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North Thailand Birding Sites

Northern Thailand is characterized by forested mountain peaks between 1500 to 2500 metres in altitude and lowland wetlands, a variety of habitats that provide birders with a wide variety of potential species. Forest types represented in this region include moist evergreen forest, dry dipterocarp woodland, pine forest and broadleaved deciduous forest, all with their own avifaunas and it is these forests, with a high level of affinity to Himalayan ecosystems, that attract most birders with the possibility of a wide range of species that do not occur in other parts of the country, including a large number of migrants escaping the winters further north. Wetlands in this region, although highly disturbed and farmed, remain important to migrant species including wildfowl which are extremely scarce in the rest of the country.

The birding sites are marked on the map below and listed by name below the map.

North Thailand Map Mae Ping National Park

1. Doi Inthanon National Park

2. Mae Hia Agricultural College

3. Huay Teung Tao

4. Doi Chiang Dao National Park


5. Chiang Dao Rice Paddies

6. Doi Ang Kang

7. Doi Lang

8. Thatorn

9. Chiang Saen

10. Doi Phu Kha National Park

11. Fang Hot Springs

12. Mae Ping National Park

The geographical location of the region means that it is home to a large number of species that are at the southern tip of their global range and every year there are birds added to the Thai list from this region; both resident and migrant species keep being discovered and it is a good region to search for a rarity.

Most of these sites are accessible from Chiang Mai, making this city the perfect base for north Thailand birding. Visiting a variety of upland and lowland sites will allow birders to see a wide variety of species and at least one of the "Dois" is a must for any birder visiting this region. Spending 8 or 9 days birding in the north allows birders to visit most of the key sites and see a good proportion of the species of the region. Both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai have airports with lots of connections to other parts of the country.

Highlights: Giant Nuthatch, Black-tailed Crake, Mrs Hume's Pheasant, Green-tailed Sunbird, Scarlet-faced Liocichla, Yellow-breasted Bunting, Black-throated Bushtit, Himalayan Cutia, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Hodgson's Frogmouth, Siberian Rubythroat, Green Cochoa, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Dark-sided Thrush, Pied Harrier, Baer's Pochard, Jerdon's Bushchat to name just a few.

Weather: The coolest time is usually between November and end of January when temperatures in the mountains can get to zero at night and the early morning and although it is usually clear there can be periods of foggy weather on the mountains. After that time the temperature begins to rise until by April/May midday temperatures are usually up to 40C. From mid May the rains usually arrive and last until September/October and although breeding birds are active the weather on the mountain tops can often be very foggy and wet, particularly towards the end of this period. The peak time for birders to visit this region is between early December and mid March.

 
 
Bird Watching Trips:
If you need help organizing a bird watching trip to Thailand, take a look at the suggested itineraries for ideas on creating a tailor-made trip and contact me for advice: Thailand bird tours.
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Black-and-yellow BroadbillDownload a full checklist of the birds of Thailand including all distinct subspecies that are potential splits for the future.

Malayan Banded PittaBird Watching Trips in Thailand - Tailor-made birding tours in Northern, Central & Southern Thailand for groups of all sizes.

Blue-faced MalkohaSri Lanka, 20th Nov - 2nd Dec 2023 - Serendib Scops Owl, Indian Pitta, Malabar Trogon, Spot-winged Thrush, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Pied Thrush: £3275

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Black-headed WoodpeckerCambodia, 12-26th March 2024 - Giant Ibis, Bar-bellied Pitta, Greater Adjutant, Mekong Wagtail, Cambodian Tailorbird, White-rumped Vulture: £3850

Bar-bellied PittaSouth Vietnam, 29th Mar - 9th Apr 2024 - Bar-bellied Pitta, Vietnamese Cutia, Collared Laughingthrush, Vietnamese Grenfinch, Blue-rumped Pitta: £2900

Bornean FalconetNorth Borneo, 24th Aug - 6th Sep 2023 - Crimson-headed Partridge, Blue-headed Pitta, white-fronted Falconet, Whitehead's Trogon, Bornean Bristlehead: £4375

Christmas Island FrigatebirdWest Java & Sumatra, 1-24th August 2024 - Schneider's Pitta, Large Frogmouth, Christmas Island Frigatebird, Javan Banded Pitta, Sumatran Trogon: £4325

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