VN Bird List Dec 2017

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VIETNAM

December 9-29, 2017

Annotated Bird List

KEY

Location Abbreviations (see Vietnam Journal notes for specific dates and location details)

Cat Tien National Park = CT

Forest Floor Lodge and vicinity = FFL

Crocodile Lake Trail = CLT

Dao Tien Endangered Primate Species Center = PC

Grassland/ Wetland = GW

DaLat = DL

Lang Biang Mountain = LBM

Tuyen Lam Lake and adjacent areas = TLL

Truc Lam Monastery = TLM

DaNang = DNG

Son Tran Mt. = STM

Linh Ung Monastery = LUM

Hoi An = HA

Ba Na Mt. = BNM

Systematics and taxonomy follow Birdlife International (2017) Avibase Checklist of Vietnam Birds. Numbers following each species indicate the maximum number of individuals found during surveys at a particular location.

Age and sex if known: ad = adult; imm = immature; m = male; f = female.

Field Materials: Bushnell Elite 8 x 40 binocular; Nikon D850 DSLR with a 200-500mm lens; Nikon SB 910 speedflash; Nexus 6 (Google) 2-13 MP, 32 GB cell phone; 3x5" notebook and waterproof pen.

BIRDS NOTED

ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae

Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica 1 flying low over lake, CLT.

Cotton Pygmy-Goose Nettapus coromandelianus 5 ad swimming together near edge of lake, CLT.

Swan Goose Anser cygnoid (introduced) 2 ad in drainage next to homestead, TLL.

Mallard (wild-type & hybrid domestics) Anas platyrhynchos 10 drainage ditch along main road, HA.

GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae

Green-legged (Scaly-breasted) Partridge Arborophila chloropus 2 ad wary, but a pair coming regularly to feeding station at bird photo blind, CT (photo).

Green-legged (Scaly-breasted) Partridge (Arborophila chloropus) Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam 17 December 2017

Germain's Peacock-Pheasant Polyplectron germaini - 1-2 heard calling twice but poorly seen; moving very quickly through dense understory in old secodary forest next to the trail, CLT.

Siamese Fireback Lophura diardi 1 f moving quickly on ground in old growth secondary forest next to the trail; responded briefly to play-back recordings, CLT.

PODICIPEDIFORMES: Podicipedidae

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 1 swimming near shore, TLL (photo).

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) Tuyen Lam Lake, DaLat Vietnam 13 December 2017

CICONIIFORMES: Ciconidae

Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala 1 flying from edge of lake into tall grass, CLT.

PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 2 (ad) edge of lake, CLT.

Great Egret Ardea alba 1 edge of lake, TLL; 50 flooded paddifield, HA.

Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia 50 ubiquitous in wetlands, paddifields, roadside ditches.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta 2 shallows near grassy shore, TLL.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 30 paddifields, HA.

Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus 2 edge of lake, CLT; 2 flooded fields, 2 GW.

Pond Heron Ardeola sp. ubiquitous in wetlands.

PELECANIFORMES: Threskiornithidae

Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus 6 flying s, in a tight flock, over canal, toward HA.

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae

Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1 ad. circling high over lake, CLT.

ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae

Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus 1 ad soaring over forest, CLT.

CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae

Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus 1 flying low across open field GW (photo).

Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) Cat Tien NP Vietnam 18 December 2017

CHARADRIIFORMES: Jacanidae

Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus 2 on mudflats at edge of lake, CLT.

Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus 1 on mudflats and grassy edge of lake, CLT.

CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1 on edge of dam and shoreline, TLL.

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae

Feral Rock Pigeon Columba livia ubiquitous in developed areas.

Red-collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica 2 flying; in trees at edge of grassland, GW.

Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis, ubiquitous,especially on edges of villages and towns (photo).

Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) Linh Ung, DaNang Vietnam 23 December 2017

Zebra Dove Geopelia striata 2 foraging on roadside, GW.

Thick-billed Pigeon Treron curvirostra 1 perched in subcanopy at edge of forest, CLT.

Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea 1 at edge of tall secondary forest at trailhead, CLT.

CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae

Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis 1 in scrubby second-growth along stream TLL; 1 BW.

Green-billed Malkoa Phaenicophaeus tristis 1 TLL (photo) ; 1 TLM (photo).

Green-billed Malkoa (Phaenicophaeus tristis) Truc Lam Lake, DaLat Vietnam 12 December 2017

Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii 1 in shrubs beneath pines, TLM; 1 calls (unseen) CLT.

Banded Bay Cuckoo (Cacomantis sonneratii) Truc Lam Monastery, DaLat Vietnam 12 December 2017

Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus 1 taking large caterpillar from ground, TLM (photo).

Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus) Truc Lam Monastery, DaLat Vietnam

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae

Great-eared Nightjar Eurostopodus macrotis 10 flying over river and adjacent forest at dusk, FFL (photo).

Great-eared Nighjar (Eurostopodus macrotis) Forest Floor Lodge, Cat Tien NP 17 December 2017

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Apodidae

Silver-backed Needletail Hirundapus cochinchinensis 4 flying over fields and woodland, LBM; 2 GW.

Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus 3 flying back and forth over forest edge, GW.

White-nest Swiftlet Collocalia fuciphaga 6 gregarious; flying back and forth, 10-50 m above second-growth, LUM.

White-nest Swiftlet (Collocalia fuciphaga) Linh Ung, DaNang Vietnam 27 December 2017

House Swift Apus nipalensis 2 flying over town, DL.

Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis 8 flying over palm-lined beach and adjacent second-growth, DNG; 2 over open fields at dusk, GW.

TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae

Orange-breasted Trogon Harpactes oreskios 1 subcanopy in tall second-growth, trailhead CLT.

BUCEROTIFORMES: Butcerotidae

Oriental Pied Hornbill Antrhacoceros albirostris 4 gregarious in fruiting trees at edge of river, FFL.

CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae

Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting 1 flushed from roadside stream-riparian, near CLT trailhead, CT.

Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis 1 flushed from perimeter road near CLT trailhead, CT.

White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 1 roadside stream, BNM; briefly at lilly pond, LUM.

Pied Kingfisher Ceryl rudis 1 flying low, upstream near park headquarters, CT.

CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae

Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni 1 sallying from an isolated tree in tall grassland, GW (photo).

Blue-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis athertoni) Cat Tien NP Vietnam 18 December 2017

Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus 12 gregarious; often paired, sometimes sharing a tree with Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters; tall grassland, GW (photo).

Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus) and CHBE, Cat Tien NP Vietnam 18 December 2017

Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti 14 gregarious in isolated trees in grassland and edge of ponds, GW (photo).

Chestnut-headed Bee-eater (Merops leschenaulti) Cat Tien NP Vietnam 18 December 2017

CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae

Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis 2 sallying to ground in grassland, GW.

Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis 1 seen briefly, flying low across open field and isolated grove of trees, GW.

PICIFORMES: Megalaimidae

Blue-eared Barbet Psilopogon ducaucelii 1 vocal in second-growth at edge of forest, trailhead, CLT.

Green-eared Barbet Psilopogon faiostrictus 1 in tall second-growth at edge of garden, LUM.

Lineated Barbet Psilopogon lineatus 1 vocal in subcanopy of forest edge, trailhead, CLT.

PICIFORMES: Picidae

Gray-capped Woodpecker Dendrocopus canicapillus 1 (f) in oaks at edge of pine woodland, LBM (photo).

Gray-capped Woodpecker (Dendrocopus canicapillus) Lang Biang Mt. DaLat Vietnam

Laced Woodpecker Picus vittatus 2 vocal; active in second-growth and edge of forest, CT.

Common Flameback Dinopium javanense 1 m in tall tree at edge of pond, GW.

FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 2 a pair on huge white statue; nest not apparent, LUM.

PASSERIFORMES: Eurylaimidae

Black- and- red Broadbill Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos 2: a pair interacting in subcanopy at trailhead, CLT (photo).

Black-and-red Broadbill (Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos) Cat Tien NP Vietnam 16 December 2017

Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus vocal in canopy at forest edge, CT (photo).

Banded Broadbill (Eurylaimus javanicus) Cat Tien NP Vietnam 15 December 2017

PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae

Blue-rumped Pitta Pitta soror imm m ID: Bright blue feathers on nape, and lower back; spotted feathering on throat. A regular visitor to photography feeding station, CT (photo).

Blue-rumped Pitta (Pitta soror) immature Cat Tien NP Vietnam 17 December 2017

Bar-bellied Pitta Pitta elliotii 1 seen briefly, running on ground in shaded understory of old-growth secondary forest, CLT.

PASSERIFORMES: Vangidae

Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis gularis 1 perched high in outer canopy at edge of forest, trailhead CLT.

PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae

Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus 1 sallying over pond and second-growth, GW.

PASSERIFORMES: Aegithinidae

Common Iora Aegithina tiphia ubiquitous, usually solitary or in mixed species flocks in second-growth and gardens.

Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia) Cat Tien NP Vietnam 16 December 2017

Great Iora Aegithina lafresnayei 1 in subcanopy at forest edge, CT (photo).

Great Iora (Aegithina lafresnayei) Cat Tien NP Vietnam 15 December 2017

PASSERIFORMES: Camphephagidae

Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus 1 sallying and snatch-gleaning from foliage in subcanopy of old secondary forest, trailhead, CLT.

PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae

Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus 1 imm low perch at edge of vacant lot, base of STM (photo).

Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus) immature Son Tran Mt. DaNang Vietnam 26 December 2017

Burmese Shrike Lanius collurioides 1 sallying to mowed grass in urban park, DL (photo); 1 in tree, open field, GW.

Burmese Shrike (Lanius collurioides) DaLat Vietnam 10 December 2017

PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae

Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis 3 DL; 1 STM.

Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus 4 vocal; subcanopy at edge of forest and open areas, CT; BW.

PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae

Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus ubiquitous; gregarious in second-growth, gardens, edge of forest; often in mixed species flocks (photo).

Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus) Lang Biang Mt. DaLat Vietnam 11 December 2017

Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus 2 subcanopy at edge of forest, trailhead, CLT (photo).

Bronzed Drongo (Dicrurus aneneus) Cat Tien NP Vietnam 16 December 2017

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus 1 roadside forest, CT; 1 trees at edge of garden, LUM (photo).

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus) Linh Ung, DaNang Vietnam 27 December 2017

PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae

Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea 1 seen briefly at edge of tall secondary forest at trailhead, CLT.

PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae

Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius 3 active in pine woodlands near park entrance, LBM (photo).

Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) Lang Biang Mt. DaLat Vietnam 11 December 2017

Racket-tailed Treepie Crypsirina temia in trees at edge of garden, LUM (photo).

Racket-tailed Treepie (Crypsirina temia) Linh Ung, DaNang Vietnam 23 December 2017

PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 2 flyng low over fields, BW.

Common House Martin Delichon urbicum 2 flying over town, DL.

PASSERIFORMES: Paridae

Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus 3 vocal, active in mid to upper level of pines, LBM (photo).

Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus) Lang Biang Mt. DaLat Vietnam 11 December 2017

PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae

Chestnut-vented Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis 1 in pines, LB (photo).

Chestnut-vented Nuthatch (Sitta nagaensis) Lang Biang Mt. DaLat Vietnam 11 December 2017

PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae

Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps 4 gregarious in understory of pine forest-coffee plantation, LBM; 2 edge of forest in bamboo thickets and early successional second-growth, trailhead, CLT.

Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus 2 active in shrubs and second-growth near lakeshore, TLL (photo); 2 STM.

Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) Tuyen Lam Lake, DaLat Vietnam 13 December

Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster gregarious, ubiquitous in early successional second-growth, gardens, parks; also pine woodland, LBM.

Sooty-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus aurigaster) DaLat Vietnam 10 December 2017

Stripe-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus finlaysoni vocal; often solitary or in pairs; ubiquitous in early successional second-growth, gardens with dense cover (photo).

Stripe-throated Bulbul (Pycnonotus finlaysoni) Linh Ung, DaNang Vietnam 27 December 2017

Streak-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus conradi 2 mid-level in trees at edge of forest, trailhead CLT.

Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus 4 gregarious in pine forests and sparsely wooded areas; often in mixed species flocks, LB; 6 TL (photo).

Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus) Tuyen Lam Lake, DaLat Vietnam 13 December 2017

PASSERIFORMES: Phylloscopidae

Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus 1 active on ground and low shrubs, trees; second-growth bordering lilly pond, LUM (photo).

Dusky Warbler (Phylloscopus fuscatus) Linh ung, DaNang Vietnam 27 December 2017

Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus ubiquitous; usually solitary or loosely associated with other bird species in trees, shrubs, sometimes on the ground (photo).

Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus) Linh Ung, DaNang Vietnam 27 December 2017

Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis 1 foraging in outer foliage of deciduous trees second-growth and trees,lakeside, CLT.

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus tenellipes 1 in lakeside deciduous tree, CLT.

PASSERIFORMES: Acrocephalidae

Oriental Reed Warbler Acrocephalus orientalis 1 briefly popped up in tall grass at lakeside, CLT.

PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae

Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius 2 vocal; roadside second-growth, CT; 1 vocal, STM.

Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis 2 second-growth, edge of forest, CT; vocal; roadside second-growth STM (photo), overgrown edge of garden, LUM.

Dark-necked Tailorbird (Orthotomus atrogularis) Son Tran Mt. DaNang Vietnam 26 December 2017

Hill Prinia Prinia superciliaris 1 flowering shrubs and other dense second-growth at lakeside, TLL (photo).

Hill Prinia (Prinia superciliaris) Tuyen Lam Lake, DaLat Vietnam 13 December 2017

Rufescent Prinia Prinia rufescens 1 dense streamside shrubs adjacent to weedy field, TLL.

PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae

Japanese White Eye Zosterops japonica 3 vocal, gregarious; in roadside second-growth, n side of STM.

PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae

Pin-striped Tit-Babbler Mixornis gularis 5 active in roadside second-growth, CT, CLT (photo).

Pin-striped Tit-Babbler (Mixornis gularis) Son Tran Mt. DaNang 26 December 2017

PASSERIFORMES: Pellorneidae

Abbott's Babbler Malacocincla abbotti 1 irregular visitor to photo bird blind feeding station, CT (photo) ; 2 CLT.

Abbott's Babbler (Malacocincla abbotti) Cat Tien NP Vietnam 15 December 2017

PASSERIFORMES: Irenidae

Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella 1 perched in outer canopy at edge of forest, trailhead CLT.

PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae

Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica 2 roadside second-growth, STM; limbs and snags around lily pond, LUM (photo).

Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica) Son Tran Mt. DaNang 26 December 2017

Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis 1 LUM.

White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus 2 m,f regular visitor to photography blind feeding station (photo); 2 CLT.

White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus) m (left), f (right) Cat Tien NP Vietnam 15 December 2017

Hainan Blue Flycatcher Cyornis hainanus 1 mid-to lower levels of tall second-growth at trailhead, CLT.

Blue-throated Flycatcher Cyornis rubeculoides 1 regular visitor to photography blind feeding station, CT.

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae 1 1 staying low at edge of garden trees and shrubs, LUM (photo).

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis tickelliae) Linh Ung, DaNang Vietnam 23 December 2017

Siberian Blue Robin Luscinia cyanae 1 m regular visitor to photography blind feeding station, CT (photo).

Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula parva 1 f staying low on perches in and around lily pond and garden, LUM (photo).

Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) fem Linh Ung DaNang, Vietnam 27 December 2017

Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 1 roadside second-growth with small trees, STM (photo).

Daurian Redstart (Phoenicurus auroreus) male Son Tran Mt. DaNang Vietnam 26 December 2017

Blue-rock Thrush Monticola solitarius 1 f on rocky slope, n side of STM (photo).

Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius) fem Son Tran Mt. DaNang Vietnam 26 December 2017

Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus 1 edge of weedy lot at base of STM.

Gray Bushchat Saxicola ferrea 2 m,f vocal; roadsidein pine woodland, TLM (photo).

Gray Bushchat (Saxicola ferrea) male Truc Lam Monastery DaLat Vietnam 12 December 2017

Plumbeous Redstart Rhyacornis fuluginosus 1 f flushed from rock on small but steady-flowing stream in weedy field, TTL.

PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae

Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 2 on roadside in weedy lot at base of STM (photo).

Chinese Blackbird (Turdus mandarinus) Son Tran Mt. DaNang Vietnam 26 December 2017

PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae

Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 4 gregarious; on lawns in urban park, DL.

Vinous-breasted Starling Acridotheres burmannicus 8 gregarious; scrubby second growth next to stream, TLL (photo); 3, open fields with trees, GW (photo).

Vinous-breasted Starling (Acridotheres burmannicus) Cat Tien NP Vietnam 18 December 2017

PASSERIFORMES: Chloropseidae

Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis 4 forest second-growth, FFL; CLT (photo).

Blue-winged Leafbird (Chloropsis cochinchinensis) male Cat Tien NP Vietnam 15 December 2017

PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae

Yellow-vented Flowerpecker Dicaeum chrysorrheum 2 trailside second-growth, CLT, FFL (photo)

Yellow-vented Flowerpecker (Dicaeum chrysorrheum) Forest Floor Lodge, Cat Tien NP Vietnam 15 December 2017

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum 1 m lakeside second-growth, CLT.

PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae

Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Anthreptes singalensis 1 f in tall second-growth with flowering vines, trailhead, CLT.

Van Hasselt's Sunbird Leptocoma sperata 1 m edge of tall second-growth with flowering vines, trailhead, CLT.

Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus 1 f in tall second-growth with flowers and vines, trailhead, CLT.

Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja 2 m,f gardens with flowers and roadside second-growth, LUM, STM (photo).

Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja) male Son Tran Mt. DaNang Vietnam 26 December 2017

Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra 1 foraging quickly in tall second growth with vines, trailhead, CLT.

PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae

Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1 on lakeshore, TLL (photo) ; 1 briefly at edge of lily pond, LUM.

Gray Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) Tuyen Lam Lake DaLat Vietnam 13 December 2017

White Wagtail Motacilla alba 2 on upper main beach near small drainage, DNG (photo).

White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) main beach DaNang Vietnam 23 December 2017

PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous in gardens and weedy fields adjacent to buildings throughout, DLT, CT, DNG

PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae

White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata 6 in grassy meadow next to pond, GW.

Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata gregarious in flocks of 6-12 birds; ubiqitous in weedy roadside fields and second-growth.