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Our big prize on our first-ever visit to Si Phangnga National Park on our final morning was seeing this jaw-dropping Malayan Banded-Pitta at close range and completely unobstructed. Woo hoo!! (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
This short extension to Peninsular Thailand was an excellent complement to our main tour, focusing on the northern provinces of this diverse country. Many of our 200 or so recorded species were new for the group, producing a lot of excitement for us!
Our route was the same as it had been for the past few years, with our first two nights in the fabulous Krung Ching Waterfall area in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province on the east side of the peninsula (where we had our wettest weather and most of our birds). We then spent two nights in Krabi on the west side of the peninsula (much drier), and finally a night in Khao Lak after a morning visit to the Similan Islands. The star of the show for most of us turned out to be the stunning male Malayan Banded-Pitta that Uthai had staked out at Si Phang-nga NP, north of Khao Lak, on our final morning. Wow! What a bird! The extension's namesake, the strange and lovely Nicobar Pigeon, was right up there, too, and was enjoyed at exceedingly close range on the Similan Islands. To be sure, there were plenty of other 'stars' on this one, like the four species of owls that we saw on our one day at Khao Nor Chuchi, our two different Blyth's Frogmouths (one at Krung Ching, one at KNC), elegant Black-naped Terns on our way back from the Similans, stately Buffy Fish-Owl, White-crowned Hornbill and Green Broadbill at Krung Ching, Mangrove Pitta and Brown-winged Kingfisher at Krabi, and so many others!
Thanks again to Wat and his crew for taking such good care of us throughout our entire stay in Thailand -- would that all of our ground agents on every tour, and all of our drivers and assistants around the world could be so exceptional! Thanks to Uthai for his patient and expert guidance for the duration, and thanks to each of you for joining us on this birdy little extension! None of it would have been possible without you. Stay safe, and good birding until we meet again!
-- Dave
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
This handsome Spotted Wood-Owl was waiting for us on a day roost soon after we arrived at Khao Nor Chuchi from Krabi. (photo by participant Dave Harvey)
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
GREAT ARGUS (Argusianus argus) – Heard only while on the trail at Krung Ching. Good to know they're still around, though! [*]
Ciconiidae (Storks)
ASIAN OPENBILL (Anastomus oscitans) – If you missed it along the drive from Krung Ching to Krabi, we had a soaring bird from the boats through the mangrove forest.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
LITTLE CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax niger) – Still the only species of cormorant that I've seen on this extension.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – A single on the river near Takuapa as we scanned for River Lapwing on our first attempt.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia)
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)
PACIFIC REEF-HERON (Egretta sacra) – Mike spotted this dark heron near the harbor on our Similans boat trip day.
CATTLE EGRET (EASTERN) (Bubulcus ibis coromandus)
CHINESE POND-HERON (Ardeola bacchus) – Most likely this species, but I've seen Javan PH here as well. [b]
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
ORIENTAL HONEY-BUZZARD (Pernis ptilorhynchus) – More of these playing i.d. tricks on us at Krung Ching.
CRESTED SERPENT-EAGLE (Spilornis cheela) – At Krung Ching on our first afternoon.
BLYTH'S HAWK-EAGLE (Nisaetus alboniger) – Two birds soaring above the remnant forest at Khao Nor Chuchi (KNC) on our day of birding there.
WALLACE'S HAWK-EAGLE (Nisaetus nanus) – A single immature bird - that wasn't a honey-buzzard - at Krung Ching on our final morning there.
BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans) – A few of these above the river at Takuapa was my first for this extension in many years of doing it.
BRAHMINY KITE (Haliastur indus) – In the coastal habitats near Krabi.
WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucogaster) – Fantastic looks of an interacting pair in the mangroves near Krabi, then once again on the island, and finally at Laem Pakarang on our final full afternoon.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN (Amaurornis phoenicurus) – Seen during our River Lapwing search.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) [b]
RIVER LAPWING (Vanellus duvaucelii) – Finally! A quick final stop at the bridge near Takuapa yielded a distant look at a single bird. The high water level really eliminated a bunch of the usual riverine sandbar habitat for this species.
RED-WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus indicus atronuchalis) – Perhaps soon to be split from the indicus subspecies group to the west.
LESSER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius mongolus) – Most of our sand-plovers at Laem Pakarang were the next species, with only a few of these smaller birds among them. [b]
GREATER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius leschenaultii) [b]
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
TEREK SANDPIPER (Xenus cinereus) – As usual, we found plenty of these feeding in the intertidal mudflats at Laem Pakarang. [b]
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) [b]
This photo succinctly tells the story of the demise of Khao Nor Chuchi, with both an African Oil Palm plantation and a rubber plantation in the foreground of Khao Nor Chuchi (Beetle Horn Mountain). (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – A single at Laem Pakarang. [b]
WHIMBREL (SIBERIAN) (Numenius phaeopus variegatus) – Some folks got on one of these before it flew off at Laem Pakarang. There is talk of splitting the Old World Whimbrels from the "Hudsonian Curlew" of the New World. [b]
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – At Krabi for some. [b]
RED-NECKED STINT (Calidris ruficollis) – The only stint that we saw at Laem Pakarang. [b]
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
BLACK-NAPED TERN (Sterna sumatrana) – A nice surprise find on our return from the Similans was a large flock of these beautiful terns roosting on a buoy in the middle of the channel between the islands and the mainland.
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo) – Most of the terns that we saw in flight on the crossing between the island and the mainland were wintering Common Terns. [b]
LESSER CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bengalensis) – A couple of these with the above Black-naped Terns didn't stick around for long, darn it!
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
SPOTTED DOVE (Streptopelia chinensis)
EMERALD DOVE (Chalcophaps indica) [*]
ZEBRA DOVE (Geopelia striata) – It's thought that the birds here on the peninsula are naturally occurring, unlike birds farther to the north.
NICOBAR PIGEON (Caloenas nicobarica) – Woo Hoo! We hadn't even put our shoes back on when we got our first look at this insular species walking on the sand between the buildings and among the throng of tourists. A few weeks later and these birds would be very difficult to find!
We had no sooner disembarked from our speedboat on island #4 in the Similans when we saw our first Nicobar Pigeon strolling on the ground between the buildings there. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
PINK-NECKED PIGEON (Treron vernans) – Lovely looks at the Ao Phang-nga NP buildings between Krabi and Thap Lamu.
THICK-BILLED PIGEON (Treron curvirostra) – The only green-pigeon that we could find at Krung Ching.
GREEN IMPERIAL-PIGEON (Ducula aenea) – Less numerous than the Pied Imperial-Pigeon, we had to work a little in order to get some good scope looks at this one on the island.
PIED IMPERIAL-PIGEON (Ducula bicolor) – Striking black and pale yellow (certainly not white) plumage.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
MOUSTACHED HAWK-CUCKOO (Hierococcyx vagans) [*]
INDIAN CUCKOO (Cuculus micropterus) [*]
BANDED BAY CUCKOO (Cacomantis sonneratii) [*]
PLAINTIVE CUCKOO (Cacomantis merulinus) [*]
VIOLET CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus) – Mostly in flight as males sang and flew high above the canopy at Krung Ching.
SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO-CUCKOO (Surniculus lugubris) – It seems that most of the drongo-cuckoos at Krung Ching are this recently elevated species.
FORK-TAILED DRONGO-CUCKOO (Surniculus dicruroides) – At least one bird that some of us looked at appeared to be this very similar species with a definite fork in the tip of the tail. There's still much to be worked out with the drongo-cuckoos.
ASIAN KOEL (Eudynamys scolopaceus) – One of the few resident landbirds on the Similans.
BLACK-BELLIED MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus diardi) – Our single bird along the Krung Ching entrance road looked a lot like the Green-billed Malkohas that we saw on the main tour - only in miniature format.
CHESTNUT-BELLIED MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus sumatranus) – A lifer that was a long time in coming for me, we all enjoyed super views of this one in the Krabi mangroves before we headed for KNC.
A trip back to the Krung Ching headquarters after dinner got us our only looks at the striking Buffy Fish-Owl. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
RAFFLES'S MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus chlorophaeus) – We encountered this one daily at Krung Ching. The smallest of the malkohas here, and certainly one of the most distinctive.
RED-BILLED MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus javanicus) – There are no other malkohas here with red bills.
CHESTNUT-BREASTED MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus curvirostris) – The only malkoha here without any white in the tail (replaced by chestnut).
GREATER COUCAL (Centropus sinensis) – The malkohas and this species are the only cuckoos that we saw that are not brood parasites.
Tytonidae (Barn-Owls)
ORIENTAL BAY-OWL (Phodilus badius) – WOWWW!!!! We enjoyed a fantastic daytime encounter with this strange owl at KNC, thanks to a known roost site. That saved us at least an hour of looking for it in the dark after dinner!
Strigidae (Owls)
BARRED EAGLE-OWL (Bubo sumatranus) – Yotin had the spot for this one at the edge of an oil palm plantation. Great views on a day roost!!
BUFFY FISH-OWL (Ketupa ketupu) – A post-dinner visit to Krung Ching produced a fine encounter with this piscivore in the main clearing.
SPOTTED WOOD-OWL (Strix seloputo) – When we arrived at the appointed spot near KNC, we thought that we had just missed seeing this one on its day roost. However, a little searching by Yotin paid off with excellent views in the scopes before we left for our next owl quarry.
BROWN WOOD-OWL (Strix leptogrammica) – Our first attempt was a bust, but our final try as the light faded in the early evening produced some decent looks at this one high in a tree next to the road, marking our 4th owl seen that day at KNC, thanks to Yotin!
Podargidae (Frogmouths)
BLYTH'S FROGMOUTH (INDOCHINESE) (Batrachostomus affinis continentalis) – We were treated to not one, but two different daytime looks at this strange species at both Krung Ching and KNC. This mainland form is now split from the true Javan Frogmouth on Java and the Palawan Frogmouth on Palawan in the Philippines.
Apodidae (Swifts)
SILVER-RUMPED NEEDLETAIL (Rhaphidura leucopygialis) – Numerous in the clearing at times at Krung Ching.
BROWN-BACKED NEEDLETAIL (Hirundapus giganteus) – A quick flyby for some at KNC.
GERMAIN'S SWIFTLET (Aerodramus germani) – The only one known to be around in the areas that we visited.
ASIAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus balasiensis)
Hemiprocnidae (Treeswifts)
GRAY-RUMPED TREESWIFT (Hemiprocne longipennis) – We had very good looks at both of the treeswifts at KNC; this one in flight and the Whiskered perched.
WHISKERED TREESWIFT (Hemiprocne comata) – Great views right over the road at KNC!
Trogonidae (Trogons)
DIARD'S TROGON (Harpactes diardii) – One of the many rewards for those who ventured up the waterfall trail at Krung Ching.
SCARLET-RUMPED TROGON (Harpactes duvaucelii) – The hike up the waterfall trail produced looks at three species of trogons, including this one that sounds more like a Plain Antvireo than a trogon to me!
ORANGE-BREASTED TROGON (Harpactes oreskios) – An old friend from the main tour along the waterfall trail at Krung Ching.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
WHITE-CROWNED HORNBILL (Berenicornis comatus) – We worked awfully hard to see this one at Krung Ching and our persistence paid off with scope views of a few distant birds there.
I know kingfishers can sit motionless for a long time - but long enough for a spider to build a web on it?! (Actually, the web's in the foreground...) Our late afternoon boat ride at Krabi, as usual, produced some fine looks at Brown-winged Kingfisher. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
GREAT HORNBILL (Buceros bicornis) – Seen briefly by some along the trail at Si Phangnga NP on our final morning.
WREATHED HORNBILL (Rhyticeros undulatus) – Very often the most common hornbill at Krung Ching.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
COMMON KINGFISHER (Alcedo atthis) [b]
BROWN-WINGED KINGFISHER (Pelargopsis amauroptera) – Fantastic looks at this local specialty in the Krabi mangroves. Very closely related to the Stork-billed Kingfisher.
RUDDY KINGFISHER (Halcyon coromanda) – We were able to view this shy species through a tiny window in the dense mangroves before our attention was diverted toward a pitta.
WHITE-THROATED KINGFISHER (Halcyon smyrnensis) – Shockingly beautiful!
BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon pileata) – Our best looks were on the mangrove boat ride at Krabi. [b]
COLLARED KINGFISHER (Todiramphus chloris) – Collared Kingfisher was recently split into several species, but ours is still considered part of chloris (the humii subspecies group, more precisely).
RUFOUS-COLLARED KINGFISHER (Actenoides concretus) – Close... [*]
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
RED-BEARDED BEE-EATER (Nyctyornis amictus) – Along the Krung Ching waterfall trail for some.
CHESTNUT-HEADED BEE-EATER (Merops leschenaulti) – One of the consolation prizes when we first looked for River Lapwing near Takuapa.
Megalaimidae (Asian Barbets)
SOOTY BARBET (Calorhamphus hayii hayii) – Now split from the Brown Barbet, which is now a Bornean endemic species (as if Borneo didn't already have enough endemics!)
COPPERSMITH BARBET (Psilopogon haemacephalus) [*]
Yotin had a number of goodies in store for us during our short visit to Khao Nor Chuchi, including this young Barred Eagle-Owl. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
BLUE-EARED BARBET (Psilopogon duvaucelii) – A common voice at Krung Ching.
RED-THROATED BARBET (Psilopogon mystacophanos) – Very long-billed for a barbet.
GOLD-WHISKERED BARBET (Psilopogon chrysopogon) – With loads of bulbuls and other barbets in the fruiting fig in the back of the clearing at Krung Ching.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
GRAY-CAPPED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos canicapillus) – Seen in the big clearing at Si Phang-nga NP on our final morning.
BANDED WOODPECKER (Picus miniaceus) – One of the more expected woodpeckers at Krung Ching.
STREAK-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Picus viridanus) – Quite similar to Laced Woodpecker, which doesn't occur where we were birding.
COMMON FLAMEBACK (Dinopium javanense) – Excellent views in the mangroves at Ao Phang-nga NP on our way to the coast to catch our boat to the Similans.
RUFOUS WOODPECKER (Micropternus brachyurus) – Decent views of this one at Krung Ching on our only full day there.
BUFF-RUMPED WOODPECKER (Meiglyptes tristis) – We missed this one on the main tour at Kaeng Krachan, so it was good to catch up with it on the extension!
MAROON WOODPECKER (Blythipicus rubiginosus) – Fleeting views for some, especially at Si Phang-nga NP.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
BLACK-THIGHED FALCONET (Microhierax fringillarius) – Nicely in the scopes at Krung Ching on our first afternoon there.
Psittaculidae (Old World Parrots)
VERNAL HANGING-PARROT (Loriculus vernalis) – Daily at Krung Ching, but rarely perched.
Calyptomenidae (African and Green Broadbills)
GREEN BROADBILL (Calyptomena viridis) – How hard can it be to spot a brilliant green bird?!? Plenty hard, it turns out!
Eurylaimidae (Asian and Grauer's Broadbills)
BANDED BROADBILL (Eurylaimus javanicus) [*]
BLACK-AND-YELLOW BROADBILL (Eurylaimus ochromalus) – I never tire of this little gem of a bird!
DUSKY BROADBILL (Corydon sumatranus) – This was a super year for this one at Krung Ching, with multiple good looks at birds gathering nesting material. [N]
Pittidae (Pittas)
MALAYAN BANDED-PITTA (Hydrornis irena) – Certainly one of the most beautiful of all of the fancy pittas! This special bird alone was worth that final morning visit to Si Phang-nga NP.
MANGROVE PITTA (Pitta megarhyncha) – This one was slow to respond, but we all ended up with fabulous views in the scope of a singing bird in the mangroves at Krabi.
Acanthizidae (Thornbills and Allies)
GOLDEN-BELLIED GERYGONE (Gerygone sulphurea) [*]
Vangidae (Vangas, Helmetshrikes, and Allies)
LARGE WOODSHRIKE (Tephrodornis virgatus) – Several along the road at Krung Ching.
BAR-WINGED FLYCATCHER-SHRIKE (Hemipus picatus) – Daily in the canopy at Krung Ching.
RUFOUS-WINGED PHILENTOMA (Philentoma pyrhoptera) – Good views of a fancy male at Krung Ching.
Aegithinidae (Ioras)
COMMON IORA (Aegithina tiphia)
GREEN IORA (Aegithina viridissima) – A common voice in the tall forests on this extension, and we managed a couple of looks at it at Krung Ching.
GREAT IORA (Aegithina lafresnayei) – The race here has a black crown and black upperparts, unlike birds that we saw on the main tour.
It would be very strange to see a swift on a perch, but not so for a Whiskered Treeswift, like this one at Khao Nor Chuchi. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
FIERY MINIVET (Pericrocotus igneus) – A bit of a surprise for both me and Uthai, being a new bird for the two of us at Krung Ching.
SCARLET MINIVET (Pericrocotus speciosus) – This one far outnumbered the Fiery Minivet at Krung Ching.
BROWN-RUMPED MINIVET (Pericrocotus cantonensis) – Just a few migrants wintering here at Krung Ching. Also called Swinhoe's Minivet. [b]
LESSER CUCKOOSHRIKE (Lalage fimbriata) – This one was vocal every day at Krung Ching.
Pachycephalidae (Whistlers and Allies)
MANGROVE WHISTLER (Pachycephala cinerea) – Great looks at a bird that we seldom see on this tour.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
BROWN SHRIKE (Lanius cristatus) – Typically the only shrike that we see on this extension. [b]
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
WHITE-BELLIED ERPORNIS (Erpornis zantholeuca) – A.k.a. - White-bellied Yuhina. [*]
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
DARK-THROATED ORIOLE (Oriolus xanthonotus) – This canopy species can be difficult to see well.
BLACK-NAPED ORIOLE (Oriolus chinensis) – Wintering here in a wide variety of habitats, but it seems particularly fond of mangroves. [b]
Dicruridae (Drongos)
BLACK DRONGO (Dicrurus macrocercus) – Mostly on the drives in open country. [b]
ASHY DRONGO (Dicrurus leucophaeus) – Certainly not as numerous in the south as they were on the main tour.
CROW-BILLED DRONGO (Dicrurus annectans) – A widespread winterer, but it's often very difficult to see well in the dense forest that it prefers. [b]
We worked hard for our looks at this male Green Broadbill at Krung Ching Waterfall, but it was worth it! (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
BRONZED DRONGO (Dicrurus aeneus) – Only at Krung Ching this time.
GREATER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus paradiseus) – No doubt about this one in the lowland forests on this extension, where Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo doesn't occur.
Rhipiduridae (Fantails)
MALAYSIAN PIED-FANTAIL (Rhipidura javanica) – Now split from the birds on the Philippines.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
BLACK-NAPED MONARCH (Hypothymis azurea) [*]
BLYTH'S PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone affinis) – All of the birds that I looked at seemed to be this newly split species (the resident form here). Both of the newly split species, Amur PF and Indian PF, are possible here as migrants/winterers.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CRESTED JAY (Platylophus galericulatus) – We, unfortunately, had one of the most furtive individuals that I could possibly imagine in the forest as we searched for Gould's Frogmouth at KNC.
BLACK MAGPIE (Platysmurus leucopterus) – I think folks may have done a little better with this one - but not much better - than with the above Crested Jay. This nominate race here on the mainland should definitely be spit from the birds on Borneo!
LARGE-BILLED CROW (LARGE-BILLED) (Corvus macrorhynchos macrorhynchos) – Perhaps soon to be called Eastern Jungle Crow if split from Large-billed.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) [b]
PACIFIC SWALLOW (Hirundo tahitica javanica) – The common swallow of the coastal environs.
RUFOUS-BELLIED SWALLOW (Cecropis badia) – Rather recently split from Striated Swallow and restricted to the Thai/Malay Peninsula.
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
GRAY-HEADED CANARY-FLYCATCHER (Culicicapa ceylonensis) – Mostly heard only.
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
SULTAN TIT (Melanochlora sultanea) [*]
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
VELVET-FRONTED NUTHATCH (Sitta frontalis) – For some at Krung Ching.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
BLACK-HEADED BULBUL (Pycnonotus atriceps) – More common on our extension than it was on the main tour, which might be a first.
BLACK-CRESTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus flaviventris) – Seen or heard daily - just like the main tour.
SCALY-BREASTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus squamatus) – This lovely little bulbul was seen well by all in the scopes at Krung Ching, where it is a regular bird.
STRIPE-THROATED BULBUL (Pycnonotus finlaysoni) – For some at Si Phang-nga NP on the final day.
YELLOW-VENTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus goiavier)
OLIVE-WINGED BULBUL (Pycnonotus plumosus) – Quite similar to Streak-eared Bulbul, but marginally more colorful.
STREAK-EARED BULBUL (Pycnonotus blanfordi)
RED-EYED BULBUL (Pycnonotus brunneus) – Likely the most common of the 'new' bulbuls for us on this extension.
SPECTACLED BULBUL (Pycnonotus erythropthalmos) – Common by voice, but not many seen well.
HAIRY-BACKED BULBUL (Tricholestes criniger) – This distinctive bulbul was finally seen on our final morning at Si Phang-nga NP.
OCHRACEOUS BULBUL (Alophoixus ochraceus) – A common forest species on the peninsula.
One of the most exciting finds at Khao Nor Chuchi was this Oriental Bay Owl in a roost hole. A relative of the familiar Barn Owl, this species occupies a wide range in southern Asia. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
GRAY-CHEEKED BULBUL (Alophoixus bres) – A Krung Ching only for some.
BUFF-VENTED BULBUL (Iole olivacea) – An old friend from Kaeng Krachan NP on the main tour.
STREAKED BULBUL (Ixos malaccensis) – Best in that fruiting fig in the back of the clearing at Krung Ching.
Cettiidae (Bush-Warblers and Allies)
YELLOW-BELLIED WARBLER (Abroscopus superciliaris) [*]
Phylloscopidae (Leaf Warblers)
YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER (Phylloscopus inornatus) [*]
KAMCHATKA LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus examinandus) – A split from Arctic and wintering here in the mangroves at Krabi. [*]
PALE-LEGGED LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus tenellipes) [*]
SAKHALIN LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus borealoides) – We called this one in for decent views in the Krabi mangroves. Identical to Pale-legged Leaf Warbler, differing only in range, call note, and habitat preference.
EASTERN CROWNED LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus coronatus) – This seems to be the common wintering Phylloscopus in the forests of the Peninsula.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
DARK-NECKED TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus atrogularis) – Seen by some in the mangroves at Krabi.
ASHY TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus ruficeps) – It took a little work, which is a little surprising!
RUFOUS-TAILED TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus sericeus) – A very common voice at Krung Ching and rather a challenge to see well.
Timaliidae (Tree-Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers, and Allies)
PIN-STRIPED TIT-BABBLER (Mixornis gularis) – One of the few babblers that overlapped with the main tour.
FLUFFY-BACKED TIT-BABBLER (Macronus ptilosus) – Along the waterfall trail at Krung Ching for most folks.
CHESTNUT-WINGED BABBLER (Cyanoderma erythropterum) – Perhaps the most common of the 'new' babblers on the extension.
A nice surprise on our way back to the mainland from the Similans was this large group of Black-naped Terns. Note that the bird on the far left is starting to acquire a rosy blush to its underparts. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
RUFOUS-FRONTED BABBLER (Cyanoderma rufifrons) [*]
GRAY-THROATED BABBLER (Stachyris nigriceps) – One furtive bird for some at Si Phang-nga NP on our final morning.
GRAY-HEADED BABBLER (Stachyris poliocephala) – Good looks for most, if not all, at Krung Ching.
Pellorneidae (Ground Babblers and Allies)
MOUSTACHED BABBLER (Malacopteron magnirostre) [*]
SCALY-CROWNED BABBLER (Malacopteron cinereum) – For some along the waterfall trail at Krung Ching.
PUFF-THROATED BABBLER (Pellorneum ruficeps) [*]
BLACK-CAPPED BABBLER (Pellorneum capistratum) – Good looks for some folks along the waterfall trail at Krung Ching. A really beautiful babbler if seen well.
SHORT-TAILED BABBLER (Pellorneum malaccense) – Only for the crowd that ascended the waterfall trail at Krung Ching.
FERRUGINOUS BABBLER (Pellorneum bicolor) [*]
ABBOTT'S BABBLER (Turdinus abbotti) – Good looks on our final morning at Si Phang-nga NP at the pitta spot.
Irenidae (Fairy-bluebirds)
ASIAN FAIRY-BLUEBIRD (Irena puella) – Common in the fruiting figs at Krung Ching.
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa latirostris) – This one winters as far south as the Greater Sundas.
ORIENTAL MAGPIE-ROBIN (Copsychus saularis)
We'd seen another Blyth's Frogmouth earlier at Krung Ching Waterfall, but not like this female out in the open on a day roost at Khao Nor Chuchi. This one's now split from the Javan Frogmouth. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
WHITE-RUMPED SHAMA (Copsychus malabaricus) – Our only sighting was at the pitta spot in Si Phang-nga NP on the last day.
BLUE-THROATED FLYCATCHER (CHINESE) (Cyornis rubeculoides glaucicomans) – For some on the waterfall trail at Krung Ching.
FULVOUS-CHESTED JUNGLE-FLYCATCHER (Cyornis olivaceus) – For a few of us at the lower end of the waterfall trail at Krung Ching.
VERDITER FLYCATCHER (Eumyias thalassinus) – What a fantastic color!
CHESTNUT-NAPED FORKTAIL (Enicurus ruficapillus) – I've never had an easier Chestnut-naped Forktail than the one we saw so well at Si Phang-nga NP on that final morning! Fabulous!
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ORANGE-HEADED THRUSH (Geokichla citrina) – A surprise find on the road on the final morning.
EYEBROWED THRUSH (Turdus obscurus) – A couple of migrants overhead only.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
ASIAN GLOSSY STARLING (Aplonis panayensis) – A few in the mangroves at Ao Phang-nga NP on our way to Thap Lamu and the Similans.
COMMON MYNA (Acridotheres tristis)
GREAT MYNA (Acridotheres grandis) – A.k.a. - White-vented Myna.
Chloropseidae (Leafbirds)
GREATER GREEN LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis sonnerati) – Not as common as the next at Krung Ching.
LESSER GREEN LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis cyanopogon) – A number of fine looks at this smallest of the leafbirds.
Dicaeidae (Flowerpeckers)
YELLOW-BREASTED FLOWERPECKER (Prionochilus maculatus) – Briefly for some at Krung Ching.
THICK-BILLED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum agile) – Another brief encounter at Krung Ching for a few of us.
YELLOW-VENTED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum chrysorrheum)
ORANGE-BELLIED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum trigonostigma) – Krung Ching only for this widespread flowerpecker.
SCARLET-BACKED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum cruentatum)
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
RUBY-CHEEKED SUNBIRD (Chalcoparia singalensis) – One of the most frequently encountered sunbirds on the extension.
PLAIN-THROATED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes malacensis) – These brown-throated birds are likely to be split from the gray-throated birds in the Philippines.
CRIMSON SUNBIRD (Aethopyga siparaja) – Those adult males certainly are eye-popping!
LITTLE SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera longirostra) – After inexplicably missing this one on the main tour, we had no trouble tracking it down at Krung Ching.
PURPLE-NAPED SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera hypogrammicum) – We heard more of these than we saw. A.k.a - Purple-naped Sunbird.
YELLOW-EARED SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera chrysogenys) – A couple of birds with relatively longer bills and a few blurry streaks on the breast helped to separate them from the more common Spectacled Spiderhunter.
SPECTACLED SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera flavigaster) – This one really favored that blooming Bombax outside the park headquarters at Krung Ching.
GRAY-BREASTED SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera modesta) – This one stayed low, generally, and went after the many banana blossoms.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
FOREST WAGTAIL (Dendronanthus indicus) – We had a surprising three birds on the lawn of the big clearing at the entrance to Si Phang-nga NP on our final morning.
This male Rufous-winged Philentoma at Krung Ching Waterfall looks like a flycatcher, but it's actually related to the woodshrikes and the vangas. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea) – At Krung Ching only.
PADDYFIELD PIPIT (Anthus rufulus) – On our final morning with the above Forest Wagtails. A.k.a - Oriental Pipit.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus)
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
WHITE-RUMPED MUNIA (Lonchura striata) – We had a small mixed flock of these and White-bellied Munias feeding in the seeding bamboo at Ao Phang-nga NP on our way to Thap Lamu.
WHITE-BELLIED MUNIA (Lonchura leucogastra)
MAMMALS
VARIABLE FLYING FOX (Pteropus hypomelanus) – Not as many as there sometimes are in the Similans.
CRAB-EATING MACAQUE (Macaca fascigularis) – A.k.a - Long-tailed Macaque.
STUMP-TAILED MACAQUE (Macaca arctoides) – It was quite a thrill to see this big macaque for the first time at Krung Ching!
WHITE-HANDED GIBBON (Hylobates lar) [*]
BLACK GIANT SQUIRREL (Ratufa bicolor) – A few at Krung Ching.
GRAY-BELLIED SQUIRREL (Callosciurus caniceps) – Even out on the Similans!
HIMALAYAN STRIPED SQUIRREL (Tamiops macclellandi) – A very widespread species, looking quite a bit like our familiar N. American chipmunks (but unrelated to those).
COMMON PALM CIVET (Viverra zibetha) – Mostly just eyeshine at night when we were looking for the Buffy Fish-Owl at Krung Ching.
WILD BOAR (Sus scrofa) – It's easy to find their workings along the trails, but it's rare that we actually get to see this one.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 206 bird taxa and 9 mammal taxa