Birdwatching in Thailand - Where to Watch Birds in Thailand.
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Birdwatching Sites In Thailand
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.
Field Guide to the Birds of Thailand
Birds of Thailand (Princeton Field Guides)
Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 11/16/2009)
Although slightly out of date as far as splits and additions to the Thai list are concerned, this is still the most complete and useable field guide to the birds of Thailand in the English language.
Birdwatching in Thailand
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.
For more information on birdwatching sites in Central Thailand click here: Central Thailand Birdwatching Sites
Birdwatching in Thailand - Northern Thailand
Birdwatching in Northern Thailand
Many birdwatchers head to northern Thailand where forested mountains create a beautiful backdrop for some wonderful birds.6. Doi Inthanon: This is Thailand's highest mountain and a site all birdwatchers should visit for colourful birds such as Green-tailed Sunbird, Chestnut-tailed Minla (pictured) and Rufous-winged Fulvetta.
7. Doi Chiang Dao: One of the most scenic mountains is also home to Hume's Pheasant and Giant Nuthatch. Some excellent accommodation makes for an unforgetable experience.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.11. 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.
12 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.
13. 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.14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
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.
Other Recommended Books on the Birds of Thailand
Other Useful Lenses
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Birdwatching in Thailand - My Favourite Birds
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I have been birdwatching in Britain since I was just 7 years old, but in comparison, birdwatching in Thailand can be a most amazing experience due to the huge variety of species. Biodiversity is very high in tropical Asia and this is reflected by alm...
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Birdwatching in Thailand: Free Maps, Checklists and Trip Reports.
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Birdwatching in Thailand - Information
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Chiang Rai Guesthouse: Bread and Butter Cottage, Chiang Saen, Thailand
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Bread and Butter Cottage is a Lanna-style guesthouse located in a traditonal Thai village in the low hills close to Chiang Saen Lake in Chiang Rai province of northern Thailand. The cottage is simple but comfortable with four bedrooms, catering for...
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.
- Peter Ericsson'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.
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Thailand Travel Advice: 10 Memorable Things to Do in Bangkok
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Royalty Free Photos - Bangkok
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On this lens you can find royalty free photographs of a variety of things around Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, for use on your websites, blogs, squidoo lenses, hubpages or any other online content. I have had plenty of help from other photo...
Thailand Guidebooks
Book a Hotel in Thailand
What do you think?
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Reply
- GHouse GHouse Dec 6, 2008 @ 9:42 pm
- 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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Reply
- dodie_cross dodie_cross Oct 24, 2008 @ 11:32 am
- Very nice lens! You've got some great information and photos here. I'd love for you to to drop by my lens on living abroad in Thailand and say hello when you have a chance.
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Reply
- AlexDonGato AlexDonGato Jun 18, 2008 @ 3:18 pm
- Cool lens Nick... simple and colorful at ones!
5 stars for you!
Alex
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Wild Thailand
Wild Thailand
Amazon Price: (as of 11/16/2009)
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About The Lens Author
Lensmaster nickupton has been a member since June 23 2007, has rated 149 lenses, favorited 72, and has created 63 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "Thailand Travel Advice: 10 Memorable Things to Do in Bangkok". See all my lenses
by nickupton
Having been a birdologist since the age of seven I am something of an ornithological recluse. However, I managed to gain adulthood, if onl... (more)
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