi, Vinh) PHOTO; Brown-headed Gull (Rach Gia); Pied Falconet (Cuc Phuong) PHOTO; Black-faced Spoonbil (50+ at Xuan Thuy) PHOTO; Asian Openbill (500+ at Tram Chim) PHOTO; Blue Pitta (heard at DNS); Red-billed Blue Magpie (Ba Vi); Japanese Thrush (Cuc Phuong); Rufous-gorgetted Flycatcher (Ba Vi) PHOTO; Pied Bushchat (NCT, Phu My) PHOTO; Red-billed Starling (Xuan Thuy) PHOTO; Brown-throated Treecreeper (Lang Bian) PHOTO; Sultan Tit - sultanea (Cuc Phuong) PHOTO; Light-vented Bulbul (Xuan Thuy) PHOTO; Rusty-rumped Warbler (HCM City) PHOTO; Black-browed Reed Warbler (NCT, HCM City); Yellow-bellied Warbler (NCT) Short-tailed Scimitar-Babbler (heard Bi Doup) Limestone Wren-Babbler (Cuc Phuong) Rufous-winged Fulvetta (Bi Doup) Rufous-throated Fulvetta (Cuc Phuong) PHOTO PHOTO; Indochinese Bushlark (Ca Na) PHOTO; Baya Weaver (HCM City) PHOTO; Grey-capped Greenfinch (Cua Hoi, Vinh) PHOTO;
    NEW for 2011
    New species added:
    Oriental Skylark (one on coastal saltpans at Ba Ngoi and one singing at O Loan Lake)     PHOTO; Greater Flameback (HTL, NCT); Greythroated Babbler [rileyi] (in birdwave, Cam Ly, DaLat) PHOTO ; Blyth's Leaf-Warbler (seen singing at Lang Bian); Plain Flowerpecker (flock at Nam Ban) PHOTO; Blackhooded Laughingthrush (heard and glimpsed at Ta Nung & Bi Dup); Spot-breasted Babbler (1 heard at Ta Nung); Lanceolated Warbler (1 at Ho Tuyen Lam); Yellow-eyed Babbler (2 at Bi Dup) PHOTO; White-browed Scimitar-Babbler (Bi Dup); Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush (Mang Den) PHOTO; Pale-capped Pigeon (Mang Den); Orange-bellied Leafbird (Mang Den); White-winged Magpie (LoXo); Sultan Tit (Lo Xo) PHOTO; Redthroated Pipit (O Loan Lake) PHOTO; White-browed Piculet (NCT); Banded Broadbill (NCT) PHOTO; Large Scimitar-Babbler (NCT); Grey-faced Tit-Babbler (NCT); Red-billed Blue Magpie(NCT); Striated Grassbird (Tram Chim)PHOTO;

    Photos now shown for: Black Bulbul, Blackcapped Kingfisher, Osprey, Little Cormorant, Little Heron, Black-Collared Starling, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Flavescent Bulbul, Whitetailed Leaf Warbler, Mountain Fulvetta, Barwinged Flycatcher-Shrike, Blackthroated Tit, Bluewinged Minla, Ashy and Black Drongo, Cutia, Lesser Shortwing, Whitecrested Laughingthrush, White Wagtail, Moorhen, Grey-eyed Bulbul, Greycapped Pygmy Woodpecker, Firebreasted Flowerpecker, Whitebellied Yuhina, Plain-backed Sparrow, Long-toed Stint, Oriental Hobby, Peregrine, Common and Greater Flameback, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Great Hornbill, Dusky Broadbill, Black-naped Oriole, Black-naped Monarch, Magpie Robin, Common Tailorbird, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Cinnamon Bittern, Greenshank, Pacific Golden Plover, Greyheaded Swamphen, Bronze-winged Jacana, Gerygone, Olive-backed Sunbird, Marsh Harrier, Night Heron, Spot-billed Duck

    Improved photos for: Hill Prinia, Brown Prinia, Whitethroated Kingfisher, Marsh Sandpiper, Whitecheeked Laughingthrush, Whitethroated Rock Thrush, Wedgetailed Green Pigeon, Blue Whistling Thrush, Redvented Barbet, Osprey, Black-Hooded Oriole, Large Woodshrike, Brown Prinia, Collared Kingfisher, Plaintive Cuckoo

    Go to this new page to see my butterfly photos for VietNam and Laos.

    HO (my house in DaLat: Lam Sinh, Cam Ly)  OL (Ong Le’s garden, Ta Nung valley, DaLat)

    SV (Suoi Vang, DaLat) LB (Lang Bian, DaLat) HTL (Ho Tuyen Lam, DaLat) DTL (Da Tan La, DaLat)

    NCT (Nam Cat Tien National Park) DBL (Deo Bao Loc) BMT (Buon Ma Thuot- Gia Long woods)

    PW (woods in Kontum province near GiaLai province border) LX (Ngoc Linh-LoXo)

    BD (Bi Dup National Park, near DaLat) DNS (Deo Nui San, DiLinh) CD (Con Dao island) HCMC-G (grasslands near the East-West Hwy, south of HCM City) VT (Van Thanh local park, HCM)

    SL (South Laos) CL (Central Laos) NL (North Laos-Luang Prabang) BNH (Ban Na Hin, Laos) BacL (Bac Lieu) TC (Tram Chim)

     

    Bluebreasted Quail (HCMC-G)

    Scalybreasted Partridge (NCT)

    Rufous-throated Partridge (heard at LB )

    Orangenecked Partridge (Dinh Quan, response to tape, 2007)

    Chinese Francolin (HTL: put up once)

    Red Junglefowl (BMT, NCT, CD) Song (rec: NCT 12Jan2009)

    Siamese Fireback (NCT: 3-4 on main track)

    Silver Pheasant (Bach Ma, 2007: 1 female)

    Germain’s Peacock Pheasant (NCT) Song (rec: NCT, 16Jan2011)

    Green Peafowl (NCT: 5 males and 2 females on Ta Lai road)

    Sarus Crane (TC, flock of 80 in December, 1992)

    Lesser Whistling Duck (900 on Nha Trang-DaLat road; 100 at Tra O)

    Pintail (20 at Xuan Thuy; flock of 8,000, Tram Chim, 1987)

    Shoveler (50 at Xuan Thuy)

    Spotbilled Duck (Tram Chim, Xuan Thuy)Saigon Zoo Photo

    Mallard (male at Xuan Thuy)

    Wigeon (20 at Xuan Thuy)

    Teal (300+ at Xuan Thuy)

    Garganey (4 males at Xuan Thuy; flock of 20,000, Tram Chim, 1987)

    Cotton Pygmy Goose (45 at Tra O, Jan 1996)

    Comb Duck (single female: Tram Chim, 1992)Saigon Zoo Photo of Male

    Speckled Piculet (OL, DTL)

    White-browed Piculet (NCT)

    Pale-headed Woodpecker (pair in bamboo at NCT)

    Greycapped Pygmy Woodpecker (HO, HTL, SV, PW, BMT: common)

    Lesser Yellownape (NCT)

    Greater Yellownape (OL: once)

    Laced Woodpecker (NCT)

    Blackheaded Woodpecker (PW: pair at a nest hole)

    Greyheaded Woodpecker (NCT, SV)

    White-bellied Woodpecker (NCT)

    Common Flameback (NCT: 2-3 times)

    Greater Flameback (HTL)

    Rufous Woodpecker (NCT)

    Bay Woodpecker (OL, LX)

    Black-and-Buff Woodpecker (NCT, 1991)

    Heartspotted Woodpecker (NCT: flock of 4-5 birds)

    Great Slaty Woodpecker (NCT: 2 crossing Ben Cu)

    Redvented Barbet (BMT, OL) Song (rec: OL)

    Lineated Barbet (BMT, NCT)

    Greeneared Barbet (NCT)

    Goldenthroated Barbet (HTL, LB)

    Blackbrowed Barbet (SV, OL, DNS, DTL, Dambri) Song (rec: OL)

    Moustached Barbet (BNH) Song (rec: NCT 12Jan2009)

    Blue-eared Barbet (BNH, NCT) Song (rec: NCT 12Jan2009)

    Coppersmith Barbet (VT, BNH, NCT) Song (rec: BMT)

    Oriental Pied Hornbill (NCT, BMT)

    Wreathed Hornbill (DBL: 2006)

    Great Hornbill (NCT, DBL: 2 crossed the main road, one perched briefly)

    Orangebreasted Trogon (NCT)

    Redheaded Trogon (DTL: one perched silently)

    Hoopoe (5 near Pleiku, 2 at CaNa)

    Roller (PW, BNH, BMT, NCT)

    Dollarbird (OL, NCT)

    Common Kingfisher (VT, HTL, HO, NCT, CD)

    Blue-eared Kingfisher (NCT at Bau Beo, 2009)

    Banded Kingfisher (male at NCT)

    Storkbilled Kingfisher (NCT, TC)

    Whitethroated Kingfisher (Bo Y, Phong Nha, HTL, NCT)

    Blackcapped Kingfisher (HO, DaLat, NCT)

    Collared Kingfisher (Ninh Hoa, BacL, HCM City, Chau Doc)

    Pied Kingfisher (NCT, TC)

    Bluebearded Bee-eater (BNH, NCT, OL)

    Little Green Bee-eater (PW, TC)

    Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Ninh Hoa, Nha Trang, BacL, Phu My)

    Chestnutheaded Bee-eater (Dak Uy, Di Linh, NCT)

    Large Hawk-Cuckoo (HO: one flew into a pine-tree)

    Chestnut-winged Cuckoo (HO)

    Banded Bay Cuckoo (HO, Dak Uy, OL, NCT: heard; BNH seen)

    Plaintive Cuckoo (BNH, Thap Cham, NCT, TC) Hepatic Female Song (rec: TC)

    Asian Emerald Cuckoo (BMT, 2009)

    Drongo Cuckoo (Heard: SL; seen DNS, NCT previous years)

    Asian Koel (CD (common on this island), Duyen Hai, Phu My)

    Greenbilled Malkoha (HO, OL, NCT)

    Greater Coucal   (HO, LX, NCT)

    Lesser Coucal (NCT)

    Vernal Hanging Parrot (CL, BMT, NCT)

    Blossumheaded Parakeet (BMT: 2 birds seen once)

    Redbreasted Parakeet (BMT, NCT)

    Himalayan Swiftlet (BNH: 100+ over power station outlet)

    Germain’s Swiftlet (VT, CD: 100+ on the island, HCMC-G)

    Silver-backed Needletail (BNH, NCT)

    Brown-backed Needletail (BMT)

    Forktailed Swift (BNH)

    House Swift (VT, DaLat, HCM)

    Palm Swift (Deo Phu Son, SL, Hue)                        

    Crested Treeswift (BMT: several hawking in the evening)

    Barn Owl (heard: HCM City)

    Collared Scops Owl (HO) Song (rec: DaLat 27Dec2010)

    Collared Owlet (heard: OL, BNH, BD) Song (rec: OL 18Dec2009)

    Asian Barred Owlet (heard: HO, OL, BNH, NCT, seen: BMT) Song (rec: NCT )

    Brown Hawk Owl (heard: NCT)

    Hodgson's Frogmouth (heard at DNS)

    Largetailed Nightjar (heard: HO, NCT) Song (rec: DaLat, 1Jan2011)

    Savannah Nightjar (DNS)

    Great Eared Nightjar (heard: BMT, seen: NCT)

    Oriental Turtle Dove (HO, Dak Uy)

    Spotted Dove (HO, HTL, LX, NCT)

    Red Collared Dove (Vientiane, NCT, BMT)

    Emerald Dove (2009: OL, CD)

    Peaceful Dove (SL, ThaKhet)

    Barred Cuckoo Dove (HO, HTL)

    Pintailed Green Pigeon (OL, 2007)

    Orangebreasted Pigeon (4 at NCT, BMT: flock of 10+)

    Pompadour Green Pigeon (NCT)

    Thickbilled Green Pigeon (NCT: flocks of 20-30)

    Wedgetailed Green Pigeon (HTL: 1-4 birds regular near lakeside)

    Pink-necked Green Pigeon (4 at TC)

    Pale-capped Pigeon (MD)

    Green Imperial Pigeon (NCT, CD)

    Mountain Imperial Pigeon (OL, LB, HTL)

    Pied Imperial Pigeon (CD: 6-7 individuals seen)

    White-browed Crake (2-3 at Van Long)

    Purple Swamphen (Tra Su; 500+ at Tram Chim)

    Moorhen (DaLat, TC)

    Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Tram Chim)

    Bronze-winged Jacana (Tram Chim, Tra Su)

    Whitebreasted Waterhen (DaLat, CD, TC, HCM City)

    Slatybreasted Rail (20 trapped at Nha Be, Dec 1995)

    Ruddybreasted Crake (Phong Nha)

    Watercock (Tram Chim)

    Woodcock (DaLat, 2007: one in DaLat Flower Garden)

    Pintail Snipe (DaLat, BD: 4-6 birds in DaLat Flower Garden)

    Blacktailed Godwit  (900 at Xuan Thuy)

    Spotted Redshank (NCT, Tuy Hoa, Xuan Thuy)

    Common Redshank (Can Gio, Xuan Thuy, 36 at CaNa, 1995)

    Marsh Sandpiper (BaNgoi: flock of 3; Xuan Thuy)

    Greenshank (BaNgoi, NCT: singles)

    Green Sandpiper (NCT, BMT, Phu My)

    Wood Sandpiper (NCT: flock of 8 at Bird lake; CaNa)

    Common Sandpiper (DaLat, NCT, CD)

    Turnstone (BaNgoi: 3-4 on saltpans)

    Whimbrel (CD: single)

    Eurasian Curlew (2 at Xuan Thuy)

    Rednecked Stint (100+ at O Loan)

    Longtoed Stint (2 at BaNgoi, 1993; O Loan)

    Ruff (BaNgoi: April, 2005)

    Curlew Sandpiper (6+ Duyen Hai, 1993)

    Broadbilled Sandpiper (2 at Dam Nai, Phan Rang, 1992)

    Blackwinged Stilt (BaNgoi: flock of 3; 1 at Xuan Thuy)

    Pied Avocet (3 at CaNa)

    Pacific Golden Plover (BacL, Duyen Hai, Dec 1995)

    Grey Plover (10 at Duyen Hai, Dec 1994)

    Little Ringed Plover (BaNgoi: flock of 6; O Loan, CaNa)

    Kentish Plover (CD: flock of 24 on beach; O Loan, CaNa)

    Lesser Sand Plover (BaNgoi: a few on saltpans)

    Greater Sand Plover (BaNgoi: flock of 50-60 on saltpans)

    Redwattled Lapwing (NCT: pairs at Bird lake and Bau Beo)

    Greyheaded Lapwing (NCTat Bird lake, 2009)

    Oriental Pratincole (Tra O, Jan 1996)

    Hueglin's Gull (11 at Cua Hoi, Vinh)

    Brown-headed Gull (2 at Rach Gia)

    Blackheaded Gull (100s at Xuan Thuy)

    Whiskered Tern (Dam Nai: 20+ over prawn ponds and rice paddies; 100+ at Rach Gia)

    Whitewinged Tern (10 at Tram Chim, 1987)

    Caspian Tern (1 at Ha Tien; 80 at Duyen Hai, 1993)

    Common Tern (Vung Tau, 1986)

    Great Crested Tern (140 at CaNa, 1994)

    Osprey (HTL, Lak, DaLat Grand Lac, NCT: singles)

    Black Baza (NCT, BD, BMT)

    Oriental Honey Buzzard (BMT city, CL, BD, CD, HO, TC)

    Blackshouldered Kite (Lak, CL, BMT, CD)

    Brahminy Kite (1 near Ha Tien; SL: once)

    Black-eared Kite - govinda (5 together north of Vinh)

    White-bellied Sea Eagle (DaLat, Nha Trang, CD: at least 3 on the island)

    Lesser Fish Eagle (NCT)

    Greyheaded Fish Eagle (NCT: Bird Lake)

    Crested Serpent Eagle (OL, HO, SL, NCT, HTL)

    Marsh Harrier (Dong Ha: one female flying high; Tram Chim)

    Pied Harrier (NL: juvenile quartering; route26 to BMT: adult male flying high; Xuan Thuy)

    Crested Goshawk (DBL, BNH, HO, BD)

    Shikra (HO, PW, SL, BMT, BD, Ngoan Muc)

    Besra (Cuc Phuong, BD: single flew overhead across road into forest when disturbed)

    Rufous-winged Buzzard (CL: two)

    Greyfaced Buzzard (HO, HTL, SV, CL, BMT, BD, DNS)

    Common Buzzard (NL, Cuc Phuong)

    Black Eagle (DBL, OL, Bach Ma, BD, LB, HO)

    Rufous-bellied Eagle (BD, LB, Dran: singles and all immatures)

    Changeable Hawk-Eagle (BMT, PW; Ngoan Muc: display flight)

    Mountain Hawk-Eagle (OL, NL: perched birds; LB)

    Collared Falconet (BMT, 1993)

    Pied Falconet (1 at Cuc Phuong)

    Kestrel (NL, DaLat, Hoi An)

    Oriental Hobby (LX, 2007; NCT, HTL)

    Peregrine (BNH, Lak, DaNang: also in previous years HCM city centre, and Ba Ngoi)

    Little Grebe (HTL: numerous breeding on the lake)

    Darter (NCT: single, TC: many, Tra Su)

    Little Cormorant (Duyen Hai, 20+; 240 at Tram Chim, 1995)

    Little Egret (HTL, BaNgoi, CD)

    Pacific Reef Egret (Nha Trang, CD)

    Grey Heron (Ba Ngoi: flock of 14, CD: flock of 3)

    Purple Heron (NCT)

    Great White Egret (Lak, BaNgoi, CD)

    Intermediate Egret (NCT)

    Cattle Egret (ricefields everywhere, NCT, CD)

    Chinese Pond Heron (VT, HO, OL, HTL, CD)

    Little Heron (Ninh Hoa, CD, Duyen Hai)

    Blackcrowned Night Heron (NCT, BacL, TC)

    Yellow Bittern (VT, CD, TC)

    Cinnamon Bittern (Di Linh, Nha Trang, Lak, NCT, TC)

    Black Bittern (1 at TC)

    Great Bittern (HaLong, 1991)

    Blackheaded Ibis (50 at Bac Lieu, 1984)

    Glossy Ibis (20 at Bac Lieu, 1984)

    Black-faced Spoonbill (50+ at Xuan Thuy)

    Asian Openbill (500+ at TC)

    Painted Stork (NCT: 2007)

    Woolly-necked Stork (NCT: 2009)

    Lesser Adjutant (1 at NCT)

    Greater Adjutant (Tram Chim: 1992)

    Frigatebird spp (HaLong Bay, 1991)

    Bluerumped Pitta (heard to tape: NCT)

    Barbellied Pitta (seen and heard: NCT, Cuc Phuong)

    Blue Pitta (heard at DNS)

    Black and Red Broadbill (NCT: twice near HQ)

    Banded Broadbill (NCT)

    Dusky Broadbill (NCT) Song (rec: NCT)

    Longtailed Broadbill (DTL: 2 birds)

    Silverbreasted Broadbill (DaLat, Jan 1999)

    Golden-bellied Gerygone (Ninh Hoa, Duyen Hai, BacL, TC) Song (rec: BacL)

    Asian Fairy Bluebird (OL, NCT)

    Bluewinged Leafbird (BNH, DNS, NCT)

    Goldenfronted Leafbird (BMT, 2009)

    Orange-bellied Leafbird (MD)

    Brown Shrike (HO; widespread)

    Brown Shrike – lucionensis subspp  (BNH, BMT)

    Brown Shrike? (Laos)(Tha Khet, Laos)

    Burmese Shrike (HTL)

    Longtailed Shrike (LX)

    Greybacked Shrike (BNH)

    Eurasian Jay (HO, HTL, SV: common)

    Red-billed Blue Magpie (Ba Vi)

    White-winged Magpie (LX)

    Indochinese Green Magpie (OL, Dak Uy, SV)

    Rufous Treepie (Yok Don, 2009)

    Racket-tailed Treepie (NCT, HCM City, TC)

    Ratchet-tailed Treepie (Bach Ma, 1995)

    Largebilled Crow (Cam Ly, OL, Dak Uy, LX: up to 10 at DaLat, 20+ at Dak Uy)

    Ashy Woodswallow (Dak Uy, DaLat)

    Blacknaped Oriole (BNH, NCT)

    Slender-billed Oriole (HO, HTL)

    Blackhooded Oriole (heard:OL, BMT, NCT)

    Maroon Oriole (OL, BD, LB, DNS, HTL)

    Swinhoe’s Minivet (BMT: flock of 10-20; DNS)

    Ashy Minivet (BMT, NCT)

    Small Minivet (PW: flock of 5-6)

    Grey-Chinned Minivet (BD: pair)

    Longtailed Minivet (OL, SV, HTL)

    Scarlet Minivet (OL, HTL, SV, LX, DNS)

    Pied Fantail (VT, Vientiane, BacL, TC)

    White-throated Fantail (OL, SV, HO, BD, LB) Song (rec: OL 19Dec2010)

    Black Drongo (Lak, Ninh Hoa, NCT, TC)

    Ashy Drongo (OL, HTL, SV, BNH, PW, BD, LB, NCT)

    Bronzed Drongo (NCT)

    Lesser RT Drongo (OL)

    Spangled Drongo (Dak Uy, BMT, NCT)

    Greater RT Drongo (BNH, NCT, CD)

    Common Iora (HTL, Lak, NCT)

    Great Iora (NCT)

    Large Cuckoo-Shrike (LB, BD, OL)

    Indochinese Cuckoo-Shrike (HCM City Zoo, LX, HO)

    Blackwinged Cuckoo-Shrike (NCT)

    Barwinged Flycatcher-Shrike (OL, HO, BD, NCT)

    Large Woodshrike (HTL, NCT)

    Common Woodshrike (PW)

    Blacknaped Monarch (NL, NCT)

    Asian Paradise Flycatcher (NCT, inc white-phase male)

    White-throated Rock Thrush (HTL, LB, DTL, SV)

    Blue Rock Thrush (Pandoo)(HO, BNH, BD)

    Blue Rock Thrush (Philippensis)(HO, BNH, BD)

    Blue Whistling Thrush (OL, BMT, Dambri, DTL)

    Orangeheaded Thrush (NCT, 2009)

    Eyebrowed Thrush (Hue, 1984)

    Japanese Thrush (Cuc Phuong)

    Eurasian Blackbird (Phong Nha, CD, Cuc Phuong)

    Asian Brown Flycatcher (HO, Dak Uy, NCT, CD)

    Mugimaki Flycatcher (OL, HTL, LB, BD, DNS)

    Redthroated Flycatcher (HO, HTL, BD)

    Little Pied Flycatcher (OL, HTL)

    Blue and White Flycatcher (HTL: single)

    Verditer Flycatcher (OL, SV, HO, HTL, BNH, BD, DTL, LB)

    Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher (OL, HTL, NL, BD, LB, SV)

    Large Niltava (OL, HTL, SV) inc. female of “decorata” subspp (OL)

    Rufous-gorgetted Flycatcher (male at Ba Vi)

    Hainan Blue Flycatcher (NCT)

    Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher (NCT)

    Lesser Shortwing (S Annam subsp: langbianensis)(OL, LB, DTL: 2 singing males at Ong Le) Song (rec: OL 8Dec2010)

    Bluethroat (Tram Chim, Jan 1995)

    Siberian Blue Robin (HO, OL) Adult and 1st winter males

    Orangeflanked Bush-Robin (SaPa, 2003)

    Oriental Magpie Robin (NCT)

    Whiterumped Shama (NCT, CD)

    Slatybacked Forktail (BD, 2009; DTL)

    White-tailed Robin (heard: LB-beamed up)

    Plumbeous Water Redstart (LX, BD[pair])

    Siberian Stonechat (SL, BNH, NCT)

    Stonechat-przewalskii subspp (CL)

    Pied Bushchat (CL, NCT, Phu My)

    Grey Bushchat (HTL, SV, BNH, LB, Ba Vi)

    Chestnut-tailed Starling (5 at Chau Doc, Vientiane: flock of 30-50)

    Redbilled Starling (15-20 at Xuan Thuy)

    White-shouldered Starling (DaLat: flock of 50 in flower garden, inc 3-4 yellow form)

    Blackcollared Starling (HO, HTL: large numbers roost near Grand Lac)

    Vinousbreasted Starling (HTL, Bach Ma)

    Common Myna (SL, BNH, DaLat, HCM City)

    White-vented Myna (SL, CL, Xuan Thuy)

    Golden-crested Myna (NCT: flock of 6)

    Hill Myna (OL, Cuc Phuong)

    Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch (PW, 2009)

    Chestnut-vented Nuthatch (HTL, SV, HO, LB, DTL)

    Velvetfronted Nuthatch (BNH, BMT, NCT)

    Brown-throated Treecreeper (1 at LB)

    Yellowbilled Nuthatch (DTL, 2003; BD)

    Great Tit (PW, Ninh Binh, Vinh, Ba Vi)

    Greenbacked Tit  (HO, HTL, SV, LB)

    Yellowcheeked Tit (HO, BD, LB)

    Sultan Tit - gaeti (LX)

    Sultan Tit - sultanea (Cuc Phuong)

    Blackthroated Tit (annamensis)(OL, HTL, HO, BD).

    Sand Martin (single with swallows at Duyen Hai)

    Dusky Crag Martin (SL, Thakhet)

    Barn Swallow (HO, PW, LB, BaNgoi, NCT, CD and throughout)

    Striated/Redrumped Swallow (PW, CL, NCT anf throughout)

    Striated Swallow (BMT)

    Asian House Martin  (OL, LB, BD)

    Nepal House Martin (BNH)

    Blackheaded Bulbul (BMT)

    Blackcrested Bulbul (OL, HO, HTL, DNS, LB, NCT)

    RedWhiskered Bulbul (OL, Vientiane, BD, LX)

    Lightvented Bulbul (Xuan Thuy)

    SootyHeaded Bulbul (HTL, HO, PW)

    SootyHeaded Bulbul (red vented subspp: Vientiane)

    Stripethroated Bulbul (BNH, SL, Thakhet, BMT, NCT, CD)

    Yellow-vented Bulbul (Duyen Hai, Ha Tien, HCM City[Hoc Mon])

    Flavescent Bulbul (DBL, SV, OL, BD, LB)

    Streakeared Bulbul (Saigon Zoo, VT, Thap Cham, NCT, TC, CaNa)

    Ochraceous Bulbul (NCT, 2009)

    Puffthroated Bulbul (BNH, DNS, DTL, Cuc Phuong)

    Grey-eyed Bulbul (OL, BNH, DNS)

    Ashy Bulbul (Cam Ly, OL, HTL, DNS, LB)

    Mountain Bulbul (OL, LB)

    Black Bulbul (HO, OL, HTL, SV, Dak Uy, DNS, LB)

    BareFaced Bulbul (BNH)

    Brown Prinia (rocki) (HTL)

    Hill Prinia (SV, OL, BD)

    Rufescent Prinia (OL, Dak Uy, BD)

    Plain Prinia (VT)

    Yellow-bellied Prinia (Xuan Thuy, HCM City)

    Oriental White-eye (williamsoni) (HO, DNS, CD)

    Japanese White-eye (NL, Hoi An)

    Common Tailorbird (NL, HCM)

    Dark-necked Tailorbird (OL, BNH, NCT, CD) Song (rec: CD 8Feb2010)

    Ashy Tailorbird (Duyen Hai, 1995)

    Mountain Tailorbird (heard:OL, HTL, LX, BD, LB)

    Palefooted Bush Warbler (OL: single)

    Lanceolated Warbler (HTL)

    Rusty-rumped Warbler (HCMC-G)

    Black-browed Reed Warbler (NCT)

    Dusky Warbler (NCT, TC, BMT)

    Radde’s Warbler (HO, BNH, NCT)

    Oriental Reed Warbler (TC)

    Thickbilled Warbler (DaLat Grand Lac, 1987)

    Arctic Warbler (?) (Hoa Lu)

    Two-barred Warbler (?)(NCT, LX, 2007)

    Ashythroated Warbler (BD)

    Yellowbrowed Warbler (HO, OL, HTL, SV, LB, NCT, CD)

    Pale-legged Leaf-Warbler (NCT, HO) Song (rec: NCT 9Jan2009)

    Blyth's Leaf-Warbler (LB, OL) Song (rec: OL)

    White-tailed Leaf-Warbler (HTL, SV, HO, OL, DNS, LB) Song (rec: SV 9Jan2009)

    White-spectacled Warbler (LB, OL, 2007)

    Greycheeked Warbler (OL, HTL)

    Chestnut-crowned Warbler (HTL, BD)

    Yellow-bellied Warbler (bamboo at NCT)

    Striated Grassbird(BacL, TC) Song (rec: TC)

    Grey-bellied Tesia (HTL: heard, OL) Song (rec: OL 20Jan2009)

    Blackhooded Laughingthrush (OL, BD heard) Song (rec: BD)

    Masked Laughingthrush (Phong Nha, Bach Ma, 2007)

    Whitecrested Laughingthrush (heard: HTL; seen: NCT, DiLinh)

    Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush (Ninh Hoa, 1993)

    Whitecheeked Laughingthrush (OL, HTL: flocks of 50+) Calls (rec: Cam Ly, DaLat, 27Dec2010)

    Collared Laughingthrush (LB: heard in response to tape, seen HTL:2003)

    Orangebreasted LaughingThrush (OL: heard in response to tape, DNS: 2-3 seen)

    Chestnuteared Laughingthrush(MD)

    Abbott’s Babbler (heard and recorded: NCT; seen, 2007) Song (rec: NCT 3Feb2010)

    Buff-breasted Babbler (NCT) Song (rec: NCT 18Jan2011)

    Puff-throated Babbler (NCT) Song (rec: NCT 18Jan2011)

    Scalycrowned Babbler (NCT, 2007)

    Large Scimitar-Babbler (NCT, Cuc Phuong) Song (rec: NCT 18Jan2011)

    Whitebrowed Scimitar-Babbler (BD, LB) Song (rec: BD)

    Redbilled Scimitar-Babbler (DNS: flock of 10+) Song (rec: DNS 23Jan2010)

    Short-tailed Scimitar-Babbler (heard - BD)

    Limestone Wren-Babbler (Cuc Phuong)

    Rufous-capped Babbler (OL, BD, LB) Song (rec: LB 25Jan2010)

    Sooty Babbler (BNH: flocks of 6-12)

    Greythroated Babbler (rileyi subsp) (HO)

    Chestnut-capped Babbler (HTL, NCT)

    Yellow-eyed Babbler(BD) Song (rec: BD 12Dec2010)

    Pygmy Wren-Babbler (heard:LB, OL, BD) Song (rec: OL 16Jan2010)

    Spot-breasted Babbler (heard: OL - thanks to Ng. Hoai Bao) Song (rec: OL)

    Striped Tit-Babbler (BNH, NL, NCT, CD) Song (rec: NCT 13Jan2009)

    Grey-faced Tit-Babbler (NCT)

    Cutia (Annam subsp: legalleni) (LB, DTL, BD)

    Whitebrowed Shrike-Babbler (LB)

    Chestnut-fronted Shrike-Babbler (LB, BD)

    Bluewinged Minla (HTL, HO, BD) Group Calls (rec: OL 19Dec2010)

    Silver-eared Mesia (HTL, BD)

    Rufous-winged Fulvetta (BD)

    Rufous-throated Fulvetta (Cuc Phuong)

    Mountain Fulvetta (OL, HO, HTL, BD)

    Greycrowned Crocias (OL) Song (rec: OL)

    Rufous-backed Sibia (OL, HTL)

    Blackheaded Sibia (OL, HTL, BD) Song (rec: OL 20Jan2009)

    White-bellied Yuhina (OL, DNS, DTL, BD, HTL, Cuc Phuong)

    Greyheaded Parrotbill (OL, BD)

    Indochinese Bushlark (CaNa)

    Oriental Skylark (Ba Ngoi, Xuan Thuy, TC)

    Thickbilled Flowerpecker (SL)

    Yellowvented Flowerpecker (DBL, 2006; Nam Ban)

    Plain Flowerpecker (Nam Ban)

    Firebreasted Flowerpecker (DamBri, HTL, LB, Ba Vi)

    Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (NCT, CaNa)

    Buffbellied Flowerpecker (BaLa, west of Bao Loc, 1989)

    Purplenaped Sunbird (NCT)

    Purplethroated Sunbird (NCT)

    Olivebacked Sunbird (NCT, HCM, TC, CaNa)

    Purple Sunbird (NCT)

    Brownthroated Sunbird (Tram Chim, 1994)

    Ruby-cheeked Sunbird (NCT: 2009)

    Mrs Gould’s Sunbird (subsp: annamensis)(HTL, OL, BD, DTL: common) Song (rec: BD)

    Forktailed Sunbird (Cuc Phuong, Ba Vi, Bach Ma, 2007)

    Blackthroated Sunbird johnsi (OL, DNS, HO: common)

    Blackthroated Sunbird ochra (MD) Song (rec: MD)

    Crimson Sunbird (BNH, Dak Uy, NCT, Ba Vi)

    Little Spiderhunter (Cam Ly, BNH, NCT)

    Streaked Spiderhunter (OL, DNS, DTL)

    Paddyfield Pipit (CL, DaLat, NCT, Ba Ngoi)

    Olivebacked Pipit (OL, SV, HO, CD, BD)

    Redthroated Pipit (O Loan)

    Forest Wagtail (CD: single)

    White Wagtail (CL, DaLat, Cua Hoi, Van Long)

    Grey Wagtail (DBL, HO, OL, HTL, SV, BD, CD)

    Tree Sparrow (VT and everywhere)

    Plainbacked Sparrow (Lak, BacL, Ha Tien, Phu My)

    Asian Golden Weaver (VT: single)

    Streaked Weaver (1 at HCMC-G, 10 at TC, Jan 1995)

    Baya Weaver (9 at HCMC-G, 10 at TC, Jan 1995)

    Blackheaded Munia (6 at HCMC-G, TC)

    Whiterumped Munia (OL, BMT, NCT, HCM City)

    Scalybreasted Munia (SV, OL, HTL, NCT, HCM City)

    Grey-capped Greenfinch (3 at Cua Hoi, Vinh)

    Vietnamese Greenfinch  (HO, SV, LB)

    Blackheaded Greenfinch  (SaPa, 2003)

    Red Crossbill (HTL, LB)

     

     

    SITE DESCRIPTIONS

     

    HO (my house in DaLat: Lam Sinh, Cam Ly) 

  • Pinewoods with a good shrub layer, adjacent to agricultural land with a small stream and ponds nearby. Includes the Hero's Cemetery at Cam Ly.

    OL (Ong Le’s garden, Ta Nung valley, DaLat)
  • A well-known birding site in DaLat, its special feature being a relatively large area of remnant broadleaved forest with a stream running through it. Other habitats adding to the variety include pine forest and dense areas of fruiting shrubs. Now (2011) being developed as a "tourist resort" with possible detrimental effects

    SV (Suoi Vang, DaLat)

  • A tourist site with large lakes serving a power station. Open pinewoods with small areas of broadleaved habitat in gulleys (which can produce surprise birds like Green Magpie, Parakeets and White-bellied Woodpecker). A side-road down to the power station is most productive.

    LB (Lang Bian, DaLat)
  • An entrance fee is payable and the less energetic will have to hire a jeep to get to the main track early enough in the morning. This track forks to the left from the motor road leads through pine forest to high-altitude broadleaved forest, though there is no need to go right to the top.

    HTL (Ho Tuyen Lam, DaLat)
  • The 2nd prime birding site in DaLat, after Ta Nung, and the best site for birding pine forest and associated grassland. A new road on the east side leads to a tourist camp from which one can follow the lakeside to a second tourist camp and beyond. Many species associated with broadleaved forest find their way down to the lakeside, though the serious and energetic birder may rush past all this to reach the more extensive forest on Nui Voi (Elephant Mountain).

    DTL (Da Tan La, DaLat)
  • In spite of all the tasteless tourist trivia that have been added over the years, this easy-access site continues to produce close views of spectacular and sought-after birds on a daily basis. Best to arrive before the tourists, but 6-8am is OK. Small entrance fee.

    NCT (Nam Cat Tien National Park)
  • Easily the best site for lowland tropical forest and wetland birds in the whole of VietNam, and for primates and other larger mammals. Entrance fee and on-site accomodation (£25 per night) essential and hiring a jeep (£10) makes access easier. Important areas include (a) trails near HQ, inc. Botanical Garden (b) the main forest road to Dak Lua (c) wetland areads of Bau Chim, Bau Sau and Bau Beo and trials leading to them (d) Thac Troi and road to Dak Ko (e) the road to Ta Lai, especially in the evening. Compulsory guide for Crocodile Lake (£25) adds further to the cost, which is expensive only by VietNamese standards, and it is all for a good cause. January is good, when leech numbers have declined, but winter visitors are still abundant.

    DBL (Deo Bao Loc)
  • This mountain pass is a vast area of dense broadleaved forest on the Saigon-DaLat road that can be viewed from a rest area (the 2nd and higher of two pagodas on the pass). Raptors and hornbills cross the road regularly late morning and midday. (Note: roadworks now finished)

    BMT (Buon Ma Thuot- Gia Long woods)
  • The Dray Sap waterfall tourist site includes an extensive area of open broadleaved evergreen forest by the side of the Srepok river, about one hour's drive east of Buon Ma Thuot. Access is by trails near the entrance (Dray Sap) or a motor road that runs to Gia Long waterfall. Open agricultural habitats add more birds. Small entrance fee.

    PW (woods in Kontum province near GiaLai province border)
  • Roadside deciduous forest on the Kontum-Pleiku road around Km 610. Typical species for this habitat, similar to Yok Don National Park, but easier access. Likely to be exploited (i.e. converted to rubber plantations) in the near future.

    LX (Ngoc Linh-LoXo)
  • Spectacular forests on the new Ho Chi Minh road in the mountains behind DaNang-Hue. Accessible from the roadside and a few sideroads. Regional specialities.

    BD (Bi Dup National Park, near DaLat)
  • Broadleaved forests with large native pines on the new DaLat-Nha Trang road. Good birding on the lower parts after a large bridge near Park HQ.

    DNS (Deo Nui San, DiLinh)
  • Broadleaved forests on the road south of DaLat between DiLinh and Phan Thiet. A busy road but there are good side trails.

    CD (Con Dao island)
  • Low species diversity compared with the mainland, but some species are unusually abundant. Peaceful with few cars.

    VT (Van Thanh local park, HCM)
  • A pleasure park on the N1 out of Saigon (shortly before the Saigon river bridge) has little outdoor eateries, sculptures, swimming pool and tennis, but it adjoins unimproved wetland fragments and has a largish, reed-bordered lake.

    TC (Tram Chim National Park, Dong Thap)
  • A large area of wet grasslands with scattered trees and "Tram" forest, which favours very large numbers of a few species, such as Purple Swamphen, Purple Heron, Darter and Striated Grassbird. Sarus Cranes used to be present in Dec/Jan, but now only arrive in February. Water level management, however, means that there is now little open water to attract wild duck.

    BacL (Bac Lieu and its "Bird Garden")
  • The extensive mangroves south of Bac Lieu have largely been converted to prawn ponds and this is on-going. A new road parallel to the shore is convenient for birding, especially to the south, where many smaller "mangrove birds", such as Collared Kingfisher, are hanging on. The "Bird Garden" is quite a large "Tram" forest reserve 5km from Bac Lieu, with a Zoo at the entrance, but a serious reserve for nesting herons, egrets and cormorants lies beyond (guide needed)