Our first post-pandemic foray into Cambodia since 2020 was a very rewarding tour, and it came at a time when tourism is trying very hard to revive here. I thought visitor numbers at Angkor were about 20% of those on my last visit in 2019, and this made it a pleasant place to visit without the crowds. Many hotels remain shuttered and even though a new international airport is being built at Siem Reap, designed to take the huge A380's, there is a very long way yet to go before the industry gets back to anything like what it was.
Cambodia Bird Guides (CBGA) managed to survive the shutdown and most of its key conservation initiatives still exist, something I had been concerned about beforehand, but the news is good here. The wetlands at Ang Trepeang Thmor (ATT) are intact and have their local guides, as does the grassland site at Pro Lay near Kompong Thom, the 4 vulture restaurants and the very important dry dipterocarp forest at Tmatboey, last haven for the two critically endangered ibis. We even bought the CBGA T-shirts for the Endangered Bengal Florican, Giant Ibis, and White-rumped Falcon, wisely not wearing them until we had seen the birds...
We began in Siem Reap and used various vans to get round the sites, with a couple of mornings out at Phnom Krom as an introduction, with a new colony of Asian Golden Weaver as a very good sighting. We had a very successful day trip to the blind at Changkran Roy ecotourism reserve, where we saw Siamese Fireback, Green-legged Partridge, and a marvelous Bar-bellied Pitta, plus about 10% of a Brown Fish-Owl in a roost hollow.
ATT was good with Sarus Cranes and a vagrant Common Crane as a bonus, plus Spotted Wood-Owl, Western Barn-Owl, and Spotted Owlet as a good start for the owl family. Unexpected Pintail and Shoveler were also a surprise here, as was an initially puzzling distant big flock of Black-tailed Godwit. Pied Harrier and Spotted Eagle were other good species to get here.
Angkor Wat and the surrounding temple complexes made for a fantastic cultural experience, with our expert guide reeling off details of the Hindu cosmology and the bewildering outbreaks of Hindu and Buddhist religious fanaticism that led to the building of these extraordinary vast monuments. We learned about nagas, devas, garudas, the sea of milk, avatars of Vishnu, and the amazing variety of of gods and mythical creatures associated with them, I thought Leah was going to convert at one point! Birds here were also quite rewarding with Black Baza, White-throated Rock-Thrush, and Forest Wagtail among the stars.
The boat trip to Prek Toal on the vast Tonle Sap lake was a terrific day, and with a good cloud cover to keep temperatures down. Here we saw Painted Stork and the very rare Milky Stork, Lesser Adjutant and a single very close Greater Adjutant, Asian Openbill, Spot-billed Pelican, and many herons including Yellow, Black, and Cinnamon bitterns.
Kompong Thom Pro Lay grasslands came up with Bengal Florican and Manchurian Reed Warbler, Mr Ry the local guide is expert at finding the latter rarity. A Philippine Brown Shrike was a good find by David, whilst Bluethroat and Oriental Pratincole plus Oriental Skylark, Australasian Bushlark, and Asian Green Bee-eater were nice additions.
Tmatboey is a trip highlight and the simple rustic cabins were fine, though a very noisy Khmer wedding over the first two nights was a tad distracting! The star birds here are of course the Giant and White-shouldered ibises, and we had very good experiences with both. White-rumped Falcon also showed well, as did the rare Pale-capped Pigeon, and we enjoyed great looks at Rufous-bellied, Yellow-crested, Gray-capped Pygmy-, Great Slaty, and White-bellied woodpeckers, as well as Lesser Yellownape and both flamebacks. Owls were also good, with Asian Barred Owlet again, Brown Boobook and Brown Fish-Owl, and fine views of Savanna and Large-tailed nightjars.
The vulture restaurant at Baeng Toel was next, with a pleasant night in the large tents (and no wedding nearby). White-rumped and Slender-billed vultures showed well, but sadly the very rare Red-headed Vulture chose not to appear, the first time Chea and I had missed it. Owls here were great too, with wonderful views of Brown Wood-Owl and Oriental Scops.
Kratie and the Mekong boat trip were good, with the rare Irrawaddy River Dolphin seen well, plus Mekong Wagtail, Little Pratincole and yet more swiftlet condos, the huge blocks built for Germain's Swiftlets and the harvesting of the saliva nests, now a very big business indeed.
The final few days over in the cooler highlands at Seima and Dak Dam on the Vietnam border were interesting and added a lot of species, though tourism here was very hard hit and the huge hotel and resort building programs look to be in abeyance for the moment. This area gave us several new barbets in Red-vented, Indochinese, and both Green and Blue-eared, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Gray-faced Babbler that tormented Jim for some while, Black-throated Yuhina, Black-throated Tit, Black-browed Fulvetta, Plain (Blue-eared) Minla, Golden-crested Myna, and the distinctive White-faced (Eurasian) Jay.
Heading back to the capital we got caught up in a big traffic jam and almost missed Cambodian Tailorbird as a consequence, thankfully saving the day at about 1750 as the sun was setting!
It was a fun trip with a very compatible and good-humored group replete with unusually good spotters, and we did well for the birds. Thank you all for coming, I hope our paths may cross again in the future and safe travels.
Chea Seab from CBGA was a skilled, hardworking and helpful guide who knew where to find most things, he did well by us and our thanks to him and the hard-working drivers who routinely did long days without complaint. Thanks also to Karen at Field Guides who got it all put together despite many initial obstacles. I am looking forward to 2024 already.
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
LESSER WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna javanica)
A flock at Phnom Krom, then quite good numbers up at ATT.
KNOB-BILLED DUCK (Sarkidiornis melanotos)
Just a single female at ATT.
COTTON PYGMY-GOOSE (Nettapus coromandelianus)
Seen at Phnom Krom, then some good numbers at ATT.
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Spatula clypeata)
A single female at ATT was a Cambodia tick for Phil.
INDIAN SPOT-BILLED DUCK (Anas poecilorhyncha haringtoni)
Small numbers at Phnom Krom, ATT and the Mekong at Kratie.
NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anas acuta)
25 at ATT, about half of them drakes, were unexpected and only my second in Cambodia after one here in 2019.
SIAMESE FIREBACK (Lophura diardi)
Wonderful views from the hide at Changkran Roy, with 5 males and 2 females feeding at close range. The females were very striking birds too. Videos on Smugmug, Cornell and my FB site.
SCALY-BREASTED PARTRIDGE (GREEN-LEGGED) (Tropicoperdix chloropus olivacea)
Two came into the feeding area by the blind at Changkran Roy, seen very briefly in the morning but showing well in the afternoon. A First Sighting for Phil who had only heard them previously.Video on Cornell and my FB site.
RED JUNGLEFOWL (Gallus gallus gallus)
Good looks from the hide at Changkran Roy, and also seen at Seima. The females here are rather distinctive with a black and white chequered face pattern.
CHINESE FRANCOLIN (Francolinus pintadeanus)
The raspy "Pa-pa-ma-ma" call is one of the most iconic sounds of the dry forests of this part of the world. It is truly a ridiculous vocalization, and we actually even got to see the species a couple of times, which isn't always guaranteed.
BLUE-BREASTED QUAIL (Synoicus chinensis)
Phil flushed a male at Pro Lay Grasslands and a couple of folks got onto it, a hard bird to find.
LITTLE GREBE (LITTLE) (Tachybaptus ruficollis poggei)
3 at Phnom Krom.
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
Feral Pigeons were widespread in the cities. [I]
PALE-CAPPED PIGEON (Columba punicea)
A lucky pick up in the bamboo zone at Tmatboey, I thought I'd seen one the day before but views were too brief, then we saw 2 flying over here today with all (including me who'd been in the defile for the first) getting onto the second one. Quite a rare and irruptive species.
ORIENTAL TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia orientalis orientalis)
One flew by up at Dak Dam, it seems oddly scarce in Cambodia.
RED COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia tranquebarica)
Widespread in small numbers from Phnom Krom onwards.
SPOTTED DOVE (EASTERN) (Streptopelia chinensis tigrina)
Widespread, now split as Eastern Spotted Dove by HBW/BirdLife.
ASIAN EMERALD DOVE (Chalcophaps indica)
Great views from the blind at Changkran Roy with up to 7 birds, and one flyby at Seima.
ZEBRA DOVE (Geopelia striata)
Widespread, even in Siem Reap, a recent (1998) colonist in Cambodia it seems.
ORANGE-BREASTED GREEN-PIGEON (Treron bicinctus)
Small numbers from Dak Dam and Oromis.
THICK-BILLED GREEN-PIGEON (Treron curvirostra)
Seen at Tmatboey and Seima in small numbers.
PIN-TAILED GREEN-PIGEON (Treron apicauda)
Great looks around Oromis and Dak Dam with up to 5 birds seen well.
MOUNTAIN IMPERIAL-PIGEON (Ducula badia)
Fantastic views at Dak Dam where a couple of them showed unusually well, video on the Cornell site and Smugmug.
BENGAL FLORICAN (Houbaropsis bengalensis)
Lovely flight views of a male at Prolay, and a female later. Classified as Critically Endangered with a population between 250 and 1000 birds, these grasslands are a very important centre for the species.
GREATER COUCAL (Centropus sinensis)
Leah's nemesis eventually came good and we saw and heard it on various days, always just singles.
LESSER COUCAL (Centropus bengalensis)
Two at Phnom Krom and some saw one at ATT.
GREEN-BILLED MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus tristis)
Great looks at two birds at Angkor, showing unusually well.
ASIAN KOEL (Eudynamys scolopaceus)
Heard on most days but only a few got to see one!
ASIAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx maculatus)
An unexpected find at Angkor where a male flew in as we were watching barbets, not seen every trip.
BANDED BAY CUCKOO (Cacomantis sonneratii)
Good views in flight at Tmatboey, and perched at Baeng Toal.
PLAINTIVE CUCKOO (Cacomantis merulinus)
Seen well at Phnom Krom especially, also at Kratie for some.
FORK-TAILED DRONGO-CUCKOO (Surniculus dicruroides dicruroides)
One at Angkor for David, Chea and I as everyone else was on the temple tour.
INDIAN CUCKOO (Cuculus micropterus)
Vocal at Tmatboey and seen quite well a couple of times.
HIMALAYAN CUCKOO (Cuculus saturatus)
A single flew by at Phnom Krom.
LARGE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus macrurus bimaculatus)
A great find of a male at Tmatboey woodpecker site, flushed up and then sat perched on a stick, video on the Smugmug, Cornell and FB sites.
SAVANNA NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus affinis monticolus)
Extraordinary behavior at Tmatboey woodpecker site, where a male came in during late afternoon daylight and flew slowly round calling high overhead, seemingly some sort of display as this species is often very fast and hard to track!
BROWN-BACKED NEEDLETAIL (Hirundapus giganteus)
Just two shot by up at the hilltop at Dak Dam
GERMAIN'S SWIFTLET (Aerodramus germani)
Good views starting at Siem Reap and Angkor, even seeing the pale rump, and then just about everywhere else. This species has become much more frequent thanks to the provision of industrial-scale swiftlet condos, where the saliva nests are harvested for restaurants and bird's nest soup. When we began this tour back in 2008 we would only see this species around Angkor in small numbers!
ASIAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus balasiensis)
Widespread and common in small numbers.
CRESTED TREESWIFT (Hemiprocne coronata)
Great views from the Tmatboey region.
EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra)
Unexpected at ATT where we had at least 10 birds.
GRAY-HEADED SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio poliocephalus viridis)
Many at ATT, and some at Phnom Krom as well. Note this is the Grey-headed species, not the Black-backed one on our checklist.
WHITE-BROWED CRAKE (Poliolimnas cinereus)
Great looks at Phnom Krom scuttling about on the lotus leaves.
WATERCOCK (Gallicrex cinerea)
One non-breeding bird flushed up and was seen by some of us at Phnom Krom paddies. Sorry David!
WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN (Amaurornis phoenicurus)
One car load saw this at Tmatboey on a track.
SARUS CRANE (Antigone antigone sharpii)
Good looks at 9 of this rare taxon up at ATT grasslands.
COMMON CRANE (Grus grus)
A vagrant that turned up in January and was the first for Cambodia, luckily still around and our local guide knew exactly where to go look for it. It was an adult and a great species to see here, near the Sarus Cranes at ATT.
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)
Small numbers from Phnom Krom and ATT.
PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis fulva)
A single showed briefly at Pro Lay grasslands.
RED-WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus indicus atronuchalis)
Remarkably scarce this trip and only seen in very small numbers at ATT, Prek Toal, Pro Lay and Tmatboey.
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (DUBIUS/JERDONI) (Charadrius dubius jerdoni)
Seen at Phnom Krom, then one on the sandy islands along the Mekong.
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)
This striking bird is always far scarcer than its sibling, we saw 1 at Phnom Krom and 4 at ATT.
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (MELANUROIDES) (Limosa limosa melanuroides)
An unexpected find from ATT where a big flock flew by at some distance, with the white rump and black tail visible. Happily a flock of about 70 then appeared and landed just out of sight at much better range. This was my first sighting in Cambodia.
PIN-TAILED SNIPE (Gallinago stenura)
Four flushed up at Kratie paddies, the lack of white trailing edge to the wing telling them from Common Snipe.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)
Singles at Kratie paddies and on the Mekong.
SPOTTED REDSHANK (Tringa erythropus)
One flew off calling "chuik" at Pro Lay grasslands, sorry you missed it Peter.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia)
A big flock of about 70 mat ATT on a wetland which we would love to have been able to access properly. Also 2 at Pro Lay grasslands.
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis)
One at ATT, like a small slender Greenshank with a fine thin bill.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola)
A single in a puddle at Pro Lay grasslands.
BARRED BUTTONQUAIL (Turnix suscitator)
Two at Tmatboey gave fairly good albeit brief views
ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE (Glareola maldivarum)
Seen at Phnom Krom, ATT and then very nicely at Pro Lay grasslands.
SMALL PRATINCOLE (Glareola lactea)
8 at the paddies at Kratie were a surprise as this is one we usually only see on the Mekong itself. We had a good view of one on a rock there next day.
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida)
A few at Phnom Krom, and big numbers on Tonle Sap.
ASIAN OPENBILL (Anastomus oscitans)
Surprisingly few this trip, we had about 100 at Prek Toal and 70 at ATT.
LESSER ADJUTANT (Leptoptilos javanicus)
Just 4 birds at Prek Toal, very scarce this trip, and a single flying over at Baeng Toal.
GREATER ADJUTANT (Leptoptilos dubius)
A great view of one stood by the channel at Prek Toal, and it was the only one we saw. 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 with fledglings in a tree with Painted Storks at Prek Toal.
PAINTED STORK (Mycteria leucocephala)
5-day records during the first half of the tour starting at Phnom Krom, but very small numbers, with 50 at the Prek Toal nesting colony the most. It's a gorgeous colorful bird and showed nicely.
ORIENTAL DARTER (Anhinga melanogaster)
5 at Phnom Krom, 50 at Prek Toal and then two other day records of 2 at Angkor and 5 at ATT. Classified as Near Threatened by BirdLife.
LITTLE CORMORANT (Microcarbo niger)
Small numbers from Phnom Krom, Prek Toal and the Mekong.
GREAT CORMORANT (EURASIAN) (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis)
Just 3 at Phnom Krom and then 1 at Prek Toal, the scarcest of the cormorants here.
INDIAN CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis)
2 at Phnom Krom, 150 at Prek Toal, 20 at ATT and 90+ on the Mekong this year.
SPOT-BILLED PELICAN (Pelecanus philippensis)
Very few this year, we had about 60 at Prek Toal and 2 at ATT. Classified as Near Threatened with less than 12,000 birds remaining.
YELLOW BITTERN (Ixobrychus sinensis)
Two at Prek Toal and one at Kratie.
CINNAMON BITTERN (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus)
One at Phnom Krom, and one at Prek Toal.
BLACK BITTERN (Ixobrychus flavicollis)
Two on the Prek Toal trip.
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea)
5-day records from Phnom Krom, ATT and Prek Toal plus the Mekong, max, 10 birds.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea)
Three at Phnom Krom, a good count of 15 at Prek Toal and 6 from the ATT area.
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, Prek Toal and Kratie. A likely split from the African and Australasian taxa which are already split by BirdLife.
LITTLE EGRET (WESTERN) (Egretta garzetta garzetta)
Very small numbers at the wetland sites, max. 10 at Prek Toal.
CATTLE EGRET (EASTERN) (Bubulcus ibis coromandus)
Surprisingly few, starting at ATT, then 20 at Baeng Toal and about 400 at Kratie. This is the Eastern Cattle Egret, split by BirdLife and the IOC.
CHINESE POND-HERON (Ardeola bacchus)
The commonest heron, seen in all wetland habitats with over 80 at Prek Toal, in a great variety of plumages too.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
Heard at Prek Toal and Peter found us one at Oromis late in the trip.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (EURASIAN) (Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax)
Just 5 on the Prek Toal boat trip.
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)
Three at the stork colony at Prek Toal.
BLACK-HEADED IBIS (Threskiornis melanocephalus)
Good views of about 20 on the Prek Toal boat trip. A quite rare bird classified as Near Threatened by BirdLife.
WHITE-SHOULDERED IBIS (Pseudibis davisoni)
A single perched up and another heard on arrival day Tmatboey, then seen later with good flight views plus a feeding bird near Tmatboey.
GIANT IBIS (Pseudibis gigantea)
One the great charismatic megas of the trip and virtually a Cambodian endemic now. Our dawn trip to the roost was not successful, due to a Crested Serpent Eagle that had taken over the perch! The nestling had quite the nest the day before too, so word had to go out to the local villagers. Happily this paid off and we had lovely views of a perched bird that afternoon plus 2 more perched nearby, then a bonus flyby of 3 more in the bamboo zone at an overgrown temple wetland on Feb 21. Photos and video on Cornell, my FB site and Smugmug.
BLACK-WINGED KITE (Elanus caeruleus)
Single birds seen on 7 days, starting at at ATT.
ORIENTAL HONEY-BUZZARD (NORTHERN) (Pernis ptilorhynchus orientalis)
A fine bird flew overhead at Dak Dam hilltop.
BLACK BAZA (Aviceda leuphotes)
Two at Angkor, and one by Tmatboey camp, somewhat scarcer than usual this trip.
WHITE-RUMPED VULTURE (Gyps bengalensis)
35 at Baeng Toal on the first afternoon, and 25 next day. Videos on Smugmug, Cornell and my FB site. Critically Endangered.
SLENDER-BILLED VULTURE (Gyps tenuirostris)
Five at Baeng Toal with 7 next day, another Critically Endangered species.
CRESTED SERPENT-EAGLE (Spilornis cheela)
Two at Preah Khan temple seen briefly, then 2 at Tmatboey, with one at Dak Dam hilltop giving the best views. Also heard on a couple of days.
SHORT-TOED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus gallicus)
One over at Dak Dam hilltop was a nice surprise of a scarce migrant species.
CHANGEABLE HAWK-EAGLE (CHANGEABLE) (Nisaetus cirrhatus limnaeetus)
One perched at some distance in the bamboo zone at Tmatboey.
BLACK EAGLE (Ictinaetus malaiensis)
One at Dak Dam on the last full day.
GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE (Clanga clanga)
A high count of 6 birds up in the ATT area, far more than usual.
RUFOUS-WINGED BUZZARD (Butastur liventer)
The common small buzzard in the dry dipterocarp forest, and seen very nicely.
EASTERN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus spilonotus)
4 Seen at ATT and 2 at Pro Lay grasslands, with one at Baeng Toal later.
HEN HARRIER (Circus cyaneus)
A distant grey male was seen at Pro Lay grasslands, a pity it was so far away.
PIED HARRIER (Circus melanoleucos)
Two males at ATT gave good views, then one male at Pro Lay grasslands, a very striking species.
CRESTED GOSHAWK (Accipiter trivirgatus)
One over at Seima and another at the Dak Dam hilltop next day.
SHIKRA (Accipiter badius)
The default small grey accipiter with 5 day records max. 3 birds.
BRAHMINY KITE (Haliastur indus)
A single up at ATT was the only sighting.
GRAY-HEADED FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus ichthyaetus)
Just one on the Prek Toal boat trip.
BARN OWL (EASTERN) (Tyto alba stertens)
Am amazing 9 birds flushed from the thicket with the Spotted Wood Owl at ATT, with some very nice perched views too.
COLLARED SCOPS-OWL (Otus lettia lettia) [*]
Heard at Tmatboey, but a very noisy Khmer wedding made taping it in quite impossible!
ORIENTAL SCOPS-OWL (Otus sunia)
It proved very hard at Tmatboey with two heard only attempts, but one at Baeng Toal came good, see the videos on the usual 3 sites.
BROWN FISH-OWL (Ketupa zeylonensis)
We could see an ear-tuft, eyes and the bill of one in a roost at Changkran Roy, but got a lovely view of an entire bird at Tmatboey.
ASIAN BARRED OWLET (Glaucidium cuculoides)
First at Angkor Wat, and also seen at Tmatboey, quite common by voice in those areas.
SPOTTED OWLET (Athene brama)
Two singles in the ATT grasslands, one of them perched for quite good views.
SPOTTED WOOD-OWL (Strix seloputo seloputo)
A good find up at the ATT grassland thickets, it took some tracking down but we had good views eventually.
BROWN WOOD-OWL (BROWN) (Strix leptogrammica laotiana)
Fantastic at Baeng Toal, where a very responsive bird came in and enabled me to get a very nice video, see the Smugmug and Cornell sites plus my FB page. My best ever views of this shy bird, with a second bird also showing briefly.
BROWN BOOBOOK (Ninox scutulata burmanica)
Chea sparked up a noisy bird at Tmatboey camp and we had good views pre-dawn.
ORANGE-BREASTED TROGON (Harpactes oreskios)
A lovely male was at the Dak Dam border site.
EURASIAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops)
Seen nicely at Baeng Toal and heard calling.
GREAT HORNBILL (Buceros bicornis)
Two flew into a fruiting tree in the middle of Siem Reap, along with 2 Wreathed Hornbills. It's an unlikely site and we suspect they may have been released birds, but hornbills do wander so who knows? Also heard at Seima Km 159 but not seen.
ORIENTAL PIED-HORNBILL (Anthracoceros albirostris)
Seen at Tmatboey by some, then at Seima and Dak Dam, always just one or two birds.
WREATHED HORNBILL (Rhyticeros undulatus)
Two that flew into a fruiting tree in the middle of Siem Reap were a surprise, perhaps released birds? They do wander though so maybe alright, a Cambodia tick for Phil.
COMMON KINGFISHER (COMMON) (Alcedo atthis taprobana)
Seen at Phnom Krom, Prek Toal, ATT and Kratie.
WHITE-THROATED KINGFISHER (Halcyon smyrnensis perpulchra)
Seen at Phnom Krom, on several occasions in the dry forest zone and at Seima.
BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon pileata)
Seen very nicely at Angkor Wat, also at Phnom Krom and Prek Toel.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis leucomelanurus)
Oddly scarce here, we saw individuals at ATT and Kratie.
BLUE-BEARDED BEE-EATER (Nyctyornis athertoni athertoni)
A brief look at Dak Dam hilltop, then a lovely one at Oromis, this uncommon large bee-eater is always an exciting bird to see.
GREEN BEE-EATER (RUSSET-CROWNED) (Merops orientalis ferrugeiceps)
Fairly widespread starting at Pro Lay, split as Asian Green Bee-eater by BirdLife and IOC.
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 and Baeng Toel.
INDOCHINESE ROLLER (Coracias affinis)
Small numbers only this trip, starting at Prek Toel, then at Tmatboey and Baeng Toel.
COPPERSMITH BARBET (Psilopogon haemacephalus)
Seen in Siem Reap at Artisan's D'Angkor, and then at ATT and Seima.
BLUE-EARED BARBET (Psilopogon duvaucelii)
Nice views of one at Seima.
RED-VENTED BARBET (Psilopogon lagrandieri)
Two fine birds from Seima, a stonking great thing with a big bill, and very localized.
GREEN-EARED BARBET (Psilopogon faiostrictus)
Heard at Changkran Roy, and finally seen on the last day at Seima.
LINEATED BARBET (Psilopogon lineatus)
Very vocal and seen well at several sites, starting at Angkor.
INDOCHINESE BARBET (Psilopogon annamensis)
Very colorful, restricted range and uncommon, an Annam endemic basically, and seen and heard nicely in the Seima area.
HEART-SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Hemicircus canente)
A fine pair at Seima as we were coming in, almost tailless in flight.
GRAY-CAPPED PYGMY WOODPECKER (Yungipicus canicapillus)
Nice views of this diminutive species from Tmatboey.
YELLOW-CROWNED WOODPECKER (Leiopicus mahrattensis)
A very low density species, and a nice pickup at Tmatboey and Baeng Toel.
RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos hyperythrus)
A rather lovely woodpecker, seen at Tmatboey and again at Baeng Toal.
FRECKLE-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos analis)
Singles from ATT and then at Tmatboey.
GREATER FLAMEBACK (GREATER) (Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus guttacristatus)
Singles from Tmatboey and then Baeng Toel, quite a vocal species.
RUFOUS WOODPECKER (Micropternus brachyurus) [*]
This was heard out at the stork colony at Prek Toel, an uncommon species.
COMMON FLAMEBACK (Dinopium javanense)
One from near the Giant Ibis area, the much smaller bill than Greater Flameback being a good field mark.
LESSER YELLOWNAPE (Picus chlorolophus)
A very good view of one at Tmatboey woodpecker area, calling well.
BLACK-HEADED WOODPECKER (Picus erythropygius)
Two from Tmatboey woodpecker area, and one later at Baeng Toel. A striking bird.
GREAT SLATY WOODPECKER (Mulleripicus pulverulentus)
Three day records of 2 birds each time. a noisy species and seen well at Tmatboey and Baeng Toel. Now the largest extant woodpecker, though to me White-bellied always looks bigger and much heavier.
WHITE-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus javensis)
Seen very nicely twice at Tmatboey, a huge and striking woodpecker that reminds me of a Pileated. Video on Smugmug.
WHITE-RUMPED FALCON (Polihierax insignis)
Our first site drew a blank, but happily we got a fine female later at Tmatboey, a rare species and on the CBGA T-shirt.
ALEXANDRINE PARAKEET (Psittacula eupatria)
David and Barbara saw 2 at Tmatboey bamboo, then there were 4 flying over at Seima, an uncommon bird.
BLOSSOM-HEADED PARAKEET (Psittacula roseata)
Lovely looks from Tmatboey, where it was quite vocal.
RED-BREASTED PARAKEET (Psittacula alexandri)
The widespread parakeet, seen in the wooded habitats.
VERNAL HANGING-PARROT (Loriculus vernalis)
Good views from Seima where we saw it perched once and had multiple flight views.
BAR-BELLIED PITTA (Hydrornis elliotii)
A star at Changkran Roy where it appeared around 0700 and fed on termites by the blind, great views and the only appearance of the day. I also saw it on my pre-trip scouting here, a superb bird and a First Sighting as I'd only heard it on previous trips..
GOLDEN-BELLIED GERYGONE (Gerygone sulphurea)
Two singing in some tall gums at Phnom Krom were a surprise, I think it was a new Cambodia bird for me. They showed nicely and are the only mainland Asian Gerygone.
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)
Seen at Tah Prom, and then much better at Dak Dam border area. Known as Swinhoe's Minivet till the PC folks at the OBC did away with patronyms.
LARGE CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina macei)
A few from Tmatboey and Baeng Toal.
BLACK-WINGED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Lalage melaschistos)
Singles at Angkor for some, and then for all at Dak Dam.
INDOCHINESE CUCKOOSHRIKE (Lalage polioptera)
Good views from Tmatboey.
WHITE-BELLIED ERPORNIS (Erpornis zantholeuca)
A single briefly near Oromis at Sen Monorom, formerly White-bellied Yuhina but now seemingly a member of the vireo family the only one in the Old World.
BLACK-NAPED ORIOLE (EAST ASIAN) (Oriolus chinensis diffusus)
Seen at the Angkor temple complexes and also at Tmatboey, but low numbers only. This complex is likely to be split into 4 or 5 species, this being the East Asian one.
BLACK-HOODED ORIOLE (Oriolus xanthornus)
A beautiful dry forest species, seen well at Tmatboey and Baeng Toal.
ASHY WOODSWALLOW (Artamus fuscus)
A couple at a temple as we came back from Prek Toel, 2 at the Tmatboey turn-off were unexpected, and a single at Baeng Toel. An uncommon species.
LARGE WOODSHRIKE (Tephrodornis virgatus)
A couple of sightings from Tmatboey and Baeng Toel.
COMMON WOODSHRIKE (Tephrodornis pondicerianus)
Small numbers from Tmatboey, the white outer tail fathers are distinctive.
BAR-WINGED FLYCATCHER-SHRIKE (Hemipus picatus)
Seen on two days at Dak Dam hilltop and the border area.
COMMON IORA (Aegithina tiphia)
One at Phnom Krom, and a few from Tmatboey where the loud call is a feature of the forests.
MALAYSIAN PIED-FANTAIL (Rhipidura javanica)
ATT and Prek Toal.
WHITE-THROATED FANTAIL (Rhipidura albicollis)
Seen at Dak Dam hilltop and Oromis.
WHITE-BROWED FANTAIL (Rhipidura aureola) [N]
The dry dipterocarp forest fantail, seen well but only very small numbers. One had a minute thimble of a nest at one of the Tmatboey sites.
BLACK DRONGO (Dicrurus macrocercus)
The common drongo, widespread and seen most days.
ASHY DRONGO (Dicrurus leucophaeus)
One of uncertain subspecies at Pro Lay grasslands,
ASHY DRONGO (SOOTY) (Dicrurus leucophaeus bondi)
The most widespread of the Ashy Drongo complex, seen at Tmatboey and Dak Dam, this sooty grey one lacks the white face of the Chinese taxon.
ASHY DRONGO (CHINESE WHITE-FACED) (Dicrurus leucophaeus leucogenis)
Two at Angkor were the only certain sighting.
BRONZED DRONGO (Dicrurus aeneus)
One in the bamboo zone at Tmatboey, and 2 at the Dak Dam Vietnam border site.
LESSER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus remifer)
Just one at the Dak Dam Vietnam border area.
HAIR-CRESTED DRONGO (Dicrurus hottentottus)
Nice looks at Angkor, the up-curled tail is quite distinctive, also seen at Tmatboey and Dak Dam.
GREATER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus paradiseus)
Heard at Angkor and some folks saw them at Tmatboey.
BLACK-NAPED MONARCH (Hypothymis azurea)
Seen at Changkran Roy, Tah Prom and Seima on the last day.
BLYTH'S PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (BLYTH'S) (Terpsiphone affinis indochinensis)
One seen at Changkran Roy.
BROWN SHRIKE (BROWN) (Lanius cristatus cristatus)
Seen at Phnom Krom, Prek Toel, ATT and Dak Dam.
BROWN SHRIKE (PHILIPPINE) (Lanius cristatus lucionensis)
David found us one of these very distinct shrikes at Pro Lay, the whitish underparts and rather grey cast to the upperparts were very different to Northern Brown Shrike. A split in waiting, and a potential tick for me.
BURMESE SHRIKE (Lanius collurioides)
Seen in the dry forest at Tmatboey and Baeng Toal, always uncommon.
BURMESE SHRIKE (Lanius collurioides nigricapillus)
One of this rather distinct taxon was at the Dak Dam hilltop late one afternoon, the blackish cap was very different to the Tmatboey birds and this was a new subspecies for me.
EURASIAN JAY (WHITE-FACED) (Garrulus glandarius leucotis)
Two appeared by the roadside at Oromis late one afternoon, but did not linger, it is very uncommon and undoubtedly a split in waiting.
RED-BILLED BLUE-MAGPIE (Urocissa erythroryncha)
Very nice views at the feeder at Tmatboey camp, video on Smugmug and Cornell. I think up to 7 birds were seen here, it is very shy and hard to see in the dry forests otherwise.
RACKET-TAILED TREEPIE (Crypsirina temia)
Very visible at Phnom Krom this year with up to 6 birds, far more than usual.
LARGE-BILLED CROW (LARGE-BILLED) (Corvus macrorhynchos macrorhynchos)
A proposed split as Southern Jungle Crow, they were widespread in small numbers.
GRAY-HEADED CANARY-FLYCATCHER (Culicicapa ceylonensis)
Seen at Changkran Roy and Angkor.
AUSTRALASIAN BUSHLARK (Mirafra javanica horsfieldii)
Only seen at Pro Lay grasslands this trip, it seems to be a scarce bird in Cambodia.
INDOCHINESE BUSHLARK (Mirafra erythrocephala)
Just a single from the vulture blind this trip, we usually see them at Tmatboey.
ORIENTAL SKYLARK (Alauda gulgula)
Singing well and skylarking at Pro Lay grasslands.
COMMON TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus sutorius)
Common in disturbed and second growth habitats but quite hard to see. Even present at the Sonalong in Siem Reap.
DARK-NECKED TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus atrogularis)
The jungle specialist tailorbird, we saw them well at Angkor, Dak Dam and Seima.
CAMBODIAN TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus chaktomuk) [E]
A close run thing this trip as we got caught up in a huge traffic jam as we came into Phnom Penh, and the sun was setting by the time we got to the site. This has now also been largely cleared for some absurd new development, but a fragment of paddy and bush thicket survives and we got onto a pair of this special bird mercifully quickly. A range restricted and only recently described species, endemic to the Four Arms Plain around the capital. Field Guides was the first tour group to get to see them back in 2013 when it was yet to be described.
BROWN PRINIA (Prinia polychroa)
This big uncommon prinia was seen at Tmatboey and Baeng Toal.
RUFESCENT PRINIA (Prinia rufescens)
Good views at Tmatboey and Baeng Toal.
GRAY-BREASTED PRINIA (Prinia hodgsonii)
Seen once at Tmatboey, an odd small arboreal prinia.
YELLOW-BELLIED PRINIA (Prinia flaviventris)
Seen at Phnom Krom, this is one we often only hear so it was good to nail it early on. We heard it later at Prek Toel, Pro Lay and Kratie without seeing it again.
PLAIN PRINIA (Prinia inornata)
Common around Siem Reap, Pro Lay and Kratie.
ZITTING CISTICOLA (DOUBLE ZITTING) (Cisticola juncidis tinnabulans) [*]
Heard at Pro Lay grasslands and undoubtedly a split in waiting as the vocals are quite distinct.
GOLDEN-HEADED CISTICOLA (Cisticola exilis equicaudatus) [*]
Heard at Baeng Toel, another species complex long overdue for splitting up.
BLACK-BROWED REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus bistrigiceps)
One was calling at the trepeang at the old temple in the bamboo zone, and we were able to squeak it in for good views. There was another by the blind at Baeng Toal too,
MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus tangorum)
Mr Ry did us proud at Pro Lay and we got one to show quite well, he knows exactly where they are and how to dig them out. An obscure and little known species.
ORIENTAL REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus orientalis)
Seen at Phnom Krom, Pro Lay and Kratie.
STRIATED GRASSBIRD (Megalurus palustris)
Some folks got onto this at Pro Lay, it was atypically scarce this tour.
GRAY-THROATED MARTIN (Riparia chinensis)
Nice views over the Mekong at Kratie where 10 was a good count, some were even by the cafe at the departure steps.
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia)
Very small numbers from Prek Toal, Pro Lay and Kratie, where I suspected Pale Martin might be present as the breast band seemed poorly defined.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
Widespread, quite common over the grasslands and wetlands.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii)
A scarce species, but we saw it at Dak Dam hilltop with the hirundine flock, and also near the hotel at Sen Monorom for some.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica)
Very few this trip, with small numbers from Tmatboey, Baeng Toal and Seima.
COMMON HOUSE-MARTIN (EASTERN) (Delichon urbicum lagopodum)
One at the Dak Dam hilltop site in with a big hirundine flock, an IOC split as Siberian or Eastern House Martin. Quite rare here.
BLACK-HEADED BULBUL (Brachypodius melanocephalos)
Seen at Changkran Roy and then at Tmatboey, an uncommon species, much scarcer than the Black-crested.
BLACK-CRESTED BULBUL (Rubigula flaviventris)
Seen at Tah Prohm temple, Changkran Roy and then at Tmatboey and Dak Dam, quite widespread.
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 germani)
Seen daily in the dry dipterocarp forests from Tmatboey on, this taxon has the yellow undertail coverts.
STRIPE-THROATED BULBUL (Pycnonotus finlaysoni)
Attractive and uncommon, we saw them at Changkran Roy, then at Tmatboey and Seima.
YELLOW-VENTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus goiavier)
Quite common at Siem Reap and Angkor but not in the dry country areas or Seima.
STREAK-EARED BULBUL (Pycnonotus conradi)
Seen at Siem Reap and Angkor, low density and unobtrusive.
OCHRACEOUS BULBUL (Alophoixus ochraceus)
Seen at Dak Dam hilltop then later at the border area.
PUFF-THROATED BULBUL (Alophoixus pallidus)
Good views at Changkran Roy and also at Seima on the last morning.
GRAY-EYED BULBUL (Iole propinqua)
This is the one with the nasal mewing call, seen and heard at Changkran Roy, Dak Dam and Seima.
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 Seima, but none of the race with white heads this year.
ASHY BULBUL (Hemixos flavala)
Seen twice at Dak Dam, a scarce migrant.
YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER (Phylloscopus inornatus)
Widespread around Siem Reap (even at our hotel), Angkor and Tmatboey but always hard to see well and in good light. The call is the best indicator of it being there.
RADDE'S WARBLER (Phylloscopus schwarzi)
One at Tmatboey was a good find.
DUSKY WARBLER (Phylloscopus fuscatus)
More often heard than seen with the harsh takking call, the first were at Phnom Krom, then at Prek Toal.
TWO-BARRED WARBLER (Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus)
One at Tah Prom gave good looks plus the diagnostic call for good measure.
PALE-LEGGED LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus tenellipes)
The sharp metallic "tip" call is often heard, but seeing them is usually hard, but we finally got a nice one at Dak Dam, much to Jim's delight.
ARCTIC WARBLER (Phylloscopus borealis)
One at Dak Dam border area, with very greyish upperparts, a good supercilium and a single wing bar. Luckily the amazingly similar siblings are not known from Cambodia!
BLACK-THROATED TIT (GRAY-CROWNED) (Aegithalos concinnus annamensis)
A very good find at Dak Dam border area, with good views of 3 of this odd grey-crowned taxon, a likely split from Black-throated Tit as it looks so different. Another Cambodia tick for Phil too.
BLACK-CHINNED YUHINA (Yuhina nigrimenta)
One from the Dak Dam Vietnam border area was a Cambodia tick for Phil.
INDIAN WHITE-EYE (Zosterops palpebrosus siamensis)
Seen at Dak Dam on two days, small numbers only.
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BABBLER (Timalia pileata)
Great looks at Baeng Toel, the video is on Cornell and the Smugmug site.
GRAY-FACED TIT-BABBLER (Mixornis kelleyi)
Almost Jim's nemesis, we tried at Dak Dam hilltop where some of us saw one perch up on a power pole, then we made repeated efforts at the Dak Dam Vietnam border area with the score at 4:0 before we finally got one to show briefly for Jim. Phew!
PIN-STRIPED TIT-BABBLER (Mixornis gularis)
Vocal and seen well at Changkran Roy.
WHITE-BROWED SCIMITAR-BABBLER (Pomatorhinus schisticeps) [*]
Heard at the Dak Dam border area.
PUFF-THROATED BABBLER (Pellorneum ruficeps)
Great looks at Changkran Roy.
SPOT-THROATED BABBLER (Pellorneum albiventre) [*]
Calling loudly very close by, but could not be lured into view, a heard lifer for me and i think Chea too.
BLACK-BROWED FULVETTA (Alcippe grotei grotei)
Another good find from Dak Dam border area, the brownish tones distinguish it from Mountain Fulvetta, and it's far more range restricted.
BLUE-WINGED MINLA (Actinodura cyanouroptera orientalis)
A pleasing find from Dak Dam border area, this distinctive taxon is split by BirdLife as Plain Minla and is very different to the usual Blue-winged Minla.
WHITE-CRESTED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax leucolophus)
Seen very nicely from the blinds at Changkran Roy and Tmatboey, quite a showy species and usually pretty shy.
WHITE-CHEEKED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Pterorhinus vassali)
A small flock shot across the track at Dak Dam hilltop as we were having. breakfast, a brief view of a very localized and shy species.
BURMESE NUTHATCH (Sitta neglecta)
Great looks and vocals at Tmatboey of this striking species, I have put a recording on xenocanto.
VELVET-FRONTED NUTHATCH (Sitta frontalis)
Seen at Baeng Toel.
GOLDEN-CRESTED MYNA (Ampeliceps coronatus)
Two at Seima were a very nice find of what is quite a scarce species.
COMMON HILL MYNA (COMMON) (Gracula religiosa intermedia)
Seen at Angkor and Tmatboey, and 5 at Seima, why it bears the name Common is one of those mysteries as it's now very scarce indeed.
BLACK-COLLARED STARLING (Gracupica nigricollis)
A handful of sightings from Phnom Krom and Tmatboey.
ASIAN PIED STARLING (ASIAN) (Gracupica contra floweri)
Only seen at Pro lay grasslands this trip, with 5 birds.
WHITE-SHOULDERED STARLING (Sturnia sinensis)
A flock of 6 flew through at ATT wetland and perched briefly.
CHESTNUT-TAILED STARLING (Sturnia malabarica)
Good looks on the cow carcasses at Baeng Toel.
COMMON MYNA (Acridotheres tristis)
Widespread, and nice to see wild birds as opposed to introduced ones.
VINOUS-BREASTED STARLING (Acridotheres burmannicus)
These showed very well at Baeng Toal , feeding on the flies on the cow carcasses!
GREAT MYNA (Acridotheres grandis)
Widespread on the first portion of the tour.
ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa dauurica)
The common small flycatcher seen at most woodland sites.
ORIENTAL MAGPIE-ROBIN (Copsychus saularis)
Seen at Prek Toel, ATT and Oromis.
WHITE-RUMPED SHAMA (Copsychus malabaricus)
Seen very well at Changkran Roy and also at Tah Prom.
HAINAN BLUE FLYCATCHER (Cyornis hainanus)
Great looks from Angkor and then at Changkran Roy.
VERDITER FLYCATCHER (Eumyias thalassinus)
Seen at Dak Dam hilltop.
SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN (Larvivora cyane)
Seen well at Changkran Roy, with a male feeding and bathing there.
BLUETHROAT (Luscinia svecica)
One from Pro Lay grasslands.
MUGIMAKI FLYCATCHER (Ficedula mugimaki)
A very showy female was at Dak Dam border area, a Cambodian tick for Phil.
TAIGA FLYCATCHER (Ficedula albicilla)
Good views of one in the middle of Siem Reap and one at Phnom Krom.
WHITE-THROATED ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola gularis)
Lovely looks at a male of this scarce species at Angkor.
BLUE ROCK-THRUSH (PANDOO) (Monticola solitarius pandoo)
A fine blue-bellied male was on Angkor Wat itself.
BLUE ROCK-THRUSH (PHILIPPENSIS) (Monticola solitarius philippensis)
One showy red-bellied male by the small bridge at Seima, a split in waiting still.
AMUR STONECHAT (Saxicola stejnegeri)
Seen at Phnom Krom, ATT and Prolay; stonechat taxonomy remains vexed and this is often called Stejneger's or Japanese Stonechat, an IOC split as well.
PIED BUSHCHAT (Saxicola caprata)
Common and widespread in appropriate open habitats.
THICK-BILLED FLOWERPECKER (OBSOLETUM GROUP) (Dicaeum agile pallescens)
A couple from the Seima area, in the Modest Flowerpecker group.
YELLOW-VENTED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum chrysorrheum chrysochlore)
Just one by the police post at Seima Km 159.
PLAIN FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum minullum minullum)
A couple of sightings from Seima and Dak Dam, a very nondescript fine-billed species.
FIRE-BREASTED FLOWERPECKER (FIRE-BREASTED) (Dicaeum ignipectus ignipectus)
Good views from Dak Dam and Seima, the males are quite striking.
SCARLET-BACKED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum cruentatum cruentatum)
I think some saw one briefly in the dry forests, and I know it was heard.
RUBY-CHEEKED SUNBIRD (Chalcoparia singalensis)
Just 2 at Changkran Roy this trip.
VAN HASSELT'S SUNBIRD (Leptocoma brasiliana emmae)
A fine male at Changkran Roy, an uncommon species.
PURPLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris asiaticus)
Quite common in the dry forest areas.
OLIVE-BACKED SUNBIRD (OLIVE-BACKED) (Cinnyris jugularis flammaxillaris)
Seen a few times, this taxon is a pending split as Ornate Sunbird, very different to the Australian taxon.
BLACK-THROATED SUNBIRD (DALAT) (Aethopyga saturata johnsi)
Seen at Dak Dam, this race (presumably johnsi) is an Annam endemic and a likely split as it is so distinct.
CRIMSON SUNBIRD (Aethopyga siparaja)
A fine female at Dak Dam by the border, and a couple of good views of the spectacular males.
LITTLE SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera longirostra)
Vocal and eventually seen quite well at Seima on the last day.
STREAKED SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera magna)
Two good views from Dak Dam, at the Vietnam border area and at Seima.
ASIAN FAIRY-BLUEBIRD (Irena puella)
Lovely views from Dak Dam at both sites, sadly now endangered by trapping for the cage bird trade.
BLUE-WINGED LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis cochinchinensis)
A beautiful pair seen at Seima on the last day.
GOLDEN-FRONTED LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis aurifrons)
Great views at a flowering tree at Tmatboey.
BAYA WEAVER (Ploceus philippinus)
Seen at Phnom Krom and ATT, and at the Baeng Toal vulture restaurant.
ASIAN GOLDEN WEAVER (Ploceus hypoxanthus)
A new colony was near Phnom Krom and we had lovely views of both sexes at the nest, a rare species.
SCALY-BREASTED MUNIA (Lonchura punctulata)
20 at Phnom Krom and a couple next day.
WHITE-RUMPED MUNIA (Lonchura striata)
Seen briefly at Seima on arrival day.
CHESTNUT MUNIA (CHESTNUT) (Lonchura atricapilla deignani)
An unexpected find at Pro Lay grasslands, with several females and a fine chestnut male.
RED AVADAVAT (Amandava amandava)
Brief views at Pro Lay and Kratie, some of us never got to see any colour on them!
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
Small numbers in Siem Reap.
PLAIN-BACKED SPARROW (Passer flaveolus)
Good views from Phnom Krom and in a paddyfield at Tmatboey, then at Baeng Toal. This species seems to be getting more widespread.
EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus)
The common and widespread sparrow here, but only in small numbers.
FOREST WAGTAIL (Dendronanthus indicus)
Lovely views of one of these unusual forest dwelling wagtails at Angkor Wat.
GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea)
One seen at the second forest stop at Seima, uncommon in Cambodia.
EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (EASTERN) (Motacilla tschutschensis tschutschensis)
Nice views at Phnom Krom, the only site of the trip.
MEKONG WAGTAIL (Motacilla samveasnae)
Great views of 3 of this recently described and distinctive species on our Mekong River boat ride, the name commemorates Sam Veasna, the Cambodian ornithologist who sadly died of malaria in 2002.
PADDYFIELD PIPIT (Anthus rufulus)
This big pipit was seen at ATT and Pro Lay.
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)
Two showed nicely from the blind at Changkran Roy.
CRAB-EATING MACAQUE (Macaca fascigularis)
Seen at Angkor Thom, and at Seima too. More usually called Long-tailed Macaque.
BLACK-SHANKED DOUC LANGUR (Pygathrix nigripes)
Very brief views of 3 of them at Seima on the last morning, but did not linger, a rare species.
FINLAYSON'S SQUIRREL (Callosciurus finlaysoni)
Seen well at Angkor, a rich coppery red species with a white band at the tail base. Another taxon at Kratie was plain peppery-grey.
CAMBODIAN FLYING SQUIRREL (Tamiops rodolphii)
I think the small striped squirrels with the slender tails from Tmatboey are this species and not the Indochinese Ground Squirrel as was suggested at the time.
IRRAWADDY DOLPHIN (Orcaella brevirostris)
Nice looks on the Mekong at Kratie, a rare animal with maybe a couple of hundred surviving in a few areas.
Germain's Silver Langur, Trachypithecus gemaini, was the monkey species we saw from the boat at Prek Toal, scarce and declining and a good find.
Herps were very thin on the ground, with no snakes at all. Some saw Tokay Gecko, which was vocal at Siem Reap and Tmatboey.
A Flying Lizard, Draco volans, was seen at Changkran Roy, with a strange orangey-pink throat flap that it could raise and lower.
Birds of the trip included Giant Ibis, White-shouldered ibis, Painted Stork, Bengal Florican, Pied Harrier, White-bellied Woodpecker, and of course Bar-bellied Pitta.
A strange dove singing at Siem Reap Royal Palace Park was a released "merit" bird, set free to gain heavenly credits by such good actions. It was a Barbary Dove, a domestic variety 'risoria' of African Collared Dove.
Butterflies were quite common especially at Changkran Roy and Seima. I tried to photograph as many as i could and post to iNaturalist, but responses so far have been vey few. Species identified include Common Birdwing, Common Rose, Great Orange-tip, Orange Tiger, Danaid Eggfly, Peacock Pansy, Gray Pansy, Common Sailer, Common Four-ring, Common Yeoman. Marbled Map, and Common Earl.
Totals for the tour: 302 bird taxa and 7 mammal taxa