Field Guides Tour Report Thailand 2013

Jan 12, 2013 to Feb 2, 2013 Dave Stejskal & Uthai Treesucon For our tour description, itinerary, past triplists, dates, fees, and more, please VISIT OUR TOUR PAGE.

One of two splendid male Silver Pheasants (along with several females) that strolled out onto the road ahead of us at Khao Yai NP. (Photo by guide Dave Stejskal)

Weather was again predictably great on this year's tour, with dry conditions and temps that weren't too hot or too cold anywhere, really. The one anomaly was that afternoon at Thaton - where the heck did that rain come from?! That storm system sure made the birding up on Doi Lang the next morning awfully pleasant, so I think it worked out well, overall, though we missed a couple of open country/paddy in Thaton because of it.

As is true with most years, the trip started off with a bang early on when we located one of the wintering Spoon-billed Sandpipers and a stray Chinese Egret among the throngs of more common waders and waterbirds along the coast south of Bangkok. Then we were off and running with a stay at Khao Yai NP, where goodies like Silver Pheasant, Siamese Fireback, Long-tailed Broadbill, Banded Kingfisher, and Black-and-buff Woodpecker spiced up the tally of more widespread Asian fare that we were introduced to there. Then it was off to Kaeng Krachan NP to the southwest of Bangkok, where we found a number of birds that are more indicative of the Malay Peninsula than they are of areas north of there. Prizes during our three and a half days of birding there included a male Kalij Pheasant in the road for all, a pair of day-roosting White-fronted Scops-Owls, a stunning pair of Black-and-red Broadbills, the incomparable Great Slaty Woodpecker, the amazing Ratchet-tailed Treepie, gaudy Red-bearded Bee-eater, four species of spectacular hornbills, and a surprise Gaur at a watering hole late one afternoon.

We changed gears after Kaeng Krachan and flew north to Chiang Mai, leaving the Sundaic and Indochinese avian influences behind us in the south. In the northwest, we sampled the riches of five different mountain ranges where the major influence comes from the vast Himalayan region to the north and west. Our first mountain birding, on Doi Inthanon (Thailand's highest peak), proved to be the most productive, in terms of new species seen. Highlights were numerous and included the likes of Rufous-throated Partridge, Black-tailed Crake, Blossom-headed Parakeet, White-bellied Woodpecker, Dark-sided Thrush, both Slaty-backed and Black-backed forktails, Gray-headed Parrotbill, stunning Green-tailed and Gould's sunbirds, and the delightful Slaty-bellied Tesia.

Our next three mountain venues weren't as rich as Inthanon, but each held it's own treasures. Doi Chiang Dao gave us great looks at Giant Nuthatch, a local specialty that occurs just here and in adjacent Myanmar and s. China, while Doi Ang Khang yielded Mountain Scops-Owl and an amazing Hodgson's Frogmouth one night, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Scarlet-faced Liocichla, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, and Vivid Niltava, among many others. Doi Lang, our next venue, provided a lot of excitement in a short period of time with the best being fabulous looks at White-browed, White-necked, and Spot-breasted laughingthrushes, close Mountain Bamboo-Partridge, a male White-bellied Redstart in the open, endearing Black-throated Tits, and our only Whiskered Yuhina.

We wrapped up this tour with some birding around Chiang Mai where we scored on several rare Green Peafowl east of the city, flushed a pair of Greater Painted-Snipe and picked out a brilliant male Red Avadavat in the paddies outside of town, and finished with an almost unheard of scope look at Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler and yet another Vivid Niltava on Doi Suthep.

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 1 A special thanks goes out to Wat and his crew for making this trip so comfortable and worry-free for us. Without his hard work, excellent picnic meal cooking, and cheery company, this certainly would have been a different trip! Thanks also to my co-leader Uthai Treesucon, Thailand's premier native birder, for his steady and expert leadership in spite of his recently injured foot! And thanks to all of you for your good companionship throughout - I hope to see all of you again sometime soon!

--Dave

KEYS FOR THIS LIST One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant

BIRDS Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl) LESSER WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna javanica) – We finally caught up with this one on our last full morning of the tour near Chiangmai. COTTON PYGMY-GOOSE (Nettapus coromandelianus) – A few female-plumaged birds in Rangsit constituted our only sighting of the tour. Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies) RUFOUS-THROATED PARTRIDGE (Arborophila rufogularis) – A couple of these sneaking through the dense understory atop Doi Inthanon were seen by all. It was also great to hear them calling at such close range in the bog! SCALY-BREASTED PARTRIDGE (Arborophila chloropus) – A single just off the road edge in Kaeng Krachan NP was a nice surprise. We hear them every trip, but rarely do we see them so well. MOUNTAIN BAMBOO-PARTRIDGE (Bambusicola fytchii) – Not one, but TWO great views of this skulker on Doi Angkhang and on Doi Lang! RED JUNGLEFOWL (Gallus gallus) – Nicely at Khao Yai NP and on the last morning near Chiangmai. KALIJ PHEASANT (Lophura leucomelanos hamiltoni) – A single male in the road in front of our vans at Kaeng Krachan was unexpected. Robson treats these birds as a race of Silver Pheasant, but see Moulin, et al. in the journal Ibis (2003). SILVER PHEASANT (Lophura nycthemera) – We typically have to drive higher to see this one, so our two males & multiple females lower down the mountain were a wonderful surprise on our first morning at Khao Yai NP. SIAMESE FIREBACK (Lophura diardi) – We had multiple sightings of Thailand's national bird at Khao Yai NP this year. GRAY PEACOCK-PHEASANT (Polyplectron bicalcaratum) – Heard by all, but seen by the lead van only in Kaeng Krachan NP. GREEN PEAFOWL (Pavo muticus) – At least five of these extraordinary birds were roosting/feeding at the edge of the lake at the King's Project near Chiangmai on that final morning. Podicipedidae (Grebes) LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis) Ciconiidae (Storks) ASIAN OPENBILL (Anastomus oscitans) – In and near Bangkok only. That single stork that we had flying overhead at Kaeng Krachan was very likely this species. Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags) INDIAN CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) – A single bird among the much more common and smaller Little Cormorants gave us a good comparison on the first full morning south of Bangkok. LITTLE CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax niger) Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns) YELLOW BITTERN (Ixobrychus sinensis) – We all ended up with good looks of this one in Rangsit. BLACK BITTERN (Ixobrychus flavicollis) – A single flyby at Rangsit was a nice surprise there. GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) [b] PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) [b] GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – There may be a split of this one coming up soon (split from the New World birds). INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia) [b] CHINESE EGRET (Egretta eulophotes) – This rare egret is being found more regularly in the Laem Pak Bia area. [b] LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) PACIFIC REEF-HERON (Egretta sacra) – Both dark- and light-morph birds at Laem Pak Bia. CATTLE EGRET (ASIAN) (Bubulcus ibis coromandus) CHINESE POND-HERON (Ardeola bacchus) – All of the pond-herons away from the coast and the Bangkok area are presumed to be this species, though we never saw one in alternate plumage. [b] JAVAN POND-HERON (Ardeola speciosa) – Well, sometimes you get lucky with this one in January. That full alternate-plumaged adult near Laem Pak Bia was a remarkable find for the season! STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) Pandionidae (Osprey) OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) [b] Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 2 JERDON'S BAZA (Aviceda jerdoni) – A distant soaring bird at Khao Yai NP didn't give us much of a look. ORIENTAL HONEY-BUZZARD (Pernis ptilorhynchus) – We saw a variety of confusing plumages of this one throughout. BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans) [b] BRAHMINY KITE (Haliastur indus) [N] CRESTED SERPENT-EAGLE (Spilornis cheela) – Mostly on the first half of the tour. PIED HARRIER (Circus melanoleucos) – A single female-plumaged bird just north of Chiangmai as we headed to Chiang Dao. [b] CRESTED GOSHAWK (Accipiter trivirgatus) – Those fluffy white undertail coverts in flight are a good mark for this one. SHIKRA (Accipiter badius) – Typically the most common of the Accipiters at this season. JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter gularis) – A couple of birds in flight only. This one's the size and shape of our Sharp-shinned Hawk. [b] RUFOUS-WINGED BUZZARD (Butastur liventer) – Very tough to pick out against the background of leafless trees on the final morning. COMMON BUZZARD (JAPONICUS) (Buteo buteo japonicus) – We normally see more than just the one bird we had this year on Doi Inthanon. [b] CHANGEABLE HAWK-EAGLE (Nisaetus cirrhatus) – Maybe one of the most surprising sights on this tour was seeing this one flying down the highway just east of Chiangmai on the final morning. MOUNTAIN HAWK-EAGLE (Nisaetus nipalensis) – Brian spotted our first bird soaring just beyond the clearing at Doi Chiang Dao. Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras) WHITE-RUMPED FALCON (Polihierax insignis) [*] COLLARED FALCONET (Microhierax caerulescens) – These little guys were pretty much a no-show in the dry forest on the lower slopes of Doi Inthanon. Only one bird was briefly seen by some as it flew overhead. BLACK-THIGHED FALCONET (Microhierax fringillarius) – This tiny falcon has been getting quite difficult to track down in Kaeng Krachan NP, but we enjoyed prolonged looks of one bird right next to the road this year. EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) – I was a little surprised to see one far to the south near Kaeng Krachan. [b] PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots) WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN (Amaurornis phoenicurus) – The most widespread rallid of the tour. BLACK-TAILED CRAKE (Amaurornis bicolor) – These birds hadn't been seen for a few months prior to our visit, according to Mr. Deang, but we coaxed a pair out for decent views. RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKE (Porzana fusca) – We finally nailed this one at the King's project near Laem Pak Bia. WATERCOCK (Gallicrex cinerea) – A single bird on our first afternoon together near Wat Phai Lom. PURPLE SWAMPHEN (BLACK-BACKED) (Porphyrio porphyrio viridis) – Mostly heard at Rangsit. EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) Burhinidae (Thick-knees) INDIAN THICK-KNEE (Burhinus indicus) – We tracked down a couple of these strange shorebirds for some great looks on the grounds of our Kaeng Krachan lodging. A recent split from the Eurasian Thick-knee. Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings) GRAY-HEADED LAPWING (Vanellus cinereus) – These scarce wintering plovers were much more widespread than usual this year. [b] RED-WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus indicus atronuchalis) – Very widespread on this tour. There's been some recent talk of splitting this eastern race from the others, so watch for a change sometime soon. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) [b] PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis fulva) [b] LESSER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius mongolus) – Also known as Mongolian Plover. The most common of the two sand-plovers on the coast here. [b] GREATER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius leschenaultii) – Not always very easy to separate from the above, but it helps to have them side-by-side for a comparison. [b] MALAYSIAN PLOVER (Charadrius peronii) – We had decent numbers again on the spit at Laem Pak Bia. Like our Piping Plover, this one is threatened by development of the beaches in the region. KENTISH PLOVER (KENTISH) (Charadrius alexandrinus alexandrinus) – This was the most common race that we saw along the coast. A recent split from our Snowy Plover. [b] KENTISH PLOVER (KENTISH) (Charadrius alexandrinus dealbatus) – This form, informally known as the "White-faced" Plover, is quite rare along the coasts of e./s.e. Asia. It's true taxonomic standing hasn't yet been determined, but it may be a previously unrecognized "crypto-species". [b] LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius dubius) – We likely saw a couple of different races on this tour, the migrant C.d. curonicus, and the resident C.d. jerdoni (the former were in non-breeding plumage, and the latter were in breeding plumage). Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets) BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta) – A distant big flock near Laem Pak Bia. Virtually unknown in the country a few decades ago. [b] Jacanidae (Jacanas) PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA (Hydrophasianus chirurgus) BRONZE-WINGED JACANA (Metopidius indicus) – Much more common than the above in the Bangkok area. Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 3 COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) [b] GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus) [b] SPOTTED REDSHANK (Tringa erythropus) [b] COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) [b] NORDMANN'S GREENSHANK (Tringa guttifer) – A couple of distant birds at Laem Pak Bia. These have become pretty regular in winter here, but they're always difficult to track down given the expansive habitat and the huge number of shorebirds here. [b] MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis) [b] WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) [b] COMMON REDSHANK (Tringa totanus) – Not as common as the name would lead you to believe. Far outnumbered by the Spotted Redshank. [b] EURASIAN CURLEW (Numenius arquata) – We never did get to scrutinize the huge flock of curlews present just to the south of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper habitat. [b] BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (SIBERIAN) (Limosa limosa melanuroides) – Much more common along the coast s. of Bangkok than the next species. [b] BAR-TAILED GODWIT (SIBERIAN) (Limosa lapponica baueri) – Most of these birds winter much farther south than coastal Thailand. [b] RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) [b] GREAT KNOT (Calidris tenuirostris) – Another species that winters more commonly much farther south, but this large flock near Laem Pak Bia has been a regular feature here for many years. [b] SANDERLING (Calidris alba) [b] RED-NECKED STINT (Calidris ruficollis) – The common 'peep', or stint, along the coast here. [b] LONG-TOED STINT (Calidris subminuta) – The Old World counterpart of our familiar Least Sandpiper. [b] CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea) [b] SPOON-BILLED SANDPIPER (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus) – Much of our morning along the coast south of Bangkok was devoted to finding this critically threatened shorebird. While it took some time, with other more common species taking the back seat during those first few hours, we all came away with satisfying views of this unique shorebird. Total numbers of this bird worldwide may have dwindled to a few hundred birds - pretty scary! [b] BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER (Limicola falcinellus) – Somewhat reminiscent of a winter-plumaged Western Sandpiper. [b] RUFF (Philomachus pugnax) – A few of these for about half of the group late in the afternoon near Laem Pak Bia. [b] COMMON SNIPE (Gallinago gallinago) [b] PIN-TAILED SNIPE (Gallinago stenura) – We had a chance to compare this one with the very similar Common Snipe at the King's project near Laem Pak Bia. [b] EURASIAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax rusticola) – Jim spotted this big guy sitting quietly in the bog atop Doi Inthanon. Rostratulidae (Painted-Snipes) GREATER PAINTED-SNIPE (Rostratula benghalensis) – A couple of these flushed for some decent views east of Chiangmai. Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers) BROWN-HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus) [b] LITTLE TERN (Sternula albifrons) GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica) [b] CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia) [b] WHITE-WINGED TERN (Chlidonias leucopterus) – A single bird on the beach at the point at Laem Pak Bia. [b] WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) [b] COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo) [b] GREAT CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bergii) – Several on the beach at the Laem Pak Bia spit. A highly pelagic species. Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves) ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I] SPECKLED WOOD-PIGEON (Columba hodgsonii) – Always at the same spot along the road at the same time each morning. RED COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia tranquebarica) SPOTTED DOVE (Streptopelia chinensis) BARRED CUCKOO-DOVE (Macropygia unchall) – Nice looks at a bunch of these coming down to the salt lick next to the road early one morning at Khao Yai. LITTLE CUCKOO-DOVE (Macropygia ruficeps) – A single flyby for a few folks high in Kaeng Krachan NP. EMERALD DOVE (Chalcophaps indica) ZEBRA DOVE (Geopelia striata) THICK-BILLED PIGEON (Treron curvirostra) – That adult with the newly-fledged young at Kaeng Krachan was quite a sight! [N] YELLOW-VENTED PIGEON (Treron seimundi) – We were very lucky with this uncommon species at Kaeng Krachan. WEDGE-TAILED PIGEON (Treron sphenurus) – We found more of these pigeons than usual on this year's tour. Mostly a higher elevation green- pigeon species. MOUNTAIN IMPERIAL-PIGEON (Ducula badia) – The largest of the many columbids on this tour. Psittacidae (Parrots) ALEXANDRINE PARAKEET (Psittacula eupatria) – Since most of the nest trees are now gone at this site, it's a good thing that they've taken to nesting under the roof tiles at the wat!

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 4 BLOSSOM-HEADED PARAKEET (Psittacula roseata) – Numbers of these were way down from their peak several years ago. Nice looks in the scopes near our lodging. RED-BREASTED PARAKEET (Psittacula alexandri) – Always the easiest of the Psittacula parakeets to find on this tour. VERNAL HANGING-PARROT (Loriculus vernalis) – This one's not always that easy to see perched. Cuculidae (Cuckoos) LARGE HAWK-CUCKOO (Hierococcyx sparverioides) – Uthai & Carol may have been the only ones in the group to see this one at Kaeng Krachan one afternoon. [b] BANDED BAY CUCKOO (Cacomantis sonneratii) – A pretty common voice throughout, but we saw very few. PLAINTIVE CUCKOO (Cacomantis merulinus) – Our best was at Rangsit. ASIAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx maculatus) – All of the female-plumaged birds that we saw early on were migrants headed north. VIOLET CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus) [*] ASIAN DRONGO-CUCKOO (Surniculus lugubris) – An excellent scope study along the lower road in Kaeng Krachan NP. If you didn't look at it closely, you'd swear it was just another drongo! ASIAN KOEL (Eudynamys scolopaceus) – Almost every day of the tour, at least by voice. GREEN-BILLED MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus tristis) – Easily the most common and widespread malkoha on this itinerary and the only one north of Kaeng Krachan. RAFFLES'S MALKOHA (Phaenicophaeus chlorophaeus) – Decent looks in flight in Kaeng Krachan NP. GREATER COUCAL (Centropus sinensis) – The coucals and the malkohas are the only non-parasitic cuckoos that we saw on this tour. LESSER COUCAL (Centropus bengalensis) Strigidae (Owls) WHITE-FRONTED SCOPS-OWL (Otus sagittatus) – WOWWWW!!!! It had been several years since I had seen these birds in the park, so it's great to know they're back on their roost site! Until about 15 years ago, this bird enjoyed near-mythical status. MOUNTAIN SCOPS-OWL (Otus spilocephalus) – How lucky can you get? There was one tiny hole through the canopy where we could scope this tiny scops-owl. We're fortunate that he likes to sing from the same spot for long periods of time! COLLARED SCOPS-OWL (Otus lettia) – We eventually got a good look at this one right above our rooms at Kaeng Krachan. ORIENTAL SCOPS-OWL (Otus sunia) – Another lucky find, this one stayed put for the entire time, calling from the same narrow crotch in the tree. SPOT-BELLIED EAGLE-OWL (Bubo nipalensis) – A nice one to cap off our day in Chiang Dao! COLLARED OWLET (Glaucidium brodiei) – Seen nicely from the roadside early one morning at Khao Yai. We heard this one many times over throughout the tour - in fact, I think I hear it now... ASIAN BARRED OWLET (Glaucidium cuculoides) – Another bird that we heard countless times during the tour, but we did have one nice visual encounter with it in Kaeng Krachan NP. SPOTTED OWLET (Athene brama) BROWN HAWK-OWL (Ninox scutulata) – Good scope looks of a roosting pair at Kaeng Krachan NP. Podargidae (Frogmouths) HODGSON'S FROGMOUTH (Batrachostomus hodgsoni) – YESSSSSS!!!! One last stop was all we needed to get a look at this rarely-seen species on Doi Angkhang. Nice spotting, Brian! Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies) GREAT EARED-NIGHTJAR (Eurostopodus macrotis) [*] LARGE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus macrurus) – Nicely at close range right outside our cabins at Kaeng Krachan. INDIAN NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus asiaticus) – Another close encounter, but difficult to see well in the dim light. Apodidae (Swifts) HIMALAYAN SWIFTLET (Aerodramus brevirostris) – This is the only swiftlet along our route away from the coastal plain near Bangkok. GERMAN'S SWIFTLET (Aerodramus germani) – Ever since those 'swift houses' were built along the coast near Phetchaburi, this one has become much easier to see. PACIFIC SWIFT (Apus pacificus) – This species was recently split into four, and there is a breeding form in Thailand (Cook's Swift, A. cooki). The only birds that we did see were migrant Pacifics from the north. Formerly called the Fork-tailed Swift. [b] HOUSE SWIFT (Apus nipalensis) – Nesting/roosting at the cave temple in Chiang Dao. ASIAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus balasiensis) – Almost daily on this tour. Hemiprocnidae (Treeswifts) CRESTED TREESWIFT (Hemiprocne coronata) – I was really surprised that we didn't see them at the Chiangmai airport, but we did find a big swirling flock of them at the Mae Tang irrigation dam near Chiangmai. Trogonidae (Trogons) RED-HEADED TROGON (Harpactes erythrocephalus) [*] ORANGE-BREASTED TROGON (Harpactes oreskios) – A couple of fabulous looks at this beauty in Khao Yai and Kaeng Krachan. Alcedinidae (Kingfishers) COMMON KINGFISHER (Alcedo atthis) [b] BANDED KINGFISHER (Lacedo pulchella) – This is the one that hooked Uthai so many years ago. WHITE-THROATED KINGFISHER (Halcyon smyrnensis) – Just another stunning Old World kingfisher. BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon pileata) [b]

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 5 COLLARED KINGFISHER (Todiramphus chloris) – Gorgeous - even in the fading light. Meropidae (Bee-eaters) RED-BEARDED BEE-EATER (Nyctyornis amictus) – This stunner played hard to get with us at Kaeng Krachan, but we finally prevailed. BLUE-BEARDED BEE-EATER (Nyctyornis athertoni) – Normally a difficult bird to find on this tour, we had one land right next to the group at eye- level at our bat cave vigil site. GREEN BEE-EATER (Merops orientalis) – We had a few nice looks, but that big flock of 100+ that we flushed from a roost site near Doi Inthanon as we headed in on the trail for some nightbirding was really incredible! BLUE-TAILED BEE-EATER (Merops philippinus) – Scarce on this trip this year. CHESTNUT-HEADED BEE-EATER (Merops leschenaulti) – I always thought that this one was the more gregarious species in Thailand, but flushing that flock of Green Bee-eaters near Doi Inthanon makes me reconsider that impression. Coraciidae (Rollers) INDIAN ROLLER (Coracias benghalensis) DOLLARBIRD (Eurystomus orientalis) – Relatively scarce and local on this tour. Upupidae (Hoopoes) EURASIAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops) – A little more widespread and numerous than usual this year. Bucerotidae (Hornbills) ORIENTAL PIED-HORNBILL (Anthracoceros albirostris) – Typically, this one's the most common and widespread of the hornbills on this tour. GREAT HORNBILL (Buceros bicornis) – Although we had some super views of this one, they seemed to be rather scarce in both Khao Yai and at Kaeng Krachan this year. RUSTY-CHEEKED HORNBILL (Anorrhinus tickelli) – A rather recent split from the very similar Brown Hornbill to the east. WREATHED HORNBILL (Aceros undulatus) – The big hornbills were scarce this year in the national parks near Bangkok - we only had a single pair of these one morning at Kaeng Krachan. Megalaimidae (Asian Barbets) GREAT BARBET (Megalaima virens) – This one occurs higher than most of the other species of barbets on this tour. The voice is very distinctive. LINEATED BARBET (Megalaima lineata) – This one's most common in the dry forests at low elevations. GREEN-EARED BARBET (Megalaima faiostricta) – We finally tracked one of these down in Kaeng Krachan NP for some good looks at the lower campground. RED-THROATED BARBET (Megalaima mystacophanos) – This one was really backlit, unfortunately. GOLDEN-THROATED BARBET (Megalaima franklinii) – This one is the high-elevation species on this tour. BLUE-THROATED BARBET (Megalaima asiatica) – Heard many times in the foothills throughout, but we all had nice views at our lovely picnic lunch spot in Kaeng Krachan. MOUSTACHED BARBET (Megalaima incognita) – Most common at Khao Yai NP on this tour, though it is possible to see in Kaeng Krachan as well. BLUE-EARED BARBET (Megalaima australis) – This one frustrated us in Khao Yai NP, but we all caught up with it at Kaeng Krachan late one afternoon. COPPERSMITH BARBET (Megalaima haemacephala) Picidae (Woodpeckers) EURASIAN WRYNECK (Jynx torquilla) – Strange to see this one foraging on the ground out in a rice paddy...but it's actually pretty typical behavior on the wintering grounds here. SPECKLED PICULET (Picumnus innominatus) – We enjoyed good looks of a male on Doi Angkhang at the end of the trip. It's hard to believe that this could be in the same genus as the New World piculets. WHITE-BROWED PICULET (Sasia ochracea) – This one never really behaved well for the group at Kaeng Krachan, but I think everyone got some sort of a look. GRAY-CAPPED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos canicapillus) – Most common in the drier pine and dipterocarp forests. STRIPE-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos atratus) – This pine specialist was well-seen on Doi Inthanon. CRIMSON-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos cathpharius) – This one didn't stick around for long after it flew over our picnic lunch spot on Doi Lang. RUFOUS WOODPECKER (Celeus brachyurus) – A pair of these on a steep slope on Doi Chiang Dao gave us some trouble as we tried to get a look at our first Giant Nuthatch. WHITE-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus javensis) – After flying back and forth across the road a couple of times, this magnificent woodpecker eventually settled down long enough for a distant, but decent, view in the scope. LESSER YELLOWNAPE (Picus chlorolophus) – We couldn't have improved on the looks we had of this one at our break spot on Doi Chiang Dao. GREATER YELLOWNAPE (Picus flavinucha) [*] BLACK-HEADED WOODPECKER (Picus erythropygius) – Very difficult this year in the dry forest on the lower slopes of Doi Inthanon. GRAY-FACED WOODPECKER (Picus canus hessei) – A little too responsive at Kaeng Krachan NP. COMMON FLAMEBACK (Dinopium javanense) – This one behaved much better for us than the above species, giving us all good looks in the scopes. GREATER FLAMEBACK (Chrysocolaptes lucidus) – Our most widespread woodpecker species. BAMBOO WOODPECKER (Gecinulus viridis) – Uncharacteristically great views of this shy woodpecker at Kaeng Krachan NP. BAY WOODPECKER (Blythipicus pyrrhotis) – Another shy woodpecker species, this one really made us work for it on Doi Inthanon and on Doi Angkhang.

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 6 BLACK-AND-BUFF WOODPECKER (Meiglyptes jugularis) – A pair of these scarce woodpeckers was a nice surprise at Khao Yai NP. HEART-SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Hemicircus canente) [*] GREAT SLATY WOODPECKER (Mulleripicus pulverulentus) – This huge woodpecker has been getting tougher and tougher to find at Kaeng Krachan (and elsewhere), so we were lucky to get the views that we did get there. Eurylaimidae (Asian and Grauer's Broadbills) BLACK-AND-RED BROADBILL (Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos) – This stunner showed off nicely for us along the park road at Kaeng Krachan. LONG-TAILED BROADBILL (Psarisomus dalhousiae) – We've had trouble finding this one on recent trips, but not this year! We had a couple of fantastic encounters with this strange bird in both Khao Yai & at Kaeng Krachan. #5000 for Jim! SILVER-BREASTED BROADBILL (Serilophus lunatus) – This is another one that's given us trouble recently, but we all enjoyed prolonged views of this stunning little broadbill on Doi Angkhang. BANDED BROADBILL (Eurylaimus javanicus) [*] Pittidae (Pittas) RUSTY-NAPED PITTA (Pitta oatesi) – Rhys was the only lucky one to see this shy species along the roadside on Doi Lang. BLUE PITTA (Pitta cyanea) [*] Acanthizidae (Thornbills and Allies) GOLDEN-BELLIED GERYGONE (Gerygone sulphurea) – This little guy was more trouble than he needed to be. #5000 for Nick (and on the same day as Jim's #5000!)! Prionopidae (Helmetshrikes and Allies) LARGE WOODSHRIKE (Tephrodornis gularis) – This one paid us a visit during our picnic lunch at the "Princess House" high in Kaeng Krachan NP. Artamidae (Woodswallows) ASHY WOODSWALLOW (Artamus fuscus) – A common roadside bird on this tour. Aegithinidae (Ioras) COMMON IORA (Aegithina tiphia) – Easy to see on the grounds of our Bangkok hotel. GREAT IORA (Aegithina lafresnayei) – Heard far more often than seen on this tour. Campephagidae (Cuckoo-shrikes) LARGE CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Coracina macei) – We never really nailed this one down for a good look. BLACK-WINGED CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Coracina melaschistos) – A common flocking species, especially in the parks of the south. ROSY MINIVET (Pericrocotus roseus) – We found this wintering species early on at Khao Yai, but had our best looks on the final day at the Green Peafowl site. [b] BROWN-RUMPED MINIVET (Pericrocotus cantonensis) – Also called the Swinhoe's Minivet. Another migrant from the north. [b] ASHY MINIVET (Pericrocotus divaricatus) – Not until the final morning of the tour (with the above Rosy Minivets). [b] LONG-TAILED MINIVET (Pericrocotus ethologus) – Often, but not always, found in the pine zone of the mountains. SHORT-BILLED MINIVET (Pericrocotus brevirostris) – This one looks quite a bit like the above Long-tailed Minivet, but the habitat and the voice are the best clues to separate the two. SCARLET MINIVET (Pericrocotus flammeus) – A widespread species, but it was curiously rare in Khao Yai and Kaeng Krachan this year (normally quite common in both parks). GRAY-CHINNED MINIVET (Pericrocotus solaris) – We had a couple of good looks of this one, especially in the north. BAR-WINGED FLYCATCHER-SHRIKE (Hemipus picatus) – This one was with nearly every canopy flock that we encountered. Laniidae (Shrikes) BROWN SHRIKE (Lanius cristatus) [b] BURMESE SHRIKE (Lanius collurioides) – This one is typically the scarcest of our shrike species on this tour. [b] LONG-TAILED SHRIKE (Lanius schach) – Unrecorded until we ventured north of Chiang Mai. GRAY-BACKED SHRIKE (Lanius tephronotus) – This wintering species was much more common and widespread than it is most years. [b] Vireonidae (Vireos) BLYTH'S SHRIKE-BABBLER (Pteruthius aeralatus) – Called the White-browed Shrike-Babbler in the guide. This one was recently split into four species. CLICKING SHRIKE-BABBLER (Pteruthius intermedius) – Another result of taxonomic revision, this is known as the Chestnut-fronted Shrike- Babbler in your guides. WHITE-BELLIED ERPORNIS (Erpornis zantholeuca) – I suspect that the taxonomists still have this one in the wrong family. Called the White- bellied Yuhina in the guide. Oriolidae (Old World Orioles) BLACK-NAPED ORIOLE (Oriolus chinensis) – The most common and widespread oriole on the tour, and not at all related to what we call "orioles" in the New World. [b] SLENDER-BILLED ORIOLE (Oriolus tenuirostris) – This one seems to always be associated with pines, at least in Thailand BLACK-HOODED ORIOLE (Oriolus xanthornus) – One of these widespread birds put in a very brief appearance in the dry forest on the lower slopes of Doi Inthanon. MAROON ORIOLE (Oriolus traillii) – Common, at least by voice, in the evergreen broadleaf forests of the northwest. Dicruridae (Drongos)

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 7 BLACK DRONGO (Dicrurus macrocercus) – Common in all of the lowland open country. ASHY DRONGO (Dicrurus leucophaeus) – The birds we saw were a mix of residents and migrants (the migrants have a variable amount of white in the face). BRONZED DRONGO (Dicrurus aeneus) – The smallest of our six drongo species. LESSER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus remifer) – Surprisingly shy for a drongo. HAIR-CRESTED DRONGO (Dicrurus hottentottus) – This race, the nominate hottentottus, seems to be primarily a nectarivore here, at least at this season. GREATER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus paradiseus) – Very fancy, and delightfully common. Rhipiduridae (Fantails) WHITE-THROATED FANTAIL (Rhipidura albicollis) – This one was pretty much a no-show this year in the highlands with only a couple of detections. PIED FANTAIL (Rhipidura javanica) – Especially common in and around Bangkok. Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers) BLACK-NAPED MONARCH (Hypothymis azurea) – Really gorgeous, if seen well. Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies) EURASIAN JAY (Garrulus glandarius leucotis) – We had decent scope views of a few birds at the lake edge early in the morning on our final day. GREEN MAGPIE (Cissa chinensis) – Very gaudy, and very shy. RUFOUS TREEPIE (Dendrocitta vagabunda) – Great scope looks at the base of Doi Inthanon. GRAY TREEPIE (Dendrocitta formosae) – The pair of birds foraging close at hand at the "Princess House" in Kaeng Krachan were particularly memorable. RACKET-TAILED TREEPIE (Crypsirina temia) – This funny-looking corvid was never seen all that well this year, but most got a pretty good feel for the bird seeing it fly by a few times. RATCHET-TAILED TREEPIE (Temnurus temnurus) – This special bird behaved very nicely for our group, with a couple of pairs coming in and vocalizing for us high in Kaeng Krachan NP. The form here has never been collected, but it appears to be larger than the birds in Vietnam and the voice is different than those birds as well. Hmmm.... LARGE-BILLED CROW (Corvus macrorhynchos) – We likely saw two different races of this one, but the literature on where those races occur is a little confusing. According to what I found, the birds in the far n.w. were likely C.m. levaillantii, while the birds from Bangkok south were likely the nominate C.m. macrorhynchos. Alaudidae (Larks) INDOCHINESE BUSHLARK (Mirafra erythrocephala) – At the lake edge in Kaeng Krachan NP headquarters. Hirundinidae (Swallows) BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia) [b] BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) [b] WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii) – Excellent scope looks north of Chiang Mai. RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica) – It's really tough to tell this from the next, but this seems to be the species that you find in the lowlands of Thailand at this season. [b] STRIATED SWALLOW (Cecropis striolata) – We could see the reduced amount of rust on the neck of this one in the mountains of the northwest. ASIAN HOUSE-MARTIN (Delichon dasypus) – We had one flock that was particularly low and close on Doi Inthanon. [b] Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers) YELLOW-BELLIED FAIRY-FANTAIL (Chelidorhynx hypoxantha) – A charming little bird that we all saw well on Doi Inthanon. Note that this one has been taken out of the true fantails and place with the canary-flycatchers in the new family Stenostiridae. GRAY-HEADED CANARY-FLYCATCHER (Culicicapa ceylonensis) – A very common species by voice, but we did have some great views on this tour. Paridae (Chickadees and Tits) GREAT TIT (JAPANESE) (Parus major nubicolus) – These eastern birds are likely to be split from the brightly-colored western birds. YELLOW-CHEEKED TIT (Parus spilonotus) – Gorgeous! SULTAN TIT (Melanochlora sultanea) – Another showy species, this one is really unlike any other tit in the world. Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits) BLACK-THROATED TIT (Aegithalos concinnus) – This was one of the many prizes up on Doi Lang before we headed back to Chiang Mai. Sittidae (Nuthatches) CHESTNUT-VENTED NUTHATCH (Sitta nagaensis) – The smaller look-alike of the Giant Nuthatch. VELVET-FRONTED NUTHATCH (Sitta frontalis) – Unlike any nuthatch familiar to N. American birders. GIANT NUTHATCH (Sitta magna) – We worked hard for this one, but ended up seeing it with relative ease once we got to the end of the road. We heard several more on the newly-opened road on Doi Lang. Certhiidae (Treecreepers) BROWN-THROATED TREECREEPER (HUME'S) (Certhia discolor shanensis) – Great, close studies on Doi Inthanon. Recent authors have split this bird into at least a couple of distinct species. Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 8 BLACK-HEADED BULBUL (Pycnonotus atriceps) STRIATED BULBUL (Pycnonotus striatus) – Only at the highest elevations on this tour. BLACK-CRESTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus flaviventris) – That orange-throated race that we saw in Khao Yai (P.f. johnsoni) is widespread throughout Indochina. RED-WHISKERED BULBUL (Pycnonotus jocosus) – Now exceedingly rare in s. Thailand due to the cagebird trade. BROWN-BREASTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus xanthorrhous) – We had excellent studies in the open country on Doi Angkhang. Somewhat reminiscent of the next species. SOOTY-HEADED BULBUL (Pycnonotus aurigaster) – On the second half of the tour only. STRIPE-THROATED BULBUL (Pycnonotus finlaysoni) – Never very common anywhere, but we did get some decent views at Khao Yai and at Kaeng Krachan. FLAVESCENT BULBUL (Pycnonotus flavescens) – Very common in the highlands of the northwest. YELLOW-VENTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus goiavier) – The Bangkok area only on this tour. STREAK-EARED BULBUL (Pycnonotus blanfordi) – Common and widespread throughout the lowlands on this tour. Easy on the grounds of our Bangkok hotel. PUFF-THROATED BULBUL (Alophoixus pallidus) – This and the next are very similar to each other, but this one doesn't get south onto the peninsula, like the next species does. OCHRACEOUS BULBUL (Alophoixus ochraceus) GRAY-EYED BULBUL (Iole propinqua) – The distribution of this and the next mirrors that of the above Puff-throated and Ochraceous. This species doesn't get to the peninsula, but Buff-vented does. BUFF-VENTED BULBUL (Iole olivacea) BLACK BULBUL (Hypsipetes leucocephalus) – All of the birds that we saw were the 'normal' all-black birds without any white on the head. ASHY BULBUL (Hemixos flavala) – We saw a couple of different races on this tour, with the dull birds in Kaeng Krachan being particularly interesting. It's difficult to decipher from the literature whether these dull birds are H.f. cinereus or H.f. davisoni, but these dull birds might be split from the other birds we saw on the tour someday. MOUNTAIN BULBUL (Ixos mcclellandii) – This one was uncharacteristically difficult this year, for some reason. Pnoepygidae (Cupwings) PYGMY CUPWING (Pnoepyga pusilla) – Known as the Pygmy Wren-Babbler in your guides. Most folks got some sort of look, but it really gave us a tough time this year on Doi Inthanon! Cettiidae (Bush-Warblers and Allies) SLATY-BELLIED TESIA (Tesia olivea) – I think that everyone eventually scored a good look at this charming little bird in the understory. YELLOW-BELLIED WARBLER (Abroscopus superciliaris) – A denizen of the numerous bamboo thickets throughout. MOUNTAIN TAILORBIRD (Phyllergates cucullatus) – Normally a difficult little bird to see well, we had a super view of a very bold bird on the road up Doi Inthanon. ABERRANT BUSH-WARBLER (Cettia flavolivacea) – As usual, we all had a very difficult time trying to get a decent look at this wintering bird from the north. [b] Phylloscopidae (Leaf-Warblers) DUSKY WARBLER (Phylloscopus fuscatus) – These were down in numbers compared to prior years. [b] BUFF-THROATED WARBLER (Phylloscopus subaffinis) – This skulking Phylloscopus winters at the higher elevations in the northwest, but never in very large numbers. [b] YELLOW-STREAKED WARBLER (Phylloscopus armandii) – Best was the bird at the Myanmar border. Another one of these skulking Phylloscopus. [b] RADDE'S WARBLER (Phylloscopus schwarzi) – This one seemed to be more plentiful at Khao Yai and at Kaeng Krachan than normal. Very similar to the Dusky Warbler, but it tends to be a bit bolder than that one. [b] BUFF-BARRED WARBLER (Phylloscopus pulcher) – Pretty common up at the bog on Doi Inthanon, where it actually may breed. [b] ASHY-THROATED WARBLER (Phylloscopus maculipennis) – Very common atop Doi Inthanon, the only spot where it occurs in the country. PALLAS'S LEAF-WARBLER (Phylloscopus proregulus) – We had at least a couple of these birds on Doi Ang Khang and on Doi Lang. [b] CHINESE LEAF-WARBLER (Phylloscopus yunnanensis) – All of these migrant Phylloscopus are really difficult to distinguish from one another, but the combination of the slight facial pattern differences and the call helped distinguish this one from the above species. This one is likely much more common as a winterer in the country than previously thought. [b] YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER (Phylloscopus inornatus) – Recorded every day at every venue, except for the shorebirding day on Day 2. [b] HUME'S WARBLER (Phylloscopus humei) – Very similar to the above species and best distinguished from that one by voice. [b] GREENISH WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochiloides) – This one is restricted more to the n.w. part of the country in winter than the next. Some taxonomists split this and the next form as separate species. [b] GREENISH WARBLER (TWO-BARRED) (Phylloscopus trochiloides plumbeitarsus) – Not quite as common and widespread as the Yellow-browed, but pretty darned common, especially in the south. [b] PALE-LEGGED LEAF-WARBLER (Phylloscopus tenellipes) – Some may have seen this one at Khao Yai on our last morning there. [b*] EASTERN CROWNED LEAF-WARBLER (Phylloscopus coronatus) – This species normally winters a bit farther south on the peninsula, so we were lucky to get one at all at Kaeng Krachan. [b] BLYTH'S LEAF-WARBLER (Phylloscopus reguloides assamensis) – These birds were singing quite a bit on Doi Inthanon. Compared with the Davison's (White-tailed) Leaf-Warbler, the song is much more strident and sing-songy. CLAUDIA'S LEAF-WARBLER (Phylloscopus claudiae) – This one is a recent split from the Blyth's L-W and winters throughout much of the country. Its habit of creeping along the major limbs is a good behavioral character that helps distinguish it from the similars. [b]

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 9 DAVISON'S LEAF-WARBLER (Phylloscopus davisoni) – A recent split from White-Tailed L-W, this one is a very common breeder in all of the upper elevation broadleaf forests of the mountains of the northwest. SULPHUR-BREASTED WARBLER (Phylloscopus ricketti) – As usual, we had just a few of these distinctive migrants mixed in with the larger mixed insectivore flocks at Kaeng Krachan. GRAY-CROWNED WARBLER (Seicercus tephrocephalus) [b*] PLAIN-TAILED WARBLER (Seicercus soror) – A rather common roadside chip note in Khao Yai and Kaeng Krachan, but it proved to be very difficult to see. A split from the old Golden-spectacled Warbler. [b] MARTENS'S WARBLER (Seicercus omeiensis) – Another one of the Golden-spectacled Warbler splits, this one winters more in the middle elevations of the northwestern mountains and its chip note is reminiscent of that of our Wilson's Warbler. [b] BIANCHI'S WARBLER (Seicercus valentini) – The bird that we saw and heard well along the roadside high in Kaeng Krachan NP was apparently a new park record for this species. Typically, it winters much farther north in the country. [b] CHESTNUT-CROWNED WARBLER (Seicercus castaniceps) – That high-pitched song is tough to hear for some. Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies) BLACK-BROWED REED-WARBLER (Acrocephalus bistrigiceps) – There were enough of these wintering in the marshes at Rang Sit to allow everyone a decent view, eventually. [b] ORIENTAL REED-WARBLER (Acrocephalus orientalis) – Great views of this big reed-warbler at the King's Project near Laem Pak Bia. [b] THICK-BILLED WARBLER (Acrocephalus aedon) – Mostly heard, but some folks did get a good look at this big, dull warbler. [b] Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies) RUSSET BUSH-WARBLER (Bradypterus mandelli idoneus) [*] LANCEOLATED WARBLER (Locustella lanceolata) – Maybe the most difficult bird in Thailand to see at this season. [b] PALLAS'S GRASSHOPPER-WARBLER (Locustella certhiola) – Some folks got a decent look at this wintering species at Rang Sit. [b] Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies) ZITTING CISTICOLA (Cisticola juncidis) – The few birds we saw outside of Chiang Mai on that final morning weren't seen all that well by anyone. COMMON TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus sutorius) DARK-NECKED TAILORBIRD (Orthotomus atrogularis) – A common bird in all of the roadside tangles in Khao Yai and Kaeng Krachan NP. HILL PRINIA (Prinia superciliaris) – This shy bird showed nicely for the group in the weedy orchard on Doi Ang Khang. You sure hear a lot more of these than you see! RUFESCENT PRINIA (Prinia rufescens) – This prinia typically occurs at higher elevations than the next three species. GRAY-BREASTED PRINIA (Prinia hodgsonii) – For a few folks near our Oriental Scops-Owl spot. YELLOW-BELLIED PRINIA (Prinia flaviventris) – The Rang Sit marshes are just chock full of these. PLAIN PRINIA (Prinia inornata) Sylviidae (Old World Warblers) YELLOW-EYED BABBLER (Chrysomma sinense) – Nicely at the little orchard on Doi Ang Khang. A recent taxonomic revision takes this one out of the babblers and puts it in with the true Old World Warblers. GRAY-HEADED PARROTBILL (Paradoxornis gularis) – We enjoyed a big flock of these strange birds hanging out next to the road on Doi Inthanon. The Parrotbills were once in their own family, the Paradoxornithidae, but are now Old World Warblers, too (I guess). SPOT-BREASTED PARROTBILL (Paradoxornis guttaticollis) – We tried every spot we knew of for this one without luck, but we finally found it at a new spot on Doi Ang Khang. Great views! Zosteropidae (Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies) STRIATED YUHINA (Yuhina castaniceps) – I have a really tough time thinking of the yuhinas and the white-eyes as being close relatives, but that's where it stands for now. WHISKERED YUHINA (Yuhina flavicollis) – This attractive species is extremely local in Thailand, with Doi Lang being one of just a handful of spots where it occurs. CHESTNUT-FLANKED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops erythropleurus) – This one appeared to be the most common and widespread of the white-eyes this year. That chestnut on the flanks can almost be invisible, especially on the young birds. [b] ORIENTAL WHITE-EYE (Zosterops palpebrosus) – Nearly absent this year, for some reason. JAPANESE WHITE-EYE (Zosterops japonicus) – More common and widespread than normal this year. [b] EVERETT'S WHITE-EYE (Zosterops everetti) – This and the Oriental are the only two species of white-eyes that breed in the country. (Fulvettas and Ground Babblers) BROWN-CHEEKED FULVETTA (Alcippe poioicephala) – I'm still trying to make sense of this recent reassessment of the babbler presented in the latest updates of the Clements checklist. I'm having trouble getting my head around these Alcippe fulvettas being very closely related to birds like the Limestone Wren-Babbler! Anyway, we had nice views of this species in Kaeng Krachan NP. GRAY-CHEEKED FULVETTA (Alcippe morrisonia) – This species is one of the most common understory flock components in the mountains of the northwest. COLLARED BABBLER (Gampsorhynchus torquatus) – A recent split from the White-hooded Babbler in the guide. Great looks in Kaeng Krachan! RUFOUS-WINGED FULVETTA (Schoeniparus castaneceps) – Very confiding in the bog atop Doi Inthanon. ABBOTT'S BABBLER (Malacocincla abbotti) – This one's not much to look at. BUFF-BREASTED BABBLER (Pellorneum tickelli) – Normally quite shy, we lucked out with a relatively bold individual along the roadside on Doi Chiang Dao. SPOT-THROATED BABBLER (Pellorneum albiventre) – It's got a fantastic voice, but this one's a devil of a bird to try to see!

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 10 PUFF-THROATED BABBLER (Pellorneum ruficeps) – A common voice throughout, we had a nice encounter with this one at the lower campground in Kaeng Krachan NP. STREAKED WREN-BABBLER (Napothera brevicaudata) – This was one of the highlights of our late afternoon visit to the cave temple near Chiang Dao. EYEBROWED WREN-BABBLER (Napothera epilepidota) – Unbelievable scope views on our final day of the tour on Doi Suthep! LIMESTONE WREN-BABBLER ( crispifrons calcicola) – These are always a little tough to find, but we always seem to find them. Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes) WHITE-CRESTED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax leucolophus) – This snappy species usually takes a little work to see well, but it was certainly worth the effort. Our first of eight laughingthrushes on the tour. LESSER NECKLACED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax monileger) – We struggled early on at Khao Yai with this one, but we all caught up well with both this and the next at the Kaeng Krachan NP HQ. GREATER NECKLACED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax pectoralis) WHITE-NECKED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax strepitans) – This one can be a real pain, but everybody got a look of some sort on Doi Lang. BLACK-THROATED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax chinensis) – This sneaky bird was glimpsed by only a few at the top of the road in Kaeng Krachan NP. SPOT-BREASTED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax merulinus) – Normally extremely difficult to see at all, we were spoiled by a pair that came in to a photographers clearing in the roadside weeds, giving all the best looks that Uthai or I had ever had! WHITE-BROWED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax sannio) – Yet another shy one, we scored great looks on Doi Lang at another photographers blind. Hooray for mealworms! SILVER-EARED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax melanostigma) – I'm sure that this one is shy somewhere, but not on the summit of Doi Inthanon! SILVER-EARED MESIA (Leiothrix argentauris) – We found a couple of big flocks of these fancy birds on Doi Inthanon and Doi Ang Khang. Up until our experience on this tour, my recent history with this one would have indicated that it was on a serious decline. RUFOUS-BACKED SIBIA (Heterophasia annectens) – Nothing very close, unfortunately. BLACK-BACKED SIBIA (Heterophasia melanoleuca) – This one, on the other hand, was at arm's length from us on Doi Ang Khang & Doi Lang. RED-FACED LIOCICHLA (SCARLET-FACED) (Liocichla phoenicea ripponi) – We finally caught up with this fancy bird along the roadside on Doi Ang Khang. This form was recently split from the true Red-faced Liocichla to the n.w. SPECTACLED BARWING (Actinodura ramsayi) – This elegant species seems to be very reliable near that 2nd checkpoint on Doi Inthanon. BLUE-WINGED MINLA (Minla cyanouroptera) – Perhaps soon to be known as the Blue-winged Siva. CHESTNUT-TAILED MINLA (Minla strigula) – Incredibly confiding at the summit of Doi Inthanon. Timaliidae (Babblers) RUFOUS-FRONTED BABBLER (Stachyridopsis rufifrons) – Vocally very similar to the next, but not nearly as handsome as that one. This one generally occurs at lower elevations, but you can certainly find it up high in disturbed areas. GOLDEN BABBLER (Stachyridopsis chrysaea) – We had a couple of very curious birds along the roadside in Kaeng Krachan NP. Beautiful! PIN-STRIPED TIT-BABBLER (Macronous gularis) – Called the Striped Tit-Babbler in the guides, this was recently split from the birds on Borneo & Java (Bold-striped Tit-Babbler). CHESTNUT-CAPPED BABBLER (Timalia pileata) [*] GRAY-THROATED BABBLER (Stachyris nigriceps) – We had mixed results with this bird at a couple of spots on the tour, but most got a look of some sort. SPOT-NECKED BABBLER (Stachyris striolata) – This one proved to be quite difficult as well at Kaeng Krachan - they just wouldn't sit still long enough for a satisfying view. LARGE SCIMITAR-BABBLER (Pomatorhinus hypoleucos) [*] RUSTY-CHEEKED SCIMITAR-BABBLER (Pomatorhinus erythrogenys) – Always in the more disturbed habitats up high in the far n.w. of the country, never inside good forest. WHITE-BROWED SCIMITAR-BABBLER (Pomatorhinus schisticeps) – This one is more of a true forest species, and we ended up with a couple of fine looks during the first half of the tour. Irenidae (Fairy-bluebirds) ASIAN FAIRY-BLUEBIRD (Irena puella) – Numerous good looks on the first half of the tour. That combo of jet black and incredible blue is tough to beat! Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers) DARK-SIDED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa sibirica) – Once you started looking for this one, it seemed to be on every little snag in the forest canopy at Kaeng Krachan. [b] ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa dauurica) – A very common winterer here, especially in the south. [b] ORIENTAL MAGPIE-ROBIN (Copsychus saularis) – Easy in the Bangkok area. WHITE-RUMPED SHAMA (Copsychus malabaricus) – That male is unmistakable, but the female often confuses birders a bit. WHITE-GORGETED FLYCATCHER (Anthipes monileger) – A pair of these shy flycatchers of the understory came in intermittently to the photographers' clearing along the road on Doi Lang. RUFOUS-BROWED FLYCATCHER (Anthipes solitaris) – We couldn't have gotten a better look at this skulker in Kaeng Krachan. A very close relative of the above species, which it replaces on the peninsula. HAINAN BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Cyornis hainanus) – This and the Hill Blue-Flycatcher were the two most common Cyornis in the forests of Khao Yai and Kaeng Krachan - but they were heard far more often than they were seen. PALE BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Cyornis unicolor) – One of the last lifers of the trip on Doi Suthep on our final morning.

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 11 BLUE-THROATED FLYCATCHER (BLUE-THROATED) (Cyornis rubeculoides dialilaemus) [*] HILL BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Cyornis banyumas) – Certainly the most common and widespread Cyornis of the tour. TICKELL'S BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Cyornis tickelliae) – A female sat up nicely for us in the bamboo next to the peafowl lake near Chiang Mai. This one seldom strays from bamboo thickets in the lowlands. LARGE NILTAVA (Niltava grandis) – Our looks at Doi Lang were superb! RUFOUS-BELLIED NILTAVA (Niltava sundara) – A female for some on Doi Inthanon. [b] VIVID NILTAVA (Niltava vivida) – We had a couple of good looks at this beautiful flycatcher, but that singing bird on Doi Suthep on the final morning was really something! Neither Uthai nor I had ever heard it sing in Thailand before. [b] VERDITER FLYCATCHER (Eumyias thalassinus) – This one showed up at most of our venues on the tour. LESSER SHORTWING (Brachypteryx leucophrys) – Good looks at Mr. Deang's on Doi Inthanon on our second attempt. WHITE-BROWED SHORTWING (Brachypteryx montana) – Everyone eventually caught up with this one at the bog atop Doi Inthanon. WHITE-BELLIED REDSTART (Luscinia phaenicuroides) – Seeing an adult male out in the open on Doi Lang was one of my own trip highlights - it was the first adult male I'd ever seen anywhere! [b] BLUE WHISTLING-THRUSH (Myophonus caeruleus eugenei) – This was the yellow-billed resident race that we saw. BLUE WHISTLING-THRUSH (Myophonus caeruleus caeruleus) – The birds with the black bills were this migrant race from China. [b] WHITE-CROWNED FORKTAIL (Enicurus leschenaulti) [*] BLACK-BACKED FORKTAIL (Enicurus immaculatus) – Our second attempt at these netted good views along the stream before we headed up the road into the dry forest. SLATY-BACKED FORKTAIL (Enicurus schistaceus) – Excellent looks for all at the big waterfall at Doi Inthanon NP. SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT (Calliope calliope) – A female or imm. male showed well enough in the thicket next to the road on Doi Ang Khang. Another better look was had along the road on Doi Lang, but neither of our sightings were of a bird with a red throat, darn it! [b] RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL (Tarsiger cyanurus) – We finally ran into one of these beauties along the road on Doi Lang. [b] LITTLE PIED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula westermanni) – A couple of dapper males in the mixed pine/broadleaf forests of the northwest. TAIGA FLYCATCHER (Ficedula albicilla) – This one's a split from the Red-throated Flycatcher of the w. Palearctic and is a common winterer in all of the open disturbed habitats throughout. [b] RUFOUS-GORGETED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula strophiata) – That male on Doi Lang cooperated just long enough for all to see well. [b] MUGIMAKI FLYCATCHER (Ficedula mugimaki) – That male at Khao Yai has been wintering in that same spot for several years now. [b] SLATY-BACKED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula hodgsonii) – We finally found an adult male on the last day on Doi Suthep. [b] SNOWY-BROWED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula hyperythra) – That female that popped into our line of sight while we were looking for the first Eyebrowed Wren-Babblers on Doi Inthanon had me scratching my head for a bit. SLATY-BLUE FLYCATCHER (Ficedula tricolor) – This flycatcher is notoriously difficult to see, so we were very lucky to see that female out in the open with the White-bellied Redstart on Doi Lang. [b] PLUMBEOUS REDSTART (Phoenicurus fuliginosus) – Inextricably tied to streams. WHITE-CAPPED REDSTART (Phoenicurus leucocephalus) – Another stream obligate seen extremely well on Doi Inthanon. Formerly called the River-chat. CHESTNUT-BELLIED ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola rufiventris) – This was a good year for this species in the northwest - I think we had four of them in one day on Doi Ang Khang. WHITE-THROATED ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola gularis) – Like the Mugimaki Flycatcher above, this male bird has been wintering here at the same spot in Khao Yai for several years. [b] BLUE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola solitarius pandoo) – This race was the all-blue one that we saw at Khao Yai and on Doi Ang Khang. [b] BLUE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola solitarius philippensis) – This were the male bird with chestnut belly that we saw at Khao Yai. There's some recent genetic evidence to suggest that this species is composed of more than one good species, so a split might be forthcoming. [b] STONECHAT (SIBERIAN) (Saxicola torquatus maurus) – A common bird in the numerous paddies and other open country along our route. Some of us did see a resident bird of the race przewalskii in that little orchard on Doi Ang Khang. [b] PIED BUSHCHAT (Saxicola caprata) – You'd never know it was 'pied' until it flies. GRAY BUSHCHAT (Saxicola ferreus) – Looks somewhat like a smaller version of a shrike, but that bill is pretty tiny. Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies) SCALY THRUSH (WHITE'S) (Zoothera dauma aurea) – This scarce winterer was seen pretty well by most, if not all, at one of our picnic lunch sites on Doi Inthanon. This one is likely to be split into several species sometime soon (the Europeans already have split it up). [b] DARK-SIDED THRUSH (Zoothera marginata) – Nice looks of this skulker on both Doi Inthanon and on Doi Ang Khang. BLACK-BREASTED THRUSH (Turdus dissimilis) – A couple of folks saw this one at our picnic lunch spot on Doi Ang Khang, but it got away before we could relocate it for the group. [b] GRAY-SIDED THRUSH (Turdus feae) – One of these scarce thrushes sat in the open in the canopy above the jeep trail on Doi Inthanon just long enough for most to get a look before it disappeared. [b] EYEBROWED THRUSH (Turdus obscurus) – This wasn't a particularly good year for wintering thrushes on the tour, with very few of these, typically the most common species, being detected. [b] Sturnidae (Starlings) SPOT-WINGED STARLING (Saroglossa spiloptera) – Carol and I were the only ones to glimpse this rare wintering species on Doi Chiang Dao. [b] GOLDEN-CRESTED MYNA (Ampeliceps coronatus) – A couple of these at Kaeng Krachan were all that we could manage this year, but we never do see very many on this trip. COMMON HILL MYNA (Gracula religiosa) – Khao Yai is usually the best spot for this widespread species. GREAT MYNA (Acridotheres grandis) – Otherwise known as White-vented Myna.

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 12 COMMON MYNA (Acridotheres tristis) BLACK-COLLARED STARLING (Gracupica nigricollis) – Only in the northwest on this tour. ASIAN PIED STARLING (Gracupica contra) – Sort of fancy for a starling. CHESTNUT-TAILED STARLING (Sturnia malabarica) – There didn't seem to be any large scale movement of these into Thailand this winter - we just had a few here and there. Chloropseidae (Leafbirds) GREATER GREEN LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis sonnerati) – At its northern limit in Thailand at Kaeng Krachan. BLUE-WINGED LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis cochinchinensis) – Typically the most common leafbird that we see on this tour. GOLDEN-FRONTED LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis aurifrons) – Our first leafbird of the tour was this species, when we found a few males in the treetops at the Limestone Wren-Babbler site. ORANGE-BELLIED LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis hardwickii) – Several fine looks at this gaudy species in the highlands of the northwest. Dicaeidae (Flowerpeckers) THICK-BILLED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum agile) – Our second encounter, in Kaeng Krachan, was the best when we were able to scope for good looks. YELLOW-VENTED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum chrysorrheum) – That undertail color ranged from bright, pure yellow to a deep orange. PLAIN FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum minullum) – This poor guy drew the short straw on looks. FIRE-BREASTED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum ignipectum ignipectum) – This race actually does have 'fire' on the breast, unlike the next subspecies. FIRE-BREASTED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum ignipectum cambodianum) – This distinctive race is restricted to the Cambodia region and barely gets into the s.e. sector of Thailand (including Khao Yai NP). I suspect that there are more than one species involved in this widespread species. SCARLET-BACKED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum cruentatum) – Easy on the grounds of our Bangkok hotel. Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters) RUBY-CHEEKED SUNBIRD (Chalcoparia singalensis) – Only a couple of sightings this year at Kaeng Krachan of this gorgeous warbler-like sunbird. #3000 for Michael! PLAIN-THROATED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes malacensis) – Also called the Brown-throated Sunbird. Our Bangkok hotel continues to be the best site for this one on the tour. VAN HASSELT'S SUNBIRD (Leptocoma brasiliana) – Some folks got a brief look at this fancy sunbird in the parking lot of the waterfall trail as we were leaving Khao Yai. This one is split from the true Purple-throated Sunbird, which is now restricted to the Philippines. PURPLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris asiaticus) – Very common in the dry forest at the base of Doi Inthanon. OLIVE-BACKED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris jugularis) – Our most common lowland sunbird species on the tour. GOULD'S SUNBIRD (SCARLET-BREASTED) (Aethopyga gouldiae dabryii) – We found several superb males in the high mountains of the northwest. GREEN-TAILED SUNBIRD (DOI INTHANON) (Aethopyga nipalensis angkanensis) – This distinctive race is found only on the summit of Doi Inthanon. We really got an eye-full! BLACK-THROATED SUNBIRD (Aethopyga saturata) – This one was actually our most widespread sunbird species of the tour. EASTERN CRIMSON SUNBIRD (Aethopyga siparaja) – We had a few bright males in Khao Yai and Kaeng Krachan. This one doesn't occur at the high elevations that Gould's does. LITTLE SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera longirostra) – We ended up with a few good looks at this widespread spiderhunter (which eats mostly nectar, not spiders). STREAKED SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera magna) – Much larger and much more conspicuous vocally than the above species. We found it throughout the higher elevations of the trip. Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits) EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla tschutschensis) – Only in the lowlands around Bangkok, though some of the wagtails we saw flying over the fields near Thaton were likely this species. [b] CITRINE WAGTAIL (Motacilla citreola) – We spied one adult bird in basic plumage working the wet paddies north of Chiang Mai. This one's never very common on this tour. [b] GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea) – This species is always the most widespread wagtail species on this tour, occurring in a variety of habitats and almost always solitary birds. [b] WHITE WAGTAIL (CHINESE) (Motacilla alba leucopsis) – All of the White Wagtails that we encountered were this black-backed race. [b] RICHARD'S PIPIT (Anthus richardi) – Jim and I were the only ones to see and hear this one fly over as we were all rushing back to the vans in Thaton before the rain and lightning hit! [b] ORIENTAL PIPIT (Anthus rufulus) – Also known as Paddyfield Pipit and a split from Richard's. OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus hodgsoni) – These may have been the first tree-perching pipits that most folks on the tour had seen. [b] Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and Allies) CHESTNUT BUNTING (Emberiza rutila) – The few birds on Doi Chiang Dao really made us work for our looks. [b] Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies) BRAMBLING (Fringilla montifringilla) – This was a real surprise as we walked the boardwalk in the bog on Doi Inthanon. According to Uthai, there seem to be fewer than five records of this one for the entire country! [b] COMMON ROSEFINCH (Carpodacus erythrinus) – These winter irruptives seemed to be around in decent numbers in the northwestern mountains. [b]

Field Guides Birding Tours • www.fieldguides.com • 800-728-4953 13 Passeridae (Old World Sparrows) HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus indicus) – Formerly quite rare in the country, these seem to be increasing in numbers and range throughout. PLAIN-BACKED SPARROW (Passer flaveolus) – A couple of birds on our first afternoon together was all we ever came across. Pretty fancy for a Passer. EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus) Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies) BAYA WEAVER (Ploceus philippinus) – The few birds that we saw were basic-plumaged birds in the Bangkok area. Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies) RED AVADAVAT (Amandava amandava) – A little flock on the final morning of the tour held an adult male-plumaged bird - one of the few that I've seen in the country. PIN-TAILED PARROTFINCH (Erythrura prasina) – Just a couple of quick flyovers at Kaeng Krachan NP this year. WHITE-RUMPED MUNIA (Lonchura striata) – We had a great study of one bird at the Rang Sit marshes as we left Bangkok. NUTMEG MANNIKIN (Lonchura punctulata) – Also called the Scaly-breasted Munia. CHESTNUT MUNIA (Lonchura atricapilla) – A few of these at Rang Sit.

MAMMALS WRINKLE-LIPPED BAT (Tadarida [Chaerephon] plicata) – Although it was impressive to see these exit the cave high on the limestone cliff, it seemed to me that the numbers were way down at this site compared to prior years. COMMON TREESHREW (Tupaia glis) – For a few in the group at Kaeng Krachan. If you split this one, this one is now called the Northern Treeshrew. CRAB-EATING MACAQUE (Macaca fascigularis) – Also known as Long-tailed Macaque. PIGTAIL MACAQUE (Macaca nemestrina) – These intimidating primates have pretty much taken over the campground at Khao Yai (too much free and easy food to be had). BANDED LEAF MONKEY (Presbytis melalophos) – We had one brief encounter with a troop of these high on the road in Kaeng Krachan. Numbers of this one are down a lot compared with when I first visited the park in the 90's. DUSKY LEAF MONKEY (Presbytis obscura) – There was certainly no shortage of these guys at Kaeng Krachan, though we never did see any bright orange infants. PILEATED GIBBON (Hylobates pileatus) [*] WHITE-HANDED GIBBON (Hylobates lar) – We had a few good looks of this one, plus the usual wonderful serenading at both Khao Yai and at Kaeng Krachan NP. BLACK GIANT SQUIRREL (Ratufa bicolor) – Very few of these big guys this year. MOUNTAIN RED-BELLIED SQUIRREL (Callosciurus flavimanus) – We had a few encounters, especially at Doi Inthanon on the second half of the tour. FINLAYSON'S SQUIRREL (Callosciurus finlaysoni) – This is what Uthai and I were calling Variable Squirrel. GRAY-BELLIED SQUIRREL (Callosciurus caniceps) – This one is pretty variable itself, but it always has that distinct black tail tip. HIMALAYAN STRIPED SQUIRREL (Tamiops macclellandi) – This was the little 'chipmunk' that we saw and heard so often on the tour. COMMON PORCUPINE (Hystrix brachyura) – Wow - what a great encounter with this one at Khao Yai! DHOLE (Cuon alpinus) – For one of our vehicles as we drove through Kaeng Krachan NP (aka - Asian Wild Dog). SMALL ASIAN MONGOOSE (Herpestes javanicus) – Our last new mammal in the agriculture near Thaton. MUNTJAC (BARKING DEER) (Muntiacus muntjak) – Several of these small forest deer at Khao Yai NP again this year, where we usually see them. SAMBAR (Cervus unicolor) – Both at Khao Yai and at Kaeng Krachan NP this year. GAUR (Bos gaurus) – This was one of the most surprising sightings of the entire trip when we came upon this wild forest 'cow' at one of the watering holes on our way out of Kaeng Krachan NP late one afternoon. A lifer for everyone, I think!

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Totals for the tour: 457 bird taxa and 19 mammal taxa

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