Birds ticked while travelling around Thailand

This collection of birds isn't restricted to any place or park. I've captured these images while travelling around Thailand and some are from my local patch. Others are from Khao Yai National Park, Nam Nao National Park, Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Chulaborn Dam and various smaller lesser known parks.



1. Sooty-headed Bulbul (yellow-vented).

Frequenting my backyard in Isaan is this yellow-vented specie.

2. Asian Openbill:

Commonly seen around padi-fields and lakes where large flocks gather.

3. Green Bee-eater:

Small-sized bee-eater frequently seen at fresh water marshes.

4. Sooty-headed Bulbul (red-vented)

Sooty-headed again this time with a red vent although it appears more orangey here.

5. Black Bulbul:

Taken at dusk with flash. From Phu Khieo WS.

6. Pied Bushchat:

A tiny bird often seen at open farmland and likes to perch low to hawk for insects.

7. Rufous Winged Buzzard:

Found perched on top of a dead tree trunk in farmland.

8. Green Cochoa:

A shy bird seen at Nam Nao NP.

9. Little Cormorant:

At a fresh-water marsh, Buriram

10. Whistling Duck:

Part of a large flock taking it easy on a windy day.

11. Greater Coucal:

A resident bird from my backyard.

12. Dollar Bird:

From Khao Yai, this Dollarbird was perched high up on this near leafless tree.

13. Eurasian Jay:

Commonly found at Phu Khieo WS, the Eurasian Jay is a fairly large bird and favours the pine forests.

14. Plain-backed Sparrow (female):

The creamy yellow plumage makes this female rather attractive compared to the usual tree sparow.

15. Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher:

A tiny but handsome bird from Phu Khieo WS.

16. Javan Pond Heron:

From Bang Pu, this heron was observed feeding on shrimps.

17.  Hoopoe:

At a fresh-water marsh near Buriram, the hoopoe is quite common here.

18. Bronzed-winged Jacana:

This and the next photo were both taken at a marsh near Buriram.

19.  Bronze-winged Jacana (juvenile):

20.  Black-capped Kingfisher:

This too is from Buriram, fresh water marsh. Very hard to approach as they are very shy. I took this using my car as a mobile hide.

21. Chestnut-headed Bee-eater:

This and the following photo were taken from my local patch. These guys frequent a bamboo grove every morning and evening. They park themselves at the very top from which they swoop to grab insects. Butterflies and dragonflies seem a favourite.

22. Chestnut-headed Bee-eater:

23. Eurasian Tree Sparrow.

Often overlooked, I think this is quite a handsome bird although it often nests in eaves and make a real mess.

24. Streaked-eared Bulbul:

Very common and aggressive, the Streak-eared has displaced the Sooty-headed bulbul which have now moved away from my backyard.

25. Scarlet Minivet (female)

A rather unusual find as this was a lone bird sighted at a temple ground near Korat.

26. Asian-barred Owlet:

Pretty pleased to score this one as I have heard it calling over several days/nights. Finally sighted when I was  alerted by a racket raised by a pair of resident Fantails and a Shrike that mobbed this owl early in the morning. From my backyard in Isaan, Thailand.

27. Pied Fantail:

A resident pair visits my backyard frequently and they are a joy to watch when they are actively feeding.

28. Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher:

Tiny bird taken from Phu Khieo WS.

29. Asian Brown Flycatcher:

Winter visitor to my backyard. Caught pooping.

30. Rufous Treepie:

Taken from quite a distance (approx: 45 meters) is this Treepie. Seems to me this is the most attractive amongst treepies. From Bang Phra.

31. Black Kite:

First seen perched on this tree, it took off as I tried to get closer. Happy to get this shot of it making a hasty departure.

32. Cattle Egret:

An estimated flock of 30+ individuals was observed tagging along with a heard of water buffaloes grazing near a marsh. From Bang Phra.


33. Jungle Fowl:

A heavily cropped photo of a male jungle fowl moments before it dashed into the undergrowth cover.

Some Birds from Kaeng Krachan, Thailand

In this blog, I've put together some of the birds I've seen and recorded during my few visits to this internationally renowned birding spot. Kaeng Krachan remains a favourite for many birders both local and foreign. The forests within the park are still pristine and the bird diversity is large due to many different habitats and conservation effort of the authorities. The park claims a specie count of more than 400.

Getting to the park is easy as the roads are well sign-posted and it's roughly 3 hours by road from Bangkok.

Head for Tha Yang first in Petchaburi Province.  Having your own transport in the form of a 4WD vehicle is recommended as the drive to the first campsite named Baan Krang entails driving on unpaved roads which are deeply rutted at certain sections. Then there is the drive from Baan Krang right up to the uppermost campsite at Panoen Tung which is even tougher on vehicles although I have witnessed family sedans being driven up. 

Accommodation is plentiful and a very popular resort is Baan Maka which is approximately 15 minutes drive to the park entrance. The owners of this resort are keen birders themselves and would be able to assist in hiring guides and current general info about bird activity.

Kaeng Krachan National Park is closed during the wet season from August till end October.

The birds I've captured here are from within as well as outside the park. Many of these images come from sitting in hides from dawn till dusk. Others are opportunistic captures while trekking along trails or simply driving from place to place. The dry season is my preferred time to visit as many species can be observed visiting waterholes to bathe and drink and seek respite from the heat. Sitting cramped and virtually still within hides can be equally taxing but when the birds appear, the suffocating heat and discomfort is quickly forgotten.

The birds:

1. Large Scimitar Babbler:

This babbler came to visit a man-made watering-hole. Taken from a hide.

2. Green-eared Barbet:

Taken from Baan Krang Campsite. This one put in great effort to strip bark from this decaying tree-trunk.

3. Blue-throated Barbet:

From Panoen Tung, this was found just behind the restaurant feeding on this fruiting tree

4. Blue-bearded Bee-eater:

Found perched high on a bamboo grove near Baan Maka resort.

5. Puff-throated Bulbul:

This bulbul came to visit a watering-hole at midday.

6. Stripe-throated Bulbul:

And so did these two bulbuls as well. Black-crested bulbul in the background.

7. Tickell's Blue Flycatcher:

Fun time on a very hot day at the waterhole

8. Emerald Dove:

This dove visited late into the evening only to drink.

9. Grey-cheeked Fulvetta:

These guys appeared frequently throughout the day.

 10. Thick-billed Flowerpecker:

I found this one at an orchard on the way to the park.

11. Greater-necklaced Laughing Thrush:

A gregarious bird often announcing its arrival with loud calls

12. Black-naped Monarch

Often in pairs, this little fella (a male) is very drawn to the waterhole and spends a great deal of time bathing and preening.

13. Vernal hanging Parrot:

A visitor to a feeding station set up at an orchard near the park.

14. Kalij Pheasant:

One of 5 birds consistiing of 2 males and 3 females.

15. Siberian Blue Robin (male):

16. Siberian Blue Robin (female):

The above two photos show a pair of these robins that visit the waterhole together and frequently throughout the day

17. Tickell's Blue Flycatcher (female):

18. Streaked Spider Hunter:

From Panoen Tung Campsite near the restaurant.

19. Sultan Tit:

Found foraging in a mixed flock at Baan Krang Campsite.

20. Racket-tailed Treepie:

Regular visitor to the watering hole.

21. Red-headed Trogon: 

A lucky find behind the toilet block at Panoen Tung.

22. Blue Rock Thrush:

Found perched by the roadside along path towards Baan Krang Campsite.

23. Scaly-breasted Partridge:

Always appearing in pairs and active prior to midday.

24. Puff-throated Babbler :

Visiting alone is this attractive babbler.

25. Flavescent Bulbul:

This appears to be a bulbul beauty salon, moments after this bird arrived, another came along and spent the next few minutes nibbling at the inaccessible parts of the 1st bird as the photo below shows.