Thailand bird watching

Ne stled on the western brink of the country four-hours drive from Bangkok is a wilderness unparalleled for its rich diversity of birds, large mammals and flora. Kaeng Krachan is Thailand's largest national park (2,914 sq km) and part of a continuous forest complex covering 30,000 sq km of land spanning the border with Myanmar. The park lies at the junction of biogeographic zones so biodiversity in the area is a mix of Indo-Burmese and Malaysian forms.

At middle and higher elevations in the forest, two major watersheds fed by the Petchaburi and Pranburi Rivers support wildlife. In the lowlands beyond the forest, they sustain agricultural activities. The waterways turn from trickles at their sources to raging water columns in mid-course, to gentle meandering wide streams in the lowlands. Along these waterways lie mineral licks and wallows fed by smaller forest streams where a plethora of fauna including Fea's barking deer, Tapir, Asian elephant come to feed. Tiger, Asiatic leopard, and wild dog lurk along trails leading to the mineral licks waiting for these prey species to emerge in the dead of night. Endangered Siamese crocodile nest along the banks of the Petchburi River. The Banded leaf monkey is also commonly seen.

Spanning altitudes ranging from 300 to 1,513m, Kaeng Krachan hosts a diversity of vegetation and is home to a rich bird fauna. Over 400 species are recorded, including the rare Ratchet-tailed treepie, found nowhere else in Thailand. Yellow-vented and White-bellied Pigeons, Grey Peacock Pheasant, six species of hornbill and seven species of broadbill are also present.

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