Chiang Mai and North Thailand Birding adventures at The Four Seasons Chiang Mai by Lana Thai Villa

There are many wonderful areas for birding in Thailand but the north is perhaps the top of the list. In the months of October and November particularly you will find many birders from Bangkok making the journey north. As the weather cools many birds from China migrate south to Northern Thailand.

Favorite North Thailand birding areas include Doi Inthanon, Doi Ang Khang, Doi Lang and Doi Pha Hom Pok. They are all within an easy drive from Lana Thai Villa. In these places you will see an array of birds. You are not likely to see Thailand’s national bird, a pheasant called the Siamese fireback or Diard’s fireback. However there are plenty of species to discover.  Here is a list of just some of the rarer birds you might find. These are mostly in the mountains of the north and usually in National Parks. Many are within an easy drive from Lana Thai Villa.

You will often enjoy the Asian Openbill storks that are returning in large numbers to North Thailand. They are a delight to watch and often seen perched in trees or wading through the northern rice paddies. Feral Pigeons and Ashy Woodswallows are a common site. The common Myna is a daily visitor all around the Four Seasons as is the tufted white-vented Myna. You will probably see Black Drongo and collard doves. You will hear if not see the greater coucal or crow pheasants. They are very common visitors to the Four Seasons. Red-whiskered Bulbul are also very common.

Chiang Mai birding will surely involve some time watching the weaver birds building their nests along with the Common tailorbird. You will find plenty of sparrows in the grounds. The common house sparrow a daily visitor. Black collard starlings and olive-backed sunbirds are also likely to be seen. Listen out for the Coppersmith Barbet and the song of Cardinal birds. Scaly-breasted munia are a common site.

On Facebook the LannaBird Group is a useful source of information but mostly in Thai. ChiangMaiNaturePhotography is a Facebook Page of local nature including birds. Nature in Chiang Mai is not dedicated to birds but certainly has some great insights into Chiang Mai birding and North Thailand Birding. Thai National Parks have a website with plenty of information about Thai birds. You will also find more information on norththailandbirding.com but rather confusingly they cover the whole of Thailand.

Of course this article does not intend or manage to cover all aspects of birding in northern Thailand. That is too big a subject for this blog. Neither does it pretend to cover all the birds that you will find in the grounds of the Four Seasons when you stay Lana Thai Villa. However it is hoped that it will inspire you to take notice of the amazing bird life that you will encounter either on your walks through the grounds or on trips out to the mountains. Many visitors just enjoy the dawn chorus and the atmosphere. Others are keen bird watchers and for them this is a truly wonderful experience.

If you are interested in taking a trip out to go bird watching you might consider the Queen Sirikit botanic garden that is very near to our luxury Chiang Mai villa. In fact the garden stretches right up the side of the mountain and covers 10.4 square kilometers. Please let us know and we can organize trips to here and other excellent places to enjoy North Thailand birding. No matter what your level of interest you will certainly enjoy the wonderful sights and sounds of nature in and around Lana Thai Villa.