Thailand - Birding Wonderland

A hidden wonderland for birds and birdwatching, that’s Thailand. If you are serious about birds, then this destination really is a must visit area. Situated in the Indo-Chinese peninsula of the Oriental Region, Thailand boasts well over 900 species of birds. Around one third of the birds are migrants, although certain species that are largely migrant are also resident i.e. Swallow, and the fact that this country boasts almost 10% of the world’s total bird species, then it is very easy to understand why we will be touring to this great destination!

There are well over 100 protected areas in the country and they are categorised as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries or non-hunting areas. Some of these have breeding programmes which include the breeding of species on the endangered list. The infrastructure is such that most of these places are easily accessible by road, train or plane. Some are closed to the public, which to our mind is good as it means that Thailand is taking it's conservation of wildlife seriously. The main ones, though, are open to the public and very well run with the welfare of the fauna uppermost in the minds of the national park officials.

Special CommentIt goes without saying that all our accommodation is of the usual very high standard as all Worldwide Birding Tours. This tour is relaxed and recommended if comfort and easy pace is required.

Thailand has a tropical monsoon climate. Generally the dry season is during November to April and the rainy season from May to October but, the southern and Southeastern provinces receive rain during November-January. November-February is the peak time for migrating species, most areas are good for birdwatching especially the north where the weather is cooler than in other areas.

Among target birds for us will be Great Hornbill (Buceros bicorm's, 122 cm.), the Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus, 100 cm.), the Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris, 70 em.) and the Brown Hornbill (Ptilolaemus tickelli, 74 cm.), several different species of Barbets (Megalaima) with their brightly coloured plumage, of course an endemic in the form of the Green-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga nipalensis), also hunting for the skulking Pygmy Wren-Babbler (Pnoepyga pusilla) and the Slaty-bellied Tesia (Tesia olivea) and so our list goes on, so many great birds to see and to discover for the first time. Oh, we almost forgot one of the most unforgettable birds of all the Long-tailed Broadbill (Psarisomus dalhousiae), it has finely delineated multi-coloured markings the colours of which include black, yellow, light green, dark green and blue, working from head to tail!