1 - Overview
2 - Introduction to the area
3 - Geology & Climate
Granite
Climate
4 - Vegetation
5 - Forest Types
Vegetation
Tea/Miang Plantations
Forrest Conservation
6 - The Pang Soong Treewalk
7 - Treespecies
Fig Trees
Epiphytes
Saprophytes
Bamboo
Click here for full tree list
8 - Forest Fires

9 - Birds
Observing Birds
10 - Bird Trail Walk
11 - Mammals
Mammals of Northern Thailand
Mammals of Pang Soong
12 - Insects
Introduction
13 - Projects
Observing Birds & Mammals
Watching Birds, makung use of Observations
Identification
Behaviour
Mammals
14 - Biographies of contributing experts

The tropical forests of South East Asia are rich in birdlife with a great diversity of species. The resident forest birds of northern Thailand comprise a mixture of Indochinese and Himalayan species, a number of which are only found above a certain altitude. Between October and March winter visitors fro m the north are present. These species may be short-distance, mainly altitudinal migrants or long distance migrants that have come from as far away as the taiga forests of Siberia. Additionally, there are a few migrant species that pass through the area on their way further south, and a few species that visit northern Thailand to breed during the wet season (May-September).

Given the altitudinal range at the site: c. 950 - 1525 m; the habitat: primarily mixed evergreen forest; and the geographical location: Northern Thailand, there are approximately 405 species, excluding extreme vagrants, that could potentially occur in the area. This number can be roughly broken down as follows:

280 potential resident species, present all year
106 potential winter visitors, present between October and March
12 potential migrants passing through in spring and autumn
7 potential summer visitors present between May and September

Some species fall into more than one category, for example, winter visitors may augment the population of a resident species.
It will take many months, even years of observation to build up a comprehensive list of species of the area and it is probable that the actual number of bird species will be found to be somewhere between 250 and 300. In Doi Suthep-Pui National Park which has a greater altitudinal range, and consequently more habitat diversity, at least 326 species have been recorded.

Certain species such as hornbills used to occur in the area but have been extirpated by man. If hunting pressure was reduced some species might possibly re-colonise the area from the adjacent National Parks.
A number of key species or groups of species appear to be missing e.g. laughingthrushes, green pigeons and pittas. Perhaps, in time, these may be found, but if not – why are they missing?

OBSERVING BIRDS

Tropical forest birding is not easy; it can be very hard to see birds in the dense vegetation and the experienced birder relies on sound as much as vision. Calls and songs give away the presence of many species that might otherwise pass undetected to the eye. Early mornings and late afternoon are the best times as birds are most active then, but even in the middle of the day there is always something to see.
A pair of binoculars is essential and a spotting telescope is very useful for looking at distant birds. Carry a field-guide to help with identification and perhaps a portable cassette or CD player with recordings of bird sounds. A small notebook is useful to jot down brief descriptions of the birds or other information.
To improve one’s chances of observing birds it is sensible to wear clothing that blends in with the surroundings and to walk slowly and quietly along the trails, stopping to look and listen at intervals. Most birds are shy and are easily scared by sudden movements or loud noises, so keep quiet, try not to walk on dry leaf-litter or step on dry branches and twigs.

The best places to look for birds are around the house, along the “Bird Trail” which is the lower part of the Historical Trail, the road to the Viewpoint and along the ridge trails (Historical Trail). Here a beginner could expect to see at least 20 species in a morning’s walk along the trails, whilst a more experienced birder might record as many as 50 species. The variety of bird species in the forest differs with the seasons, also with altitude and various microhabitats. Some species are associated with water; others prefer areas dominated by bamboo, or more open cleared areas, whilst some may occur almost anywhere throughout the more mature forest. Some species live on the forest floor, some prefer dense undergrowth, others are found mainly in the middle storey and some are mainly canopy dwellers.

Look out for fruiting trees as these attract a great variety of species, not only fruit-eaters but also insectivorous birds, which come to feed on insects which in turn are attracted by the fruit. Fig trees Ficus spp. are especially productive. Flowering trees are also important as birds come to feed on nectar as well as insects. Above all, become accustomed to noticing movement. The movement may be a falling leaf, a large butterfly, a flying lizard or even a small mammal, but more often than not, a sudden movement in the forest will materialise into a bird.

click here for a theoretical list of bird species at Pang Soong