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Field Guides Tour Report
Cambodia: Angkor Temples & Vanishing Birds 2019
Feb 9, 2019 to Feb 24, 2019
Phil Gregory & local guide Chea Seab

For our tour description, itinerary, past triplists, dates, fees, and more, please VISIT OUR TOUR PAGE.

See this triplist in printable PDF format with media only on page 1.


One of the rarest birds we saw was this White-shouldered Ibis. This species, and the critically endangered Giant Ibis, were both seen in the dry forest of Tmatboey. Photo by participant Becky Hansen.

This year’s Field Guides tour to Cambodia was again both successful and enjoyable. The birds were great with a few nice surprises, the locals warm and welcoming, and the weather cooperative with some nice overcast when needed. We started off in Siem Reap, the third largest city in Cambodia, where the Sonalong Village Resort was once again our wonderful base of operations for the first five birding days of the tour.

The first morning of the tour saw us getting right into a fine array of birds at the Phnom Krom rice paddies to the south of town. There was a strong southeast Asian flavor, such as Oriental Darter, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Plaintive Cuckoo and Striated Grassbird, but we also had a nice showing of migrant shorebirds which were wintering in the area, including such locally scarce birds as Little Ringed Plover and Long-toed Stints. We also again had a surprise “Chinese” White Wagtail as well as Eastern Yellow Wagtail.

The afternoon brought us to the high quality locally made crafts at Artisans D'Angkor, and then onto the Royal Gardens park where we got to observe the large daytime roost of several hundred Lyle’s Flying-Foxes. We also saw Asian Brown and Taiga flycatchers, Yellow-browed Warbler, a nice feeding group of Coppersmith Barbet, Common Tailorbird and Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker.

Day two was devoted to the truly incredible ruins of the Angkor complex, though that didn’t mean a lack of birds and with excellent temple and bird guide Satpoen along we were in very good hands! Highlights at Angkor Wat were Lineated Barbet, a cacophony of Asian Barred Owlets (and eventually some nice views!), Black-naped Monarch, Hainan Blue Flycatcher, a Black-capped Kingfisher during breakfast, and of course our fantastic views of the Brown Boobook which Chea magically found. The spectacular but crowded tree temple at Ta Prohm is always one of the favorites, we also saw Alexandrine Parakeets investigating a nest cavity. Bayon temple with its impressive huge stone faces and intricate carvings where identifiable birds figure prominently drew much admiration, and the gods and demons bridge at the south entrance to Angkor Thom was diverting as well.

Our third day brought us all the way to the northwest of Siem Reap, to the Ang Trapeang Thmor reservoir, which was a Khmer Rouge era irrigation project (based on an Angkor period construction) that proved fatal to thousands whilst being rebuilt. Nowadays, the reservoir allows the land around to have two rice crops per year, and it also provides a large swathe of concentrated wetland habitat, which was one of our main targets here. First, though, we stopped at some flooded fields en route to find Sarus Cranes, though they were quite distant. Other birds at the great reservoir included both Pied and Eastern Marsh harriers, a flock of Knob-billed Ducks, about 1800 White Pygmy-Goose, by far the most we'd seen here, and thousands of egrets. Migrant ducks included two lifers for Chea in Eurasian Wigeon and Northern Pintail!

Then we headed to the north side of the reservoir, where Spotted Wood Owl was the main quarry, though we also managed to see a group of Barn Owls, Spotted Owlet and a bonus Greater Spotted Eagle as well. Home-cooked lunch at a small village “restaurant” was fantastic, and fueled us up for more birding, with a flock of our only wild Baya Weavers of the trip.

We had a an adventure next day, traveling some two hours north of Siem Reap to an area called Chankran Roy, where a blind had been established and was getting some great birds, including Bar-bellied Pitta. Sadly the latter came in really early, and then much to the local guide's surprise was no-show, maybe something to do with a Crested Goshawk that was hanging about and causing much unease. Still, we got great looks at such special birds as Asian Stubtail, Siberian Blue Robin, Blyth's Paradise Flycatcher, and Pin-striped, Abbot's and Puff-throated Babbler, and it was very nice to see them well and how they interacted- White-rumped Shamas are amazingly bossy!

Our final full day based out of Siem Reap featured one of the annual highlights of this tour: the boat ride onto Tonle Sap Lake and into Prek Toal Biosphere Reserve, with its numerous waterbirds. The wetland experience is quite unique, and despite lower numbers than normal this season we got all of our main targets, including Greater Adjutant, Lesser Adjutant, Milky Stork, all three species of bitterns, and close views of Spot-billed Pelicans and Oriental Darters plus flocks of Asian Openbills. It was a truly incredible voyage.

After our final night in Siem Reap, we went east, heading to the Prolay Grasslands, which is managed for the Critically Endangered Bengal Florican. We did indeed connect with this primary target, but we also saw many other great things here, including more Sarus Crane, Manchurian Reed-Warbler, Oriental Skylark, Rat Snake, and Bluethroat.

After departing Prolay, we headed towards Tmatboey, with a stop on the way, where we eventually picked up White-rumped Falcon despite it being the heat of the day (which is pretty hot in Cambodia!).

The next three days were spent birding all around the dry dipterocarp forests of Tmatboey, where highlights included both Giant and White-shouldered Ibis, Burmese Nuthatch, a great variety of woodpeckers (with White-bellied daily by the camp), outstanding views of several species of owls in daylight including Collared Scops right by the camp, and a nice evening with Savanna Nightjars among many others. The morning at the Steung Cheuk River was our first taste of the primary forests that we would end the tour with, and gave us another cross section of great species which included Van Hasselt's Sunbird, and Brown-rumped Minivet.

Then we went a couple of hours to the east, and ended our day at the Baeng Toal Vulture Restaurant, where a fresh cow carcass had recently been deposited for the benefit of the regions three species of critically endangered vultures. We had all 3 species that evening, but sadly the numbers were low again this year. The next morning again saw the vultures perched up, plus Great Slaty Woodpecker and an unexpected Rosy Minivet. Then it was off to Kratie along the Mekong River, where we would spend the night.

While we do do some other birding around the Mekong (Asian Golden Weaver, Watercock and a bonus Chestnut-winged Cuckoo!), our primary purpose here is the boat trip out onto the river, where main targets are Mekong Wagtail, Small Pratincole, Gray-throated Martin, and the very rare and declining Irrawaddy Dolphin. This year was a good year on all fronts, as we had good encounters with all of the above, with a particularly wonderful encounter with the dolphins, before heading east towards the Vietnam border for the final phase of the tour.

Seima Forest is an incredibly biodiverse area of Cambodia, and while protected, it is also under the constant dark cloud of widespread illegal logging and burning. In addition to birding some of the primary forest itself, we also birded a few of the remnant forest patches, mostly in riverine valleys, outside the protected core of the forest. It added a new dense forest flavor to a trip that had mostly explored more open habitats until now. Being the dry season, burning was all too obvious, but the rainforest vibe was felt at a few of the forest patches we visited. Oriental Pied-Hornbills were the norm, our barbet and bulbul diversity skyrocketed, we got several new swifts (including Silver-backed Needletail), Orange-breasted Trogon, and even connected on a couple of very rare primates: Black-shanked Douc Langur, and a hearing record of Yellow-cheeked Gibbon. We spent three nights in the area, with a final morning at the now badly degraded Green Peafowl quarry site, where somewhat against the odds we had nice views of a male, a subadult male and 4 females emerging from overnight roost.

Cambodian Tailorbird, only described a few years back and very localised in an odd habitat, was obliging in the Four Arms Plain on the way back to Phnom Penh, then it was time for a quick wash and brush up and an evening departure for most.

My thanks to the folks for coming on the trip; it was a nice mix of birds, mammals and local culture, with Chea from Cambodia Bird Guides a very patient and accommodating local guide and excellent drivers in Kornh and Pov. It is also good to see how our money goes back into conservation endeavors and village level initiatives, a great tribute to the hard work and determination of a dedicated few locals anxious to get out the conservation message before it is too late. The trip is deserving of support for this aspect alone, why not come along with Doug and see what happens in 2020?

Feb 11 -- Phnom Krom then Siem Reap Palace Park.

Feb 12 -- Angkor Wat/ Tah Prohm /Angkor Thom

Feb 13 -- Chankran Roy community forest reserve

Feb 14 -- Anlong Thom and Ang Trapeang Thmor (ATT)

Feb 15 -- Tonle Sap and Prek Toal

Feb 16 -- Prolay Grasslands/ White-rumped Falcon/Tmatboey.

Feb 17 -- Tmatboey Giant Ibis site at Trapaeng Beong/ Tmatboey area

Feb 18 -- Trapping Boeng / Trapeang Phnom Reang

Feb 19 -- Steung Cheuk River and travel to Baeng Toal camp.

Feb 20 -- Baeng Toal vulture restaurant; travel to Kratie

Feb 21 --Mekong River boat rip and travel to Sen Monorom in Mondolkiri. via Km 159

Feb 22 -- Dak Dam/ Oromis Hydro forest

Feb 23 -- Jahoo Gibbon Camp forest

Feb 24 -- Green Peafowl site/ Cambodian Tailorbird/ Phnom Penh and departure home

Phil Gregory, Kuranda, Mar 2019

KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant


Siberian Blue Robin was an unexpected find at Chankran Roy. Photo by participant Becky Hansen.

BIRDS
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
LESSER WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna javanica) – Fair numbers at ATT only.
KNOB-BILLED DUCK (Sarkidiornis melanotos) – A few at ATT, now split by most from the South American Comb Duck.
COTTON PYGMY-GOOSE (Nettapus coromandelianus) – An astonishing count from ATT where we saw 1800+, by far the most I have ever seen.
GARGANEY (Spatula querquedula) – A distant flock of about 70 at ATT.
EURASIAN WIGEON (Mareca penelope) – Two drakes at ATT were a very unexpected lifer for Chea and new for me in Cambodia.
INDIAN SPOT-BILLED DUCK (Anas poecilorhyncha haringtoni) – Scattered in very small numbers around wetland areas throughout the tour, including on the Mekong River. These birds sometimes don't have the red loral spot that this race usually shows.
NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anas acuta) – A drake at ATT with the Wigeon was a very unexpected lifer for Chea and new for me in Cambodia.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
SCALY-BREASTED PARTRIDGE (Arborophila chloropus) – Heard at Jahoo and Dak Dam where Ian saw one fly down, but none responsive to recordings.
GREEN PEAFOWL (Pavo muticus) – The habitat has been devastated by a new quarry, but the birds linger forlornly on in the rapidly degrading forest, and we could hear them calling at dusk. We stopped there again not long after dawn on departure day, and saw an adult male, a subadult male and 4 females perched up at roost. Nice to see, but the site ruination is distressing for such a rare species.
CHINESE FRANCOLIN (Francolinus pintadeanus) – One of the characteristic calls of the dry forests, the raspy "pa-pa ma-maaa" is a truly ridiculous vocalization, and we actually even got to see the species once right in the track, which isn't always a guarantee.
RED JUNGLEFOWL (Gallus gallus gallus) – Most folks saw this at the Steung Cheuk River, and it was heard quite often.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (LITTLE) (Tachybaptus ruficollis poggei) – Just a couple at ATT.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Widespread in the cities. [I]
RED COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia tranquebarica) – Small numbers around Siem Reap and Prolay.
SPOTTED DOVE (Streptopelia chinensis) – Widespread, now split as Eastern Spotted Dove by HBW/BirdLife.
ASIAN EMERALD DOVE (Chalcophaps indica) – A fine male at Chankran Roy blind, very wary but eventually showing nicely, just a pity the pitta was not with it, as it seemingly often is!


We also saw this Abbott's Babbler at Chankran Roy. Photo by participant Becky Hansen.

ZEBRA DOVE (Geopelia striata) – Widespread, even in Siem Reap.
ORANGE-BREASTED PIGEON (Treron bicinctus) – Several good sightings from Tmatboey.
THICK-BILLED PIGEON (Treron curvirostra) – The commoner of the green pigeons this trip, seen at Tmatboey and Seima.
YELLOW-FOOTED PIGEON (Treron phoenicopterus) – A single by the green peafowl site was a lucky find of a tricky species.
PIN-TAILED PIGEON (Treron apicauda) – Great looks around Oromis and Dak Dam, with up to 15 late afternoon at the former site.
GREEN IMPERIAL-PIGEON (Ducula aenea) – Small numbers from Tmatboey and the Steung Cheuk River.
MOUNTAIN IMPERIAL-PIGEON (Ducula badia) – Seen very nicely at Dak Dam and Oromis.
Otididae (Bustards)
BENGAL FLORICAN (Houbaropsis bengalensis) – Lovely flight views on two occasions of a male at Prolay, and a female later as we were after King Quail. Classified as Critically Endangered with a population between 250 and 1000 birds, these grasslands are a very important centre for the species.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GREATER COUCAL (Centropus sinensis) – Heard at several sites, and a great view of one perched by Tmatboey lodge.
LESSER COUCAL (Centropus bengalensis) – Four records from Phnom Krom, Tonle Sap, Prek Toal and Kratie.
GREEN-BILLED MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus tristis) – Two sightings, one from the Steung Cheuk River and another at Km 159.
CHESTNUT-WINGED CUCKOO (Clamator coromandus) – A single bird at the Kratie paddies was a surprise, though Phil and Chea had seen one briefly at Prek Toal and Phil had his first in Cambodia at Angkor. Looks like it was a bit of an irruption this year.
ASIAN KOEL (Eudynamys scolopaceus) – First at ATT then a handful of sightings around Tmatboey, far more heard than seen.
VIOLET CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus) – A fabulous look at a male at Trapeang Boeng, sat up atop trees and one of John's most wanted species. Also heard at a Giant Ibis site and at the Steung Cheuk river.
BANDED BAY CUCKOO (Cacomantis sonneratii) – Heard at Tmaboey and finally one seen at Oromis late one afternoon.
PLAINTIVE CUCKOO (Cacomantis merulinus) – Great views at Phnom Krom where they like the lotus beds, and heard at Baeng Toal.
INDIAN CUCKOO (Cuculus micropterus) – Vocal this year at Tmatboey and we saw three birds, with one perched.


Oriental Pied-Hornbills were common at Seima, where participant Becky Hansen captured a great image of one in flight.

HIMALAYAN CUCKOO (Cuculus saturatus) – One from ATT and a couple out at Prek Toal.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
LARGE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus macrurus bimaculatus) – As usual heard at Tmatboey and then Baeng Toal. [*]
SAVANNA NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus affinis monticolus) – The rocky site at Trapeang Phnom Reang came good and some of us saw one well there, and they were calling nicely all around,
Apodidae (Swifts)
SILVER-BACKED NEEDLETAIL (Hirundapus cochinchinensis) – A single flashed by at Jahoo Camp, new for John too, even at sublight speed.
BROWN-BACKED NEEDLETAIL (Hirundapus giganteus) – 5 at Baeng Toal were a nice pick up.
GERMAIN'S SWIFTLET (Aerodramus germani) – Good views around Siem Reap and Angkor, even seeing the pale rump, and also seen at Kratie. This species has become much more frequent thanks apparently to the provision of swiftlet houses where the saliva nests are harvested for restaurants and bird's nest soup.
HOUSE SWIFT (Apus nipalensis) – Two sightings as we came out onto Tonle Sap, curiously scarce in Cambodia.
ASIAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus balasiensis) – Widespread and common in small numbers.
Hemiprocnidae (Treeswifts)
CRESTED TREESWIFT (Hemiprocne coronata) – Great views from the Tmatboey region.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
BLACK-BACKED SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio indicus) – Many at ATT, and some at Phnom Krom as well.
WATERCOCK (Gallicrex cinerea) – One non-breeding bird flushed up and was seen by some of us at Kratie paddies.
Gruidae (Cranes)
SARUS CRANE (Antigone antigone sharpii) – 7 at Anlong Thom, feeding out in the paddies, then 3 at Prolay Grasslands, this race is very restricted in range and only has a few hundred left.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – Small numbers from Phnom Krom and ATT.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
GRAY-HEADED LAPWING (Vanellus cinereus) – Five in flight over ATT were an unexpected trip addition, we rarely see this species on the tour.
RED-WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus indicus atronuchalis) – Remarkably scarce this trip and only seen in very small numbers at ATT, Prek Toal, Prolay and Tmatboey.
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (DUBIUS/JERDONI) (Charadrius dubius jerdoni) – Seen at Phnom Krom, then one on the sandy islands along the Mekong.


Rufous-winged Buzzard was another common species, seen in the dry forest. Photo by guide Phil Gregory.

Rostratulidae (Painted-Snipes)
GREATER PAINTED-SNIPE (Rostratula benghalensis) – An unexpected find was one in dry paddy forest edge at Tmatboey, flushing up like some courser with a dry double call and being initially puzzling until we were able to relocate it and sort out what it was!
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA (Hydrophasianus chirurgus) – Seen very well at Phnom Krom and ATT, and briefly at Prek Toal, one or two even had long tails developing.
BRONZE-WINGED JACANA (Metopidius indicus) – Spectacular and uncommon, we saw them at Phnom Krom, and then very nicely at Anlong Thom when we stopped for Sarus Cranes.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
LONG-TOED STINT (Calidris subminuta) – Three from Phnom Krom gave good views, the yellow legs very distinctive and a nice breast gorget on one.
COMMON SNIPE (Gallinago gallinago) – Just a few at Prek Toal, the pale trailing edge in flight diagnostic.
PIN-TAILED SNIPE (Gallinago stenura) – Seen at Phnom Krom and again at Prek Toal, the lack of pale trailing edge and broad buff eyestripe help identify it.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) – Just one on the Mekong boat trip.
SPOTTED REDSHANK (Tringa erythropus) – Seen and heard at Prek Toal and Prolay, the "chu-ik" flight call is very distinctive.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – 9 on a sandbar in the Mekong, and small numbers from Prek Toal and ATT.
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis) – Seen well at ATT and Phnom Krom.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) – Small numbers from Phnom Krom, ATT, Prek Toal.
Turnicidae (Buttonquail)
SMALL BUTTONQUAIL (Turnix sylvaticus) – Flushed up at ATT and again at Prolay, the pale wing coverts and small size are diagnostic.
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE (Glareola maldivarum) – Seen at Phnom Krom, ATT and then very nicely at Prolay grasslands.
SMALL PRATINCOLE (Glareola lactea) – Excellent experiences with a couple of these diminutive pratincoles along the Mekong, sitting for an unusually close approach.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
BROWN-HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus) – One sat on the water at Tonle Sap gave very good views.
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) – A few at Phnom Krom, and big numbers on Tonle Sap.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
ASIAN OPENBILL (Anastomus oscitans) – Good views at the various wetlands and a fair few at Prek Toal.


We had great views of the endemic Cambodian Tailorbird on our last day of the tour. Photo by participant Becky Hansen.

WOOLLY-NECKED STORK (ASIAN) (Ciconia episcopus episcopus) – A couple from the Tmatboey area and one at Baeng Toal. Split as Asian Woollyneck by BirdLife and HBW.
LESSER ADJUTANT (Leptoptilos javanicus) – 5 at Prek Toal, with nice comparisons with the larger rare cousin, and then a couple at a Giant Ibis site at Tmatboey.
GREATER ADJUTANT (Leptoptilos dubius) – We saw a few of these larger, much more endangered, cousins of the prior species on the boat ride at Prek Toal. We saw these hulking beasts circling out in the distance in direct comparison with Lesser Adjutants, and other smaller storks, which they dwarfed. The silvery secondaries were especially prominent in these views as well. There are estimated to be 150­-200 individuals left in Cambodia, out of a world population of 1,200 or so, a Critically Endangered species.
MILKY STORK (Mycteria cinerea) – Another Critically Endangered waterbird, there are fewer than 100 left in mainland Southeast Asia, and the core of its population in Sumatra is rapidly and alarmingly declining (there are around 2,000 left in the wild in total). We got views of at least one and probably two birds at a nest in a tree with Painted Storks.
PAINTED STORK (Mycteria leucocephala) – A fairly common one in our travels during the first half of the tour. It's a gorgeous colorful bird and showed nicely, with a nesting colony at Prek Toal.
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ORIENTAL DARTER (Anhinga melanogaster) – Small numbers at Phnom Krom and around 90 at Prek Toal, with a single on the Mekong at Kratie. Classified as Near Threatened by BirdLife.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
LITTLE CORMORANT (Microcarbo niger) – Small numbers from Phnom Krom, Prek Toal and the Mekong.
GREAT CORMORANT (EURASIAN) (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) – A few at Att and then around 10 at Prek Toal, the scarcest of the cormorants here.
INDIAN CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) – Oddly scarce, some saw one at Phnom Krom and we saw about 30 at Prek Toal, with none on the Mekong this year.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
SPOT-BILLED PELICAN (Pelecanus philippensis) – 3 distant at ATT and about a dozen at Prek Toal which gave great views. Classified as Near Threatened with less than 12000 birds remaining.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
YELLOW BITTERN (Ixobrychus sinensis) – Two at Anlong Thom reedbed, then about a dozen on the Prek Toal boat ride, more than usual here.
CINNAMON BITTERN (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus) – Three on the Prek Toal boat ride.
BLACK BITTERN (Ixobrychus flavicollis) – A couple seen by one or two of us on the Prek Toal boat ride.
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) – Three day records from Phnom Krom, ATT and Prek Toal max, 10 birds.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – 10 at ATT and 6 from Prek Toal.
GREAT EGRET (EURASIAN) (Ardea alba alba) – Very small numbers at the wetland sites.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (INTERMEDIATE) (Ardea intermedia intermedia) – A couple at Phnom Krom and a few at ATT and Prek Toal.


Chankran Roy had a wonderful water feature, where many birds came in to drink and bathe while we watched. A family of White-crested Laughingthrushes came in several times while we were there. Photo by participant Becky Hansen.

LITTLE EGRET (WESTERN) (Egretta garzetta garzetta) – 130 at Phnom Krom and small numbers elsewhere.
CATTLE EGRET (EASTERN) (Bubulcus ibis coromandus) – Surprisingly few, starting at ATT than at Kratie.
CHINESE POND-HERON (Ardeola bacchus) – The commonest heron, seen in all wetland habitats with 30 at Phnom Krom and over 100 at Prek Toal, in a great variety of plumages too.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (EURASIAN) (Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax) – 50 at Prek Toal were the only record.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) – 6 at ATT were unusual, and one from Prek Toal, it is scarce and erratic in Cambodia.
BLACK-HEADED IBIS (Threskiornis melanocephalus) – Just 5 from Prek Toal, classified as Near Threatened by BirdLife.
WHITE-SHOULDERED IBIS (Pseudibis davisoni) – 3 sat up at a roost were basically late afternoon silhouettes, but happily next day we got to see one walking about on the forest floor, more perched up, and even a couple at nest. Also Critically Endangered, with an estimated 670 birds remaining, mostly in Cambodia.
GIANT IBIS (Pseudibis gigantea) – This mega bird has just a few hundred surviving in the dry forests. We had 3 fly right over the blind, calling as they came and then with the wings whooshing as they went overhead, a great memory for Ian who was looking in the right direction. The we flushed 4 from a trapeang nearby, before making a hurried walk to get to see 3 sat up nicely that afternoon. Presumably the same birds later flew by going to roost, great to have multiple encounters with this mega rare species, one of my favourites.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – A monster-looking bird sat on a stone piling in the Mekong was the only one of the trip.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-WINGED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) – One from ATT and one at Kratie.
ORIENTAL HONEY-BUZZARD (Pernis ptilorhynchus) – One at Angkor was a nice find.
BLACK BAZA (Aviceda leuphotes) – Just one this year, soaring over the Steung Cheuk River at Tmatboey, I'd given it up as a dip as usually we see them early on.
RED-HEADED VULTURE (Sarcogyps calvus) – Good views of one of this monster, critically endangered vulture perched up on both of our visits to the Vulture Restaurant hide, with one flying over the forest later, maybe the same individual.
WHITE-RUMPED VULTURE (Gyps bengalensis) – Just 8 at Baeng Toal, an alarming drop in numbers. Some poisoning is apparently occurring.
SLENDER-BILLED VULTURE (Gyps tenuirostris) – Just a single this year at Baeng Toal, it was formerly one of the dominant species with up to 20 or so, but numbers in the past couple of years have dwindled and we did not even see it in 2017.
CRESTED SERPENT-EAGLE (Spilornis cheela) – Seen several times on the second half of the tour, and quite vocal.


We saw 11 species of woodpeckers in all, including the colorful Rufous-bellied that we saw at Tmatboey and Baeng Toal. Photo by participant Becky Hansen.

SHORT-TOED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus gallicus) – One out at AT grasslands was a good find, a shame it flew directly away!
RUFOUS-BELLIED EAGLE (Lophotriorchis kienerii) – A splendid adult came over the dry forest at Km 159 at Seima, we could see the dark cap, small crest and rufous belly nicely.
GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE (Clanga clanga) – Up to 4 fairly distant Clanga eagles at ATT grasslands seem likely to be this species and one certainly looked good for it with dark underwing coverts.
RUFOUS-WINGED BUZZARD (Butastur liventer) – The common small buzzard in the dry dipterocarp forest, and seen very nicely.
EASTERN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus spilonotus) – Seen on two days, with 10 on our ATT day including some well marked males, and one from Prolay.
PIED HARRIER (Circus melanoleucos) – A fabulous bird, a male flew right by the cars at Anlong Thom, with another later, both giving nice views of a very striking species.
CRESTED GOSHAWK (Accipiter trivirgatus) – One suddenly dropped onto a log by the blind at Chankran Roy, explaining the constant agitation among the small birds that had been evident for some time, and also maybe why the pitta never showed up again! Another was seen later in flight at Baeng Toal.
SHIKRA (Accipiter badius) – Three day records, seen at Angkor and then en route to Tmatboey (3 birds), with one next day near the camp.
BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans) – Just one at Anlong Thom crane site, it is very scarce and local in Cambodia for some strange reason. The local race is govinda.
GRAY-HEADED FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus ichthyaetus) – Great views of two or 3 birds on the Prek Toal boat trip.
Tytonidae (Barn-Owls)
BARN OWL (EASTERN) (Tyto alba stertens) – Great this year at ATT, where the local guys flushed about 6 birds out of dense woodland thickets, there must be a boom in rice rat numbers to support these birds!
Strigidae (Owls)
COLLARED SCOPS-OWL (Otus lettia lettia) – One fine bird sat in an anthill thicket by the lodge at Tmatboey, the first time I'd actually seen one in Cambodia, and it was calling by the hotel at Sen Monorom.
ORIENTAL SCOPS-OWL (Otus sunia) – Unfortunately back to being a heard only this year, at Tmatboey nightjar spot and again at Baeng Toal, replying but not coming close; sorry John. [*]
BROWN FISH-OWL (Ketupa zeylonensis) – One wary bird in dry woodland at Tmatboey; nice to see how broad winged they are in flight, but I hate flushing owls! This one was very jumpy.
ASIAN BARRED OWLET (Glaucidium cuculoides) – Good views at Angkor, and often heard. I got a nice sequence from Tmatboey where they were very vocal and we saw one just as we arrived.
SPOTTED OWLET (Athene brama) – A couple of birds in the dry thicket country at ATT.
SPOTTED WOOD-OWL (Strix seloputo seloputo) – Great looks in a thicket at ATT, and another in dry woodland at Tmatboey.


Guide Phil Gregory took this image of a flaming sunset.

BROWN WOOD-OWL (BROWN) (Strix leptogrammica laotiana) – Seen quite well in a riverine strip at Tmatboey; this species is always challenge but luckily it sat in reasonable view for some time.
BROWN BOOBOOK (Ninox scutulata burmanica) – A fine pickup in the forest at Angkor Wat­, a great find by Chea, and heard at Tmatboey.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
ORANGE-BREASTED TROGON (Harpactes oreskios) – A close and obliging bird in the dry forest remnants at Km 159 at Mondulkiri.
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops) – Very vocal in the dry dipterocarp forest this year, and seen very well at Baeng Toal.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
ORIENTAL PIED-HORNBILL (Anthracoceros albirostris) – We did well for them this year, even seeing one at Angkor, then several fine views from Tmatboey and then Seima.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
COMMON KINGFISHER (COMMON) (Alcedo atthis taprobana) – Best at Phnom Krom, and also at ATT and Kratie.
WHITE-THROATED KINGFISHER (Halcyon smyrnensis perpulchra) – Seen on several occasions in the dry forest zone, best at the Green Peafowl site.
BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon pileata) – Seen at Angkor Wat and then exceptionally well at the Stueng Cheuk.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis leucomelanurus) – Oddly scarce here, we saw individuals at ATT and Kratie.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
BLUE-BEARDED BEE-EATER (Nyctyornis athertoni athertoni) – One in the forest at Jahoo Gibbon Camp, but high in the canopy and not very obliging.
GREEN BEE-EATER (RUSSET-CROWNED) (Merops orientalis ferrugeiceps) – Fairly widespread starting at Prolay, split as Asian Green Bee-eater by BirdLife.
BLUE-TAILED BEE-EATER (Merops philippinus) – Widespread and common in appropriate habitat, the first from Phnom Krom.
CHESTNUT-HEADED BEE-EATER (Merops leschenaulti leschenaulti) – A dry forest special, seen nicely at Tmatboey river.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
INDIAN ROLLER (BLACK-BILLED) (Coracias benghalensis affinis) – Small numbers only this trip, starting at Phnom Krom.
Megalaimidae (Asian Barbets)
COPPERSMITH BARBET (Psilopogon haemacephalus) – Seen in Siem Reap by the Royal Palace, and then at ATT and Seima.
BLUE-EARED BARBET (Psilopogon duvaucelii) – Very vocal at Seima.
RED-VENTED BARBET (Psilopogon lagrandieri) – Two fine birds from Seima, a stonking great thing, the first at the peafowl site then one from Jahoo. Very localised.


This Puff-throated Babbler was another visitor to the water at Chankran Roy. Photo by participant Becky Hansen.

GREEN-EARED BARBET (Psilopogon faiostrictus) – One at km 159 at Seima, another localized barbet.
LINEATED BARBET (Psilopogon lineatus) – Ian's totem this trip, very vocal and seen well at several sites, starting at Angkor.
INDOCHINESE BARBET (Psilopogon annamensis) – Very colourful, restricted range and uncommon, an Annam endemic basically, and seen and heard nicely in the Seima area.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
GRAY-CAPPED WOODPECKER (Yungipicus canicapillus) – Oddly enough only seen a couple of times this trip, at Tmatboey.
YELLOW-CROWNED WOODPECKER (Leiopicus mahrattensis) – A very low density species, and a nice pickup at Tmatboey.
RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos hyperythrus) – A rather lovely woodpecker, seen at Tmatboey and again at Baeng Toal.
BAY WOODPECKER (Blythipicus pyrrhotis) – Two quite vocal birds showed all too briefly at Jahoo.
GREATER FLAMEBACK (GREATER) (Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus guttacristatus) – One from the blind at Chankran Roy, and one from Tmatboey.
COMMON FLAMEBACK (Dinopium javanense) – Two from near the Giant Ibis area, the much smaller bill than Greater Flameback being a good field mark. [E]
LACED WOODPECKER (Picus vittatus) – Heard at the Steung Cheuk river, and one seen briefly by some of us at the peafowl site late one afternoon.
BLACK-HEADED WOODPECKER (Picus erythropygius) – Excellent views of this strikingly beautiful but somewhat gaudy woodpecker at Tmatboey and again at Baeng Toal.
GREATER YELLOWNAPE (Chrysophlegma flavinucha) – A scope view or one at Baeng Toal late one afternoon.
GREAT SLATY WOODPECKER (Mulleripicus pulverulentus) – Two huge nest holes at Baeng Toal, and two of this amazingly large woodpecker came in to them late in the day, calling noisily. Then seen again next day nearby, and finally one flying over at the peafowl site on the last morning. Now the largest extant woodpecker, though to me White-bellied always looks bigger and much heavier.
WHITE-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus javensis) – Seen very nicely right by the lodge at Tmatboey, where they were calling a lot, a huge and striking woodpecker.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
WHITE-RUMPED FALCON (Polihierax insignis) – This led us a dance this year and we only heard it before leaving, only to hear of a nest once we got back into cellphone range. We went back and despite the heat Chea eventually conjured up a nice female for good views of what is a rare and elusive species.
EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) – A single from ATT, and one at Prolay, it is uncommon in Cambodia.
Psittaculidae (Old World Parrots)
ALEXANDRINE PARAKEET (Psittacula eupatria) – The usual nesting site at Tah Prohm came good and we had fine views of them calling and sat up here.


From this image, it's easy to see how the Greater Flameback got its name! Photo by participant Becky Hansen.

BLOSSOM-HEADED PARAKEET (Psittacula roseata) – Great looks and vocals in the dry forest at the Red-bellied Woodpecker site. Video on the Smugmug site and recording on the Internet Bird Collection (IBC) site.
RED-BREASTED PARAKEET (Psittacula alexandri) – The widespread parakeet, seen in the wooded habitats.
VERNAL HANGING-PARROT (Loriculus vernalis) – Becky got us onto one in tree near Steung Cheuk, looking very like an oval leaf, and we had terrific scope views. Seen again later at Seima too.
Pittidae (Pittas)
BAR-BELLIED PITTA (Hydrornis elliotii) – Aaargh! My new bogey bird, it came in before we got to the blind at Chankran Roy, and never came back, then very frustrating at Jahoo where we heard up to 8 individuals. Two were a serious proposition as they were fairly close, but they seem remarkably shy and disinterested in the tape. I think Ian and Loretta may have glimpsed one, but overall very frustrating and my poor track record continues with this species. [*]
Vangidae (Vangas, Helmetshrikes, and Allies)
LARGE WOODSHRIKE (Tephrodornis virgatus) – Seen at Tmatbeoy.
COMMON WOODSHRIKE (Tephrodornis pondicerianus) – Good views at Tmatboey but very few this year.
BAR-WINGED FLYCATCHER-SHRIKE (Hemipus picatus) – Seen at the Steung Cheuk river.
Artamidae (Woodswallows)
ASHY WOODSWALLOW (Artamus fuscus) – A flock on wires near Sen Monorom and also over Jahoo Camp.
Aegithinidae (Ioras)
COMMON IORA (Aegithina tiphia) – A few from Tmatbeoy.
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
SMALL MINIVET (Pericrocotus cinnamomeus) – Common at Tmatboey.
SCARLET MINIVET (Pericrocotus speciosus) – Small numbers from the dry woodlands.
ASHY MINIVET (Pericrocotus divaricatus) – Seen at Angkor and Baeng Toal.
BROWN-RUMPED MINIVET (Pericrocotus cantonensis) – Most folks saw this at Angkor, and I caught up with it at the Steung Cheuk River. Often known as Swinhoe's Minivet till the PC folks at the OBC did away with patronyms.
ROSY MINIVET (Pericrocotus roseus) – A fine male at Baeng Toal was a very unexpected pick-up and a new Cambodia species for Phil.
LARGE CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina macei) – A few from Tmatbey and Baeng Toal.
BLACK-WINGED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Lalage melaschistos) – One from Seima.
INDOCHINESE CUCKOOSHRIKE (Lalage polioptera) – Small numbers from Angkor and Tmatboey where it is quite vocal.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
BROWN SHRIKE (Lanius cristatus) – Seen at Phnom Krom and ATT, but very few.
BURMESE SHRIKE (Lanius collurioides) – Nice looks from Tmatboey and Baeng Toal, also one from Seima.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
WHITE-BELLIED ERPORNIS (Erpornis zantholeuca) – A single briefly near Oromis at Sen Monorom, formerly White-bellied Yuhina but now seemingly a vireo family member......
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
BLACK-NAPED ORIOLE (Oriolus chinensis) – Widespread.
BLACK-HOODED ORIOLE (Oriolus xanthornus) – A dry forest species, seen well at Tmatboey and Baeng Toal.


Participant Becky Hansen got a lovely flight shot of one of the Barn Owls we saw at ATT.

Dicruridae (Drongos)
BLACK DRONGO (Dicrurus macrocercus) – Widespread and evidently migrating at this time, many at Phnom Krom and ATT in particular.
ASHY DRONGO (Dicrurus leucophaeus) – Small numbers not identified to race were seen at the drier sites.
ASHY DRONGO (SOOTY) (Dicrurus leucophaeus bondi) – These are the dark sooty grey birds from Tmatboey, a likely split from Ashy Drongo. The darker birds that Chea called Blackish Drongo also belong in this group.
ASHY DRONGO (CHINESE WHITE-FACED) (Dicrurus leucophaeus leucogenis) – This distinctive race was seen at Angkor and is a likely split.
BRONZED DRONGO (Dicrurus aeneus) – A fine view of one from Dak Dam.
LESSER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus remifer) – Some good sightings from Dak Dam and Oromis, a species of the higher altitudes.
HAIR-CRESTED DRONGO (Dicrurus hottentottus) – Great views feeding in a Ceiba tree at Angkor, with half a dozen bird coming to the blossoms, the upcurled tail and hair crests showing nicely. Then scattered records from the drier woodlands.
GREATER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus paradiseus) – Good looks at Angkor and near ATT, then a couple at Jahoo Camp.
Rhipiduridae (Fantails)
MALAYSIAN PIED-FANTAIL (Rhipidura javanica) – ATT and Prek Toal.
WHITE-THROATED FANTAIL (Rhipidura albicollis) – Most folks saw this near Oromis at Seima late one afternoon.
WHITE-BROWED FANTAIL (Rhipidura aureola) – The dry dipterocarp forest fantail, seen well but only very small numbers from Tmatboey area.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
BLACK-NAPED MONARCH (Hypothymis azurea) – Seen well at the bird blind at Chankran Roy and later at Steung Cheuk River.
BLYTH'S PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (BLYTH'S) (Terpsiphone affinis indochinensis) – A female type bird appeared briefly at the bird blind, it belongs to this group now that Oriental Paradise-Fly has been split up.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
RED-BILLED BLUE-MAGPIE (Urocissa erythroryncha) – Several encounters with up to 5 birds in the dry forests at Tmatboey but wary and unapproachable each time.
RUFOUS TREEPIE (Dendrocitta vagabunda) – One flew by calling at Prolay, the only one we saw.


This White-rumped Shama thought it ruled the roost at Chankran Roy; it kept chasing other birds away! Photo by participant Becky Hansen.

RACKET-TAILED TREEPIE (Crypsirina temia) – Seen well at Kratie, we usually see it around Siem Reap, but not this year.
LARGE-BILLED CROW (LARGE-BILLED) (Corvus macrorhynchos macrorhynchos) – Split by many as Eastern Jungle Crow, they were widespread in small numbers.
Alaudidae (Larks)
AUSTRALASIAN BUSHLARK (Mirafra javanica horsfieldii) – Only seen at Prolay this trip, it seems to be a scarce bird in Cambodia.
INDOCHINESE BUSHLARK (Mirafra erythrocephala) – Seen at Tmatboey in the dry forest there.
ORIENTAL SKYLARK (Alauda gulgula) – Singing well and skylarking at Prolay.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
GRAY-THROATED MARTIN (Riparia chinensis) – Four or five on a sandbar on the Mekong, the only place we see this diminutive species.
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia) – Small numbers from Phnom Krom and Prolay.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Widespread, quite common over the grasslands and wetlands.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii) – Phil saw one briefly at ATT, not sure if anyone else got it, they are rare in Cambodia.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica) – Only seen by the Whie-rumped Falcon site this trip.
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
GRAY-HEADED CANARY-FLYCATCHER (Culicicapa ceylonensis) – More than usual, from Angkor, Chankran Roy and then Seima.
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
BURMESE NUTHATCH (Sitta neglecta) – Just one from Tmatboey, oddly scarce this time. Sometimes called Neglected Nuthatch as for years it has been taxonomically obscure.
VELVET-FRONTED NUTHATCH (Sitta frontalis) – Several good looks from the dry forests at Tmatboey.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
BLACK-HEADED BULBUL (Brachypodius atriceps) – Seen at Tah Prohm temple, Chankran Roy and then at Tmatboey, an uncommon species, much scarcer than the Black-crested.
BLACK-CRESTED BULBUL (Rubigula flaviventris) – Much more common than the former, first at Tah Prohm temple then again at Chankran Roy, Tmatboey and Seima, a striking bird.
RED-WHISKERED BULBUL (Pycnonotus jocosus) – A few in the Dak Dam area, an attractive species, nice to see real wild ones and not feral birds.
SOOTY-HEADED BULBUL (Pycnonotus aurigaster) – Seen most days once we left the Siem Reap area, first at the White-rumped Falcon site, a dry country species.


We had great views of the Small Pratincole on the Mekong River. Photo by participant Becky Hansen.

STRIPE-THROATED BULBUL (Pycnonotus finlaysoni) – Attractive and uncommon, we saw them at Chankran Roy, then at Steung Cheuk.
YELLOW-VENTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus goiavier) – Scattered in low densities throughout, this was at our hotel in Siem Reap.
STREAK-EARED BULBUL (Pycnonotus conradi) – Also scattered in low densities throughout and at our Siem Reap Hotel.
PUFF-THROATED BULBUL (Alophoixus pallidus) – Great looks at Chankran Roy, nice to see this attractive species so well and see the greyish ear coverts and big white throat.
OCHRACEOUS BULBUL (Alophoixus ochraceus) – Seen at Km 159, much scarcer than Puff-throated.
GRAY-EYED BULBUL (Iole propinqua) – The nasal mewing call is heard far more than the bird is seen, but we got them nicely at Dak Dam.
BLACK BULBUL (Hypsipetes leucocephalus) – A smart skinny blackish migrant bulbul with a long slender red bill and red legs, we saw them around Dak Dam and Jahoo, none of the race with white heads this year.
ASHY BULBUL (Hemixos flavala) – Just one from Dak Dam, a good view of an uncommon migrant.
MOUNTAIN BULBUL (Ixos mcclellandii) – A few folks saw some fly through at Dak Dam, but sadly they did not reappear.
Scotocercidae (Bush Warblers and Allies)
ASIAN STUBTAIL (Urosphena squameiceps) – A nice surprise from Chankran Roy and a lifer for Chea no less, we had great views of this tailless sprite poking about the puddles there.
YELLOW-BELLIED WARBLER (Abroscopus superciliaris) – Just two vocal birds in the bamboos at Jahoo Gibbon Camp.
Phylloscopidae (Leaf Warblers)
YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER (Phylloscopus inornatus) – Widespread around Siem Reap and Tmatboey but always hard to see well and in good light.
RADDE'S WARBLER (Phylloscopus schwarzi) – An unusually good trip for them, Phil saw 3 at Angkor where he'd never seen them before, then it was also seen at Jahoo.
DUSKY WARBLER (Phylloscopus fuscatus) – More often heard than seen with the harsh takking call, the first were at Phnom Krom, then at Prek Toal and Tmatboey River.
TWO-BARRED WARBLER (Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus) – A fine close view of one at Angkor.
PALE-LEGGED LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus tenellipes) – The sharp metallic "tip" call is often heard, but seeing them is usually hard, however this year we got a very co-operative bird at Angkor, one at Chankran Roy and another at Jahoo!
Acrocephalidae (Reed Warblers and Allies)
BLACK-BROWED REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus bistrigiceps) – One from Phnom Krom.


This beautiful male Violet Cuckoo sat up and gave us a great view at Trapeang Boeng. Photo by guide Phil Gregory.

MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus tangorum) – Mr Ry did us proud at Prolay and we got one to show quite well, he knows exactly where they are and how to dig them out.
ORIENTAL REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus orientalis) – Seen at Phnom Krom, Prolay and Kratie.
Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
STRIATED GRASSBIRD (Megalurus palustris) – Great views of this big vocal species from Phnom Krom and Prolay.
LANCEOLATED WARBLER (Locustella lanceolata) – One from Prolay, I think John got the best view as it crept out of a tussock like a mouse.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
COMMON TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus sutorius) – Common in disturbed and second growth habitats but hard to see. Even present at the Sonalong in Siem Reap.
DARK-NECKED TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus atrogularis) – The jungle specialist tailorbird, we got especially good views of this loud chatterer at the Steung Cheuk River.
CAMBODIAN TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus chaktomuk) – Good views despite the heat of a couple of these range­ restricted and only recently described endemics near Phnom Penh on our final day. Endemic to the Fours Arms Plain around the capital. [E]
BROWN PRINIA (Prinia polychroa) – This big uncommon bird was seen at Tmatboey and Baeng Toal.
RUFESCENT PRINIA (Prinia rufescens) – Nice looks at the White-rumped Falcon site.
GRAY-BREASTED PRINIA (Prinia hodgsonii) – Seen near the Steung Cheuk River, they always remind me of Lesser Whitethroat!
YELLOW-BELLIED PRINIA (Prinia flaviventris) – Now three years in a row as only heard, despite hearing them at Prolay, Kratie and on the Mekong boat trip! [*]
PLAIN PRINIA (Prinia inornata) – Common around Siem Reap, Prolay and Kratie.
ZITTING CISTICOLA (ZITTING) (Cisticola juncidis tinnabulans) – The interesting double­ note "zits" of the tinnabulans subspecies were heard at Phnom Krom and Prolay, this complex is long overdue for a split.
Zosteropidae (White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies)
CHESTNUT-FLANKED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops erythropleurus) – One at the Steung Cheuk river was unexpected, Phil and a couple of folks got onto it; it's a rare visitor here and was a Cambodia tick for Phil.
ORIENTAL WHITE-EYE (Zosterops palpebrosus) – Seen at the Steung Cheuk River and then at Dak Dam, Oriental White-eye has now been dismembered into 4 new species and this is I believe Swinhoe's White-eye Z. simplex.
Timaliidae (Tree-Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers, and Allies)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BABBLER (Timalia pileata) – Very nice looks near the Steung Cheuk River.
PIN-STRIPED TIT-BABBLER (Mixornis gularis) – Great views from Chankran Roy, drinking at the water there, and heard at Steung Cheuk.


The Stripe-throated Bulbul is less common than some of the other bulbuls; we had great views at Chankran Roy and at Steung Cheuk. Photo by participant Becky Hansen.

GRAY-FACED TIT-BABBLER (Mixornis kelleyi) – Seen well near Oromis as it foraged up some vines in a tall tree, a restricted range endemic too.
Pellorneidae (Ground Babblers and Allies)
SCALY-CROWNED BABBLER (Malacopteron cinereum) – Good views from Jahoo.
PUFF-THROATED BABBLER (Pellorneum ruficeps) – Great looks at Chankran Roy.
ABBOTT'S BABBLER (Turdinus abbotti) – Also great looks at Chankran Roy, nice to see this species so well.
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)
WHITE-CRESTED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax leucolophus) – A fabulous showing by a family of 5 at Chankran Roy as they came in repeatedly to drink and forage. Also heard at Oromis.
WHITE-CHEEKED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Ianthocincla vassali) – Elusive at Dak Dam, but eventually we lured in what proved to be a family group of 7, and most got good looks in the undergrowth before they flew across the road, giving good flight views too. A restricted range endemic.
Irenidae (Fairy-bluebirds)
ASIAN FAIRY-BLUEBIRD (Irena puella) – Lovely views from Dak Dam and then Oromis, sadly now endangered by trapping for the cage bird trade.
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa dauurica) – If you could see it perched out nicely, then it was this species, widespread and seen at most sites.
ORIENTAL MAGPIE-ROBIN (Copsychus saularis) – Ridiculously elusive this trip, heard at Phnom Krom, seen at ATT and then from Dak Dam.
WHITE-RUMPED SHAMA (Copsychus malabaricus) – An incredible performance by a very bossy bird at Chankran Roy that kept driving other species away, but what a beautiful bird.
HAINAN BLUE FLYCATCHER (Cyornis hainanus) – Great looks from Angkor and then at Chankran Roy.
BLUE-AND-WHITE FLYCATCHER (Cyanoptila cyanomelana) – Some of us got a fine male at Chankran Roy during the lunch break, a Cambodia tick for Phil.
VERDITER FLYCATCHER (Eumyias thalassinus) – Seen at a Giant Ibis site, then at Dak Dam, an uncommon migrant in Cambodia.
SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN (Larvivora cyane) – A surprise from Chankran Roy blind where we saw a fine adult male and 3 immature or subadult males, a Cambodia tick for Phil.
BLUETHROAT (Luscinia svecica) – One from Prolay grasslands.
TAIGA FLYCATCHER (Ficedula albicilla) – Good views of one in the middle of Siem Reap.
WHITE-THROATED ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola gularis) – Sadly I was the only one to see a fine male at Angkor, and we couldn't find it again when the folks came back from the temple tour; Chea then got one at Jahoo and again we managed to miss it!
BLUE ROCK-THRUSH (PHILIPPENSIS) (Monticola solitarius philippensis) – One at Angkor Thom of uncertain subspecies but most likely this one.


We also saw the attractive Puff-throated Bulbul at Chankran Roy. Photo by participant Becky Hansen.

SIBERIAN STONECHAT (PRZEVALSKI'S) (Saxicola maurus przewalskii) – Seen at Phnom Krom, ATT and Prolay; stonechat taxonomy remains vexed and this is often placed with something called Stejneger's or Japanese Stonechat, an IOC split.
PIED BUSHCHAT (Saxicola caprata) – Common and widespread in appropriate open habitats.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
GOLDEN-CRESTED MYNA (Ampeliceps coronatus) – Just two at Km 159 at Seima, always a scarce bird.
COMMON HILL MYNA (Gracula religiosa) – Seen at Angkor. I hate it when birds are called Common and you see them just once on a tour.....
BLACK-COLLARED STARLING (Gracupica nigricollis) – Four day records, the first at ATT and a flock of 8 at Tmatboey.
ASIAN PIED STARLING (Gracupica contra) – Very good views at Prolay grasslands.
WHITE-SHOULDERED STARLING (Sturnia sinensis) – A flock of 15 at Phnom Krom on the first day was the only sighting.
CHESTNUT-TAILED STARLING (Sturnia malabarica) – Seen well at Tmatboey and then at Baeng Toal.
COMMON MYNA (Acridotheres tristis) – Widespread, but nice to see wild birds as opposed to introduced birds.
VINOUS-BREASTED STARLING (Acridotheres burmannicus) – Seen at Tmatboey, on top of the carcass at Baeng Toal and then at the peafowl site Seima.
GREAT MYNA (Acridotheres grandis) – Widespread on the first portion of the tour.
Chloropseidae (Leafbirds)
BLUE-WINGED LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis cochinchinensis) – One record from Seima.
GOLDEN-FRONTED LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis aurifrons) – A couple of records from Tmatboey and Seima.
Dicaeidae (Flowerpeckers)
PLAIN FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum minullum) – Just one from Dak Dam this trip. [*]
SCARLET-BACKED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum cruentatum) – Seen at Siem Reap and Angkor, flowerpeckers were few and far between.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
RUBY-CHEEKED SUNBIRD (Chalcoparia singalensis) – A male at Jahoo showed nicely, though sunbirds overall were sparse this trip.
PLAIN-THROATED SUNBIRD (BROWN-THROATED) (Anthreptes malacensis malacensis) – A male at Angkor and a female from Baeng Toal.
VAN HASSELT'S SUNBIRD (Leptocoma brasiliana emmae) – What a gorgeous bird! A fantastic male was very inquisitive and vocal at the Steung Cheuk River.


One of the most exciting experiences we had was our incredible encounter with a small group of Irrawaddy Dolphins. Photo by participant Becky Hansen.

PURPLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris asiaticus) – Seen well at Tmatboey with some fine males, but only very small numbers.
OLIVE-BACKED SUNBIRD (OLIVE-BACKED) (Cinnyris jugularis flammaxillaris) – Small numbers from Siem Reap and Tmatboey.
BLACK-THROATED SUNBIRD (Aethopyga saturata johnsi) – Seen at Dak Dam and Jahoo, this race (presumably johnsi) is an Annam endemic and a likely split as it is so distinct.
LITTLE SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera longirostra) – Vocal and seen quite well at Dak Dam.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
FOREST WAGTAIL (Dendronanthus indicus) – Satpoen found us two right off the bat at Angkor, and we found a couple more later. A very odd forest-dwelling wagtail that is in a monotypic genus.
GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea) – Heard at Oromis near Sen Monorom. [*]
EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (EASTERN) (Motacilla tschutschensis tschutschensis) – The usual yellow wagtail taxon in the region, seen at Phnom Krom and Prolay.
MEKONG WAGTAIL (Motacilla samveasnae) – Great views of 3 of these recently described species on our Mekong River boat ride, the name commemorates Sam Veasna, the Cambodian ornithologist who sadly died of malaria in 2002.
WHITE WAGTAIL (CHINESE) (Motacilla alba leucopsis) – One at Phnom Krom for the second year running, a surprise find.
PADDYFIELD PIPIT (Anthus rufulus) – This big pipit was seen at ATT and Prolay.
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus hodgsoni) – Just one flushed up at Tmatboey.
RED-THROATED PIPIT (Anthus cervinus) – A very nice view of one on a berm at Anlong Thom, and seen far less well at Kratie.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
COMMON ROSEFINCH (Carpodacus erythrinus) – I found this first for Cambodia feeding in a bush at Dak Dam, and we all managed scope views and some even got photos! Yet another lifer for Chea..... I will write it up for the OBC magazine so it is properly documented.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Small numbers in Siem Reap. [a]
PLAIN-BACKED SPARROW (Passer flaveolus) – Good views from Phnom Krom and in a paddyfield at Tmatboey, then at Baeng Toal.
EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus) – The common and widespread sparrow here.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
BAYA WEAVER (Ploceus philippinus) – A flock of 20 at Phnom Krom, they seem to be harder to find each year, no males were in breeding dress.
ASIAN GOLDEN WEAVER (Ploceus hypoxanthus) – Good views from our usual area at Kratie with a couple of fine breeding dress males and a couple of subadults. Quite a rare bird now due to excessive trapping.

A group of Blossom-headed Parakeets spent some time foraging near us in the dry forest. Be sure to have the sound up as you watch this video, and re-live the sounds of the Cambodian forest! Video by guide Phil Gregory.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
RED AVADAVAT (Amandava amandava) – One at Phnom Krom was a surprise and the only one of the trip, another species that has been hard hit by trapping.
WHITE-RUMPED MUNIA (Lonchura striata) – Good views at Kratie.
SCALY-BREASTED MUNIA (Lonchura punctulata) – Seen sporadically throughout, this is the common munia in Cambodia. Sad to see them crammed into the merit bird release cages at Siem Reap.
MAMMALS
LYLE'S FLYING FOX (Pteropus lylei) – The noisy camp in the middle of Siem Reap were greatly enjoyed, with several hundred in evidence.
NORTHERN TREESHREW (Tupaia berlangeri) – A lifer mammal for Phil, it showed nicely from the blind at Chankran Roy.
CRAB-EATING MACAQUE (Macaca fascigularis) – Seen at Angkor Thom, some climbing on motorbikes! Some saw it at Seima too. More usually called long-tailed macaque.
PIGTAIL MACAQUE (Macaca nemestrina) – One by the road at Angkor Thom, much less common than its congener.
STUMP-TAILED MACAQUE (Macaca arctoides) – Heard at Jahoo Gibbon Camp. [*]
BLACK-SHANKED DOUC LANGUR (Pygathrix nigripes) – Two seen at Km 159 near Sen Monorom, another rare species.
YELLOW-CHEEKED GIBBON (Nomascus gabriellae) – Heard at the Green Peafowl site on the last morning, a rare species. [*]
BLACK GIANT SQUIRREL (Ratufa bicolor) – Fantastic views of some 4 individuals at Jahoo Gibbon Camp, with very varied pelage.
PALLAS'S RED-BELLIED SQUIRREL (Callosciurus erythraeus) – One at Dak Dam and another at Jahoo, thought to be Gray-bellied but actually Pallas's Squirrel by range.
FINLAYSON'S SQUIRREL (Callosciurus finlaysoni) – Seen well at Angkor, a rich coppery red species with a white band at the tail base.
CAMBODIAN FLYING SQUIRREL (Tamiops rodolphii) – Seen at Dak Dam by some, it's actually a striped squirrel and not a flying squirrel.
INDOCHINESE GROUND SQUIRREL (Menetes berdmorei) – Seen at Chankran Roy
IRRAWADDY DOLPHIN (Orcaella brevirostris) – An exceptional experience this year, with a group of them splashing, rolling and even jumping out of the water, they seemed to be banging against each other, maybe in some sort of courtship? Anyway, it was by some way the best ever views of I have had of this rare species and we were very fortunate. See the video on the Smugmug site.
SMALL ASIAN MONGOOSE (Herpestes javanicus) – I think some folks saw one at Seima.
MUNTJAC (BARKING DEER) (Muntiacus muntjak) – Heard barking at Baeng Toal and later at Jahoo. [*]

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

OTHER CREATURES

Tokay Geckoes were heard at many sites, they have a loud oddly human sounding "to-kay" call.

The lizard with the pink throat flap seen at Dak Dam remains unidentified

A brown fence lizard with a spiky neck was seen at Prolay

A rat snake was seen by some at Prolay

A gecko snake was seen at ATT

TREES

Many species were in flower, including the lovely pink and white star-flowered Dipterocarpus at Tmatboey which is one of just 5 species used for nesting by Giant Ibis. It was also fascinating to see how the sap is gathered from the large holes cut in so many trees to collect the fluid which is used as a varnish and water repellent after the cut is burned to stimulate the flow of sap.

Eastern Butterfly Lizard (Leiopsis reevesii) was seen at Tmatboey.

Favourite sightings as always included the Giant and White-shouldered Ibis, the storks from Prek Toal, the Bengal Florican, the great selection of woodpeckers and day roosting owls, and the unforgettable showing by the dolphins in the Mekong. The day we spent in the blind was also interesting and gave us great views of a number of normally hard to see species.

Totals for the tour: 295 bird taxa and 15 mammal taxa