ULTIMATE VIETNAM TOUR REPORT 2025

2 - 26 March 2025

Dáni Balla

Vietnam is one of the most bird-rich countries in South-East Asia as it has a great variety of habitats from coastal mudflats and lowland rainforests to misty forests in higher altitudes reaching above 3100m asl. at Fansipan which is the highest point of Indochina.

As usual we were birding as many habitats and regions of the country as possible during our tour following a carefully planned itinerary which yielded more than 460 recorded bird species on this year’s tour.

Starting with the endangered Nordmann’s Greenshank and localised White-faced Plover at the Mekong Delta’s coastal part we headed to the famous Cat Tien National Park where Germain’s Peacock-pheasant, Siamese Fireback, Green Peafowl, Black-and-buff, Heart-spotted and Pale-headed Woodpeckers, Bar-bellied and Blue-rumped Pittas, Grey-faced Tit-Babbler and Van Hasselt’s Sunbird were all seen. Moving to Di Linh where Black-crowned Parrotbill and White-cheeked Laughingthrush were seen before reaching Dalat. In the Dalat region Silver Pheasant, Collared Laughinthrush, Vietnamese Cutia, Grey-crowned Crocias, Dalat Bush Warbler, Black-crowned Fulvetta and Vietnamese Greenfinch was seen along many other great species.

Near Mang Den we luckily managed to see Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Red-vented and Necklaced Barbets before moving on to Tu Mo Rong.

From Tu Mo Rong village we went up to Ngoc Linh mountain where the endemic Golden-winged Laughingthrush was enjoyed together with Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Indochinese Fulvetta and Black-crowned Barwing.

Stopping at Lang Co and Bach Ma we reached Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park collecting Masked Laughingthrush, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush, Short-tailed Scimitar-Babbler and Austen’s Brown Hornbill on the way. At Phong Nha Sooty Babbler was performing outstandingly and we also found Limestone Leaf Warbler and White-winged Magpies with Red-shanked Doucs and Hatinh Langur being the mammal highlights here. Around Cuc Phuong we managed to see Red-collared Woodpecker, Annam Limestone Babbler, White-tailed Flycatcher, Tonkin Partridge and Indochinese Green Magpie. Outside Cuc Phuong at the Van Long Nature Reserve Delacour’s Langurs were showing well this year. Our last site on the main tour was around Tam Dao where Grey Laughingthrush and Short-tailed Parrotbill were our main targets both seen very well.

The extension to Fansipan was a great success again where we had great views of Pale-throated Wren-Babbler as our prime target. On the top of Fansipan we had incredible views of Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Hill Partridge, White-browed (Tonkin) Fulvetta and Golden Parrotbill. Lower down, around Sa Pa town we found Spectacled Barwing, Crested Finchbill, Ashy-throated and Vinous-throated Parrotbills, Brown-breasted Flycatcher and Little Forktail.

Our tour departed at the planned time in the early morning from Ho Chi Minh City to head southeast to the coastal area in the Mekong Delta, where we birded the sandpit near Tan Thanh village to find a great selection of shorebirds including the endangered Nordmann’s Greenshank, Far Eastern Curlew and the localised White-faced Plover. Although the main aim was to see Spoon-billed Sandpiper, our luck was not with us this time, we were seeing some other shorebirds such as Red-necked Stint, Tibetan Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover and Common Redshank. One step further in the coast we found Chestnut-tailed Starling, Golden-bellied Gerygone, Plain-backed Sparrow and Malaysian Pied Fantail in a small patch of wooded area.

After a lunch break, we started our journey north to reach Cat Tien National Park by the end of the day. We crossed the river separating the national park from the outside world in the dark and finished the day with dinner in the local restaurant inside. In Cat Tien after some initial early morning roadside birding where we saw Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Blue-eared Barbet, Blue-bearded Bee-eater and enjoyed great views of a Southern Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon family, we changed our focus onto some ground dwelling specialties from a hide, where not much after we entered a pair of Blue-rumped Pittas were feeding in front of us. Soon after the main star of the hide, a pair of Bar-bellied Pittas hopped onto the stage and stole the show for quite some time. Siberian Blue Robin, White-rumped Shama, Abbot’s Babbler and Indochinese Blue Flycatcher were the supporting cast here. Later the day we tried another hide where a Green-legged Partridge appeared shortly after we arrived and we were lucky to see a male Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant as well not much after. While eagerly waiting at the hide a White-browed Piculet was spotted and Siberian Blue Robin, Stripe-throated and Streak-eared Bulbuls were frequently visiting the area. As one key species was missing at this hide for the first try, we came back a day later and finally had a male Siamese Fireback coming in to feed for a short time.

Birding in between the national park’s old and huge trees the forest was gifting us with some great sightings including Square-tailed Drongo Cuckoo, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Banded Broadbill, Blue-winged and Golden-fronted Leafbirds, Collared Falconet and Blue-eared, Green-eared and Coppersmith’s Barbets. The localised Grey-faced Tit-Babbler was seen several times and we had great views of the handsome Orange-breasted Trogon and a surprise Little Bronze Cuckoo was also found feeding near the trail. Visiting the eastern side of the forest from the headquarters where bamboo is dominating the vegetation we found Yellow-bellied Warbler, heard distant Orange-necked Partridge and had great looks at a responsive Pale-headed Woodpecker. Further down the road a flowering tree was attracting a great selection of Sunbirds including Crimson, Brown-throated, Ornate, Ruby-cheeked and the special Van Hasselt’s following each other around the canopy. Our first Black-and-buff Woodpecker was seen here giving us great views. To try Orange-necked Partridge again, another morning we decided to visit a hide where they used to show themselves in early mornings but we were unlucky with them this time, however Blue-rumped Pitta was showing well and a Blue-winged Pitta was heard calling near-by, tough it refused to come out from the dense vegetation.

We dedicated a day to visit the Crocodile Lake in the heart of the national park. Spotting a family of Black-shanked Doucs from the truck taking us to the trailhead was a good start of the day. During the trek on the paved trail leading us to the lake we saw our first Black-naped Monarchs, Greater Yellownape, a shy pair of Heart-spotted Woodpeckers, a few Little Spiderhunters, Pale-legged Leaf Warbler and a selection of Bulbuls including Black-headed and Grey-eyed ones. Arriving at the lake we soon were enjoying a good set of Siamese Crocodiles which were reintroduced here and are doing very well at this spot. On the edge of the wetland Grey-headed Swamphen, Bronze-winged Jacana and White-browed Crake were seen, Oriental Darters were drying themselves on dry branches around, a huge Stork-billed Kingfisher and Common Kingfishers were seen and we had nice looks at a few Asian Golden Weavers. A couple Cotton Pygmy Goose were spotted on the water, Grey-headed Fish Eagle was hanging around and Indochinese Rollers and Black-and-red Broadbills were changing each other on a close by tree all enjoyed from the local ranger station’s shady balcony. After a few cold drinks and a lunch complemented with a short break we decided to trek back to the ‘main road’ enjoying a Dusky Broadbill halfway as a nice surprise along the trail. Reaching the road, we were checking the treetops from a more open viewpoint and spotted several Thick-billed Green Pigeons and after some time finally an Ashy-headed Green Pigeon was scoped as well.

We paid a visit to the western side of the national park where a mosaic of more open habitat patches gave us Vinous-breasted Myna, Red-collared Dove, Indochinese Roller, White-throated Kingfisher and our main target here the magnificent looking Green Peafowl. A short walk into paddyfields where Zitting Cisticola was common, we reached a patch of fallow field where Red-wattled Lapwing was seen and we flushed a skulking Lanceolated Warbler. The option for comfortable night excursions took us out in the dark a few times here and we managed to see several Sambar Deer, a Common Palm Civet. Blyth’s Frogmouth was playing with us and was not showing itself, so did an Oriental Bay Owl after answering once to our tape. On the other side, we had fabulous views of Great Eared Nightjars and a Brown Boobook.

On our last morning in Cat Tien we decided to visit the bamboo patches again for our missing partridge, which was not even calling in the area this time. On the other hand, we found Large-tailed Nightjar on roost, added White-crested Laughingthrush and Orange-necked Green Pigeon to our list, saw another Black-and-buff Woodpecker, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Vernal Hanging Parrot and another Siamese Fireback on the trail to end our stay here.

From Cat Tien we drove to Di Linh where we had some time in the afternoon for some birding. Starting at more open habitats we soon tracked down the endemic Annam Prinia and had great views of a close Burmese Shrike for the first time. Later, in the forest of Deo Nui San pass we found our first White-cheeked Laughingthrushes, the local grey-crowned form of Black-throated Bushtits and saw the endemic Black-headed Parrotbill. We stayed out until dark and saw Large-tailed and Grey Nightjars hunting above us and heard Hodgson’s Frogmouth calling but it refused to come close.

In the morning, some scanning from the hotel terrace produced a small flock of White-shouldered Starlings, several Vinous-breasted Mynas and a few Black-collared Starlings. Going back to Deo Nui San pass where a distant calling Vietnamese Cutia consumed some time but remained unseen here. Seeing our first Swinhoe’s and Grey-chinned Minivets, Chestnut-vented Nuthatches, Indochinese Barbets, Red-headed Trogon, white-faced Eurasian Jays were highlights here. A Silver-breasted Broadbill along the road was a great sighting and we found again Black-headed Parrotbills and had Yellow-vented Green Pigeon and Black-chinned Yuhinas added to our list before moving on. After a few hours’ drive we reached the busy city of Dalat where we visited a hilltop for an afternoon birding soon seeing some key species of the area, including the endemic Dalat Bush Warbler and Vietnamese Greenfinch while other good ones were also showing well such as Siberian Rubythroat, Barred Buttonquail, Clicking Shrike-Babbler, Chestnut-capped Babbler and the smart Green-backed Tit. A noisy Grey-crowned Crocias was heard nearby but stayed hidden.

The upcoming two days were carefully planned as a tight schedule had to be kept visiting some fantastic hides in the area of Dalat and birding in some great forests.

At our first hide we were lucky to see a group of Silver Pheasants of the annamensis race coming in quietly and staying for several minutes around. A shy Dark-sided Thrush was a great surprise showing very well, so as a Siberian Thrush. The usually skulking Lesser Shortwing of the langbianensis race was easily seen well, while Large Niltava, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, White-tailed Robin, Black-headed Sibias and Mountain Fulvettas were constantly hanging around. Later the day we changed hides and descended down to a well-hidden one in a nearby valley where spending some time yielded in fantastic looks at the beautiful endemic Collared Laughingthrush and our first Grey-cheeked Warbler. Climbing back from the valley we were lucky to find a pair of another endemic specialty, Vietnamese Cutia as they were quietly feeding on the main branches of the nearby trees. After a short lunch break at our bus and seeing a Mountain Hawk-Eagle we headed to try our luck at a third hide where the endemic Black-crowned Fulvetta came in soon and a Spotted Forktail was enjoyed as well. To finish our day, we went back to the first hide and were lucky as a male Blue Pitta came to visit the feeding site just in perfect time not much after we arrived. After a busy and lucky day with birding we had an unlucky finish and were heading back to the city of Dalat for an unplanned visit to one of the private clinics before returning to our hotel.

Our second day in Dalat we visited the famous Ta Nung Valley in the morning where Blue-winged Minla, Silver-eared Mesia, the local forms of Mrs. Gould’s and Black-throated Sunbirds were seen in the windy and unpleasant weather but Grey-crowned Crocias was only calling in the distance. As we did not see good chances finding more birds here, we decided to visit the forests around the Tuyam Lam lake and luckily we soon heard the now familiar call of Grey-crowned Crocias. The first ones refused to come close but we were lucky to find another two birds feeding in a valley near the road. In addition, we had Rufous-backed Sibia, White-browed Shrike-Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler and Mugimaki Flycatcher seen as well here. For the afternoon we chose to drive to the top of Bi Doup Nui Ba National Park where our main aim was to find the local meridionalis form of Red Crossbills which we soon did and we enjoyed the views of four individuals here before the weather turned more serious forcing us to leave.

We left Dalat city in the early morning and had a short stop at Deo Phi Leng’s nice forest where Necklaced Barbet, Black-headed Parrotbill and our first Mountain Imperial Pigeon was seen.

Driving further our next stop around midday was at Lak Lake where White-shouldered Starling and Vinous-breasted Mynas were seen again, Pied, White-throated and Common Kingfishers lined up on sticks in the water, Coppersmith’s and Lineated Barbets were seen well in the gardens before having our lunch in the local restaurant.

As we still had a long drive ahead, we departed soon after lunch and only stopped for birding near Pleiku later, where a few Richard’s Pipits, Grey-breasted Prinia were seen and an Indochinese Bush Lark was flushed from the ground in the last rays of light. At the end we arrived at Mang Den after a long day mostly spent in the bus.

In the morning we left our hotel to visit the vicinity of Mang Canh where our prime target was the very localised Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush. The population of the species heavily declined in recent years caused by the heavy trapping pressure and currently only two individuals are known to remain in accessible areas in the region. The two individuals left however sometimes visit a feeding spot. We planned our stay in the area around the habit of the birds and we divided our forces leaving Quang at the hide and us going around birding in the area, so if the birds appear at the hide Quang will notify us and we can just hurry back to see the birds.

Our first day we birding produced some great species including great views of Grey-headed Parrotbill, Pale Blue and Hainan Blue Flycatchers, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Rufous-faced Warbler etc. and we heard Black-hooded Laughingthrush which were not responsive at all.

Our second day we had the same tactic and birding along the road produced some good birds such as Red-vented and Necklaced Barbets, Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler, Maroon Oriole, Silver-backed Needletail, Bay Woodpecker, a fantastic male Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher and the black-crested gayeti form of Sultan Tit. We almost lost our hope when Quang called us to hurry back to the hide. It took us frustrating 10 minutes to get back and sat down quietly waiting for a few minutes to see a female Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush hopping on the ground in the back of the feeding site – what a bird and what a great relief. It was not over yet, as a few minutes later the male turned up – glorious moments making our team instantly cheering for the upcoming part of the day. We went back to the hotel, packed and after some birding around the town we departed. A short stop along the way at the Dak To wetlands where we saw Eastern Yellow Wagtail and Wire-tailed Swallow and at the end of the day we arrived at the small town of Tu Mo Rong.

From Tu Mo Rong we early morning drove up to the trailhead on Ngoc Linh where we trekked up the mountain in the magnificent forest interior. Crossing ginseng gardens in the forest and lush galleys we arrived at a feeding site where as soon as we arrived, we enjoyed the presence of the very localised endemic Golden-winged Laughingthrush only discovered recently. Complementing our list of Laughingthrushes Red-tailed ones arrived in front of us taking our breath away. The show was not over yet as soon Black-crowned Barwing was also performing just a few meters from us. In the meantime, Brown-crowned Scimitar-Babbler, Rusty-capped and Rufous-winged Fulvettas, Snowy-browed Flycatcher and a Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher were all around. With some patience and luring it close we were lucky to spot an Indochinese Fulvetta as well, a species which was very hard to get until a few years ago this area opened for birders. After a while we hiked further up the trail and saw Barred Cuckoo-Dove, Black-faced Warbler and Green-tailed Sunbird and spotted more of both Laughingthrush species on the trail before returning to the hide for a packed lunch and for some more views at these incredible looking birds.

As we started heading down stopping for birds along the way we found Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Green Shrike-Babbler, Ashy-throated Warbler and White-spectacled Warbler. Back at the road we finished the day with some roadside birding seeing a Rufous-bellied Eagle, a Stripe-breasted Woodpecker and a busy flock provided short views of Bar-throated Minla and White-winged Magpie for some of us. Next morning, we came back for some roadside birding at Ngoc Linh seeing a Blue-and-white Flycatcher, Black Bulbuls, Long-tailed Broadbill, an Eastern Crowned Warbler and Black-crowned Barwing once more before leaving the area. After a long drive we arrived at Lang Co later in the afternoon still having some time for birding in the garden of our hotel. During an easy walk around, we found Asian Palm Swifts, Chinese Blackbirds, Japanese Thrush, Masked Laughingthrush and a Daurian Redstart. We repeated the birding in the morning around the hotel adding Brown-throated Sunbird and Oriental Greenfinch to our list before checking out.

A short drive to a nearby wetland site where we couldn’t find Light-vented Bulbul soon so we headed towards Bach Ma where we started birding around the top. Walking along the road we found White-browed Shrike-babbler, Hainan Blue Flycatcher, Blue Whistling Thrush, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, good numbers of Indochinese Yuhina, Grey-cheeked Warbler and heard our first Short-tailed Scimitar-Babbler. In the afternoon we spent some time around the top seeing White-throated Needletail, Eastern Red-rumped Swallows, Asian House Martins and had memorable views of Long-tailed Broadbills and Orange-breasted Leafbirds. After dinner we took our chance and decided to have a longer night walk along the road from the top. We soon found a roosting White’s Thrush, Hainan Blue Flycatcher and heard a distant Hodgson’s Frogmouth. Further down we had great views of Mountain Scops Owl, and heard a Brown Wood Owl calling. Searching for the Wood Owl resulted in finding a roosting Silver Pheasant, but no owls…

In the morning we did a short roadside birding further up finding a Black-throated and a Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush and a few Silver-eared Mesias. After checking out the weather turned into less pleasing but we still managed good looks at a Streaked Wren-Babbler. Some further walk in the rain we only had Crimson Sunbird and White-throated Needletail seen once more. As the weather stayed quite miserable later during the day, we only had a short birding before reaching Khe Sanh in the Dakrong Nature Reserve where a few more Crimson Sunbird, Black-browed Fulvettas and Asian Fairy Bluebirds and a few Rhesus Macaques were seen.

After spending a night in Khe Sanh town and having a great lao dinner we were ready to take a long drive along the Laos border with birding stops on the way to reach Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park at the end of the day. During our journey along the border several stops were fruiting and we had nice views of the tricky Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush, we saw several Crested Mynas, a White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Moustached Barbet, Red-vented Barbet, a group of at least seven Austen’s Brown Hornbill and finally we found a responsive Short-tailed Scimitar-Babbler (also called as Indochinese Wren-Babbler) which were coming close to us and at the end it turned out that they were three individuals together moving in the dark understorey, but giving reasonable looks for every one of us at the end. The same spot also gave our only Buff-breasted Babbler seen on the tour and not much further we managed to see the skulking Spot-necked Babbler as well. A noisy pair of White-winged Magpies were only heard before we gave up birding for the day to arrive in Phong Nha town.

The karst formations in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park provide habitat for several specialties amongst them two birds, namely the Limestone Leaf Warbler and the more interesting Sooty Babbler. We were birding in the rain for the morning but still managed fantastic views of the Sooty Babblers as this time they were hanging around the road. After some search a Limestone Leaf Warbler was singing back and was spotted feeding further up. A distant wet Oriental Hobby was waiting on a stick for the rain to stop. A feeding flock along the road had Little Bronze Cuckoo, Black-naped Monarch, Scarlet Minivet, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Sultan Tit, White-bellied Erpornis, Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher and a great surprise Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher. Walking further down the road another flock had Large Woodshrike, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Swinhoe’s Minivets, Scarlet Minivets and Great Iora. The main bridge above the river provides a great lookout point and a good fruiting tree this time gave us nice views of the striking Asian Fairy Bluebirds which were hanging around together with Black-crested and a Red-whiskered Bulbul. We drove to a spot Quang knew to find a family of Red-shanked Doucs above the road. While enjoying the Doucs a single Hatinh Langur was found only a few minutes’ walk away, making us switch sites and enjoy the other great looking Langur of the area.

We had lunch at the restaurant near the entrance of the Paradise Cave and a short midday break, which was followed by walking around the area hearing Large Scimitar-Babbler and seeing some more common, already seen birds again. To finish the day, we went back to the road section we tried in the morning but now without the rain. Distant White-winged Magpies were heard and after some time we managed to find them and had scope views of five birds moving together. As the last sighting here, a Pied Falconet was spotted on a tree top by Andy and was seen in the scope by everyone just before it left and disappeared. Going back to Phong Nha town we stopped at the rice fields along the way where a set of White-throated Kingfishers, some Crested Mynas, Zitting Cisticolas, Wood Sandpipers and surprisingly a few Masked Laughingthrush were seen.

From Phong Nha it was a long drive to our next base, Cuc Phuong. We left in the early morning to arrive in the afternoon at the Van Long Nature Reserve. The large wetland with cliffs behind gave us a few new birds for our trip including an Eastern Marsh Harrier, Yellow Bitterns and a Cinnamon Bittern, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, a flock of Garganey, Red-throated Pipits, more than a hundred Asian Openbill and our previously missed Light-vented Bulbul, but most importantly we were lucky to see the critically endangered Delacour’s Langurs on the cliff. Leaving the wetlands, we arrived at Cuc Phuong National Park in dark.

Our full day in Cuc Phuong we left early from the headquarters and drove further in the park. In the lights of our bus, we spotted Malayan Night Heron along the road in front of us and enjoyed watching them for a few minutes before continuing. We started birding with first lights in the park seeing Rufous-throated Fulvetta at the first stop. Walking further in the forest we managed to see the tricky Red-collared Woodpecker and had great views of Annam Limestone Babblers before a late breakfast. Finishing our breakfast, we went to try the local hide, where a dozen Japanese Thrush were waiting for us immediately. Soon a Black-breasted Thrush was spotted amongst the Japanese and a Rufous-tailed Robin was hopping in front of us. A female White-tailed Flycatcher, a Small Niltava and a Fujian Niltava were seen from the hide before Tonkin Partridges (the local form of Green-legged Partridge) turned up. We had better views of Rufous-throated Fulvetta and were patient enough to see the beautiful Indochinese Green Magpie which finally came in. In the late afternoon a walk around the headquarters produced Plain Flowerpecker and Crimson Sunbird.

We decided to go out for some night birding and managed to see a Collared Scops Owl and Brown Boobook, while a Lesser Shortwing and Rufous-tailed Robins were found roosting. We had a short morning birding Cuc Phuong seeing the smart Fork-tailed Sunbird, Bay Woodpecker, Greater Yellownape, Sultan Tits, Black-browed Fulvettas, Scaly-crowned Babbler, Bianchi’s Warbler, Hainan Blue Flycatchers and Red-headed Trogon before departing after an early lunch. Late afternoon we reached the foothills of Tam Dao and during a short walk near the local pagoda we found Pale-footed Bush Warbler before arriving at our hotel at the city above for two nights stay.

Before breakfast we climbed up the steps of Tam Dao to enjoy the best activity of the day. After trying the suitable areas, we were enjoying views of a responsive Short-tailed Parrotbill, our main target here. We walked down for breakfast and took the challenge to climb back here for the rest of the morning, which turned out to be a great decision. We were lucky to carefully lure in a flock of Grey Laughingthrush and enjoyed them around us for several minutes. We found more Bianchi’s Warblers, Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babblers, David’s Fulvettas, Golden Babblers, Chestnut Bulbul and Claudia’s Leaf Warbler. At the park under we saw Red-billed Blue Magpies, which were still hanging around in the afternoon when we came back for an easy birding seeing a Grey-backed Shrike as well thanks to Andy. At night we enjoyed our last dinner of the main tour at a good local restaurant in the busy city.

Part of our group not joining us on the Fansipan extension decided to stay up here for the morning and not come down with us to bird the lower areas of the hill in the morning, thus we sadly had to say goodbye to each other after breakfast. The lower parts in the morning had some new birds for us in the forms of Sulphur-bellied Warblers and Radde’s Warblers and we also enjoyed nice looks at Pin-striped Tit-Babblers, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher and heard the nice song of Spot-necked Babblers before moving on towards Sa Pa.

We arrived at Sa Pa for a late lunch and after a short break we went out birding to the Silver Waterfall. We were very lucky to find a pair of Little Forktails not too shy, we also spotted a group of Yellow-browed Tits, a couple Plumbeous Water Redstart, our first Whiskered Yuhinas and managed great views of a Pygmy Cupwing. It was our big day, in the morning after breakfast we took the cable car – which holds several Guiness-records – to take us to the top of Fansipan, the top of Indochina.
On the top the weather was a bit chilly and the wind was not helping us either, nor the mist coming and going but we took the challenge and went down on a trail led by a local who installed a feeding station on the side of the mountaintop. We spent a few hours in the hide having some magnificent views of such great species as Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler, a Hill Partridge pair, a male Himalayan Shortwing, several Black-faced Laughingthrush, a male White-browed Bush Robin, White-browed (Tonkin) Fulvettas, we had poor views of a Bar-winged Wren-Babbler and we were lucky to bump into a flock of Golden Parrotbills. Walking back to the top region where we saw Aberrant Bush Warbler, Chestnut-headed Tesia and Scaly-breasted Cupwing to end our session on the top, taking the last cable car down in the afternoon. At the bottom we had a short walk to finish the day and saw Grey Bushchat, Hill Prinia and a few Olive-backed Pipits.

Next morning, we took a trail near Sa Pa taking us through a few small valleys and hills and reaching the habitat where we had great views of a Pale-throated Wren-Babbler. Walking back, we saw Sapphire Flycatcher, White-collared, Whiskered and Stripe-throated Yuhinas on a fruiting bush and singing Davison’s Leaf Warbler. After an unplanned late breakfast, we went up to the Hom Rong gardens in the town where we luckily found Ashy-throated and Vinous-throated Parrotbills, a Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Blue-winged Minlas, Brown-breasted and Light-vented Bulbuls, Brown-flanked Bush Warbler, Black-throated Bushtit, Green-backed and Cinereous Tits and Buff-barred Warbler.

In the afternoon we went for an easy roadside birding and surprisingly found a singing Spectacled Barwing which we soon had reasonable views of. Calling Great Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet and Golden-throated Barbet were heard around, a male Rufous-bellied Niltava was seen, an unexpected Osprey flying over and Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush were the birds here.

Our last morning’s birding we tried again the same section of road we did previously but the windy weather was somehow making it less enjoyable and productive than we expected. However, we managed to see a Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Brown-breasted Bulbul, a few Whiskered Yuhinas, a Broad-billed Warbler and a pair of Crested Finchbills closing our tour nicely.

BIRDS OF THE MAIN TOUR

1st: Bar-bellied Pitta
2nd: Red-tailed Laughingthrush
3rd: Long-tailed Broadbill
4th: Indochinese Green Magpie & Siamese Fireback
5th: Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush & Collared Laughingthrush

BIRDS OF THE FANSIPAN EXTENSION

1st: Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler
2nd: Golden Parrotbill
3rd: Pale-throated Wren-Babbler & Himalayan Shortwing
4th: Spectacled Barwing
5th: Hill Partridge

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g., it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).
The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follows Gill, F., Donsker, D., & Rasmussen, P.(Eds). 2024. IOC World Bird List (v14.2).
Where the subspecies seen is/are known, these are often given in parentheses at the end of the species comment.

BIRDS
Cotton Pygmy Goose  Nettapus coromandelianus Three seen at Crocodile Lake in Cat Tien.
Garganey  Spatula querquedula
Hill Partridge ◊  Arborophila torqueola A lovely pair seen on Fansipan, ssp. griseata.
Rufous-throated Partridge  Arborophila rufogularis Heard-only.
Bar-backed Partridge ◊  Arborophila brunneopectus Heard-only.
Orange-necked Partridge ◊  Arborophila davidi Endemic. Heard-only.
Silver Pheasant ◊  Lophura nycthemera Three forms seen, annamensis near Dalat, beli in Bach Ma and berliozi near the Laos border.
Siamese Fireback ◊  Lophura diardi A male performing in Ca Tien.
Green Peafowl ◊  Pavo muticus Common in Cat Tien.
Green-legged Partridge ◊  Tropicoperdix chloropus Seen in Cat Tien.
Green-legged Partridge ◊ (Tonkin P)  Tropicoperdix [chloropus] tonkinensis Seen in Cuc Phuong.
Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant ◊  Polyplectron germaini Endemic. A male at a feeding site in Cat Tien.
Red Junglefowl  Gallus gallus
Great Eared Nightjar  Lyncornis macrotis
Grey Nightjar  Caprimulgus jotaka
Large-tailed Nightjar  Caprimulgus macrurus
Hodgson’s Frogmouth ◊  Batrachostomus hodgsoni Heard-only.
Blyth’s Frogmouth ◊  Batrachostomus affinis Heard-only.
Edible-nest Swiftlet (Germain’s S)  Aerodramus [fuciphagus] germani
White-throated Needletail  Hirundapus caudacutus
Silver-backed Needletail  Hirundapus cochinchinensis
Brown-backed Needletail  Hirundapus giganteus
Asian Palm Swift  Cypsiurus balasiensis
Pacific Swift  Apus pacificus
Cook’s Swift ◊  Apus cooki
House Swift  Apus nipalensis
Greater Coucal  Centropus sinensis
Lesser Coucal  Centropus bengalensis
Green-billed Malkoha  Phaenicophaeus tristis
Asian Koel  Eudynamys scolopaceus
Asian Emerald Cuckoo  Chrysococcyx maculatus
Violet Cuckoo  Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus
Banded Bay Cuckoo  Cacomantis sonneratii
Plaintive Cuckoo  Cacomantis merulinus
Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo  Surniculus lugubris
Large Hawk-Cuckoo  Hierococcyx sparverioides
Hodgson’s Hawk-Cuckoo  Hierococcyx nisicolor Head-only.
Indian Cuckoo  Cuculus micropterus Heard-only.
Himalayan Cuckoo  Cuculus saturates Heard-only.
Common Cuckoo  Cuculus canorus
Rock Dove (introduced)  Columba livia
Red Collared Dove  Streptopelia tranquebarica
Spotted Dove  Spilopelia chinensis
Barred Cuckoo-Dove  Macropygia unchall
Common Emerald Dove  Chalcophaps indica
Zebra Dove (introduced)  Geopelia striata
Orange-breasted Green Pigeon  Treron bicinctus
Ashy-headed Green Pigeon  Treron phayrei Seen in Cat Tien.
Thick-billed Green Pigeon  Treron curvirostra
Yellow-vented Green Pigeon ◊  Treron seimundi Seen near Di Linh.
Green Imperial Pigeon  Ducula aenea
Mountain Imperial Pigeon  Ducula badia
Common Moorhen  Gallinula chloropus
Grey-headed Swamphen  Porphyrio poliocephalus
Ruddy-breasted Crake  Zapornia fusca Leader-only bird near Phong Nha.
White-browed Crake  Poliolimnas cinereus
White-breasted Waterhen  Amaurornis phoenicurus
Little Grebe  Tachybaptus ruficollis
Barred Buttonquail  Turnix suscitator One seen near Dalat.
Red-wattled Lapwing  Vanellus indicus
Tibetan Sand Plover  Anarhynchus atrifrons
Greater Sand Plover  Anarhynchus leschenaultii
Kentish Plover  Anarhynchus alexandrinus
White-faced Plover ◊ (Swinhoe’s P)  Anarhynchus dealbatus One seen on the coast at Tan Thanh.
Pheasant-tailed Jacana  Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Bronze-winged Jacana  Metopidius indicus
Eurasian Whimbrel  Numenius phaeopus
Far Eastern Curlew ◊ Numenius madagascariensis Two individuals seen at the coast at Tan Thanh.
Eurasian Curlew  Numenius arquata
Bar-tailed Godwit  Limosa lapponica
Black-tailed Godwit  Limosa limosa
Pin-tailed Snipe  Gallinago stenura
Common Snipe  Gallinago gallinago
Terek Sandpiper  Xenus cinereus
Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos
Wood Sandpiper  Tringa glareola
Common Redshank  Tringa totanus
Nordmann’s Greenshank ◊  Tringa guttifer  At least three seen very well at Tan Thanh.
Common Greenshank  Tringa nebularia
Red-necked Stint  Calidris ruficollis
Gull-billed Tern  Gelochelidon nilotica
Caspian Tern  Hydroprogne caspia
Whiskered Tern  Chlidonias hybrida
Asian Openbill  Anastomus oscitans
Asian Woolly-necked Stork  Ciconia episcopus
Oriental Darter  Anhinga melanogaster
Little Cormorant  Microcarbo niger
Cinnamon Bittern  Botaurus cinnamomeus A bird fishing at Van Long Nature Reserve seen.
Yellow Bittern  Botaurus sinensis Several individuals at Van Long NR.
Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax
Malayan Night Heron ◊  Gorsachius melanolophus Great views on early morning drives at Cuc Phuong.
Little Egret  Egretta garzetta
Striated Heron (Little H)  Butorides striata
Chinese Pond Heron  Ardeola bacchus
Great Egret (Eastern G E)  Ardea [alba] modesta
Medium Egret  Ardea intermedia
Eastern Cattle Egret  Ardea coromanda
Grey Heron  Ardea cinerea
Purple Heron  Ardea purpurea
Osprey  Pandion haliaetus
Black-winged Kite  Elanus caeruleus
Crested Honey Buzzard  Pernis ptilorhynchus
Crested Serpent Eagle  Spilornis cheela
Mountain Hawk-Eagle  Nisaetus nipalensis
Rufous-bellied Eagle  Lophotriorchis kienerii A single individual at Ngoc Linh was seen.
Black Eagle  Ictinaetus malaiensis
Crested Goshawk  Lophospiza trivirgata
Shikra  Tachyspiza badia Only a non-leader sighting at Mang Canh.

Besra  Tachyspiza virgata

Eastern Marsh Harrier  Circus spilonotus One individual seen at Van Long NR.

Grey-headed Fish Eagle  Icthyophaga ichthyaetus

Oriental Bay Owl ◊  Phodilus badius Heard-only in Cat Tien.

Brown Boobook (B Boobook)  Ninox scutulata

Collared Owlet  Taenioptynx brodiei Heard-only.

Asian Barred Owlet  Glaucidium cuculoides

Mountain Scops Owl  Otus spilocephalus Great views at Bach Ma.

Oriental Scops Owl  Otus sunia Heard-only.

Collared Scops Owl  Otus lettia Finally one seen at Cuc Phuong.

Brown Wood Owl  Strix leptogrammica Heard-only.

Orange-breasted Trogon  Harpactes oreskios A few heard and one seen well in Cat Tien.

Red-headed Trogon  Harpactes erythrocephalus

Eurasian Hoopoe  Upupa epops

Oriental Pied Hornbill  Anthracoceros albirostris

Austen’s Brown Hornbill ◊ (Northern Brown H)  Anorrhinus austeni A group of seven seen near the Laos border.

Indochinese Roller  Coracias affinis

Oriental Dollarbird  Eurystomus orientalis

Banded Kingfisher  Lacedo pulchella A female seen in Cat Tien.

Stork-billed Kingfisher  Pelargopsis capensis

White-throated Kingfisher  Halcyon smyrnensis

Black-capped Kingfisher  Halcyon pileata Seen at Lang Co in the afternoon.

Collared Kingfisher  Todiramphus chloris

Common Kingfisher  Alcedo atthis

Pied Kingfisher  Ceryle rudis

Blue-bearded Bee-eater  Nyctyornis athertoni Nice views in Cat Tien.

Asian Green Bee-eater  Merops orientalis

Chestnut-headed Bee-eater  Merops leschenaulti

Great Barbet  Psilopogon virens Heard-only around Sa Pa.

Red-vented Barbet ◊  Psilopogon lagrandieri  Several seen, best views at Mang Canh.

Lineated Barbet  Psilopogon lineatus

Green-eared Barbet ◊  Psilopogon faiostrictus

Golden-throated Barbet  Psilopogon franklinii Heard-only around Sa Pa.

Necklaced Barbet ◊  Psilopogon auricularis 

Indochinese Barbet ◊ (Annam B)  Psilopogon annamensis 

Blue-throated Barbet  Psilopogon asiaticus Heard-only around Sa Pa.

Moustached Barbet ◊  Psilopogon incognitus

Blue-eared Barbet  Psilopogon cyanotis

Coppersmith Barbet  Psilopogon haemacephalus

White-browed Piculet  Sasia ochracea

Heart-spotted Woodpecker ◊  Hemicircus canente A pair seen in Cat Tien.

Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker  Yungipicus canicapillus

Stripe-breasted Woodpecker  Dendrocopos atratus A single individual seen at Ngoc Linh.

Greater Yellownape  Chrysophlegma flavinucha

Laced Woodpecker  Picus vittatus

Red-collared Woodpecker ◊  Picus rabieri A responsive bird seen at Cuc Phuong.

Common Flameback  Dinopium javanense

Greater Flameback  Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus

Pale-headed Woodpecker ◊  Gecinulus grantia Seen very well in Cat Tien.

Bay Woodpecker  Blythipicus pyrrhotis

Black-and-buff Woodpecker ◊  Meiglyptes jugularis Some great views in Cat Tien.

Collared Falconet  Microhierax caerulescens A roadside bird seen in Cat Tien.

Pied Falconet ◊  Microhierax melanoleucos One individual scoped in Phong Nha – Ke Bang NP.

Oriental Hobby  Falco severus

Red-breasted Parakeet  Psittacula alexandri

Vernal Hanging Parrot  Loriculus vernalis

Long-tailed Broadbill  Psarisomus dalhousiae Best seen at Bach Ma.

Dusky Broadbill  Corydon sumatranus A single individual seen well in Cat Tien.

Silver-breasted Broadbill  Serilophus lunatus Di Linh had the only individual we found.

Black-and-red Broadbill  Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos

Banded Broadbill  Eurylaimus javanicus

Rusty-naped Pitta ◊  Hydrornis oatesi Heard-only.

Blue-rumped Pitta ◊  Hydrornis soror Two pairs seen from Cat Tien hides.

Blue Pitta ◊  Hydrornis cyaneus A male seen from hide at Dalat, ssp. willoughbyi.

Bar-bellied Pitta  Hydrornis elliotii Fantastic views in Cat Tien.

Blue-winged Pitta ◊  Pitta moluccensis Heard-only in Cat Tien.

Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike  Hemipus picatus

Large Woodshrike  Tephrodornis virgatus

Golden-bellied Gerygone  Gerygone sulphurea

Ashy Woodswallow  Artamus fuscus

Common Iora  Aegithina tiphia

Great Iora  Aegithina lafresnayei

Grey-chinned Minivet  Pericrocotus solaris

Short-billed Minivet  Pericrocotus brevirostris A few seen at Mang Canh.

Long-tailed Minivet  Pericrocotus ethologus

Scarlet Minivet  Pericrocotus speciosus

Swinhoe’s Minivet ◊  Pericrocotus cantonensis

Rosy Minivet ◊  Pericrocotus roseus Leader-only at Cuc Phuong and near Sa Pa.

Oriental Cuckooshrike  Coracina javensis

Black-winged Cuckooshrike  Lalage melaschistos

Indochinese Cuckooshrike  Lalage polioptera

Green Shrike-babbler  Pteruthius xanthochlorus Seen briefly on Ngoc Linh.

White-browed Shrike-babbler  Pteruthius aeralatus

White-browed Shrike-babbler ◊ (Dalat S-b)  Pteruthius [aeralatus] annamensis 

Clicking Shrike-babbler  Pteruthius intermedius

White-bellied Erpornis  Erpornis zantholeuca

Maroon Oriole  Oriolus traillii

Black-hooded Oriole  Oriolus xanthornus

Black-naped Oriole  Oriolus chinensis

Slender-billed Oriole  Oriolus tenuirostris Only a non-leader bird near Dalat.

Bronzed Drongo  Dicrurus aeneus

Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo  Dicrurus remifer

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo  Dicrurus paradiseus

Hair-crested Drongo  Dicrurus hottentottus

Ashy Drongo  Dicrurus leucophaeus

Black Drongo  Dicrurus macrocercus

White-throated Fantail  Rhipidura albicollis

Malaysian Pied Fantail  Rhipidura javanica

Black-naped Monarch  Hypothymis azurea

Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher ◊  Terpsiphone affinis Best seen at Mang Canh.

Burmese Shrike  Lanius collurioides

Brown Shrike  Lanius cristatus

Long-tailed Shrike  Lanius schach

Grey-backed Shrike  Lanius tephronotus One individual seen at Tam Dao.

Eurasian Jay ◊ (White-faced J)  Garrulus [glandarius] leucotis

Red-billed Blue Magpie  Urocissa erythroryncha A small group seen at Tam Dao.

White-winged Magpie ◊  Urocissa whiteheadi  A group of five seen at Phong Nha – Ke Bang NP.

Indochinese Green Magpie ◊  Cissa hypoleuca Great views in Cuc Phuong.

Racket-tailed Treepie  Crypsirina temia

Ratchet-tailed Treepie  Temnurus temnurus

Large-billed Crow (Southern Jungle C)  Corvus macrorhynchos

Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher  Culicicapa ceylonensis

Yellow-browed Tit  Sylviparus modestus Nice views around Sa Pa.

Sultan Tit  Melanochlora sultanea

Sultan Tit ◊ (Annam S T)  Melanochlora [sultanea] gayeti

Cinereous Tit  Parus cinereus

Green-backed Tit  Parus monticolus

Green-backed Tit ◊ (Langbian T)  Parus [monticolus] legendrei Great views near Dalat.

Yellow-cheeked Tit  Machlolophus spilonotus

Indochinese Bush Lark ◊  Plocealauda erythrocephala Brief views only near Pleiku.

Ochraceous Bulbul  Alophoixus ochraceus

Puff-throated Bulbul  Alophoixus pallidus

Grey-eyed Bulbul  Iole propinqua

Ashy Bulbul ◊ (Brown-backed B)  Hemixos [flavala] remotus

Chestnut Bulbul ◊  Hemixos castanonotus

Mountain Bulbul (Southern M B)  Ixos mcclellandii

Black Bulbul (Himalayan B B)  Hypsipetes leucocephalus

Black-headed Bulbul  Brachypodius melanocephalos

Black-crested Bulbul  Rubigula flaviventris

Crested Finchbill  Spizixos canifrons A pair seen near Sa Pa.

Streak-eared Bulbul  Pycnonotus conradi

Stripe-throated Bulbul  Pycnonotus finlaysoni

Flavescent Bulbul  Pycnonotus flavescens

Brown-breasted Bulbul ◊  Pycnonotus xanthorrhous A few seen around Sa Pa.

Light-vented Bulbul (Chinese B)  Pycnonotus sinensis

Red-whiskered Bulbul  Pycnonotus jocosus

Yellow-vented Bulbul  Pycnonotus goiavier

Sooty-headed Bulbul (Southern S-h B)  Pycnonotus aurigaster

Sooty-headed Bulbul (Northern S-h B)  Pycnonotus [aurigaster] latouchei

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica

Wire-tailed Swallow  Hirundo smithii

Asian House Martin  Delichon dasypus

Eastern Red-rumped Swallow  Cecropis daurica

Scaly-breasted Cupwing (S-b Wren-Babbler)  Pnoepyga albiventer Great views on Fansipan.

Pygmy Cupwing (P Wren-Babbler)  Pnoepyga pusilla

Yellow-bellied Warbler  Abroscopus superciliaris

Rufous-faced Warbler  Abroscopus albogularis

Black-faced Warbler ◊  Abroscopus schisticeps A responsive individual seen on Ngoc Linh.

Mountain Tailorbird  Phyllergates cucullatus Heard-only.

Broad-billed Warbler ◊  Tickellia hodgsoni One individual seen near Sa Pa.

Brown-flanked Bush Warbler  Horornis fortipes A single bird seen in the Homrong Gardens at Sa Pa.

Aberrant Bush Warbler  Horornis flavolivaceus

Grey-bellied Tesia  Tesia cyaniventer

Chestnut-headed Tesia  Cettia castaneocoronata Nice views on Fansipan.

Pale-footed Bush Warbler  Hemitesia pallidipes Seen well near Tam Dao.

Black-throated Bushtit  Aegithalos concinnus

Black-throated Bushtit ◊ (Grey-crowned B)  Aegithalos [concinnus] annamensis

Buff-barred Warbler  Phylloscopus pulcher

Ashy-throated Warbler  Phylloscopus maculipennis

Yellow-browed Warbler  Phylloscopus inornatus

Pallas’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus proregulus

Radde’s Warbler  Phylloscopus schwarzi

Dusky Warbler  Phylloscopus fuscatus

Eastern Crowned Warbler  Phylloscopus coronatus

White-spectacled Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus intermedius

Grey-cheeked Warbler  Phylloscopus poliogenys

Bianchi’s Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus valentini

Two-barred Warbler  Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus tenellipes

Chestnut-crowned Warbler  Phylloscopus castaniceps

Limestone Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus calciatilis  A singing bird seen in Phong Nha – Ke Bang NP.

Sulphur-breasted Warbler  Phylloscopus ricketti

Blyth’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus reguloides

Claudia’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus claudiae

Kloss’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus ogilviegranti

Davison’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus intensior

Oriental Reed Warbler  Acrocephalus orientalis

Black-browed Reed Warbler  Acrocephalus bistrigiceps Heard-only.

Lanceolated Warbler  Locustella lanceolata

Dalat Bush Warbler ◊ (Vietnamese B-w)  Locustella idonea Great views near Dalat.

Zitting Cisticola (Double Z C)  Cisticola [juncidis] tinnabulans

Golden-headed Cisticola (Bright-headed C)  Cisticola exilis

Annam Prinia ◊  Prinia rocki  A pair seen at Di Linh.

Hill Prinia  Prinia superciliaris

Rufescent Prinia  Prinia rufescens

Grey-breasted Prinia  Prinia hodgsonii

Plain Prinia  Prinia inornata

Common Tailorbird  Orthotomus sutorius

Dark-necked Tailorbird  Orthotomus atrogularis

Indochinese Fulvetta ◊  Fulvetta danisi  A close bird on Ngoc Linh.

White-browed Fulvetta ◊ (Tonkin F)  Fulvetta [vinipectus] valentinae  Great views on Fansipan.

Grey-headed Parrotbill  Paradoxornis gularis A responsive pair seen well at Mang Canh.

Black-headed Parrotbill ◊ (Black-crowned P)  Paradoxornis margaritae  Nice views at Di Linh and north to Dalat.

Short-tailed Parrotbill ◊  Suthora davidiana Great views at Tam Dao.

Golden Parrotbill ◊  Suthora verreauxi Fantastic views of a small flock on Fansipan.

Vinous-throated Parrotbill  Suthora webbiana A mixed flock with the following species at Sa Pa.

Ashy-throated Parrotbill ◊  Suthora alphonsiana A mixed flock with the previous species at Sa Pa.

White-collared Yuhina ◊  Parayuhina diademata A few individuals around Sa Pa.

Indochinese Yuhina ◊ (Chestnut-collared Y)  Staphida torqueola A few dozen seen at Bach Ma.

Black-chinned Yuhina  Yuhina nigrimenta

Whiskered Yuhina  Yuhina flavicollis

Stripe-throated Yuhina ◊  Yuhina gularis

Swinhoe’s White-eye  Zosterops simplex

Indian White-eye (Oriental W-e)  Zosterops palpebrosus

Chestnut-capped Babbler  Timalia pileata

Grey-faced Tit-Babbler ◊  Mixornis kelleyi  Many seen in Cat Tien.

Pin-striped Tit-Babbler  Mixornis gularis

Golden Babbler  Cyanoderma chrysaeum

Rufous-capped Babbler  Cyanoderma ruficeps

Bar-winged Wren-Babbler ◊  Spelaeornis troglodytoides Brief views of a singing bird on Fansipan.

Pale-throated Wren-Babbler ◊  Spelaeornis kinneari Fantastic views near Sa Pa.

Brown-crowned Scimitar Babbler ◊ (White-throated S B)  Pomatorhinus phayrei

Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler ◊ (Sickle-b S B)  Pomatorhinus superciliaris A fantastic pair seen on Fansipan.

Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler  Pomatorhinus ruficollis Several seen at Tam Dao.

White-browed Scimitar Babbler  Pomatorhinus schisticeps

Large Scimitar Babbler  Erythrogenys hypoleucos Heard-only.

Grey-throated Babbler  Stachyris nigriceps

Sooty Babbler ◊  Stachyris herberti  Great views at Phong Nha – Ke Bang NP.

Spot-necked Babbler ◊  Stachyris strialata Several heard, a pair seen near the Lao border.

Scaly-crowned Babbler (Indochinese B)  Malacopteron [cinereum] indochinense

Rufous-winged Fulvetta  Schoeniparus castaneceps

Black-crowned Fulvetta ◊  Schoeniparus klossi  Seen from a hide near Dalat.

Rufous-throated Fulvetta  Schoeniparus rufogularis Nice views in Cuc Phuong.

Rusty-capped Fulvetta ◊  Schoeniparus dubius

Puff-throated Babbler  Pellorneum ruficeps

Buff-breasted Babbler  Pellorneum tickelli

Abbott’s Babbler  Malacocincla abbotti

Streaked Wren-Babbler ◊  Gypsophila brevicaudata Great views in Bach Ma.

Annam Limestone Babbler ◊  Gypsophila annamensis Near-endemic. Fantastic views in Cuc Phuong.

Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler ◊ (Austen’s W B)  Napothera epilepidota

Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler ◊ (Indochinese Wren-Babbler)  Napothera danjoui  Two heard in Bach Ma and finally a small group seen near the Lao border.

Black-browed Fulvetta ◊  Alcippe grotei

David’s Fulvetta ◊  Alcippe davidi

Mountain Fulvetta ◊ (Annam F)  Alcippe [peracensis] annamensis

Vietnamese Cutia ◊  Cutia legalleni  A pair seen near Dalat.

Grey-crowned Crocias ◊ Laniellus langbianis  Two birds seen in a feeding flock near Dalat.

Black-faced Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron affine A few individuals seen on Fansipan.

Red-tailed Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron milnei Fantastic views on Ngoc Linh.

Collared Laughingthrush ◊ Trochalopteron yersini  Nice views of a pair near Dalat.

Golden-winged Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron ngoclinhense  Great views on Ngoc Linh.

Black-headed Sibia ◊ (Brownish-backed S)  Heterophasia desgodinsi

Black-headed Sibia ◊ (White-spectacled S)  Heterophasia [desgodinsi] robinsoni

Blue-winged Minla  Actinodura cyanouroptera

Blue-winged Minla ◊ (Plain M)  Actinodura [cyanouroptera] orientalis

Bar-throated Minla  Actinodura strigula

Spectacled Barwing  Actinodura ramsayi A singing bird seen near Sa Pa, ssp. yunnanensis.

Black-crowned Barwing ◊  Actinodura sodangorum  Great views on Ngoc Linh.

Silver-eared Mesia  Leiothrix argentauris

Red-tailed Minla  Minla ignotincta Heard-only.

Rufous-backed Sibia ◊  Leioptila annectens Seen near Dalat, ssp. eximia.

Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush  Garrulax monileger One seen in Bach Ma, ssp. pasquieri.

White-crested Laughingthrush  Garrulax leucolophus

Black-hooded Laughingthrush ◊  Garrulax millet  Heard-only.

Grey Laughingthrush ◊  Garrulax maesi A group of at least 8 seen at Tam Dao.

Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush ◊  Garrulax castanotis A noisy flock of more than a dozen along the Laos border.

Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush ◊  Ianthocincla konkakinhensis A pair seen at the feeding site at Mang Den are the last known birds in the area.

White-cheeked Laughingthrush ◊  Pterorhinus vassali Several seen at Di Linh and around Dalat.

Black-throated Laughingthrush ◊  Pterorhinus chinensis

Masked Laughingthrush ◊  Pterorhinus perspicillatus A pair seen at Lang Co and a few more around Phong Nha.

Asian Fairy-bluebird  Irena puella

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch  Sitta frontalis

Chestnut-vented Nuthatch  Sitta nagaensis Common around Dalat, ssp. grisiventris.

Golden-crested Myna ◊  Ampeliceps coronatus Fair numbers in Cat Tien.

Common Hill Myna  Gracula religiosa Heard-only.

Great Myna (White-vented M)  Acridotheres grandis

Crested Myna ◊  Acridotheres cristatellus Best seen along the Laos border and in Phong Nha.

Common Myna  Acridotheres tristis

Vinous-breasted Myna ◊ (V-b Starling)  Acridotheres leucocephalus Best views at Di Linh.

Black-collared Starling  Gracupica nigricollis

White-shouldered Starling ◊  Sturnia sinensis A small flock at Di Linh and another few at the Lak Lake.

Chestnut-tailed Starling  Sturnia malabarica

Dark-sided Thrush ◊  Zoothera marginata One coming at a feeder near Dalat.

White’s Thrush  Zoothera aurea Seen in Bach Ma.

Siberian Thrush  Geokichla sibirica A female at a feeder near Dalat.

Orange-headed Thrush  Geokichla citrina

Chinese Blackbird  Turdus mandarinus

Black-breasted Thrush  Turdus dissimilis A few in Cuc Phuong.

Japanese Thrush ◊  Turdus cardis A few at Lang Co and many more in Cuc Phuong.

Oriental Magpie-Robin  Copsychus saularis

White-rumped Shama  Copsychus malabaricus

Ferruginous Flycatcher  Muscicapa ferruginea A migrating bird seen in Bach Ma.

Brown-breasted Flycatcher ◊  Muscicapa muttui One individual seen in Sa Pa.

Asian Brown Flycatcher  Muscicapa dauurica

White-tailed Flycatcher ◊  Leucoptilon concretum A female seen in Cuc Phuong.

Fujian Niltava ◊  Niltava davidi Females at a feeders in Mang Canh and Cuc Phuong and a male on a trail in Cuc Phuong seen well.

Rufous-bellied Niltava  Niltava sundara A male seen near Sa Pa.

Small Niltava  Niltava macgrigoriae Only a female seen at a feeder in Cuc Phuong.

Large Niltava ◊ (Dalat N)  Niltava [grandis] decorata

Blue-and-white Flycatcher  Cyanoptila cyanomelana

Verditer Flycatcher  Eumyias thalassinus

White-gorgeted Flycatcher  Anthipes monileger

Pale Blue Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis unicolor Nice views on a singing male near Mang Den.

Chinese Blue Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis glaucicomans Leader-only male in Cuc Phuong.

Hainan Blue Flycatcher  Cyornis hainanus Both klossi and hainanus races seen.

Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher  Cyornis brunneatus A single individual on migration seen in Phong Nha – Ke Bang NP.

Indochinese Blue Flycatcher  Cyornis sumatrensis Common in Cat Tien.

White-tailed Robin  Myiomela leucura

Siberian Rubythroat  Calliope calliope

Little Forktail  Enicurus scouleri A nice pair seen near Sa Pa.

Spotted Forktail  Enicurus maculatus One individual turned up at a hide near Dalat.

White-crowned Forktail  Enicurus leschenaulti Heard-only.

Blue Whistling Thrush (Yellow-billed W T)  Myophonus caeruleus

Blue Whistling Thrush (Black-billed W T)  Myophonus [caeruleus] caeruleus

Himalayan Shortwing  Brachypteryx cruralis Fantastic views on Fansipan.

Lesser Shortwing  Brachypteryx leucophris A roosting bird found in Cuc Phuong.

Lesser Shortwing ◊ (Langbian L S)  Brachypteryx [leucophris] langbianensis Good views near Dalat.

Siberian Blue Robin  Larvivora cyane

Rufous-tailed Robin ◊  Larvivora sibilans Seen at Lang Co and Cuc Phuong.

Snowy-browed Flycatcher  Ficedula hyperythra Several seen, ssp. annamensis.

Mugimaki Flycatcher  Ficedula mugimaki

Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher  Ficedula strophiata One seen on Ngoc Linh.

Sapphire Flycatcher ◊  Ficedula sapphira A pair and a male seen near Sa Pa.

Little Pied Flycatcher  Ficedula westermanni

Taiga Flycatcher  Ficedula albicilla

White-browed Bush Robin  Tarsiger indicus Great views on Fansipan, ssp. yunnanensis.

Red-flanked Bluetail  Tarsiger cyanurus

Plumbeous Water Redstart  Phoenicurus fuliginosus

Daurian Redstart  Phoenicurus auroreus

Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush  Monticola rufiventris A female and a male seen near Sa Pa.

Blue Rock Thrush  Monticola solitarius

Grey Bush Chat (G Bushchat)  Saxicola ferreus

Pied Bush Chat (P Bushchat)  Saxicola caprata

Amur Stonechat (Stejneger’s S)  Saxicola stejnegeri

Blue-winged Leafbird  Chloropsis moluccensis

Golden-fronted Leafbird  Chloropsis aurifrons

Orange-bellied Leafbird ◊ (Greyish-crowned L)  Chloropsis [hardwickii] melliana Several seen, best views in Bach Ma.

Thick-billed Flowerpecker (Modest F) Dicaeum agile

Yellow-vented Flowerpecker  Dicaeum chrysorrheum

Plain Flowerpecker  Dicaeum minullum

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker  Dicaeum ignipectus

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker  Dicaeum cruentatum

Ruby-cheeked Sunbird  Chalcoparia singalensis

Brown-throated Sunbird  Anthreptes malacensis

Van Hasselt’s Sunbird  Leptocoma brasiliana

Ornate Sunbird  Cinnyris ornatus

Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird (Scarlet-breasted S)  Aethopyga [gouldiae] dabryii

Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird ◊ (Annam S)  Aethopyga [gouldiae] annamensis  A cracking male seen near Dalat.

Green-tailed Sunbird  Aethopyga nipalensis

Fork-tailed Sunbird ◊  Aethopyga christinae good looks at a male in Cuc Phuong.

Black-throated Sunbird ◊ (Langbian S)  Aethopyga [saturata] johnsi  Seen well around Dalat.

Crimson Sunbird (Greater C S)  Aethopyga siparaja

Little Spiderhunter  Arachnothera longirostra

Streaked Spiderhunter  Arachnothera magna

Eurasian Tree Sparrow  Passer montanus

Plain-backed Sparrow ◊  Passer flaveolus One seen at the Mekong Delta.

House Sparrow  Passer domesticus

Asian Golden Weaver ◊  Ploceus hypoxanthus A few seen in Cat Tien.

Scaly-breasted Munia  Lonchura punctulata

White-rumped Munia  Lonchura striata

Eastern Yellow Wagtail (Manchurian W)  Motacilla [tschutschensis] macronyx

Grey Wagtail  Motacilla cinerea

White Wagtail (Swinhoe’s W)  Motacilla [alba] ocularis

White Wagtail (Amur W)  Motacilla [alba] leucopsis

White Wagtail (Himalayan W)  Motacilla [alba] alboides

Richard’s Pipit  Anthus richardi

Paddyfield Pipit  Anthus rufulus

Olive-backed Pipit  Anthus hodgsoni

Red-throated Pipit  Anthus cervinus

Oriental Greenfinch (Grey-capped G)  Chloris sinica

Vietnamese Greenfinch ◊  Chloris monguilloti  Nice views around Dalat.

Black-headed Greenfinch ◊  Chloris ambigua

Red Crossbill ◊ (Vietnamese C)  Loxia [curvirostra] meridionalis  A small group seen near Dalat.

Mammals
Shrew Gymnure  Neotetracus sinensis
Northern Palm Civet  Paradoxurus hermaphroditus
Yellow-throated Marten  Martes flavigula
Lesser Indo-Malayan Chevrotain (L Chevrotain)  Tragulus kanchil
Northern Red Muntjac  Muntiacus vaginalis
Sambar  Rusa unicolor
Northern Smooth-tailed Treeshrew  Dendrogale murina
Northern Treeshrew  Tupaia belangeri
Long-tailed Macaque (Crab-eating M)  Macaca fascicularis
Northern Pig-tailed Macaque  Macaca leonina
Rhesus Macaque  Macaca mulatta
Red-shanked Douc  Pygathrix nemaeus
Black-shanked Douc  Pygathrix nigripes
Delacour’s Langur (D Leaf Monkey)  Trachypithecus delacouri
Hatinh Langur (H Leaf Monkey)  Trachypithecus hatinhensis
Southern Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon (Yellow-c G)  Nomascus gabriellae
Pallas’s Squirrel (Belly-banded S)  Callosciurus erythraeus
Asian Red-cheeked Squirrel  Dremomys rufigenis
Indochinese Ground Squirrel  Menetes berdmorei
Maritime Striped Squirrel (Indochinese S S, Eastern S S)  Tamiops maritimus
Cambodian Striped Squirrel  Tamiops rodolphii
Swinhoe’s Striped Squirrel  Tamiops swinhoei
Brown Rat (introduced)  Rattus norvegicus