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This shimmering Green-tailed Aethopyga is one of the fanciest sunbirds we saw on the tour! Photo by participant Fred Dalbey.
It’s been two months now since our Thailand adventure closed and yet I live with persistent reminders of episodes from that trip that arise almost daily! No doubt, in part, because this was my first tour to this extraordinary country for birds, food, culture, and people (and now we know, butterflies!). And in part because I knew that ours was the last tour, after 21 wonderful years, that our heralded Asia guide Dave Stejskal would lead to Siam. Ouch, bite the man! Having the encounters, as we did, with so many legendary birds--Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Nordmann’s Greenshank, Silver Pheasant and Siamese Fireback, Great Hornbill and Silver-breasted Broadbill, Crested Jay and Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Sultan Tit and Giant Nuthatch, and overwhelming numbers of bulbuls, babblers, leaf warblers, and flycatchers--is enough to assure an exceptional birding tour. But to insure an experience of the highest quality, it was necessary to collect a stellar group of participants under the leadership of a first-rate guide and mix in some fabulous Thai food, some Siamese culture, and Dave’s good friend Wat with the best ground crew in the business in order to produce the kind of trip we in fact enjoyed. It was a humdinger.
Birding started in Bangkok, where for the first-timer to Thailand everything was exciting, perhaps especially the petit Coppersmith Barbets we encountered for the first time. And Bangkok held species like Plain-throated Sunbird, Small Minivet, and Pink-necked Pigeon, all of which we had perhaps our best looks at right on the grounds of the Rama Gardens. Of course birding picked up at a steep pace once we got south of Bangkok into the sand-spit/mangrove area of Laem Phak Bia and the unbelievable salt pans of Pak Thale! We were all a bit flabbergasted at first by the sheer number of shorebirds our first afternoon there, until everyone’s attention was clearly focused with Pepper’s riveting “Bingo!” Spoon-billed Sandpiper in the scope. Now who has seen a better collection of Palearctic breeders--indeed of shorebirds anywhere--than at Pak Thale? Nordmann’s Greenshanks, Asian Dowitchers, and a couple of Far Eastern Curlews amongst a huge flock of Eurasian Curlews continue to come up on my screen. And what a study of the Tringa and Calidris peeps! At nearby Laem Phak Bia we scoped from the sand-spit Malaysian Plover, Pallas’s Gull, Black-naped Tern, and Chinese Egret. And finally, to reward our guide with a couple of lifers, most of the group enjoyed remarkable views of the scarce vagrants Brahminy and Rosy Starlings in the Laem Phak Bia dump.
Next came Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai, two locales with a southern Thai flavor, harboring birds we would not see in the montane north. Our first day to the highest elevation was undertaken in pickups due to park regulations. Our most memorable standouts were a trio of Kalij Pheasants on our way up, Yellow-vented Pigeon and Red-throated Barbet feeding in a fruiting fig at the end of the road, and Rusty-naped Pitta, Red-bearded Bee-eater, and Ratchet-tailed Treepie on the way down. The next few days brought us Scaly-breasted Partridges, a couple of owlet species, the lovely Banded Kingfisher, a female Bamboo Woodpecker that gave us a drumming study, a close couple of Crested Jays (wow!), and Great Hornbills feeding in a fruiting tree for some--the other van would have to catch up at Khao Yai. Ah, Khao Yai, home of Silver Pheasant and Siamese Fireback. Actually seeing both these spectacular beauties fulfilled what seemed a lifelong dream for Pepper--finally seeing two birds he and his sister had become attached to while birding the family encyclopedia when in their pre-teens! The Coral-billed Ground-Cuckoo that sang so tantalizingly close but wouldn’t quite show remains an unfulfilled dream. There we closed the day with a dusk-visit to a bat cave and witnessed an extraordinary spectacle in the smoke-like exodus of some incalculable number of Wrinkle-lipped Free-tailed Bats. And as Dave had predicted, those in need redeemed their miss, standing breathless as a majestic Great Hornbill pumped its way across a valley falling away before us all--a one-act flyby as singularly spectacular as the seemingly infinite spectacle of bats.
Doi Inthanon and Doi Lang came next, after we flew to the northern city of Chiang Mai. Though Doi Inthanon excited us with a brilliant morning of cool, mountain air and its summit bog with Yellow-cheeked Tits, Green-tailed Sunbirds, the peculiar Dark-sided Thrush, and the minuscule Pygmy Cupwing, the trip up Doi Lang made the trip to the north most memorable for everyone! The first morning we drove up Doi Lang we were surprised by a brilliant male Hume’s Pheasant displaying for an unseen female in front of our vans! That was followed by startlingly good studies of Himalayan Cutias and Gray-headed Parrotbills feeding in a flowering Erythrina, a Giant Nuthatch gathering nesting material in the road, and an up-close and personal encounter with a Spot-breasted Parrotbill--one so bold that Pepper got a fantastic video on his iPhone! Driving to the end of the drivable road, we were soon face-to-face with a nesting Hodgson’s Frogmouth and a nesting pair of Black-throated Tits. In addition, we had very nice views of many normally skulking species at the photo feeding stations. Other highlights in the north included Green Peafowl on our final morning, a Chinese Francolin boldly crossing the road, some shimmering cuckoos, a cool Black-headed Woodpecker in a dry dipterocarp forest, close White-headed Bulbuls, and some fabulous Silver-breasted Broadbills, to name a few of the most exciting finds.
Critical to the enjoyment of our tour was the unmatched attentiveness characteristic of the off-stage/on-stage ground crew of Wat and his family, as well as the enthusiasm of our drivers and the special savvy of Jiang who also served as our videographer! They treated us like family and we came away feeling an uncommon bond, especially with Wat. That final dinner was really touching. Thanks to Fred, Danny, Jan, John, and Dave who loaded photos onto the Field Guides SmugMug site. I’ve used quite a few in the triplist, but space limits kept me from showing all the good ones. I’ve indicated in the species comments when an especially nice photo can be found there, so when you’re thinking back over the tour, be sure to supplement your reading of this list with a reference to the photos on SmugMug. And check out Jiang’s video again at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31j-ljTg8YA&feature=em-uploademail
A special thanks to Lisa Standley for carefully sorting the butterflies we saw, many of them along the streams in Kaeng Krachan. Dave and I had a wonderful time with all of you and we will look forward to our paths crossing again!
John Rowlett with Dave Stejskal
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
BIRDS
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
LESSER WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna javanica) – The most commonly seen duck of the tour. Nice and delicate Dendrocygnas inhabiting the coastal lowlands in the Laem Phak Bia/Pak Thale region.
COTTON PYGMY-GOOSE (Nettapus coromandelianus) – Four seen in the coastal lowlands between Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai at the jacana spot.
GARGANEY (Anas querquedula) – A couple seen at Rangsit Marsh; the wintering waterfowl had mostly moved out by late Feb. [b]
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
RUFOUS-THROATED PARTRIDGE (Arborophila rufogularis) – A pair seen beautifully behind the restrooms at the summit of Doi Inthanon.
SCALY-BREASTED PARTRIDGE (Arborophila chloropus) – A pair beside the road (about K-post 9) in Kaeng Krachan NP afforded nice views.
What a thrill to watch this Hume's Pheasant in spectacular display along the road at Doi Lang! Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
GREEN PEAFOWL (Pavo muticus) – Wow! A superb male and about 8 females on our last morning at Huai Hong Khrai Royal Project E of Chiang Mai. The male was chased off the track by a darn dog before all could study it well, but the females grazing across the lake were a just reward.
GRAY PEACOCK-PHEASANT (Polyplectron bicalcaratum) – This was the sole member of 10! Phasianidae we had on the tour that we heard only--though we were close several times at Kaeng Krachan. [*]
CHINESE FRANCOLIN (Francolinus pintadeanus) – Striking looks at a male on the road at Doi Lang. Also heard at the Kaeng Krachan Country Club.
MOUNTAIN BAMBOO-PARTRIDGE (Bambusicola fytchii) – Several seen on the road at Doi Lang; what a remarkable and wholly ungallinaceous voice! Nice photos of a pair by Fred and Dave.
RED JUNGLEFOWL (Gallus gallus) – Quite a few magnificent roosters and a few hens seen alongside the road in Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai NP; at Khao Yai a pair of males fought to the death, insofar as the one being chased flew right into the second van, struggling off the roadside.
HUME'S PHEASANT (Syrmaticus humiae) – The first morning we drove up Doi Lang we were treated to an astonishing encounter with Mrs. Hume's Pheasant--the best encounter Dave has ever had! We even had a male displaying for an unseen female right in front of our vans! It just doesn't get any better. Dave got a great shot of that displaying cock!
SILVER PHEASANT (Lophura nycthemera) – What a magnificent bird! We had a fine look at this Lophura along the road to Khao Keiow; it is noticeably distinct plumage-wise from its congener with whom it was formerly lumped.
KALIJ PHEASANT (Lophura leucomelanos hamiltonii) – A trio of these beauties on our way upslope in Kaeng Krachan NP; Dave got a handsome photo of two of them.
SIAMESE FIREBACK (Lophura diardi) – Pepper's first fireback, even though he'd birded Borneo! What a fine bird. Seen at Khao Yai on the same road up to Khao Keiow along which we saw Silver Pheasants.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis) – A few scattered about on assorted ponds.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
ASIAN OPENBILL (Anastomus oscitans) – This stork was seen on a number of days from our first in Bangkok to our last there; we had a group of 56 over and in (not out!) the patties at Mae Ngat. These fascinating birds have an ephemeral nesting colony at Wat Phai Lom.
PAINTED STORK (Mycteria leucocephala) – These beauties were seen well at several wetland sites, including one north of Pak Thale where we also saw what appeared to be a Milky Stork x Painted Stork hybrid (we could detect, through the scopes, a trifle amount of pink in the plumage).
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
LITTLE CORMORANT (Microcarbo niger) – The more common of the two cormorants.
INDIAN CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) – Best seen, I think, around Laem Phak Bia.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
YELLOW BITTERN (Ixobrychus sinensis) – An especially fine view of a bird that posed for us at Wat Thian Thawai; John Spahr's photo captures it nicely.
CINNAMON BITTERN (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus) – Seen on our first day at Wat Phai Lom and the following day.
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) – Seen here and there in suitable habitat.
Male and female Kalij Pheasants sauntering off the road at Kaeng Krachan. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – Not uncommon in the low wetlands. On our first Kaeng Krachan day we had two immatures that looked remarkably like bitterns in flight.
GREAT EGRET (AUSTRALASIAN) (Ardea alba modesta) – Fairly common.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia) – Also fairly common in wetlands and near the coast.
CHINESE EGRET (Egretta eulophotes) – Two seen at Laem Phak Bia; Dave got a nice photo of a bird showing its emerald lore. [b]
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) – One of the three most frequently encountered Ardeids (along with Cattle Egret and Chinese Pond-Heron).
PACIFIC REEF-HERON (Egretta sacra) – One standing among the rocks shielding the sand-spit at Laem Phak Bia where we had Malaysian Plover and all the terns.
CATTLE EGRET (EASTERN) (Bubulcus ibis coromandus) – Frequently encountered.
CHINESE POND-HERON (Ardeola bacchus) – Many sightings of this fancy heron.
JAVAN POND-HERON (Ardeola speciosa) – Seen on just a couple of days; by far the scarcer of the two pond-herons; Dave got a nice photo of one stalking prey at Laem Phak Bia.
STRIATED HERON (OLD WORLD) (Butorides striata javanica) – Seen on a couple of days.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
BLACK-HEADED IBIS (Threskiornis melanocephalus) – Multiple birds seen best at Pak Thale; a recent addition to the tour.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) – Singletons here and there.
ORIENTAL HONEY-BUZZARD (Pernis ptilorhynchus) – Quite a few seen throughout, mostly singletons. Our default "confusing" raptor, yet we saw most well. [b]
JERDON'S BAZA (Aviceda jerdoni) – Seen on three days, with a pair at Khao Yai NP on March 7. [N]
BLACK BAZA (Aviceda leuphotes) – Three seen very nicely from the tree tower in the lower part of Doi Inthanon (at the Blossom-headed Parakeet spot); three more seen well at Doi Lang.
A most handsome bird, the White-crested Laughingthrush, here at a bait log seeking mealworms. Photo by participant Fred Dalbey.
CRESTED SERPENT-EAGLE (Spilornis cheela) – Seen nicely; encountered on six days.
RUFOUS-WINGED BUZZARD (Butastur liventer) – One seen settled at Mae Taegn Water Works.
PIED HARRIER (Circus melanoleucos) – The only harrier of the trip; seen at Pak Thale.
CRESTED GOSHAWK (Accipiter trivirgatus) – Singletons on three days.
SHIKRA (Accipiter badius) – Seen well at Khao Yai and Doi Ang Khang, where we had one bird carrying a large lizard.
BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans) – This local taxon, govinda, was seen in a group of about 60 individuals at a stop from Khao Yai to Bangkok where we caught our flight to Chiang Mai.
BRAHMINY KITE (Haliastur indus) – Seen nicely over the wetlands and coast areas our first three days.
EASTERN BUZZARD (Buteo japonicus japonicus) – Three at Khao Yai NP and one later between Doi Inthanon and Fang.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN (Amaurornis phoenicurus) – Encountered in suitable habitat on five days.
RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKE (Zapornia fusca) – Heard at Rangsit Marsh. [*]
BLACK-BACKED SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio indicus viridis) – After leaving Kaeng Krachan NP headquarters we stopped at the jacana spot where we had great views of one alongside the road.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) – Seen best at the same jacana marsh spot where we had the swamphen.
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
INDIAN THICK-KNEE (Burhinus indicus) – Seen nicely (especially on the second occasion when Dave walked them up for us) on the Khang Krachan Country Club grounds.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – Common in coastal shorebird sites and at rice paddies in the north.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta) – A group seen in the flooded cells at Laem Phak Bia.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) – Fairly common in the salt pans. [b]
PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis fulva) – Fair numbers of this wintering plover. [b]
This remarkable bird, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, received the tour's blue ribbons as the boldest species and bearer of the snazziest name—Paradoxornis! Photo by blue-ribbon participant Fred Dalbey.
GRAY-HEADED LAPWING (Vanellus cinereus) – Seen south of Bangkok and in the paddies at the Mae Ngat Dam.
RED-WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus indicus atronuchalis) – The commoner of the two lapwings, this species was seen almost every day in the southern part of the trip.
LESSER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius mongolus) – This was the commoner of the sand-plovers in the salt pans at Pak Thale, the two rather tricky to tell apart unless standing next to each other. [b]
GREATER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius leschenaultii) [b]
MALAYSIAN PLOVER (Charadrius peronii) – Seen only on the sand-spit out of Laem Phak Bia.
KENTISH PLOVER (KENTISH) (Charadrius alexandrinus alexandrinus) – Fairly common in the coastal environs we birded. [b]
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius dubius) – The birds we had in the south were boreal migrants, but those we had Mae Taeng Water Works were resident and nesting. [N]
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA (Hydrophasianus chirurgus) – Exciting views of two of these fancy jacanas at, well, the jacana ponds on our stop between Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai. The large white patch in the wing is the clincher for this one in distinguishing it in flight from the Bronze-winged.
BRONZE-WINGED JACANA (Metopidius indicus) – Seen in several wet swales and, of course, at the jacana pond.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
WHIMBREL (SIBERIAN) (Numenius phaeopus variegatus) – Seen well at Pak Thale. [b]
FAR EASTERN CURLEW (Numenius madagascariensis) – At least three picked out amongst a huge flock of Eurasian Curlews at Pak Thale. Tremendous birds! Dave got a nice shot of one of these birds among the Eurasians; note the dark underwings, dark flanks, and bill length. [b]
EURASIAN CURLEW (Numenius arquata) – An immense flock of these birds, numbering in the hundreds, amazed us at Pak Thale. [b]
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (MELANUROIDES) (Limosa limosa melanuroides) – Very satisfying views in the coastal sites. The commoner of the two godwits during our visit. [b]
BAR-TAILED GODWIT (SIBERIAN) (Limosa lapponica baueri) – Fine groups of birds in the coastal sites. [b]
GREAT KNOT (Calidris tenuirostris) – Great birds at our shorebirding areas the first two days. [b]
RED KNOT (Calidris canutus) – One bird at Pak Thale. [b]
RUFF (Calidris pugnax) – Three birds among the staggering number of waders. [b]
The darkly beautiful Silver-eared Laughingthrush. Photo by participant Fred Dalbey.
BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER (Calidris falcinellus) – Excellent studies of this very cool Calidrid among the countless shorebirds at Pak Thale. [b]
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea) – Very common at Pak Thale where we had great views; seeing such a number of these birds was a thrill. [b]
TEMMINCK'S STINT (Calidris temminckii) – We had a wonderful study of these little stints in several spots, all singletons. We took notice of the extensive white outer tail feathers and the thin, high-pitched flight call. Gretchen got us on our first one in a ditch alongside the road. This seemed to be preferred habitat to the salt pans that the other Calidrids favored. Dave's photo shows the white in the tail nicely. [b]
LONG-TOED STINT (Calidris subminuta) – Nice studies of about six birds over our two days at Pak Thale; we noted their rather long build for a Calidrid and their forward posture; yellow legs were apparent. [b]
SPOON-BILLED SANDPIPER (Calidris pygmea) – BINGO. What a bird! We had fantastic studies of one bird at Pak Thale, a bird photographed by many of us and enjoyed repeatedly by all as it foraged along the shoreline pretty much to itself. It was the most wanted bird for some of us and surely the scarcest Endangered species seen on the trip. [b]
RED-NECKED STINT (Calidris ruficollis) – The most numerous Calidrid seen on the tour. Many nice views of mostly basic-plumaged birds. Dave got a photo of one standing among three Broad-billed Sandpipers. [b]
SANDERLING (Calidris alba) – Seen best at the Laem Phak Bia sand-spit. [b]
DUNLIN (Calidris alpina) – One bird at Pak Thale. [b]
ASIAN DOWITCHER (Limnodromus semipalmatus) – Seen nicely at the salt pans at Laem Phak Bia; Dave got a nice photo of some birds in company with a godwit. [b]
COMMON SNIPE (Gallinago gallinago) – One seen at Rangsit Marsh. We noted the white trailing edge of the wings. [b]
PIN-TAILED SNIPE (Gallinago stenura) – One seen at the Mar Ngat Dam rice patties; we noted the dark trailing edge of the wings of a flushed bird. [b]
TEREK SANDPIPER (Xenus cinereus) – About a half-dozen of the cool-looking birds at Pak Thale. The distinctive bill, orange legs, and locomotion while feeding were enjoyed by all! [b]
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) – A few seen in several areas. [b]
GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus) – Four seen nicely at Mae Ngat Dam rice patties. [b]
SPOTTED REDSHANK (Tringa erythropus) – Seen nicely at Laem Phak Bia; we had another bird in a ditch at the Black Kite roosting area. See Dave's nice photo on SmugMug where the red-orange base to the lower mandible (rather than the entire bill) and the heavily spotted wings and tail can be seen. [b]
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – Seen in small numbers at several coastal sites. [b]
NORDMANN'S GREENSHANK (Tringa guttifer) – WOW. Another great Endangered shorebird that we had great studies of. We had a total of 57! birds standing in a couple of groups at Laem Phak Bia. We had bid goodbye for the last time in our lives to the first group when we spotted the second group to belie our conclusion. Their very pale coloration caused them to stand out at a great distance. [b]
Spoon-billed Sandpiper head-on. BINGO! Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis) – One of the stateliest shorebirds we saw! These fabulous birds were seen by the hundreds at the two major shorebirding sites; Dave (and others) got some great shots of these most elegant creatures. [b]
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) – Good studies of birds at Laem Phak Bia; this Tringa showed up in a few more marshy places as well. [b]
COMMON REDSHANK (Tringa totanus) – Enjoyed at Laem Phak Bia and Pak Thale; Dave got a nice shot at the former location. [b]
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE (Glareola maldivarum) – One at Rangsit Marsh and four recent arrivals at the Black Kite roost site on our way back to Bangkok from Khao Yai.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
BROWN-HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus) – The default gull along the coast; seen quite well.
PALLAS'S GULL (Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus) – One seen on the Laem Phak Bia sand-spit among many other gulls and terns. A scarce wintering gull in Thailand. [b]
LITTLE TERN (Sternula albifrons) – Seen nicely at our shorebirding sites.
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica) – Seen at Laem Phak Bia.
CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia) – Several seen at Laem Phak Bia and Pak Thale. [b]
WHITE-WINGED TERN (Chlidonias leucopterus) – Seen at Kaeng Krachan Country Club pond. [b]
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) – The most numerous tern we had wintering along the coast. [b]
BLACK-NAPED TERN (Sterna sumatrana) – One lovely adult studied through the scopes on the Laem Phak Bia sand-spit.
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo) – Seen at Laem Phak Bia and Pak Thale. [b]
GREAT CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bergii) – Seen nicely on the Laem Phak Bia sand-spit. We couldn't dig out a Lesser Crested among them. [b]
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Around cities and towns. [I]
SPECKLED WOOD-PIGEON (Columba hodgsonii) – That big tree full of these birds in the cool, crisp, early-morning light on Doi Inthanon was just the start of a fantastic day of birding in the highlands. Those birds speckles were sparkling, as can be seen from a couple of birds captured by Fred on SmugMug.
ASHY WOOD-PIGEON (Columba pulchricollis) – We had a group of nine fly over us as we birded along the road at Doi Ang Khang.
ORIENTAL TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia orientalis) – Several birds on the road at Doi Lang; Dave got a nice shot of one.
RED COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia tranquebarica) – Quite a few seen, almost entirely in the south, but we did have a few at the Royal Project near Chiang Mai. They don't seem to be Streptopelia.
SPOTTED DOVE (Streptopelia chinensis) – Seen almost daily throughout; avoids forest.
BARRED CUCKOO-DOVE (Macropygia unchall) – Seen at Khao Yai and Doi Ang Khang.
ASIAN EMERALD DOVE (Chalcophaps indica) – Not uncommon at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai.
ZEBRA DOVE (Geopelia striata) – Now split from Peaceful Dove, this species was not uncommon in settled areas; though native to peninsula Thailand, those occurring elsewhere in the country are apparently introduced.
PINK-NECKED PIGEON (Treron vernans) – A small group seen on the grounds of our hotel in Bangkok.
THICK-BILLED PIGEON (Treron curvirostra) – The most frequently seen pigeon; we had nice studies in Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai.
YELLOW-VENTED PIGEON (Treron seimundi) – We had these in a large fruiting tree at Kaeng Krachan.
PIN-TAILED PIGEON (Treron apicauda) – Two seen at Wat Tham Pha Plong, the Buddhist temple with the stairway to heaven; Jan stayed down so may have seen more.
MOUNTAIN IMPERIAL-PIGEON (Ducula badia) – Seen very nicely in Kaeng Krachan, Khao Yai, and Doi Lang. A big pigeon!
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
CORAL-BILLED GROUND-CUCKOO (Carpococcyx renauldi) – Oh, the pain of it all. We heard several of these fabulous beasts at Khao Yai but couldn't get them in for the last few meters for a look; very exciting nonetheless! [*]
GREATER COUCAL (Centropus sinensis) – Seen or heard most days.
GREEN-BILLED MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus tristis) – Seen on at least six days, our first ones in Kaeng Krachan, our last at the Royal Project; we noted what an especially long tail is trailing behind this Malkoha!
ASIAN KOEL (Eudynamys scolopaceus) – Very common throughout and heard every day save for one! Seen well on several occasions. These birds sang throughout the day and even at night.
What an ultra gem, this Ultramarine Flycatcher! Photo by participant Fred Dalbey.
ASIAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx maculatus) – A couple of females and a couple of males put on stupendous shows for us (at four different sites) by just sitting there and shimmering—a glow almost from within!
VIOLET CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus) – Another heart-stopper, this beauty shined for us at Khao Yai (somewhat mitigating the pain of missing the ground-cuckoo) and at Doi Lang.
BANDED BAY CUCKOO (Cacomantis sonneratii) – Heard at Kaeng Krachan and on every day of the trip thereafter--if seen only once, but nicely, at Khao Yai.
PLAINTIVE CUCKOO (Cacomantis merulinus) – Seen and heard mostly in the Bangkok area, but also encountered at Kaeng Krachan and at the Mae Taeng Water Works.
SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO-CUCKOO (Surniculus lugubris) – Drongo Cuckoo (as it is treated in Robson) has recently been split into three species, two of which occur in Thailand. We had nice looks at this "square"-tailed taxon at Kaeng Krachan. It appears this species is the one we saw, not Fork-tailed. Dave got a great photo; see SmugMug.
LARGE HAWK-CUCKOO (Hierococcyx sparverioides) – Heard only, alas, in the north; we encountered this cuckoo at Doi Lang, Doi Ang Khang, and the Royal Project. [*]
INDIAN CUCKOO (Cuculus micropterus) – Heard at Doi Inthanon. [*]
HIMALAYAN CUCKOO (Cuculus saturatus) – The bird we saw in flight along the road out of Wat Phai Lom our first day of birding was either Himalayan (a split from Oriental) or a wintering Indian; we didn't see it well enough to identify it conclusively. I've listed it here as Himalayan, but it should be regarded as Cuculus, sp.
Strigidae (Owls)
MOUNTAIN SCOPS-OWL (Otus spilocephalus) – Heard nicely at Doi Ang Khang, but we couldn't get it close enough to view. [*]
COLLARED SCOPS-OWL (Otus lettia) – Fine looks at this big Otus at Doi Ang Khang.
ORIENTAL SCOPS-OWL (WALDEN'S) (Otus sunia modestus) – We had a look at this little Otus at Doi Inthanon, Dave's persistence finally paying off.
COLLARED OWLET (Glaucidium brodiei brodiei) – This Glaucidium (or "pygmy-owl") was heard on six days, our first two the best--one at Kaeng Krachan, one at Khao Yai. Dave got a nice shot of the bird at Khao Yai.
ASIAN BARRED OWLET (Glaucidium cuculoides) – Also heard on six days, but seen extremely well at Kaeng Krachan not far from a Dusky Broadbill nest.
SPOTTED OWLET (Athene brama) – Seen at its long-used stone cavity in Wat Tian Thawai our first afternoon. This site defines a "stakeout."
BROWN BOOBOOK (Ninox scutulata) – We enjoyed a responsive bird immediately outside our Tuscan hotel grounds in Khao Yai.
Podargidae (Frogmouths)
HODGSON'S FROGMOUTH (Batrachostomus hodgsoni) – Fantastic views of a male sitting on the nest at the end of the road up Doi Lang! Everyone got frame-filling views through the scope. [N]
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
LARGE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus macrurus) – We had several in the lights on the paved road leading into our lodging at Kaeng Krachan Country Club; and a few flying about.
Hanging from its "trashy-looking" nest, this Long-tailed Broadbill's long tail can't be seen. Photo by participant Fred Dalbey.
INDIAN NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus asiaticus) – Breathtaking views of a bird at our feet, utterly motionless as we gazed at it in the light; near the Inthanon Highland Resort outside the park.
Apodidae (Swifts)
BROWN-BACKED NEEDLETAIL (Hirundapus giganteus) – Four seen flying low and sipping water from the lake at the Royal Project.
HIMALAYAN SWIFTLET (Aerodramus brevirostris) – Seen on several days in the south.
GERMAIN'S SWIFTLET (Aerodramus germani) – Seen in several locations in the coastal areas.
COOK'S SWIFT (Apus cooki) – Seen nicely at Doi Lang and Doi Ang Khang; a big Apus.
HOUSE SWIFT (Apus nipalensis)
ASIAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus balasiensis) – The common swift of the tour; seen almost daily, though mostly absent from the higher mountains.
Hemiprocnidae (Treeswifts)
CRESTED TREESWIFT (Hemiprocne coronata) – Seen nicely flying low over the road in the lower part of Doi Inthanon NP. Treeswifts comprise a family distinct from Swifts.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
RED-HEADED TROGON (Harpactes erythrocephalus) – Seen briefly on a couple of days in Khao Yai NP. I think only Danny got a good look at a male as we passed it in the vans; we did have quick looks in that area--and Jiang, our driver, got a lovely video of one while we were off doing who knows what! They were certainly trickier to see than the following species.
ORANGE-BREASTED TROGON (Harpactes oreskios) – Lovely views both in Kaeng Krachan NP and Khao Yai NP; not as furtive as the previous species. Jan got a great photo!
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops) – First seen at Kaeng Krachan Country Club, then a couple of times in the lower part of Doi Inthanon.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
GREAT HORNBILL (Buceros bicornis) – WOW. One of the birds of the trip! Part of the group got nice views of settled birds in a fruiting tree on the roadside at Kaeng Krachan, but the rest of the group had to wait for the "Hornbill Overlook" at Khao Yai NP to catch up. That bird in flight is simply magnificent. Fred really nailed it in flight for all of us to enjoy on SmugMug.
BROWN HORNBILL (Anorrhinus austeni) – Amazingly, two birds at Khao Yai NP from along the boardwalk. Hornbills were relatively scarce during our stay, perhaps due to their nesting. We never even heard Rusty-cheeked nor saw Wreathed. But Great was the money bird!
ORIENTAL PIED-HORNBILL (Anthracoceros albirostris) – By far the most frequently encountered hornbill of the trip; we had many views at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai.
WREATHED HORNBILL (Rhyticeros undulatus) – A distant bird in flight was seen perhaps by Dave only at Khao Yai.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
COMMON KINGFISHER (Alcedo atthis) – One seen at Wat Phai Lom our first afternoon.
BANDED KINGFISHER (Lacedo pulchella) – What a great bird! We had several good looks at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai, where we had a nest and fine studies of a pair. [N]
Birding and photographing in comfort as we target a variety of species feeding in a flowering Erythrina. Photo by participant John Spahr.
STORK-BILLED KINGFISHER (Pelargopsis capensis) – Nice looks at a pair at Wat Phai Lom; another great kingfisher!
WHITE-THROATED KINGFISHER (Halcyon smyrnensis) – Several scattered out over our trip, the first at Wat Phai Lom.
BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon pileata) – Nice views of a bird near the lake at Kaeng Krachan.
COLLARED KINGFISHER (Todiramphus chloris) – Seen at a couple of coastal sites, this taxon has been split into six species, this one retaining the name.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
RED-BEARDED BEE-EATER (Nyctyornis amictus) – Nice looks, finally for everyone, of this handsome bee-eater over the road at Kaeng Krachan; here it reaches the northern limit of its range.
BLUE-BEARDED BEE-EATER (Nyctyornis athertoni) – We had this beauty upslope from the paved road at Kaeng Krachan--two striking birds! We also had this species at Khao Yai.
GREEN BEE-EATER (Merops orientalis) – A great bird seen on three days in the south and two days in the north. This species is a small, compact bee-eater.
BLUE-TAILED BEE-EATER (Merops philippinus) – One of the most colorful bee-eaters of Thailand, this one was seen at Rangsit Marsh and Khao Yai NP.
CHESTNUT-HEADED BEE-EATER (Merops leschenaulti) – Our best encounter was in Khao Yai NP where we had several dozen on the ground next to their terrestrial burrows; the ones perched closer to us on wires beside the road were a knockout! [N]
Coraciidae (Rollers)
INDIAN ROLLER (Coracias benghalensis) – Seen on most days, especially in the south, where they hung out regularly around our cabins at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai.
DOLLARBIRD (Eurystomus orientalis) – Seen only at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai.
Megalaimidae (Asian Barbets)
COPPERSMITH BARBET (Psilopogon haemacephalus) – A great bird! This lovely, small barbet was first seen and enjoyed at the Rama Gardens Hotel in Bangkok where we had our first nesting cavities. We went on to encounter it in disturbed habitats in both the south and the north. [N]
BLUE-EARED BARBET (Psilopogon duvaucelii) – This small barbet was seen well on several occasions at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai. [N]
GREAT BARBET (Psilopogon virens) – This large barbet was heard many times before it was finally seen at Doi Lang. We all learned the voice!
RED-THROATED BARBET (Psilopogon mystacophanos) – Our only sighting was of a bird in a large fruiting fig at the end of the road in Kaeng Krachan.
GREEN-EARED BARBET (Psilopogon faiostrictus) – Seen nicely--twice--at Kaeng Krachan, where we heard it more often; heard also at Khao Yai NP.
LINEATED BARBET (Psilopogon lineatus) – Seen our first afternoon at Wat Phai Lom and heard at other sites in the south as well as the north, where we saw it again in Doi Inthanon NP.
Baya Weaver watching us from its intricately woven nest. Photo by participant Jan Shaw.
GOLDEN-THROATED BARBET (Psilopogon franklinii) – Seen well several times in the north, where we had it first at Doi Inthanon, but perhaps best at Doi Lang. There it fed sluggishly on some fruit as we rotated through the scope queues more than once!
MOUSTACHED BARBET (Psilopogon incognitus) – We had this good-looking barbet on several days at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai. Its distribution in Thailand is local and represented by several taxa.
BLUE-THROATED BARBET (Psilopogon asiaticus) – A very pretty barbet found mostly in the north; we had it on two days in Kaeng Krachan, but it was seen or heard daily throughout the forests in the north. Fred got a lovely photo of an inquisitive bird.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
SPECKLED PICULET (Picumnus innominatus) – Seen only at Kaeng Krachan, though heard drumming at Doi Ang Khan.
WHITE-BROWED PICULET (Sasia ochracea) – We had nice looks at this piculet only minutes after we'd seen Speckled at Kaeng Krachan! We also heard it at Doi Ang Khan.
GRAY-CAPPED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos canicapillus) – We only saw this small woodpecker in the north, but we had it on six days, several times nicely.
STRIPE-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos atratus) – Seen from Doi Inthanon NP through Doi Ang Khan; a striking, big Dendrocopos we saw well each of the six days on which we saw it.
CRIMSON-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos cathpharius) – Exciting looks at a male on Doi Lang! We could see the crimson on the breast.
WHITE-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus javensis) – Heard only at Doi Lang. [*]
LESSER YELLOWNAPE (Picus chlorolophus) – Seen and heard at Doi Lang. What cool woodies!
GREATER YELLOWNAPE (Picus flavinucha) – Cool looks at two males interacting on Kaeng Krachan! Heard elsewhere, including in the north.
LACED WOODPECKER (Picus vittatus) – One seen at Khao Yai, our only one for the trip, despite it widespread distribution in the north.
BLACK-HEADED WOODPECKER (Picus erythropygius) – One of our favorites! A male seen beautifully on our last day at Doi Inthanon in the lower part of the park not far from where we had the Collared Falconets.
GRAY-HEADED WOODPECKER (BLACK-NAPED) (Picus canus hessei) – Nice looks at a bird at Kaeng Krachan near the country club.
COMMON FLAMEBACK (Dinopium javanense) – One seen at Kaeng Krachan along the main road. Jan got a nice photo showing a little flame on the back.
BAMBOO WOODPECKER (Gecinulus viridis) – Wow. This was cool! A great study of a female as she drummed and worked before us at Kaeng Krachan.
BUFF-RUMPED WOODPECKER (Meiglyptes tristis) – Great studies of an activated pair responding to playback at Kaeng Krachan NP.
This handsome Black-throated Laughingthrush greeted us at Khao Yai with a medley of rich tones and wolf-whistles. Photo by participant Fred Dalbey.
GREATER FLAMEBACK (Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus) – Mostly heard (including in the north), but we did have looks at a bird at Kaeng Krachan.
BAY WOODPECKER (Blythipicus pyrrhotis) – This really long-billed woodpecker was seen on Doi Inthanon and heard at quite a few other sites in the highlands.
HEART-SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Hemicircus canente) – Great performance by three birds at Khao Yai, as the were in chase repeatedly over our heads. What an unusual little woodpecker!
GREAT SLATY WOODPECKER (Mulleripicus pulverulentus) – Heard only--at Kaeng Krachan--doggone it! This is one of the largest extant woodpeckers. [*]
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
COLLARED FALCONET (Microhierax caerulescens) – A pair seen in the dry dipterocarp forest in the lower part of Doi Inthanon; they gave us a great look.
BLACK-THIGHED FALCONET (Microhierax fringillarius) – One bird seen well in Kaeng Krachan; this bird has apparently gotten tougher to see of late, so it was good to study it through the scopes.
EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) – One seen at the bat cave in Khao Yai NP, the other seen on our last day of the trip.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – An individual was hanging around the buildings of our hotel in Bangkok; we saw it on the ledges of the Rama Gardens several times.
Psittaculidae (Old World Parrots)
GRAY-HEADED PARAKEET (Psittacula finschii) – We had a pair of these distinctive parakeets in the lower part of Doi Inthanon NP.
BLOSSOM-HEADED PARAKEET (Psittacula roseata) – Quite a few seen--and studied in the scopes--at Mr. T's "canopy tower" near Doi Inthanon. We had nice light on birds sitting up and flying about.
RED-BREASTED PARAKEET (Psittacula alexandri) – We had lovely views of these beauties before they left their roost site in Fang, not far from our Tuscan resort; there must have been two dozen birds waking up in the morning light.
VERNAL HANGING-PARROT (Loriculus vernalis) – Not uncommon at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai, but mostly hurtling overhead; we did finally get pretty good views of settled birds at Khao Yai our last day there.
Eurylaimidae (Asian and Grauer's Broadbills)
BLACK-AND-RED BROADBILL (Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos) – Getting all six possible species of broadbills was a coup! We had one pair of this beautiful species at Kaeng Krachan, and that was it!
LONG-TAILED BROADBILL (Psarisomus dalhousiae) – These lovely birds were seen once at an active nest and heard throughout; this was our most frequently encountered broadbill, though seen but once, owing to our having seen it so well at the nest. Fred got a great shot of a one of the pair on the nest. [N]
SILVER-BREASTED BROADBILL (Serilophus lunatus) – Several of these dynamite broadbills were seen by Pepper while riding in the back of our pickups at Kaeng Krachan, but it wasn't until Doi Ang Khang before everyone else caught up--in a big way! We heard them at Doi Inthanon but could never get a look.
BANDED BROADBILL (Eurylaimus javanicus) – Two of these lookers seen at Kaeng Krachan. In a nomenclatural coincidence, note that two broadbills and two leaf monkeys are named Banded and Dusky. We saw all of them. ;-)
BLACK-AND-YELLOW BROADBILL (Eurylaimus ochromalus) – Not an easy one in Thailand, but we had scope views of this beauty at Kaeng Krachan.
The red-throated taxon of Black-crested Bulbul greeted us at Khao Yai. Photo by participant Fred Dalbey.
DUSKY BROADBILL (Corydon sumatranus) – Three of these hefty broadbills were interacting at Kaeng Krachan, where we saw them well after a little effort.
Pittidae (Pittas)
RUSTY-NAPED PITTA (Hydrornis oatesi) – A responsive Rusty-naped as we came down the mountain at Kaeng Krachan excited everyone as we all got views of varying quality.
BLUE PITTA (Hydrornis cyaneus) – What a beaut! We had two of these birds come into a makeshift blind that Wat set up for us in Khao Yai NP; the female was tough to see, but the male, after acting circumspect for quite a while, jumped up on the dead log for the meal worms and a great view by all of us!
Vangidae (Vangas, Helmetshrikes, and Allies)
LARGE WOODSHRIKE (Tephrodornis virgatus) – We all had nice looks at Kaeng Krachan, but had only heards after that, including in the north.
BAR-WINGED FLYCATCHER-SHRIKE (Hemipus picatus) – Seen or heard in all forested areas, most often with mixed species parties.
Artamidae (Woodswallows)
ASHY WOODSWALLOW (Artamus fuscus) – Seen initially at Wat Phai Lom and on most days thereafter; the only woodswallow in Thailand.
Aegithinidae (Ioras)
COMMON IORA (Aegithina tiphia) – Seen in semi-open and disturbed areas, both in the south and in the north; widespread through the country but not particularly common on our route.
GREAT IORA (Aegithina lafresnayei) – More of a undisturbed forest species than the preceding congener; we had looks at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai.
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
SMALL MINIVET (Pericrocotus cinnamomeus) – We had nice studies of males and females on our hotel grounds in Bangkok and good looks at Wat Phai Lom our first afternoon.
SHORT-BILLED MINIVET (Pericrocotus brevirostris) – Some great looks at this beauty at Doi Inthanon; prefers broadleaf forest to pines that Long-tailed prefers.
LONG-TAILED MINIVET (Pericrocotus ethologus) – These lovely minivet gave us satisfying views in the north and we had a pair nesting in a pine at Doi Inthanon. [N]
SCARLET MINIVET (Pericrocotus speciosus) – The most widespread and frequently encountered minivet of the trip; the distinctive wing pattern distinguished it from the similar minivets. Seen in most woodland areas from Kaeng Krachan on.
ASHY MINIVET (Pericrocotus divaricatus) – Seen first and perhaps best at Wat Phai Lom our first afternoon. Also at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai. [b]
BROWN-RUMPED MINIVET (Pericrocotus cantonensis) – A group of eight seen nicely at Kaeng Krachan; also seen at Khao Yai; also known as Swinhoe's Minivet. [b]
ROSY MINIVET (Pericrocotus roseus) – Seen at Khao Yai and Doi Inthanon; one of three wintering minivets we saw on the tour. [b]
LARGE CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina macei) – This big cuckooshrike was seen at Doi Lang, as many as six in one area.
BLACK-WINGED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Lalage melaschistos) – Seen a number of times, mostly in Kaeng Krachan, Khao Yai, and Doi Inthanon.
Can you pick out the two Far Eastern Curlews in this group of Eurasian Curlews? Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
BROWN SHRIKE (Lanius cristatus) – Seen first (and last) on the grounds of the Rama Gardens; also seen at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai. By far the commonest shrike seen. [b]
BURMESE SHRIKE (Lanius collurioides) – Seen especially well at Doi Lang and again at Doi Ang Khang; we had seven individuals at Doi Lang where adults were feeding fledglings. Danny got a nice video of a pair.
LONG-TAILED SHRIKE (Lanius schach) – Seen nicely at Doi Lang, then for all at Doi Ang Khang where not uncommon; quite a long-tailed bird.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
BLYTH'S SHRIKE-BABBLER (Pteruthius aeralatus) – We had a female in Kaeng Krachan, then numerous encounters with both sexes from Doi Inthanon all the way to Doi Ang Khang. A real handsome bird, that male. I might mention that these birds (shrike-babblers) have been merged into the vireo family (Vireonidae), making them cousins of peppershrikes! It has also been split from White-browed Shrike-Babbler.
CLICKING SHRIKE-BABBLER (Pteruthius intermedius) – Great looks at four birds, all singletons, seen at Doi Inthanon and Doi Ang Khang. What a cute little Vireonid! (In Robson as Chestnut-fronted Shrike Babbler.) But does it click?
WHITE-BELLIED ERPORNIS (Erpornis zantholeuca) – Formerly called White-bellied Yuhina; widely distributed in areas we birded, but encountered only at Khao Yai and the Royal Project.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
BLACK-NAPED ORIOLE (Oriolus chinensis) – Seen almost daily in the south, where we had a few great studies of this wintering species. [b]
SLENDER-BILLED ORIOLE (Oriolus tenuirostris) – At Doi Lang Danny got us on a handsome individual that was feeding in the very popular Erythrina tree. Some of these birds winter in the north, but some also nest there.
BLACK-HOODED ORIOLE (Oriolus xanthornus) – Great looks at three birds at Doi Inthanon! Snappy dressers.
MAROON ORIOLE (Oriolus traillii) – Our best looks at these darkly beautiful orioles came at Doi Lang and Doi Ang Khang; they also like Erythrinas!
Dicruridae (Drongos)
BLACK DRONGO (Dicrurus macrocercus) – Enjoyed mostly in the south, but a couple of sightings in the north.
ASHY DRONGO (Dicrurus leucophaeus) – Seen almost every day, this species was by far the commonest drongo seen; we had many slaty-gray residents and quite a few of the pale-gray, white-faced migrants.
BRONZED DRONGO (Dicrurus aeneus) – Seen first in Kaeng Krachan, then also in Doi Inthanon and Doi Lang. [N]
LESSER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus remifer) – Two birds seen in Kaeng Krachan, but most were seen in the north, our best looks coming at Doi Inthanon.
HAIR-CRESTED DRONGO (Dicrurus hottentottus) – Seen first at Kaeng Krachan, but also nicely in the north; easily identified by its up/inward curled tail tips.
GREATER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus paradiseus) – Some nice looks, especially in flight, of this fancy drongo with the extravagant tail; seen in both south and north.
Rhipiduridae (Fantails)
MALAYSIAN PIED-FANTAIL (Rhipidura javanica) – Seen our first few days and at Kaeng Krachan.
This magnificent Great Hornbill was a thrill to behold pumping its way through the ether before us! Photo by participant Fred Dalbey.
WHITE-THROATED FANTAIL (Rhipidura albicollis) – This dark Rhipidura was surprisingly scarce; we had but one, and that heard only, at Kaeng Krachan. [*]
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
BLACK-NAPED MONARCH (Hypothymis azurea) – We had this spectacular bird at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai; in the north, it was heard only.
BLYTH'S PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone affinis) – We all had a female at Doi Inthanon, though some of us heard one at Kaeng Krachan; no males.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CRESTED JAY (Platylophus galericulatus) – WOW. Another great find, one of the spectacular birds of the trip; we had two birds close on a trail at Kaeng Krachan, their long, erect crests giving them an epic appearance. This bird may represent a monotypic family; the taxon we saw, distinct from the Borneo taxon, is blacker and more boldly marked.
EURASIAN JAY (WHITE-FACED) (Garrulus glandarius leucotis) – Nice, if rather distant, views of birds in two sites at Doi Inthanon; a most peculiar-looking jay, if you're expecting anything like the European bird.
RED-BILLED BLUE-MAGPIE (Urocissa erythroryncha) – Heard at Doi Inthanon and two were perhaps seen at Doi Lang--though they may have been those darn long-tailed Green-billed Malkohas that fooled us once!
COMMON GREEN-MAGPIE (Cissa chinensis) – Heard at Khao Yai, though Jiang managed a nice video while we were off who knows where! [*]
RUFOUS TREEPIE (Dendrocitta vagabunda) – Two seen at our Doi Inthanon hotel.
GRAY TREEPIE (Dendrocitta formosae) – The commoner of the two Dendrocittas on our tour; encountered on several days in the north, and seen best at Doi Lang.
RACKET-TAILED TREEPIE (Crypsirina temia) – Two seen at Kaeng Krachan and heard later there as well.
RATCHET-TAILED TREEPIE (Temnurus temnurus) – At Kaeng Krachan we had great looks at two of this shy species moving with a mixed flock led by Collared Babblers; this is a scarce species, very local in Thailand. It was a thrill to see it so well.
LARGE-BILLED CROW (Corvus macrorhynchos) – This was a commonly seen bird on the tour, both in the south and the north; there are two taxa occurring in Thailand, both of which we saw; note this in case the two are later split.
Alaudidae (Larks)
INDOCHINESE BUSHLARK (Mirafra erythrocephala) – We saw several of these bushlarks on three days in the south.
ORIENTAL SKYLARK (Alauda gulgula) – Heard in the Black Kite roost area, but I still feel the sun in my eyes trying to find them! [*]
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia) – Seen in the Rangsit Marsh area. [b]
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Common and seen almost daily. [b]
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica) – Seen nicely on several days in the south. [b]
This male Hodgson's Frogmouth is incubating an egg at the end of the road, Doi Lang. Photo by participant Fred Dalbey.
STRIATED SWALLOW (Cecropis striolata) – This breeder was seen on most days in the north; a fancy swallow.
ASIAN HOUSE-MARTIN (Delichon dasypus) – A Tree-Swallow-like martin seen in the south the day we visited the Black Kite area and flew to Chiang Mai. [b]
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
YELLOW-BELLIED FAIRY-FANTAIL (Chelidorhynx hypoxantha) – Two seen extremely well at Doi Inthanon; a very cool bird that has only recently had a new genus erected for it, for it was taken out of Rhipidura (and the family Rhipiduridae) and placed in the Fairy-Fantail family. Very local in Thailand.
GRAY-HEADED CANARY-FLYCATCHER (Culicicapa ceylonensis) – Seen well at Khao Yai and also in the north. Not uncommon in mixed flocks.
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
SULTAN TIT (Melanochlora sultanea) – WOW, another super bird of legendary fame; what a thrill to see these at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai! Ah, that floppy yellow crest.
JAPANESE TIT (Parus minor nubicolus) – Until recently this bird was lumped with Great Tit. We had a number of nice views in the north.
YELLOW-CHEEKED TIT (Machlolophus spilonotus) – Another super tit of the north! Great looks at our first at the summit of Doi Inthanon.
Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)
BLACK-THROATED TIT (Aegithalos concinnus) – Great studies of a pair feeding young at Doi Lang near where we saw the frogmouth. Jan got a good photo of a bird carrying food to the nest. [N]
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
CHESTNUT-VENTED NUTHATCH (Sitta nagaensis) – Common in the north where we had them almost daily, especially in the pines.
VELVET-FRONTED NUTHATCH (Sitta frontalis) – Seen first high up Kaeng Krachan, then almost daily in the north; what a pretty little nuthatch!
GIANT NUTHATCH (Sitta magna) – WOW, another great one! We first had one in the road gathering nesting material at Doi Lang, then a real show put on by a responsive bird at Doi Ang Khang that lasted ten minutes! Many of you got good video and photos, even though it was a bit backlit.
Certhiidae (Treecreepers)
HUME'S TREECREEPER (Certhia manipurensis shanensis) – One seen well at a lunch stop in Doi Inthanon, then heard several more days in the highlands. The song is radically different from the song of Brown Creeper, a distinction we all noted.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
CRESTED FINCHBILL (Spizixos canifrons) – This fancy bulbul was seen first and especially well at Doi Lang where we had several birds at our lunch stop at the end of the road.
BLACK-HEADED BULBUL (Pycnonotus atriceps) – This distinctive and boldly colored bulbul was but one of all 19 species possible on our tour! Our best looks and biggest numbers came at Kaeng Krachan.
STRIATED BULBUL (Pycnonotus striatus) – Seen best at Doi Inthanon and Doi Lang; a striking bulbul when seen well.
BLACK-CRESTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus flaviventris) – Numerous in forested areas throughout; we had several similar-looking taxa and the distinctive red-throated taxon, johnsoni, which we saw nicely at Khao Yai. Fred got a photo of two birds with the red throats
RED-WHISKERED BULBUL (Pycnonotus jocosus) – Scarce in the south due to the cage bird trade (we did have one at Khao Yai), but we had them on several days in the north. Not introduced here!
Himalayan Cutia was among the most thrilling finds at bird-rich Doi Lang. Participant Danny Shelton got this video of one feeding in "our" flowering Erythrina.
BROWN-BREASTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus xanthorrhous) – Excellent views of this subtly marked bulbul at Doi Lang and Doi Ang Khang; a real pleasure to see so well.
SOOTY-HEADED BULBUL (Pycnonotus aurigaster) – All our birds were of the northern taxon klossi, birds with red vents, rather the yellow vents of the southern taxon. Seen almost daily in the highlands.
STRIPE-THROATED BULBUL (Pycnonotus finlaysoni) – One of our favorite bulbuls, so beautifully and subtly marked; seen well at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai; nice photo, Fred!
FLAVESCENT BULBUL (Pycnonotus flavescens) – Seen once in Kaeng Krachan and daily in the north; common and very conspicuous.
YELLOW-VENTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus goiavier) – Common in Rangsit Marsh, with a few individuals seen on the grounds of the Rama Gardens in Bangkok; not encountered elsewhere on the tour.
STREAK-EARED BULBUL (Pycnonotus blanfordi) – Common on the Rama Gardens grounds and in other disturbed areas in both south and north. The streaking on the auriculars is subtle but noticeable when the bird is seen well.
PUFF-THROATED BULBUL (Alophoixus pallidus) – Encountered in Khao Yai and in the north; best looks came at Khao Yai; a very distinctive bulbul with that puffy throat. Fred captured the throat nicely!
OCHRACEOUS BULBUL (Alophoixus ochraceus) – Seen especially well in Kaeng Krachan NP. Often sat out on exposed limbs.
GRAY-EYED BULBUL (Iole propinqua) – Seen well at Khao Yai NP where its "Mary, Mary, have you seen my bra?" was more diagnostic than the rufous-buff undertail coverts!
BUFF-VENTED BULBUL (Iole olivacea) – Seen only at Kaeng Krachan, where it's common.
BLACK BULBUL (Hypsipetes leucocephalus) – This wholly black-plumaged bird with the red bill and feet we saw at Doi Inthanon NP; only the resident taxon, concolor, was seen.
WHITE-HEADED BULBUL (Hypsipetes thompsoni) – We had a couple of birds, and by the skin of our teeth, at Doi Inthanon; nice looks, but not as nice as those of Jiang, who got a fine video of the birds after we had sauntered down the road. This bulbul has a white head, gray body, and apricot vent, and is closely related to Black Bulbul which also has a white-headed taxon. Dave got a nice shot.
ASHY BULBUL (Hemixos flavala) – A smart-looking bulbul! Seen very well--perhaps best--at Khao Yai NP and Doi Inthanon NP.
MOUNTAIN BULBUL (Ixos mcclellandii) – Fairly common in the north where we saw them at Doi Inthanon and Doi Ang Khang.
Pnoepygidae (Cupwings)
PYGMY CUPWING (Pnoepyga pusilla) – Fantastic looks at this bizarre, minuscule bird--scaled and spotted above, scaled below--at the summit bog up Doi Inthanon. We had nice looks on two days.
Cettiidae (Bush-Warblers and Allies)
SLATY-BELLIED TESIA (Tesia olivea) – Several heard by all and one seen by part of the group--Sonia, Fred, Jan, and John, I believe--on the trail at Doi Inthanon; others got motion here and there but never a proper view. What a cute little creature.
YELLOW-BELLIED WARBLER (Abroscopus superciliaris) – Pretty fair looks at this Abroscopus ("delicate seeker"!) at Kaeng Krachan and Doi Ang Khang; this species is a bamboo specialist.
MOUNTAIN TAILORBIRD (Phyllergates cucullatus) – Great studies of this vocal mountain bird at Doi Inthanon and Doi Ang Khang; no longer classified as a tailorbird and now put in Phyllergates ("leaf worker"), cucullatus being one of 14 taxa called Mountain Tailorbird. It's considered more closely related to Yellow-bellied Warbler.
Phylloscopidae (Leaf Warblers)
DUSKY WARBLER (Phylloscopus fuscatus) – The first, phylogenetically speaking, of eighteen species of Phylloscopus warblers we saw on the tour! Amazing. A lot of this was due to Dave's learned ear, for many of these warblers are next to impossible to identify lest they are heard--and that means their call notes heard because most are eastern Palearctic, Siberian, or Chinese breeders only wintering in Thailand! Dusky we had hiding in the trees at Mae Taeng Water Works and Doi Lang. [b]
This pert Limestone Wren-Babbler inspected us closely at a Wat. Photo by participant Fred Dalbey.
BUFF-THROATED WARBLER (Phylloscopus subaffinis) – A pair of these seen nicely at Doi Lang; very rich buff below. [b]
YELLOW-STREAKED WARBLER (Phylloscopus armandii) – Best seen at Doi Lang; the slight streaks were actually apparent, we saw it (and heard it!) so well. [b]
RADDE'S WARBLER (Phylloscopus schwarzi) – Seen at Khao Yai by all. Fred got a great photo. [b]
BUFF-BARRED WARBLER (Phylloscopus pulcher) – This was a Doi Inthanon bird (by voice). [b]
ASHY-THROATED WARBLER (Phylloscopus maculipennis) – Excellent study of several, especially of a bird bathing at Doi Inthanon; one of the few breeding Phylloscopus we saw.
PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus proregulus) – One seen well at Doi Inthanon. [b]
CHINESE LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus yunnanensis) – One seen, at Doi Lang only; this species did not appear on our trip checklist. Always fun to add a bird. [b]
YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER (Phylloscopus inornatus) – The commonest Leaf Warbler of the tour, as we knew it would be; the default species among its lookalikes if the warbler in question bird wasn't vocalizing. Encountered almost daily on the tour. [b]
HUME'S WARBLER (Phylloscopus humei) – Common at Doi Lang and Doi Ang Khang, mostly by voice; this wintering warbler is a denizen of the pines. Fred captured one in a pine! [b]
GREENISH WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochiloides) – Excellent view at Doi Lang, our only record for the trip; a recent split from Two-barred Warbler. [b]
TWO-BARRED WARBLER (Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus) – Seen mostly at Khao Yai, though we had them at Kaeng Krachan as well. Voice suggests a House Sparrow. [b]
PALE-LEGGED LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus tenellipes) – Seen (and heard, of course) several times at Khao Yai. [b]
EASTERN CROWNED LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus coronatus) – One seen especially well at Khao Yai; we even saw the pale median crown-stripe.
BLYTH'S LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus reguloides assamensis) – Split into several species, including Claudia's. We saw and heard a number of these at the summit bog, Doi Inthanon; song is strongly suggestive of a Common Yellowthroat's.
CLAUDIA'S LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus claudiae) – First seen by some at Kaeng Krachan, then later at Doi Lang, where most saw it. [b]
DAVISON'S LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus davisoni) – A split from White-tailed. Commonest warbler in the highland after Yellow-browed; its song is also suggestive of a yellowthroat, though Davison's is not as convincing as Blythe's.
SULPHUR-BREASTED WARBLER (Phylloscopus ricketti) – Seen at Kaeng Krachan and Doi Inthanon; this Phylloscopus is rich yellow below. [b]
Cautious Mountain Bamboo-Partridges on the roadside at Doi Lang. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
GRAY-CROWNED WARBLER (Seicercus tephrocephalus) – This taxon, along with the next three Seicercus, were formerly lumped as Golden-spectacled Warbler; they've been split into four species. We saw birds on two days at Doi Lang. [b]
PLAIN-TAILED WARBLER (Seicercus soror) – Heard at Kaeng Krachan, but not seen until Khao Yai. The white in the "plain" tail is restricted to the outer tips. [b]
MARTENS'S WARBLER (Seicercus omeiensis) – A result of the old Golden-spectacled Warbler split, but for some reason not mentioned in the older Robson guides (like mine!). Seen at Kaeng Krachan, Doi Lang, and Doi Ang Khang; this one is an easily identified Seicercus for US birders since its chip note suggests Wilson's Warbler.
BIANCHI'S WARBLER (Seicercus valentini) – Glimpsed by many, though seen by some, at Doi Ang Khang. [b]
CHESTNUT-CROWNED WARBLER (Seicercus castaniceps) – This tough-to-see warbler was heard only--at Doi Inthanon. [*]
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
THICK-BILLED WARBLER (Iduna aedon) – This large warbler was seen around the reservoir behind Kaeng Krachan and again on our last day. Formerly considered an Acrocephalus like the following two species, it is now placed in Iduna. [b]
BLACK-BROWED REED-WARBLER (Acrocephalus bistrigiceps) – Fairly common at the Rangsit Marsh, but rather difficult to see well; finally, most managed to get a pretty fair look. [b]
ORIENTAL REED-WARBLER (Acrocephalus orientalis) – Seen along the canal at Laem Phak Bia. [b]
Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
STRIATED GRASSBIRD (Megalurus palustris) – One of these enormous grassbird was seen at the Black Kite roosting site. I was amazed at how large it is.
PALLAS'S GRASSHOPPER-WARBLER (Locustella certhiola) – We had one at Rangsit Marsh, but I think Jan was the only one to get on it well. [b]
LANCEOLATED WARBLER (Locustella lanceolata) – Heard only--at Kaeng Krachan. [*]
RUSSET BUSH-WARBLER (Locustella mandelli idonea) – Heard only--at Doi Ang Khang. [*]
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
ZITTING CISTICOLA (Cisticola juncidis) – Several throughout, but best seen, for a treat, on our last day!
COMMON TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus sutorius) – Seen best at Rangsit Marsh and Khao Yai.
DARK-NECKED TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus atrogularis) – Its characteristic call was heard almost daily and seen on a few occasions; the bird at Wat Phai Lom was a something of a surprise.
HILL PRINIA (Prinia superciliaris) – A pretty prinia! Seen beautifully at Doi Inthanon.
RUFESCENT PRINIA (Prinia rufescens) – Seen where we had the Daurian Redstart at Bam nor lae, Doi Ang Khang, on the Myanmar border.
The magnificent Orange-breasted Trogon was easier to see well during our visit than its cousin the Red-headed. Photo by participant Jan Shaw.
GRAY-BREASTED PRINIA (Prinia hodgsonii) – Seen best, I think, in the scrub behind our Kaeng Krachan Country Club lodging the morning we departed for Khao Yai; also at the Royal Project.
YELLOW-BELLIED PRINIA (Prinia flaviventris) – This pretty prinia was seen nicely at Rangsit Marsh and Fred got a photo revealing the bird's pert nature.
PLAIN PRINIA (Prinia inornata) – The most widespread prinia, seen best and most memorably the first three days of the trip.
Paradoxornithidae (Parrotbills, Wrentit, and Allies)
GRAY-HEADED PARROTBILL (Psittiparus gularis) – Several of these striking little birds were feeding in the flowering Erythrina at Doi Lang on our great morning there! Psittiparus refers to tit-like "parrots."
SPOT-BREASTED PARROTBILL (Paradoxornis guttaticollis) – WOW, what a bird, what a generic name! Super study of one bird in shrubbery beside the road; this bird was so bold that we all got spot-on (so to speak) studies as it sang away determined to displace us, and I managed an amazing video on my iPhone! Everyone got great photos/videos.
Zosteropidae (White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies)
STRIATED YUHINA (Yuhina castaniceps) – Seen by all who climbed the stairway to heaven, Wat Tham Pha Plong; we had about six at the top of the stairs. Those who birded in the parking lot caught up at Doi Ang Khang and the Royal Project.
CHESTNUT-FLANKED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops erythropleurus) – Our first look at these white-eyes came at Khao Yai NP, where we had about 50 at our lunch spot; we had more studies at Doi Inthanon. Although the chestnut flanks are not always conspicuous, we did have good looks at them. [b]
ORIENTAL WHITE-EYE (Zosterops palpebrosus) – These pretty residents were seen at Doi Inthanon.
JAPANESE WHITE-EYE (Zosterops japonicus) – Seen in the north only, at Bam Nor Lae, Doi Ang Khang. [b]
EVERETT'S WHITE-EYE (Zosterops everetti) – This resident white-eye was seen only at Kaeng Krachan.
Timaliidae (Tree-Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers, and Allies)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BABBLER (Timalia pileata) – What a pretty babbler! We had nice looks at two birds at Doi Lang.
PIN-STRIPED TIT-BABBLER (Mixornis gularis) – Often in small groups, this tit-babbler was one of our most frequently encountered babblers; seen best, perhaps, at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai. Pin-streaking on the lower throat and breast is always evident on the well-seen bird.
GOLDEN BABBLER (Cyanoderma chrysaeum) – Excellent studies of but one bird at Doi Inthanon; also heard there the following day.
RUFOUS-FRONTED BABBLER (Cyanoderma rufifrons) – Seen only at Kaeng Krachan, though heard at Doi Inthanon as well.
WHITE-BROWED SCIMITAR-BABBLER (Pomatorhinus schisticeps) – Wow, what a great babbler! We had fine views of this bird with a fabulous song at Kaeng Krachan where it led some of the mixed flocks and was often a tipoff to the presence of a Ratchet-tailed Treepie.
LARGE SCIMITAR-BABBLER (Megapomatorhinus hypoleucos) – Another WOW babbler, this one seen a Khao Yai by all! This one is a "mega" alright.
RUSTY-CHEEKED SCIMITAR-BABBLER (Megapomatorhinus erythrogenys) – Four of these babblers were seen beautifully at Doi Lang our first glorious morning there, then there again the next day. Fred got a fine photo.
The insouciant Pigtail Macaque. Say what? Photo by participant Jan Shaw.
GRAY-THROATED BABBLER (Stachyris nigriceps) – Heard at Kaeng Krachan, but our only nice looks came at Doi Inthanon.
SPOT-NECKED BABBLER (Stachyris strialata) – Unfortunately we missed setting eyes on this skulker, which we only heard at Kaeng Krachan. [*]
Pellorneidae (Ground Babblers and Allies)
COLLARED BABBLER (Gampsorhynchus torquatus) – Six of these fancy birds seen in a mixed group at Kaeng Krachan; they are often a tipoff for the presence of Ratchet-tailed Treepies. This species was formerly known as White-hooded Babbler and it called that in Robson.
RUFOUS-WINGED FULVETTA (Schoeniparus castaneceps) – A fascinating little bird seen especially well on two days at Doi Inthanon.
PUFF-THROATED BABBLER (Pellorneum ruficeps) – Our most frequently seen ground babbler, this one is a knockout; we saw it extremely well at Khao Yai and Doi Lang. Fred's photo reveals how accommodating this babbler was.
SPOT-THROATED BABBLER (Pellorneum albiventre) – We saw only one bird nicely at Doi Inthanon, then heard it on three days later in the trip.
EYEBROWED WREN-BABBLER (Napothera epilepidota) – Nice looks at a couple of these mites at Doi Inthanon.
ABBOTT'S BABBLER (Turdinus abbotti) – A pair of these seen at Khao Yai; also heard at Kaeng Krachan.
LIMESTONE WREN-BABBLER (Turdinus crispifrons calcicola) – Seen very nicely coming to Jiang's meal worms at Wat Phra Putthabot Noi en route to Khao Yai. Fred got a great shot of our bird.
STREAKED WREN-BABBLER (Turdinus brevicaudatus) – Great studies of a bird at Doi Ang Khang. We all scored on this one. Fred got a super shot.
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)
BROWN-CHEEKED FULVETTA (Alcippe poioicephala) – We had views of this fulvetta in the south and in the north; these comprise two taxa that have distinctly different songs and morphological differences that may result in their being split.
YUNNAN FULVETTA (Alcippe fratercula) – We had numerous views of this fairly common fulvetta in the north--almost daily.
HIMALAYAN CUTIA (Cutia nipalensis) – WOW, another highlight of the trip. See these scarce and lovely birds feeding in the flowering Erythrina was jolting! We had wonderful studies for two days at Doi Lang. That was a morning to remember. Danny got some memorable video.
WHITE-CRESTED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax leucolophus) – What a great bird! Though heard on a number of days, we only got good views of them--of 12 of them!--at Khao Yai. Fred got a beautiful photo of one that had dropped onto a log embellished with meal worms.
LESSER NECKLACED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax monileger) – At least two the day we left KKCC for Khao Yai; in a mixed flock with Greater Necklaced.
WHITE-NECKED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax strepitans) – These White-necks were unusually cooperative--two at Doi Lang and four at Doi Ang Khang.
SPOT-BREASTED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax merulinus) – One heard at Doi Ang Khang. A rich song. [*]
This photo by guide Dave Stejskal captures the slender, elegant beauty of Marsh Sandpiper, of which we saw hundreds at Pak Thale.
GREATER NECKLACED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Ianthocincla pectoralis) – At least two seen the day we left KKCC for Khao Yai; in a flock with Lesser Necklaced. Some of us got on one in a mixed group with those Crested Jays the preceding day.
BLACK-THROATED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Ianthocincla chinensis) – What a beauty; Dave summoned us all sharply to get on our first one at Khao Yai NP; what a bird! Fred got a lovely photo and Danny got a video of this bird singing!
WHITE-BROWED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Ianthocincla sannio) – Seen at Doi Lang where we had some feeding in the flowering Erythrina; Fred got a nice photo.
SILVER-EARED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Trochalopteron melanostigma) – Another beautiful laughingthrush! Seen especially well at Doi Inthanon and later at Doi Lang. This, too, was captured by Fred.
BLACK-BACKED SIBIA (Heterophasia melanoleuca) – Seen in the highlands from Doi Inthanon onward; great views of these fairly common birds. We had it carrying nesting material at one site. [N]
SILVER-EARED MESIA (Leiothrix argentauris) – Another beautiful bird! Not uncommon in the highlands where we had numerous wonderful views.
RUFOUS-BACKED SIBIA (Minla annectens) – Seen extremely well at Doi Inthanon and also at Doi Lang.
SCARLET-FACED LIOCICHLA (Liocichla ripponi) – Seen beautifully a Doi Ang Khang; what a looker!
SPECTACLED BARWING (Actinodura ramsayi) – Enjoyed on several days in the highlands, but we had our most satisfying views on our first day at Doi Inthanon. This is one of the "allies" in the laughingthrush family.
BLUE-WINGED MINLA (Actinodura cyanouroptera) – Not uncommon in the highlands, where seen first and best at Doi Inthanon. This and the following minla have been removed from the genus Minla and placed with the barwings, though their English name remains the same (for now). Fred got a shot of this minla showing the extensive white panel in the tail.
CHESTNUT-TAILED MINLA (Actinodura strigula) – Fabulous study of these minlas at Doi Inthanon!
Irenidae (Fairy-bluebirds)
ASIAN FAIRY-BLUEBIRD (Irena puella) – Fairly common in the south where we saw them well on several occasions; in the north we had them only at Wat Tam Pha Plong.
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
DARK-SIDED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa sibirica) – Seen at Kaeng Krachan hawking for insects from dead snags like pewees. [b]
ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa dauurica) – This drab flycatcher was common in the south where we saw a number and where it is a boreal migrant; in the north we had it only at Doi Inthanon where it may have been the resident siamensis. [b]
ORIENTAL MAGPIE-ROBIN (Copsychus saularis) – Common and seen almost daily, including on the grounds of several of our lodgings where it regaled us early with its cheerful song.
WHITE-RUMPED SHAMA (Copsychus malabaricus) – Good looks at birds in Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai. A bold-looking bird and a skilled mimic.
WHITE-GORGETED FLYCATCHER (Anthipes monileger) – A delightful little flycatcher; seen especially well at Doi Lang and Doi Ang Khang. Fred got a fine photo that arrested this flighty bird for infinitely longer than we managed to do so in our bins!
RUFOUS-BROWED FLYCATCHER (Anthipes solitaris) – Two heard at Kaeng Krachan within a few meters in an unbelievable encounter in which we simply could not find the vocally responsive songsters! [*]
HAINAN BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Cyornis hainanus) – Nice looks at a male hanging around the Blue Pitta feeding site at Khao Yai NP.
PALE BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Cyornis unicolor) – Seen at Kaeng Krachan and Doi Lang. Similar to Verditer.
BLUE-THROATED FLYCATCHER (CHINESE) (Cyornis rubeculoides glaucicomans) – Two seen at Kaeng Krachan on one day.
HILL BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Cyornis banyumas) – Seen in the south and the north, but best at Doi Ang Khang.
TICKELL'S BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Cyornis tickelliae) – A male seen the day we birded the Royal Project; but it was difficult for everyone to finally get on; it stayed low in the brush and bamboo.
LARGE NILTAVA (Niltava grandis) – Seen at Doi Inthanon and then really well at Doi Ang Khang. A big Muscicapid.
RUFOUS-BELLIED NILTAVA (Niltava sundara) – A beautiful male seen at Doi Lang! Jan got a nice photo. [b]
VERDITER FLYCATCHER (Eumyias thalassinus) – More conspicuous and more frequently encountered than other blue flycatchers on our trip. We had several stunning views at Doi Inthanon, Doi Lang, and Doi Ang Khang. Verditer is a color, that to which the name refers. Fred got a nice photo of one perched atop a pine.
This male Chinese Francolin strolled right across the highway for us. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
LESSER SHORTWING (Brachypteryx leucophris) – Some folks saw this difficult-to-see shortwing at Doi Inthanon, but everyone caught up nicely at Doi Ang Khang.
WHITE-BROWED SHORTWING (Brachypteryx montana) – This shortwing was seen very nicely by all at Doi Inthanon.
SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN (Larvivora cyane) – A female at Khao Yai was all we could come up with on the trip. [b]
WHITE-BELLIED REDSTART (Luscinia phaenicuroides) – Our first sighting at Doi Lang was the best, but we saw another of these beauties there the following day and had birds vocalizing on two other occasions. Now put in the nightingale genus. Dave got a nice photo! [b]
BLUE WHISTLING-THRUSH (BLACK-BILLED) (Myophonus caeruleus caeruleus) – Only one of these wintering thrushes with the all-black bills was certified at Doi Inthanon. This taxon is a candidate for a split. [b]
BLUE WHISTLING-THRUSH (YELLOW-BILLED) (Myophonus caeruleus eugenei) – Seen first at Khao Yai, then well at Doi Inthanon, then Doi Ang Khang. A very hefty thrush.
WHITE-CROWNED FORKTAIL (Enicurus leschenaulti) – Heard at Doi Inthanon and Doi Ang Khang, but we couldn't see the darned things. [*]
SLATY-BACKED FORKTAIL (Enicurus schistaceus) – One seen at Khao Yai, though perhaps not by all.
SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT (Calliope calliope) – Wonderful studies of this Siberian breeder at Doi Lang, best when it visited the feeding hide. Fred and Dave got some pretty photos. [b]
WHITE-TAILED ROBIN (Cinclidium leucurum) – Great looks at a striking and cooperative bird at a baiting station at Doi Ang Khang.
HIMALAYAN BLUETAIL (Tarsiger rufilatus) – A brilliant bird seen at Doi Inthanon and a female seen there the following day. This species is very similar to Red-flanked Bluetail plumage-wise, and the two are treated as one species--Orange-flanked Bush Robin--in Robson. [b]
SLATY-BACKED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula sordida) – Not uncommon in the north from Doi Inthanon, on. [b]
SLATY-BLUE FLYCATCHER (Ficedula tricolor) – Seen beautifully at Doi Lang on two days; Danny got a swell video of a male nervously lifting its tail before flying off. [b]
SNOWY-BROWED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula hyperythra) – Quite a few of this well-marked flycatcher seen at Doi Inthanon.
RUFOUS-GORGETED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula strophiata) – Seen beautifully at Doi Lang on two days, the male so well marked. [b]
SAPPHIRE FLYCATCHER (Ficedula sapphira) – We managed to view a female at Doi Lang, but we never got a look at a brilliant male. [b]
LITTLE PIED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula westermanni) – Gretchen got us on our first one at Doi Inthanon, then we followed that with good sightings on four more days.
Chinese Egret, showing its breeding dress of yellow-orange bill, shaggy nape-plumes, and green lores, traipses through the mangroves at Laem Phak Bia. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
ULTRAMARINE FLYCATCHER (Ficedula superciliaris) – What a brilliantly plumaged flycatcher! We had a fabulous look at two males at Doi Lang where Fred's photo really shows off the beauty of the ultramarine and white combo. He's just about to chow down on one of those mealworms. [b]
TAIGA FLYCATCHER (Ficedula albicilla) – Encountered in forest areas in the south and the north. Called Red-throated Flycatcher in Robson. Fred got a photo of a male whose throat feathers appear to be wet. [b]
PLUMBEOUS REDSTART (Phoenicurus fuliginosus) – Seen as it posed below us on the rocks at one of the waterfalls at Doi Inthanon. This and the considerably larger White-capped were formerly called Water Redstarts due to their preference for rocky rivers and streams.
WHITE-CAPPED REDSTART (Phoenicurus leucocephalus) – A brilliant stream-side bird! Seen very nicely by all after it gave us the runaround several times; we finally managed fine views at the base of a waterfall at Doi Inthanon.
DAURIAN REDSTART (Phoenicurus auroreus) – At Bam Nor Le, on the Myanmar border, we set up for this one and baited it with mealworms; after a while in a male came for us all to view nicely. We also had birds the following two days.
CHESTNUT-BELLIED ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola rufiventris) – We enjoyed two of these beauties at Doi Inthanon, our sole encounter of the trip.
BLUE ROCK-THRUSH (PANDOO) (Monticola solitarius pandoo) – First seen at Khao Yai, then at Doi Lang and Doi Ang Khang. [b]
SIBERIAN STONECHAT (Saxicola maurus) – Not uncommon in disturbed areas from those near Bangkok to our last day near Chiang Mai; we just didn't spend much time in its habitat. [b]
PIED BUSHCHAT (Saxicola caprata) – A few birds seen at Doi Inthanon and Doi Lang.
GRAY BUSHCHAT (Saxicola ferreus) – Seen best at Doi Lang where we had several at the end of the road; also at Doi Ang Khang. Those we saw could well have been breeders, though wintering birds also occur in the north.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ORANGE-HEADED THRUSH (Geokichla citrina) – Some folks got a look at this beauty on a trail at Kaeng Krachan, some did not. ;-) [b]
DARK-SIDED THRUSH (Zoothera marginata) – Wonderful studies of this dark, long-billed, oddly proportioned thrush at the summit bog on Doi Inthanon where it dug in the dark boggy ground almost invisibly. A bird Pepper wanted especially to see. Seen on both days there.
SCALY THRUSH (Zoothera dauma) – Seen well at the Royal Project gardens, Doi Ang Khang, with the several other species we had there. This is the resident bird, whereas the similar White's Thrush is a boreal migrant.
BLACK-BREASTED THRUSH (Turdus dissimilis) – Good looks at about four of these well-marked thrushes on the grounds of the Royal Project, along with the other thrushes. [b]
GRAY-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Turdus boulboul) – Great looks at a male on the grounds of the Royal Project with the other thrushes. A lucky find, as this one is not seen on every tour. [b]
EYEBROWED THRUSH (Turdus obscurus) – This thrush winters widely in Thailand, and we had it in several locations, including Kaeng Krachan, Doi Inthanon, and Doi Ang Khang. [b]
GREEN COCHOA (Cochoa viridis) – This beautiful species was wanted by all, but we spent perhaps an hour trying to find its song perch as it sang above us; even with its moving from perch to perch, we had no luck except for occasionally glimpsing a quick movement here and there. [*]
This curious Blue-throated Barbet, especially prevalent in the northern foothills, approaches for a closer look. Photo by participant Fred Dalbey.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
GOLDEN-CRESTED MYNA (Ampeliceps coronatus) – Nice looks at a couple of birds at Khao Yai at the Great Hornbill lay-by.
COMMON HILL MYNA (Gracula religiosa) – Three uncommon individuals seen at Khao Yai NP.
ROSY STARLING (Pastor roseus) – How exciting to see these scarce vagrants (first for the trip) at a dump in Laem Phak Bia! Great looks at them, lifers for Dave! Dave got a nice photo of a pair.
DAURIAN STARLING (Agropsar sturninus) – Small groups seen at Rangsit Marsh, mostly as flybys; a singleton was seen at Doi Inthanon. Called Purple-backed Starling in Robson.
BLACK-COLLARED STARLING (Gracupica nigricollis) – Some saw this bird on the grounds of the Rama Gardens the day before the tour; our birds seen as a group came the day we traveled from Doi Inthanon to Fang.
ASIAN PIED STARLING (Gracupica contra) – Seen off and on throughout the trip from first day to last. [N]
WHITE-SHOULDERED STARLING (Sturnia sinensis) – Many groups of White-shouldereds, perhaps migrating, flew past us over Rangsit Marsh; we had diagnostic looks of birds both in flight and settled in some of the trees along the levy we walked. [b]
BRAHMINY STARLING (Sturnia pagodarum) – Another vagrant to Thailand and a great bird to get for the tour; another lifer for Dave! Due to a misunderstanding, Gretchen and Pepper missed seeing it as they peered into the dump from a nearby rise. Dave got a great photo of Brahminy strutting in the dump, leaving Pepper sputtering in the dumps.
CHESTNUT-TAILED STARLING (Sturnia malabarica) – About 25 seen at Doi Inthanon!
COMMON MYNA (Acridotheres tristis) – Seen in disturbed areas on most days of the trip.
VINOUS-BREASTED STARLING (Acridotheres burmannicus leucocephalus) – Four seen our last morning at Kaeng Krachan on the grounds of the Country Club--with Hoopoes.
GREAT MYNA (Acridotheres grandis) – Seen most days of the tour; the obsolete name, White-vented Myna, may have been better.
Chloropseidae (Leafbirds)
GREATER GREEN LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis sonnerati) – Seen nicely at Kaeng Krachan, several right overhead!
BLUE-WINGED LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis cochinchinensis) – The most frequently encountered leafbird in the south, at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai.
GOLDEN-FRONTED LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis aurifrons) – This beautiful leafbird was seen especially well at Khao Yai and then nicely from Doi Inthanon through Doi Ang Khang. [N]
ORANGE-BELLIED LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis hardwickii) – Beautiful males in the northern mountains at Doi Inthanon and Doi Ang Khang!
Dicaeidae (Flowerpeckers)
THICK-BILLED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum agile) – This nondescript flowerpecker was seen at Kaeng Krachan and again at Khao Yai.
The vagrant Brahminy Starling in the dump—off-stage, a vacant Pepper in the dumps. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
YELLOW-VENTED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum chrysorrheum) – Also seen only at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai. This pecker of flowers is heavily streaked below.
PLAIN FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum minullum) – One at Doi Inthanon--and is it plain! This taxon is not the taxon (concolor) indicated in Robson.
FIRE-BREASTED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum ignipectus ignipectus) – Seen in Kaeng Krachan and Doi Inthanon, but not easily seen well; this nominate taxon and the following cambodianum may be split: this taxon actually had a "fire-breast" whereas the following has a plain, or buffy, breast.
FIRE-BREASTED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum ignipectus cambodianum) – This taxon, missing the red on the breast, was seen by some of our group at Khao Yai.
SCARLET-BACKED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum cruentatum) – Our commonest flowerpecker, seen well many times in the south from Rangsit Marsh through Khao Yai. Some of us had it on the grounds of the Rama Gardens before the tour.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
RUBY-CHEEKED SUNBIRD (Chalcoparia singalensis) – Pretty quick looks at these sunbirds, though we had them on four days in Kaeng Krachan and at Khao Yai; a couple of beautiful males stood out.
PLAIN-THROATED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes malacensis) – Seen on the grounds of the Rama Gardens, at Wat Phai Lom, and Rangsit Marsh. A large sunbird, noticeably larger than Olive-backed, which was also on the Rama grounds. The females are similar but differ in Plain-throated having no white on the underside of the tail. Called Brown-throated in Robson.
VAN HASSELT'S SUNBIRD (Leptocoma brasiliana) – A beautiful male seen especially well in Khao Yai NP. This one is called Purple-throated in Robson.
PURPLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris asiaticus) – Four of these beauties near the base of Doi Inthanon NP in the dry dipterocarp forest.
OLIVE-BACKED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris jugularis) – Fairly common in disturbed forest, as that on the grounds of the Rama Gardens. Also seen in the north. Fred got a nice photo of a shimmering male; Jan got a fine photo of a female looking out from the nest, which had been found by Steve at the Rama Gardens. The female has considerable white on the underside of the tail.
BLACK-THROATED SUNBIRD (Aethopyga saturata) – Wow, a stunner! In fact, this genus--comprising the long-tailed sunbirds--is an especially fancy one. We had nice views of saturata at Kaeng Krachan, Doi Inthanon, Doi Lang, and Doi Ang Khang.
GOULD'S SUNBIRD (Aethopyga gouldiae) – Wonderful views of this, our only boreal migrant among the sunbirds, in the northern foothills, where perhaps best seen at Doi Lang. Danny got a long video of Mrs. Gould's working over "our" flowering Erythrina at Doi Lang and on the grounds of our lodge there. [b]
GREEN-TAILED SUNBIRD (Aethopyga nipalensis) – Extraordinarily beautiful, this species was seen at Doi Inthanon on two days. We all took photos of this local Aethopyga. Robson illustrates this bird as having a green crown and tail, whereas our birds always showed more of a blue head and tail; HBW illustrates this properly, even for the nominate taxon. Our taxon, angkanensis, differs from the remaining eight taxa (only one of which occurs in Thailand) in having a very prominent red wash on the breast and upper belly; Fred's beautiful photo perfectly captures this, as well as the blue bias to the "green" crown and tail.
CRIMSON SUNBIRD (Aethopyga siparaja) – Seen nicely in Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai. The one at the bridge in Khao Yai NP was a genuine heart-stopper.
LITTLE SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera longirostra) – We heard this bird more often than we saw it, but some of us had pretty good looks at Khao Yai and Doi Inthanon.
STREAKED SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera magna) – Seen at Kaeng Krachan and Doi Inthanon, but heard only elsewhere in the northern foothills. A boldly marked bird!
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla tschutschensis) – Seen best at Rangsit Marsh and Laem Phak Bia; also seen in the Black Kite roost site en route to Khao Yai. [b]
CITRINE WAGTAIL (Motacilla citreola) – Six seen at the Mae Ngat Dam patties en route to Fang. [b]
This caterpillar is about to disappear down the throats of nestling Black-throated Tits. Photo by participant Jan Shaw.
GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea) – Our most frequently encountered wagtail, seen in the south and the north. [b]
WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba) – One seen at the Mae Taeng Water Works. [b]
PADDYFIELD PIPIT (Anthus rufulus) – Seen on three days in open country sites, both south and north. If you saw this bird in Borneo, this taxon is new for you, as it has been split from malayensis.
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus hodgsoni) – An exciting pipit to see at Doi Ang Khang; often perches in trees. [b]
RED-THROATED PIPIT (Anthus cervinus) – Six seen quite nicely in the drainage ditch at the Black Kite roost site. A couple of these pipits looked especially "red-throated." [b]
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
CRESTED BUNTING (Melophus lathami) – What a thrill (for some of us) seeing this bunting at Doi Lang. [b]
CHESTNUT BUNTING (Emberiza rutila) – One seen at Doi Inthanon, another two to three at Doi Lang. [b]
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
COMMON ROSEFINCH (Carpodacus erythrinus) – Great looks at these finches at Doi Inthanon and another handful seen at Doi Ang Khang. [b]
BLACK-HEADED GREENFINCH (Chloris ambigua) – Heard but not seen at Doi Ang Khang. [b*]
SPOT-WINGED GROSBEAK (Mycerobas melanozanthos) – At least 10 of both sexes seen very nicely at the Royal Project!
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus indicus) – Seen in settled areas, though never as numerous as Eurasian Tree Sparrows. They were first seen in low numbers at the Rama Gardens.
PLAIN-BACKED SPARROW (Passer flaveolus) – A lovely bird, by no means plain. Seen first and well at Wat Thian Thawai, our first birding stop of the trip; then seen later at several spots, including the Mae Ngat rice paddies.
EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus) – The default Passer of the trip, seen on almost every day outside the forested areas.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
BAYA WEAVER (Ploceus philippinus) – Nice looks at golden-capped males on our last day; we had birds in their intricate act of nest-building (after their intimate acts). We also had birds our first two days in the Bangkok area. See Jan's photo of a bird in its intricately woven and unfinished nest. [N]
ASIAN GOLDEN WEAVER (Ploceus hypoxanthus) – One female seen sitting up at Rangsit Marsh; we had nice looks at her in the scope.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
PIN-TAILED PARROTFINCH (Erythrura prasina) – Amazingly, a bird flew by us as we stood at the Great Hornbill overlook, or lay-by. Not everyone saw it, but those who did had an unmistakable, if brief, look.
WHITE-RUMPED MUNIA (Lonchura striata) – A group seen at Wat Phai Lom and three more at the Mae Ngat Dam paddies en route to Fang.
Participant Danny Shelton studies the "Critically Endangered" Siamese Crocodile at some length in his video.
SCALY-BREASTED MUNIA (Lonchura punctulata) – The default munia of the paddies and marshes; we even had a pair nesting at a convenience stop! [N]
MAMMALS
LYLE'S FLYING FOX (Pteropus lylei) – Some 30+ of these flying foxes hanging in the mangroves at Laem Phak Bia--as seen from our boats. This species of flying fox is restricted to southeast Asia and is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
WRINKLE-LIPPED FREE-TAILED BAT (Chaerephon plicatus) – What an exciting spectacle, these bats emerging at dusk when conditions are right and dispersing like clouds of smoke over the horizon--an exodus of millions of remarkable mammals to feed for the night. Our visit was one of the best Dave's ever had there. WOW.
NORTHERN TREESHREW (Tupaia berlangeri) – Seen several times at Doi Inthanon.
CRAB-EATING MACAQUE (Macaca fascigularis) – Our best looks came of small groups in the mangroves at Laem Phak Bia as we boated to and from the sand-spit.
PIGTAIL MACAQUE (Macaca nemestrina) – Common along the road at Khao Yai. Jan got a nice photo of a pensive individual.
STUMP-TAILED MACAQUE (Macaca arctoides) – We happened upon a group of 15 of these scarce macaques at Kaeng Krachan.
BANDED LEAF MONKEY (Presbytis melalophos) – The scarce langur we saw at high at Kaeng Krachan.
DUSKY LEAF MONKEY (Presbytis obscura) – The common langur at Kaeng Krachan that we saw well.
PILEATED GIBBON (Hylobates pileatus) – Four of these were seen at Khao Yai, the much scarcer gibbon and the first Dave's seen on the tour, I believe.
WHITE-HANDED GIBBON (Hylobates lar) – Seen and heard at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai.
BLACK GIANT SQUIRREL (Ratufa bicolor) – Seen on a couple of days at Kaeng Krachan. This is truly a giant squirrel!
MOUNTAIN RED-BELLIED SQUIRREL (Callosciurus flavimanus) – One seen at Doi Inthanon, red belly conspicuous.
FINLAYSON'S SQUIRREL (Callosciurus finlaysoni) – Best seen the first couple of days, then at Khao Yai NP; these squirrels are variable, and are also known as such--Variable Squirrel--by some mammalogists.
GRAY-BELLIED SQUIRREL (Callosciurus caniceps) – Seen at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai; these were also somewhat variable but usually showed black tail tips.
HIMALAYAN STRIPED SQUIRREL (Tamiops macclellandi) – The commonest small squirrel of the trip, seen at Kaeng Krachan, though mostly in the north; this chipmunk-type squirrel had a high-pitched squeak reminiscent of a bird.
INDOCHINESE GROUND SQUIRREL (Menetes berdmorei) – Seen March 5 and 8, but I don't recall the sites.
ASIAN RED-CHEEKED SQUIRREL (Dremomys rufigenis) – One of these squirrels was seen by some of us at Kaeng Krachan.
YELLOW-THROATED MARTEN (Martes flavigula) – Three bounded across the road at Doi Lang such that I believe only those in the first van set eyes on them.
MUNTJAC (BARKING DEER) (Muntiacus muntjak) – These small deer were seen easily at Khao Yai.
FEA'S MUNTJAC (Muntiacus feae) – Some lucky folks in the first van got to see one of these deer at Kaeng Krachan.
SAMBAR (Cervus unicolor) – The larger deer at Khao Yai, where they were easily seen, and one earlier at Kaeng Krachan.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
In addition to the fabulous birds and interesting mammals, we also had some other forms of life worthy of mention. We had reptiles, including three snakes that will go unidentified, several Water Monitors, and a very exciting, "Critically Endangered" Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) at Khao Yai NP--"Bite, the man!" Chinese Waterfall Damselfly--a brilliant creature--is the only damselfly I heard identified, and the Saturniid moth eaten by the Ashy Drongo at Doi Inthanon was Actias maenas.
The Lepidopterids were dazzling and many. And thanks to Lisa, we have a list of all that could be identified either in the field or by photo afterward. They appear in the list below.
Hesperidae (Tagiades parna) great snow flat
Lycaenidae (Abisara neophron) tailed judy
Lycaenidae (Acytolepis puspa) common hedge blue
Lycaenidae (Catochrysops panoramus) silver forget-me-not
Lycaenidae (Heliophorus epides) purple sapphire
Lycaenidae (Loxura atymnus) yamfly
Lycaenidae (Nacaduba kurava) six-lined blue
Lycaenidae (Spindasis lohita) long-banded silverline
Lycaenidae (Udara akasa) white hedge blue
Lycaenidae (Zizina otis) lesser grass blue
Nymphalidae (Bassarona dunya) great marquis
Nymphalidae (Bassarona teuta) banded marquis
Nymphalidae (Cirrochroa tyche) common yeoman
Nymphalidae (Cupha erymanthis) rustic
Nymphalidae (Cyrestis cocles) marbled map
Nymphalidae (Danaus chrysippus) plain tiger
Nymphalidae (Euploea crameri) spotted black crow
Nymphalidae (Euploea sp.) crow
Nymphalidae (Euripus nyctelius) courtesan
Nymphalidae (Euthalia patula) grand duchess
Nymphalidae (Hypolimnas bolina) great egg-fly
Nymphalidae (Ideopsis vulgaris) blue glassy tiger
Nymphalidae (Junonia iphita) chocolate soldier
Nymphalidae (Kallima inachus) orange oakleaf
Nymphalidae (Lebadea martha) knight
Nymphalidae (Lethe mekara) common red forester
Nymphalidae (Lexias pardalis) archduke
Nymphalidae (Moduza procris) commander
Nymphalidae (Mycalesis janardana) mottled bush-brown
Nymphalidae (Neptis hylas) common sailor
Nymphalidae (Neptis leocoporus) burmese sailor
Nymphalidae (Pantoporia hordonia) common lascar
Nymphalidae (Parantica aspasia) yellow glassy tiber
Nymphalidae (Parantica Melaneus) chocolate tiger
Nymphalidae (Parantica spp) tigers
Nymphalidae (Parthenus sylvia) clipper
Nymphalidae (Polyura hebe) plain nawab
Nymphalidae (Stibochiona nicea) popinjay
Nymphalidae (Sumbrenthia hypatia) intricate jester
Nymphalidae (Tanaecia julii) common earl
Nymphalidae (Vindula erota) cruiser
Nymphalidae (Xanthotaenia busiris) yellow-barred pan
Nymphalidae (Ypthima baldus) common five-ring
Nymphalidae (Ypthima horsfeldii) horsfeld's five-ring
Nymphalidae (Zemeros fleygas) punchinello
Papilionidae (Byasa dasarada) great windmill
Papilionidae (Graphium antiphates) fivebar swordtail
Papilionidae (Graphium sarpedon) common bluebottle
Papilionidae (Lamproptera meges) green dragontail
Papilionidae (Pachliopta aristolochiaea) common rose
Papilionidae (Papilio clytia) common mime
Papilionidae (Papilio memnon) great mormon
Papilionidae (Papilio nephelus) black and white helen
Papilionidae Papilio paris) paris peacock
Papilionidae (Papilio polyetes) common mormon
Papilionidae (Troides helena) common birdwing
Pieridae (Appias libythea) striped albatross
Pieridae (Catopsilia pomona lemon) emigrant
Pieridae (Cepora iudith) orange gull
Pieridae (Cepora nerissa) common gull
Pieridae (Delias baracasa) common yellow jezebel
Pieridae (Eurema hecabe) common grass yellow
Pieridae (Eurema sari) chocolate grass yellow
Pieridae (Hebomoia glaucippe) giant orange tip
Pieridae (PieridaeIxias pyrene) yellow orange tip
Pieridae (Leptosia nina psyche)
Pieridae (Prioneris philonome) redspot sawtooth
Totals for the tour: 475 bird taxa and 21 mammal taxa