Birdwatching in Thailand - Where To Watch Birds In Thailand.
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Birdwatching Sites In Thailand
Beautiful scenery, good food, low prices, friendly people and warm weather all make Thailand a very popular destination for holiday makers. Almost 1000 bird species, many of which are fantastic colours and huge sizes, also make Thailand a wonderful place for birdwatchers; both beginners and for dedicated ornithologists; although much deforestation has taken place, Thailand still retains a large number of protected national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which protect habitats as diverse as offshore islands, rainforest and wetlands.
This Lens provides some basic information on some of the best locations and habitats in which to watch birds in Thailand. There are also many links to more detailed information.
Silver-breasted Broadbill by Alex Vargas.
This Lens provides some basic information on some of the best locations and habitats in which to watch birds in Thailand. There are also many links to more detailed information.
Silver-breasted Broadbill by Alex Vargas.
Field Guide to the Birds of Thailand
Birds of Thailand (Princeton Field Guides)
Amazon Price: $20.95 (as of 02/17/2012)
Although quite out of date as far as splits and additions to the Thai checklist are concerned, this is still the most complete and useable field guide to the birds of Thailand in the English language.
Birdwatching in Thailand
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Birdwatching in Thailand - Central Thailand
Birdwatching in Central Thailand
Most visitors to Thailand begin their journey in the capital city: Bangkok. A number of great places for birdwatching exist within a short journey of the city.1. Khok Kham: This region of salt farms is about 1 hour west of the city centre and is famous for its shorebirds including annual sightings of the endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper.
2. Lumphini Park: Right in the centre of the city this park offers birdwatchers a chance to see a number of the more common species.
3. Bang Poo: About 45 minutes from the centre of Bangkok this coastal site is home to the largest congregation of wintering gulls in Thailand.
4. Bang Pra: This wetland site consists of a freshwater lake, reedbeds and woodland. A lovely place for walking, it is home to Rufous Treepie, Rain Quail (pictured) and Ospreys. Only about 1 hour east of Bangkok, this is a nice day out.
5. Bueng Boraphet: One of the most important wetland areas in Thailand with huge flocks of wildfowl in winter. Take a relaxing boat ride here and view masses of jacanas, egrets, storks and other waterbirds, it will be a memorable experience.
6. Laem Pak Bia/Pak Thale: Laem Pak Bia and Pak Thale are perhaps Thailand's premier waterbird sites. Situated together, a little over 2 hours from Bangkok, birds such as Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann's Greenshank, Malaysian Plover and Great Knot are high on many birders' list of targets.
For more information on birdwatching sites in Central Thailand click here: Central Thailand Birdwatching Sites
Birdwatching in Thailand - Northern Thailand
Birdwatching in Northern Thailand
9. Chiang Saen: Nestled next to the Mekong River a number of wetlands around this small town are fantastic places for finding new species - the most recent being Grass Owl.10. Doi Ang Kang: Right upon the border with Myanmar, this mountain has some nice places to stay and pretty patches of forest amongst hilltribe agriculture. Crested Finchbill, Rufous-faced Liocichla and Spot-breasted Parrotbill are all regular.
11. Mae Hia Agricultural College is just a stone's throw from Chiang Mai and sits at the foot of Doi Suthep National Park. Mae Hia is an excellent place to see open country species like Indochinese Bushlark and Burmese Shrike. It has also become a hotspot for Yellow-footed Pigeon.
For more information on birdwatching sites in Northern Thailand click here: Northern Thailand Birdwatching Sites.
Birdwatching in Thailand - Southern Thailand
Birdwatching in Southern Thailand
In the south of Thailand some remnants of lowland rainforest host some memorable bird species.12. Khao Nor Chu Chi: This small area of rainforest is home to the fabulous Gurney's Pitta (pictured), a highly endangered species. A number of walking trails and comfortable accommodation make this a nice place to stay.
13. Hala-Bala: A fantastic example of lowland rainforest, the many species of Hornbill that can be seen here is testament to the quality of the habitat. Unfortunately it is far too dangerous to visit this location due to political instability.
14. Krabi Mangroves: A boat trip into the mangrove forest here is a memorable experience and frequently amazing birds such as Brown-winged Kingfisher and Mangrove Pitta are found.
Birdwatching in Thailand - Other Thailand Locations
Other great places for birdwatching in Thailand
Great places for birdwatching can be found almost anywhere in Thailand, however, there are two more sites that are frequently visited by birdwatchers and are both fantastic areas of forest.15. Khao Yai: Many walking trails offer visitors a wonderful opportunity to enter the forest and Great, Wreathed, Brown and Oriental Pied Hornbills are seen by many visitors.
16. Kaeng Krachan: Kaeng Krachan is home to some of the most fabulous of Thailand's bird species. Asian Fairy Bluebird (pictured) is common and Hornbills, Pittas, Kingfishers and Woodpeckers all add colour to any trip.
17. Khao Soi Dao: Khao Soi Dao is one of the most accessible places to find a number of bird species confined to Thailand's south eastern region. Roughly 5 hours from Bangkok this is a prime site for Blue-rumped Pitta, Eastern Green Magpie and many other great birds.
Wild Thailand
Wild Thailand
Amazon Price: $64.50 (as of 02/17/2012)
This beautiful book illustrates a large number of Thailand's national parks and wildlife in a region by region systematic way. Packed full of lovely photographs this book is full of useful information as well as being a wonderful book to just browse through.
Other Useful Lenses
Birdwatching in Thailand External Links
- Thailand birdwatching sites
- Detailed information on birdwatching locations in Thailand, including key species, travel details and facilities.
- Checklists
- Checklists for birdwatching locations in Thailand.
- Johan Svensson's Photo Gallery of Thai birds
- A beautiful gallery of some of Thailand's amazing birds.
- Alex Vargas's Photo Gallery of Thai birds
- A wonderful gallery of many of Thailand's fantastic birds.
- Top Ten Birds of Thailand
- A list of the ten most wanted bird species in Thailand as voted for by visiting birdwatchers.
- Birds of Thailand by Craig Robson
- A review of Craig Robson's essential field guide to the Birds of Thailand.
- Thailand Bird Tours
- Tailor-made bird tours of Thailand for all abilities and budgets.
- Bird Conservation Society of Thailand
- The Birdlife International partner in Thailand.
- Thailand Birding
- The Thailand section of my blog, Dartford Waffler.
More Thailand Lenses
Five Great Things About Thailand
Five Reasons To Visit Thailand
Thailand is a great country to visit or to live in. The relaxed pace of life and low cost of living make it both a pleasant place to be and a cheap one. Here I will highlight just 5 things that make it a great place.
5 Great Things About Thailand
Thailand Guidebooks
When travelling around Thailand, a guidebook is very useful; the maps come into their own particularly when arriving in a new town/city.
What Do You Think?
Please leave your comments here on where to watch birds in Thailand.
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bakerwoman
Oct 9, 2011 @ 2:13 pm | delete
- These are such beautiful and exotic-looking birds. It is definitely worth the trip to Thailand to go bird watching. My nephew wil go wild over these birds. Blessed *****.
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rhodacks
Jul 4, 2011 @ 8:21 pm | delete
- I always wanted to go to Thailand.
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phuketbooknow
Jun 16, 2011 @ 10:29 pm | delete
- Beautiful Lense, my dear squidoo friend! Keep up the good work!
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ohcaroline
Mar 17, 2011 @ 10:44 am | delete
- Stopping by to leave you a Lucky Leprechaun Blessing on your birdwatching lens. :)
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GHouse
Dec 6, 2008 @ 9:42 pm | delete
- Hi!! Just come to see your nice lens. I did my travel lens too. It's about my hotel in hua hin Thailand. Hua Hin is a charming town of clean white sandy beach. If you come to Thailand, please visit us.
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Photo Credits
Thanks go to Alex Vargas for the use of his wonderful bird photos.
About The Lens Author
by nickupton
nickupton
Having been a birdologist since the age of seven I am something of an ornithological obsessive. However, I managed to gain adulthood, if only physically,... more »
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Photographic Guide To Birds Of Thailand
Photographic Guide to Birds of Thailand
Amazon Price: $15.95 (as of 02/17/2012)
An interesting and colourful introduction to the birds of Thailand. This is a useful book in conjunction with others.
Thailand Travel
Birds Of Southeast Asia
Birds of Southeast Asia (Princeton Field Guides)
Amazon Price: $22.20 (as of 02/17/2012)
A complete guide to the birds that have been recorded in the whole of mainland Southeast Asia.
