Birding in Asia
The most populated continent of Asia offers far more than busy cities and crowded streets. Ancient cultures, delicious foods and extraordinary biodiversity are just a few of the reasons to explore Asia.
Dancing cranes in Japan. Orangutans in Borneo. Temples in Cambodia. Spicy food in Thailand. Festivals in Bhutan. History in Vietnam. These are a few things that could become embedded into your memory.
From the mountains of the Himalayas to the lowland rainforests of Borneo there is a huge range of wildlife to be experienced, ranging from elephants and gibbons to tapirs and leopards. More than 3,800 species of birds call Asia home as well! Bornean Banded Pitta, Helmeted Hornbill and Fire-tufted Barbet are a couple of the phenomenal species that can be encountered on our Asian excursions.
Broadbills, hornbills, pheasants, pittas and trogons are some of the most colourful bird families on the Asian continent.
A large pheasant, the Great Argus, is one of the most sought after species for birders in Southeast Asia. The male is one of the largest pheasants in the world and the tail feathers are up to 143cm in length. This species can be found in lowland forests of Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, which encompasses Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand and a small piece of Myanmar.
There are a number of key birding areas spread across this massive continent. Some of these areas are Doi Inthanon National Park in northern Thailand (Thailand’s highest mountain with an impressive species list covering many habitat types where you may encounter the elusive Green Cochoa or the vibrant White-capped Redstart), the Danum Valley in northern Borneo (one of the oldest rainforests in the world where the odd, yet highly sought after Bornean Bristlehead and the spectacular Black-crowned Pitta can be found) and Cat Tien National Park in southern Vietnam (a lowland tropical forest and biosphere reserve where you could catch a glimpse of the impressive Bar-bellied Pitta or the Blue-rumped Pitta).
Thousands of migratory cranes (Hooded and White-naped) are on display in Japan in the winter time and put on quite a spectacle. The massive Steller’s Sea Eagles are also abundant and put on a show worth watching. Who knew birding in the winter time could be so much fun?
