MYANMAR
BURMA
1-19 MARCH 2003
GROUP MEMBERS : DUNCAN BROOKS, IAN BURROWS,
ROGER BURROWS, PHIL HEATH,
ROD MARTINS and JOHN RICHARDSON.
Myanmar (formerly Burma) has been a closed country to birdwatchers and other travellers since 1962 when a military junta took control of the government. The harsh policies of the military regime and particularly the detention since 1990 of the democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi have attracted strong criticism from the international community. The junta are now trying to attract tourism against this backdrop and the country is very slowly opening up to show what has been hidden from the outside world for so long. Many parts of the country are still off limits to outsiders and birdwatchers have to be on an escorted package tour with a pre-arranged itinerary and visas. After much wrestling of conscience we undertook this private tour, justifying it in our minds that we might make a small positive contibution to change just by meeting the local people and using local facilities. We had a wonderful time and were warmly welcomed everywhere we went.
Myanmar is remarkably diverse ornithologically and may be regarded as something of a last frontier. During our visit we made a number of significant observations that will also be published elsewhere. Unlike most tour reports this one gives the location, number of birds seen seen of each species and descriptions of significant observations that were made. This is good baseline data for future visits.
We arrived in Yangon (formerly Rangoon) and based ourselves at the excellent Seasons of Yangon Hotel near the airport. Birding near the hotel was a gentle introduction for some of us to an unfamiliar avifauna. Green Bee-eaters gave close views from the hotel windows, as did Streak-eared Bulbuls and White-rumped Munias while Asian Palm Swifts cruised overhead. Scrub nearby held Great Coucals, Dusky Warblers and Brown Shrikes and attracted large roosting flocks of Jungle Mynas and Black Drongos each evening.
Next morning a visit to Hlawgar Wildlife Park gave us our first taste of forest birding. Red Junglefowl were seen from the roadside, Green-billed Malkoha, Racket-tailed Treepie and Greater Racket-tailed Drongo lurked in the shrubbery, Black-naped and Black-hooded Orioles and Black-headed and Black-crested Bulbuls all disported themselves in the treetops while Green, Blue-tailed and Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters chased butterflies over the lake.
Next day we travelled to Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary where we saw a wide range of waterbirds in impressive number including over a thousand Purple Swamphens, hundreds of Lesser Whistling Duck, Northern Pintail, Garganey, Oriental Pratincole and Asian Openbill. Eastern Marsh Harriers were numerous but dowdy in comparison to the almost luminous male Pied Harriers. Small numbers of Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas were also seen and a flyover Black-headed Ibis was our only sighting for the trip. Common Stonechats were everywhere and Black-browed and Oriental Reed Warblers lurked in the dense clumps of floating vegetation. Our departure from the sanctuary was marked by a Greater Spotted Eagle soaring overhead and a singing but invisible Oriental Skylark.
We drove onward to Ngalaik Reservoir which we explored the folowing day. The reservoir held a large flock of Indian Cormorant and several Grey-headed Lapwing. An Asian Barred Owlet gave great views in the teak plantation and our first Oriental Pied Hornbill was seen here. Yellow-footed Green Pigeons fed in the treetops and the small cultivated fields bordered by scrub provided us with our only Pintail Snipe, White-browed Scimitar Babblers and Yellow-breasted Bunting. A noisy but elusive group of Greater Necklaced Laughingthrushes raked through the plantation undergrowth and here we also saw our only Rufous-capped and Abbott's Babblers.
Next day we drove further west stopping at an area of mixed deciduous forest along the Pyinmana road. Here we saw more Oriental Pied Hornbills, Coppersmith Barbet, Grey-headed and Red-breasted Parakeets, Green Imperial Pigeons, Thick-billed Green Pigeon and a very obliging Collared Owlet. Our first Golden-fronted Leafbird appeared here, as did a Red-billed Blue Magpie. The next stopoff near Gooegyo village enabled us to walk along a shaded dry stream bed. Birds were still active despite the heat and we had excellent views of Greater Yellonape, Lineated Barbet, Dollarbird, Indian Roller, Scarlet Minivet and Chestnut-bellied and Velvet-fronted Nuthatches. Our last stop was at Toneyay Reserve Forest which was mostly cultivated fields and young tree plantations; however we saw the only Short-toed Snake Eagle of the trip here as well as Burmese Bushlark, White-throated and Yellow-eyed Babblers and Yellow-legged Button Quail.
Next day we passed through more mixed deciduous forest along the West Bank Highway near Gyobin village. Here we had great views of many Asian birds including Streak-throated Woodpecker, nesting Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpeckers, Common, Greater and Himalayan Flamebacks, Alexandrine Parakeet, Small Minivet and the dapper endemic Hooded Treepie among many others. Further along the road near Kanthit village we stopped to identify a perched raptor. After a trek across the fields we had seen both White-eyed and Rufous-winged Buzzard and attracted the attention of most of the village. We were then led to an excellent pond where we saw Comb Duck, Northern Shoveler, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Black Stork and Citrine Wagtail. Kapaing village pond a little further along the road held yet more Asian Openbills, Purple Heron and Pheasant-tailed and Bronze-winged Jacanas and we were treated to a lovely overhead display by a male Pied Harrier.
We overnighted at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctury which we explored the following day. Here we saw Barred Buttonquail, River Lapwing, White-browed Fantail, Ferruginous Flycatcher, Bluethroat, Siberian Rubythroat, Siberian Blue Robin, Wire-tailed Swallow, Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrushes and Paddyfield Pipit among many other species. In the afternoon we drove to Bagan. A stop by the side of the Ayeyarwady River produced our only sightings of Black-bellied Tern.
Next day we explored Old Bagan, an unforgettable experience as we wandered around one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the world. Thousands of Buddhist religious monuments and temples stand in a 40 sq km area stretching back from the Ayeyarwady River. This once was a vast, populous and thriving royal capital, built between 1057 and 1287. It then mysteriously declined at the end of the 13th century and all that remains are the religious buildings that are made of permanent materials. All other buildings, including the kings' palaces and monasteries were made of wood and have disappeared. Old Bagan is also an excellent place to go birding and here we saw some great birds including Rain Quail, Eurasian Wryneck, Hoopoe, Spotted Owlet, Long-tailed Shrike, Yellow-streaked Warbler, Thick-billed Warbler and Scaly-breasted Munia. Arguably the best birds here were a nesting pair of White-bellied Minivets which gave terrific views although the roosting Oriental Scops Owl seen down to six feet took some beating. The afternoon was spent on the Ayeyarwady River, the "Road to Mandalay", where we had great views of Small Pratincole, Ruddy Shelduck, Temminck's Stint, Kentish Plover, Sand Lark and Plain Martin but the birds of the afternoon were a pair of Laggar Falcons which inhabited the riverside cliffs. We had great views of one of them hurtling off the cliff to effortlessly catch a hapless Plain Martin.
Next day we explored the bank of the river and saw a good range of waders, while Pallid and Hen Harriers, Booted Eagle, Brown Prinia and Red-throated Pipit were the highlights.
We left Bagan early in the morning to drive westwards. We travelled through semi-desert country where we saw Long-billed Pipit and Red-rumped Swallow and eventually reached hills with areas of dry deciduous forest at Nagapwet and Pyone.
Here we saw a male and three female Kalij Pheasants, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Black-hooded Oriole, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Large Woodshrike and Black Bulbul among many others. In the late afternoon we arrived at the Chin Village Resort, Mt Victoria, for a six night stay.
Mt Victoria was the major focal point of the tour. We expected to see a wide range of southern Himalayan species we had not encountered before and we were not disappointed. We had great views of Grey Nightjar and Long-tailed Thrush in the vehicle headlights as we drove up to near the summit. Our first full day was spent there and in the stunted oak and rhododendron forest. White-browed Nuthatch, the charismatic emblem of Namataung National Park, was nesting nearby and great views of this parochial endemic were had by all. Phil scored a near jackpot with fleeting glimpses of a Blyth's Tragopan in a gully near the topmost picnic area but unfortunately this was as close as anyone got to this rare and elusive pheasant. Highlights here over several visits included Brown-capped Laughingthrush, Green Shrike-Babbler, Streak-throated Barwing, Fire-tailed Sunbird, White-browed Shortwing, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler and Broad-billed Warbler. Ashy-throated and Buff-barred Warblers were common here and singing Buff-throated Warbler was also found on our last visit.
Further down we were treated to an amazing display by a pair of Black Eagles which swooped and plunge dived overhead, coming down to treetop height; behaviour which indicated breeding activity not too far away. In the higher reaches of the pine forest we saw Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Orange-flanked Bush Robin (aka Red-flanked Bluetail), Blue-fronted Redstart, Grey Bushchat, Black-bibbed Tit, Little Bunting and Olive-backed Pipit. Further down we encountered flocks of Yellow-breasted Greenfinch on two occasions and had great views of a female Spot-winged Grosbeak. Green-tailed and Mrs Gould's Sunbirds showed well and a group of Spot-breasted Parrotbills was lured from the shrubbery. The evergreen forest held a large number of species and highlights included four separate sightings of Mrs Hume's Pheasant, White-tailed Nuthatch, a flock of Wedge-tailed Green Pigeons, Grey-chinned and Long-tailed Minivets, daily sightings of Long-tailed Wren Babbler, Black-headed and White-browed Shrike-Babblers, Cutia and a superb array of flycatchers including Snowy-browed, Little Pied, Slaty-blue, Pygmy Blue and Verditer. A group of fruiting trees attracted up to 45 Grey-sided Thrush (surely Mt Victoria is the best place in the world to see this rarity) with smaller numbers of Eyebrowed and Black-breasted Thrush also present.
Further down towards the deciduous forest we saw many other species including very vocal Bay Woodpeckers, Grey Treepie, Streak-breasted and Spot-breasted Scimitar Babblers, Red-faced Liocichla, Blue-winged Laughingthrush and Crested Finchbill. We concentrated our efforts at nocturnal birding in this area and succeeded in recording and tape-luring at least one Hodgson's Frogmouth in to view on two consecutive nights. We also heard several Grey Nightjars and a Collared Scops Owl.
In the more open area of forest patches scrub and rough grassland we found other species, notably Siberian Rubythroat, Silver-eared Mesia, Brownish-flanked and Russet Bush-Warblers and Chestnut Buntings.. Just above the Chin Village Resort we had great views of Mountain Bamboo Partridge which came out to feed with Striped Laughingthrushes in an area of threshed rice straw and stubble. Raptors seen during our stay included Crested Serpent Eagle, Mountain and Changeable Hawk Eagles, Common Buzzard, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Besra, Shikra, Eurasian Sparrowhawk Eurasian Kestrel and Oriental Hobby.
We left Mt Victoria after a short morning birding the lower slopes; the drive back to Bagan was fairly uneventful but Asian Emerald Cuckoo was added to the trip list. We flew back to Yangon the following day. Next day the group had split up with Rod and John travelling to Thailand and Taiwan respectively, so the rest visited Hlawgar Wildlife Park which was very successful with excellent views of Rosy and Ashy Minivets and male Ruby-cheeked Sunbird.
Next day we flew back to London via Bangkok, the final trip total was 378 wild species.
Note : If you are interested in doing a birding tour to Myanmar (Burma) please refer to the last page of this report.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The trip was excellent and we achieved a very high success rate with the species we hoped to see. However, some negative aspects were the unexpected habitat destruction, trapping and hunting that we saw on Mt Victoria. Forest fires burned continuously and palls of smoke hung in the valleys. Huge blackened areas scarred the mountain slopes from top to bottom. The pines and oaks in the higher areas of the mountain have suffered severe damage and this clearly affects the population of White-browed Nuthatches and other sensitive species that live there. Dry season burning is not a new phenomenon as much of the grassland on the mountain is clearly anthropogenic, however the trees are not fireproof and many of the old, slow growing oaks and pines were either reduced to blackened logs or remained burning from within as they stood. Alarmingly, we also encountered illegal trapping using bird lime and many hunters were seen carrying guns. Several gunshots were heard daily. These are clearly direct threats to birds and other wildlife in the "protected" area and this parlous state of affairs in a designated National Park needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
Birdwatchers may also be adversely affecting the White-browed Nuthatches by unintentionally disturbing them during the breeding season. This is a small factor compared to the above but any negative effect on such a restricted range species must be regarded as undesirable.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This tour could not have happened without good organisers and facilitators and huge thanks are due to Tony and Ohmar for organising everything in Myanmar for us. The itinerary was well planned and there were no hitches. Our accommodation was first class in every respect and the food was great. Special thanks must go to the people of the Chin Village Resort who made us so welcome and looked after us so well during our stay on Mt Victoria. Our transport was remarkably comfortable considering the state of some of the roads and the chaps on the bus did a great job in driving us from Yangon to Bagan safe and sound. Both Tony and Kopan were excellent guides and many thanks are due for finding so many great birds for us. Of course the trip would have been nothing without the guys who made up the group and thanks are due particularly to John and Rod for getting us all together. Thanks to all for making our first trip to Myanmar such an enjoyable one.
ITINERARY
28 February : Depart London Heathrow.
01 March : Arrive Yangon, visit Honeymoon Park, o/n at Seasons of Yangon Hotel.
02 March : Hlawgar Wildlife Park (20 miles north of Yangon), o/n at Seasons of
Yangon Hotel.
03 March : Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary (70 miles north of Yangon), o/n at Ngalaik
Reservoir.
04 March : Ngalaik Reservoir and environs, o/n as previous.
05 March : Mixed deciduous forest 30 miles west of Pyinmana on the
Taungdwingwi - Pyinmana road then a dry stream bed and deciduous
forest near Gooegyo village and Toneyay Reserve Forest which is
mostly fields and recent plantation 12 miles north of Pyay. o/n Pyay.
06 March : Forest near Gyobin village on the Bassein - Monywa road (West Bank
Highway), ponds at Kanthit and Kapaing villages, o/n Shwesettaw
Wildlife Sanctuary.
07 March : Morning at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, roadside scan of
Ayeyarwady River on the way to Bagan, o/n Hotel Thande, Bagan.
08 March : Morning around Old Bagan, afternoon on river, o/n as previous.
09 March : Morning along river bank, afternoon touring Bagan, o/n as previous.
10 March : Bagan to Mt Victoria, stops at Nagapwet (1830') and Pyone (1771') o/n
Kanpetlet Township, Chin Village Resort (5700') for six nights.
11 March : Namataung National Park, birding near summit of Mt Victoria (9400').
12 March : Mt Victoria, drive to Ranger's camp (8500') and birding down to 7800'.
13 March : Mt Victoria, drive up to 7700' and birding down to 6500'.
14 March : Mt Victoria, drive up to 8500'and birding through pine and evergreen
forest zones.
15 March : Mt Victoria, drive to near summit and birding down through pine and
evergreen forest zones.
16 March : Mt Victoria, evergreen and deciduous forest zones from dawn to 0915,
then drive to Bagan, o/n Hotel
Thande, Bagan.
17 March : Fly to Yangon, birding around hotel in
evening, o/n Seasons of Yangon
Hotel.
18 March : Morning at Hlawgar National Park, afternoon free, o/n as previous.
19 March : Depart Yangon and arrive London Heathrow.
Species List
PHASIANIDAE : Francolins, partridges, quails, pheasants and junglefowl.
Chinese Francolin Francolinus pintadeanus : 1 seen and 2 heard at Ngalaik Reservoir,
2 heard near Gyobin village and 1 seen at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary.
Rain Quail Coturnix coromandelica : A loose flock of about 20 were seen at Old
Bagan.
Hill Partridge Arborophila torqueola : Heard calling from the evergreen forest on Mt
Victoria on 3 separate days.
Mountain Bamboo Partridge Bambusicola fytchii : A pair were seen in rice stubble
near the Chin Village Resort, Mt Victoria, with a single male there two days
later.
Blyth's Tragopan Tragopan blythi : One was heard and seen briefly in a stream bed at
9200' on Mt Victoria.
Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus : 6 noted at Hlawgar Wildlife Park, a "hen and chicks"
near Nglaik Reservoir, also noted near Gooegyo village, near Gyobin village, at
Nagapwet and on the lower slopes of Mt Victoria.
Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos: A male and 3 females were seen in a deep gully
at Nagapwet.
Mrs Hume's Pheasant Syrmaticus humiae : A single male, a pair and a group of 3
females were seen in the evergreen forest on Mt Victoria
DENDROCYGNIDAE : Whistling-ducks.
Lesser Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna javanica : At least 100 at Hlawgar Wildlife Park,
200+ at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary, 200+ at Nglaik Reservoir and 100+ on the
ponds at Kanthit and Kapaing villages.
ANATIDAE : ANATINAE : Anserini : Geese, atypical ducks & pygmy-geese
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea : Up to 300 were seen on the Ayeyarwady River
Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos : 4 seen in flight at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary and
4 gave excellent views on Kanthit village pond.
Cotton Pygmy-Goose Nettapus coromandelianus : At least 50 at Hlawgar Wildlife
Park, 4 at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary, 15 at Nglaik Reservoir and 40 at Kapaing
village pond.
Anatinae : Typical ducks
Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha : Small numbers were noted at Hlawgar
Wildlife Park, Kanthit village pond, Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary and 50+
along the Ayeyarwady River at Bagan.
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata : 4 were seen at Kanthit village pond and 4 noted on
the Ayeyarwady River at Bagan.
Northern Pintail Anas acuta : 400+ were seen at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary.
Garganey Anas querquedula : At least 200 were seen at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary.
Common Teal Anas crecca : At least 20 were seen at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary.
TURNICIDAE : Buttonquails
Yellow-legged Buttonquail Turnix tanki : 8 were seen near Ngalaik Reservoir and 2
were seen at Toneyay Reserve Forest. Others, probably of this species, were
noted at Kapaing village and Old Bagan.
Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitator : a single bird was seen in rough grassland near
the Seasons of Yangon Hotel and another was seen at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary.
PICIDAE : Wrynecks, piculets & typical woodpeckers
Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla : A single bird was seen at Shwesettaw Wildlife
Sanctuary and 3 were seen at Old Bagan.
Grey-capped Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus : 4, including a pair at nest, were
seen in roadside forest near Gyobin village and 2 were also seen at Pyone.
Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Dendrocopos hyperythrus : Seen almost daily with a
maximum or 4 in the pine and evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Darjeeling Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis : 3 separate sightings of single birds
in the evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus : Seen on 2 days (max.4) in the evergreen forest
on Mt Victoria.
Greater Yellownape Picus flavinucha : A single bird was seen near Gooegyo village.
Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus : 2 seen in roadside forest near
Gyobin village.
Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus : 3 seen in forest near Gyobin village and 2 at
Pyone.
Common Flameback Dinopium javanense : A single bird was seen in roadside forest
near Gyobin village.
Himalayan Flameback : Dinopium shorii : A single bird was seen in roadside forest
near Gyobin village.
Greater Flameback : Chrysocolaptes lucidus : 4 birds, possibly two pairs, were seen
interacting noisily in roadside forest near Gyobin village.
Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis : Heard daily and up to 3 were seen in
evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
MEGALAIMIDAE : Asian Barbets
Great Barbet Megalaima virens : Up to 10 were seen daily in evergreen and deciduous
forest on Mt Victoria.
Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata : 2 were seen near Gooegyo village and 1 heard at
Nagapwet.
Golden-throated Barbet Megalaima franklinii : Up to 5 were seen or heard daily in
evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica : 1 heard calling in the evergreen forest on
Mt Victoria.
Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala: 1 was seen at Honeymoon Park and 3
seen in deciduous forest on the Pyinmana road.
BUCEROTIDAE : Asian hornbills
Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris : A single bird was seen at the teak
plantation near Ngalaik Reservoir and 7 were seen in deciduous forest on the
Pyinmana road.
UPUPIDAE : Hoopoes
Common Hoopoe Upupa epops : 2 were noted at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, 3 at
Old Bagan and a single bird at Nagapwet.
CORACIIDAE : Rollers
Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis : 3 noted at Ngalaik Reservoir, 10 along the
Pyinmana - Prome road, 20+ along the Bassein - Monywa road, 5 between
Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary and Bagan and 4 between Bagan and Pyone.
Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis : A territorial pair and a single bird were seen near
Gooegyo village and another noted at Nagapwet.
ALCEDINIDAE : Smaller kingfishers
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis : 3 were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park, at least 10 at
Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary, 3 at Kanthit village pond and 1 on the river at
Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary.
HALCYONIDAE : Larger kingfishers
White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis : At least 2 noted daily in all lowland
locations, with a maximum of 5 at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary.
CERYLIDAE : Pied kingfishers
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis : 2 were seen at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, then up to
4 seen each day on the Ayeyarwady River.
MEROPIDAE : Bee-eaters
Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis : Seen daily in all lowland locations between
Yangon and Bagan, with a maximum of 30 noted around Old Bagan.
Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus : 6 seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park were
attracted by an emergence of Danaus sp. butterflies. 2 were also noted at
Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary and 5 seen around Old Bagan.
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti : Single birds were seen at Hlawgar
Wildlife Park and near Gooegyo village and 2 seen near Ngalaik Reservoir and
by the Ayeyarwady River at Bagan.
CUCULIDAE : Old World cuckoos
Large Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides : Heard at Ngalaik Reservoir and
then recorded daily, including two single sightings, on the lower slopes of
Mt Victoria.
Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus : 1 seen briefly at Hlawgar Wildlife Park.
Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus : 2 were noted at Hlawgar Wildlife Park, 3 at
Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary, 2 in roadside forest near Gyobin village and 2 seen
by the Ayeyarwady River at Bagan.
Asian Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx maculatus : 2 were seen during a roadside
stopoff on the return journey to Bagan.
Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea : Heard each evening near Seasons of Yangon
Hotel, also heard and seen briefly at Hlawgar Wildlife Park and heard at
Ngalaik Reservoir.
Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis : 3 were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park,
2 at Ngalaik reservoir, 2 in forest along the Pyinmana road and singles seen near
Gyobin village and at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary.
CENTROPODIDAE : Coucals
Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis : Up to 2 were seen each evening near the Seasons
of Yangon Hotel, single birds were also noted at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary,
Ngalaik Reservoir, Kanthit village pond & Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary.
Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis : Single birds were noted near the Seasons of
Yangon Hotel and at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary.
PSITTACIDAE : Parrots & parakeets
Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria : 4 were seen over Ngalaik Reservoir, at
least 20 were seen in and over the roadside forest near Gyobin village, 6 were
noted at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary and 5 at Pyone.
Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri : 5 were seen over Ngalaik Reservoir, 6 in
roadside forest near Gyobin vilage, 12 at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary and 3
at a roadside stopoff en route from Mt Victoria to Bagan.
Grey-headed Parakeet Psittacula finschii : Up to 20 were seen near Ngalaik
Reservoir, 100+ in and over the roadside forest on the Pyinmana road and at
least 20 were seen between Bagan and Pyone.
Blossom-headed Parakeet Psittacula roseata : 2 were seen over the Pyinmana road
and 6 were seen feeding on sunflowers at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary.
Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri : At least 50 were seen flying to roost at
Ngalaik Reservoir, 7 over roadside forest on the Pyinmana road, 50 over
roadside forest near Gyobin village and at least 20 seen between Bagan and
Pyone.
APODIDAE : Swifts
Himalayan Swiftlet Collocalia brevirostris : About 50 swiftlets which were seen around
the Hotel Thande each evening were thought most likely to be this species.
Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis : Up to 20 seen daily in all lowland localities
between Yangon and Bagan.
House Swift Apus affinis : At least 15 were seen from the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan
and 7 noted around Old Bagan.
HEMIPROCNIDAE : Treeswifts
Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata : A single bird was seen at Hlawgar Wildlife
Park, 5 at Ngalaik Reservoir, 4 at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary and 2 at a
roadside stopoff en route from Mt Victoria to Bagan.
STRIGIDAE : Typical Owls
Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia : A greyish morph bird was found roosting in a small
tree at Old Bagan. It allowed very close approach and was only disturbed some
hours later by mobbing Yellow-streaked Warblers.
Collared Scops Owl Otus bakkamoena : Heard once near the Chin Village Resort
0230hrs) and twice (@1900hrs) at the edge of the evergreen forest on Mt
Victoria.
Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei : A single bird was seen in deciduous forest on the
Pyinmana road, another was also heard calling most nights from the deciduous
forest on Mt Victoria.
Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides : Two were seen in the teak plantation at
Ngalaik Reservoir and another two were seen in roadside forest near Gyobin
village.
Spotted Owlet Athene brama : Up to 4 seen around the temples at Old Bagan and
another was regularly seen and heard at dawn and dusk at Hotel Thande, Bagan.
BATRACHOSTOMIDAE : Asian frogmouths
Hodgson's Frogmouth Batrachostomus hodgsoni : A presumed pair were heard and
taped calling from the edge of the deciduous forest on Mt Victoria at 1845hrs.
Playback on two subsequent nights @1900hrs lured in a rufous morph bird
which gave excellent spotlight views. The bird came in and perched much
closer to us than we originally thought.
CAPRIMULGIDAE : CAPRIMULGINAE : Typical nightjars
Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus indicus : 2 were seen on two occasions in car headlights
pre-dawn on the road through the evergreen forest on Mt Victoria. Advertising
and contact calls were heard each evening around the edge of the evergreen
forest whilst spotlighting the frogmouths.
COLUMBIDAE : Pigeons and doves
Rock Pigeon Columba livia : Noted around Prome and Bagan.
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis : A single bird was seen on two
consecutive days at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary.
Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis : Seen at all lowland localities with a maximum of
100+ along the banks of the Ayeyarwady River at Bagan.
Red Collared Dove : Streptopelia tranquebarica : Single birds were seen at Toneyay
Reserve Forest and Kanthit village pond and at least 5 seen at Old Bagan.
Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto : 3 were seen at Shwesettaw Wildlife
Sanctuary and 4 at Old Bagan.
Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica : 3 separate sightings of single birds in the
evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra : A single bird was seen in the
deciduous forest on the Pyinmana road.
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera : 3 were seen at Ngalaik
Reservoir and at least 10 in the deciduous forest on the Pyinmana road.
Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon Treron sphenura : One was seen in the evergreen forest
on Mt Victoria with 6+ there the following day.
Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea : 5 were seen at Ngalaik Reservoir and 8 seen in
the deciduous forest on the Pyinmana road.
Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia : 10 flew through the river valley at Gooegyo
village and 3 were seen near the Chin Village Resort, Mt Victoria.
RALLIDAE : Rails, gallinules & coots
White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus: One was seen near the Seasons
of Yangon Hotel and 2 at Ngalaik Reservoir.
Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio : At least 800 were seen at Moeyungyi Bird
Sanctuary, 15+ at Ngalaik Reservoir and 30+ and Kapaing village pond.
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus : At least 10 were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife
Park and 15+ around the ponds at Kanthit and Kapaing villages.
SCOLOPACIDAE : SCOLOPACINAE : Woodcocks & snipes
Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura : Up to 10 were flushed from small fields near Ngalaik
Reservoir.
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago : A single bird was seen with Pintail Snipe at
Ngalaik Reservoir and another was at Kanthit village pond.
TRINGINAE : Godwits, curlews, sandpipers, dowitchers, phalaropes & allies
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata : Up to 2 seen by the Ayeyarwady River at Bagan.
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus : 8 were seen at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary and
at least 40 by the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan.
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia : One was seen at Shwesettaw Wildlife
Sanctuary, and up to 5 noted by the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan.
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus : One flew over the Seasons of Yangon Hotel,
another seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park, 4 near Ngalaik Reservoir and 2 by the
Ayeyarwady River, Bagan.
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola : Up to 10 were noted at Hlawgar Wildlife Park, at
least 50 at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary, 3 at Kanthit village pond, and up to 10
by the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos : One was seen at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary, 4
near Ngalaik Reservoir, singles at Kanthit village pond and Shwesettaw Wildlife
Sanctuary and up to 15 by the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan.
Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii : At least 50 were noted at Moeyungyi Bird
Sanctuary and up to 60 by the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan.
JACANIDAE : Jacanas
Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus : 5 were seen at Moeyungyi Bird
Sanctuary and 12 at Kanthit and Kapaing village ponds.
Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus : At least 10 were seen at Moeyungyi Bird
Sanctuary and 10 also at Kanthit and Kapaing village ponds.
Recurvirostrini : Ibisbill, stilts & avocets
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus : 5 were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park
and 6 at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary.
CHARADRIINAE : Plovers & lapwings
Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva : At least 500 were noted at Moeyungyi Bird
Sanctuary.
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius : 6 were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park, 50+ at
Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary, 3 at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary and up to 50 by
the Ayeyarwady River at Bagan.
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus : 2 were seen at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary
and at least 50 by the Ayeyarwady River at Bagan.
Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii : A single bird was seen by the
Ayeyarwady River between Shwesettaw and Bagan.
River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii : A single bird was seen at Shwesettaw Wildlife
Sanctuary and up to 4 by the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan.
Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus : 6 were seen at Ngalaik Reservoir and a
single bird was seen by the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan.
Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus : 3 were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park, 2 near
Gooegyo village, 5 at Kanthit and Kapaing village ponds and 2 at Shwesettaw
Wildlife Sanctuary.
GLAREOLINAE : Pratincoles
Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum : 200+ were seen at Moeyungyi Bird
Sanctuary and 2 by the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan.
Small Pratincole glareola lactea : 100+ were seen by the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan.
Larini : Gulls
Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus : 2 were seen on the river at Yangon.
Sternini : Terns & noddies
Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda : 2 birds, almost in breeding plumage, were seen
on the Ayeyarwady River between Shwesettaw and Bagan.
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus : 30+ were seen at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary.
ACCIPITRIDAE : PANDIONINAE : Osprey
Osprey Pandion haliaetus : 2 were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park.
ACCIPITRINAE : Hawks & eagles
Oriental Honey-Buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus : Single birds were seen at Hlawgar
Wildlife Park, near the Seasons of Yangon Hotel, at Old Bagan and at the Chin
Village Resort, Mt Victoria.
Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus : 4 were seen at Toneyay Reserve Forest and
at Old Bagan and a single bird noted at Kapaing village pond.
Black Kite Milvus migrans : 4 noted near the Seasons of Yangon Hotel, 1 at Hlawgar
Wildlife Park, 2 at Toneyay Reserve Forest and 1 at Old Bagan.
Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus : A single bird was seen perched on a
power pole at Toneyay Reserve Forest
Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela : Single birds were seen along the Pyinmana
road, near Pyone, and on 3 separate occasions over the lower slopes of Mt
Victoria.
Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus : Up to 30 were seen at Moeyungyi Bird
Sanctuary, 3 at Toneyay Reserve Forest and 2 at Kapaing village pond.
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus : A single ringtail was seen by the Ayeyarwady River,
Bagan.
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus : 3 were seen by the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan.
Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos : 2 were seen at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary and a
single male gave spectacular views at Kapaing village pond.
Shikra Accipiter badius : Single birds were noted in most locations.
Besra Accipiter virgatus : Single birds were seen on 2 occasions near the Chin Village
Resort, Mt Victoria.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus : A single bird was seen over the Ranger's
camp, Mt Victoria.
White-eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa : A single bird was seen at Shwesettaw Wildlife
Sanctuary.
Rufous -winged Buzzard Butastur liventer : 2 were seen near Kanthit village and
another seen by the roadside on the return journey from Mt Victoria to Bagan.
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo : Up to 3 were seen daily over the forest on Mt Victoria.
Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis : A pair were seen almost daily over the pine forest
on Mt Victoria and a fantastic close display of plunge dives and upward swoops
was seen on one occasion; indicative of breeding activity.
Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga : A single bird was seen over Moeyungyi Bird
Sanctuary.
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus : A single bird was seen interacting with a Black
Kite and a Laggar Falcon by the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan.
Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus : Single birds were seen on 2 occasions
over the deciduous forest zone on Mt Victoria.
Mountain Hawk Eagle Spizaetus nipalensis : A single bird was seen near the Chin
Village Resort, Mt Victoria.
FALCONIDAE : Falcons
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus : Single birds were noted at the Seasons of
Yangon Hotel, Toneyay Reserve Forest, Old Bagan and the Chin Village
Resort, Mt Victoria.
Oriental Hobby Falco severus : A single bird was seen near the deciduous forest zone
on Mt Victoria
Laggar Falcon Falco jugger : A pair were seen on a cliff by the Ayeyarwady River,
Bagan. One bird was seen to pursue and catch a Plain Martin. One of the pair
was seen from the Hotel Thande the following day, interacting with a Booted
Eagle and a Black Kite.
PODICIPEDIDAE : Grebes
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis : 5 were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park and 3 were
seen at Kanthit village pond.
ANHINGIDAE : Darters
Darter Anhinga melanogaster : A single bird was seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park and 3
were noted at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary.
PHALCROCORACIDAE : Cormorants
Little Cormorant Phalcrocorax niger : 10 were seen both at Hlawgar Wildlife Park and
at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary.
Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis : At least 100 were seen on Ngalaik
Reservoir
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo : Up to 10 were seen by the Ayeyarwady River,
Bagan.
ARDEIDAE : Egrets, herons & bitterns
Little Egret Egretta garzetta : Single birds were seen at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary and
Kapaing village pond; 4 at Hlawgar Wildlife Park and at least 10 were seen by
the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan.
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea : 2 were seen at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary and Kapaing
village pond; up to 5 were seen daily on the banks of the Ayeyarwady River,
Bagan.
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea : 2 were seen at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary and 5 at
Kapaing village pond.
Great Egret Casmerodius albus : A single bird was seen near Seasons of Yangon Hotel,
2 at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary and up to 10 were seen by the Ayeyarwady
River, Bagan.
Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia : At least 10 were seen at Moeyungyi Bird
Sanctuary.
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis : 3 were noted at Hlawgar Wildlife Park, 20+ at Moeyungyi
Bird Sanctuary and at Ngalaik Reservoir, 200+ at Kanthit and Kapaing village
ponds and 50+ at Bagan.
Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii : Noted at all wetland locations between Yangon and
Bagan.
THRESKIORNITHIDAE : Ibises & spoonbills
Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus : A single bird was seen in flight at
Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary.
PELECANIDAE : PELECANINAE : Pelicans
[Spot-billed Pelican Pelicanus philippensis] : An adult and an immature bird were seen
on a pond near the Seasons of Yangon Hotel, close to a large aviary.
CICONIIDAE : CICONIINAE : Storks
Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans : At least 100 were seen at Moeyungyi Bird
Sanctuary and 60+ were seen at Kapaing village pond.
Black Stork Ciconia nigra : 2 were seen soaring over Ngalaik Reservoir and 8 were
seen over Kanthit village pond.
IRENIDAE : Fairy Bluebirds & leafbirds
Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons : A single bird was seen in deciduous
forest along the Pyinmana road and 3 were seen at Pyone.
LANIIDAE : Shrikes
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus : Small numbers (max.4) were noted in all lowland
localities visited between Yangon and Bagan.
Burmese Shrike Lanius colluroides : A single bird was noted at Ngalaik Reservoir and
up to 3 seen at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary and at Old Bagan.
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach : Single birds were noted at Old Bagan and near the
Chin Village Resort, Mt Victoria.
CORVINAE : Jays, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, crows & allies
Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius : Up to 5 were seen on 3 occasions in the evergreen
and pine forest zones on Mt Victoria.
Yellow-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa flavirostris : A single bird was seen in the
deciduous forest zone on Mt Victoria.
Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha : A single bird was seen in
deciduous forest along the Pyinmana road and up to 2 were seen on several
occasions in the deciduous forest zone on Mt Victoria.
Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda : A single bird was seen at Ngalaik Reservoir,
2 in deciduous forest along the Pyinmana road, 4 in forest along the road near
Gyobin village and 2 at Pyone.
Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae : Up to 4 were seen most days in the evergreen and
deciduous forest zones on Mt Victoria
Racket-tailed Treepie Crypsirina temia : 2 were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park.
Hooded Treepie Crypsirina cucullata : A grand total of 16 were seen in the roadside
forest near Gyobin village and 2 were noted at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary
and at Nagapwet.
House Crow Corvus splendens : Hundreds were noted around Yangon and up to 10
were seen at Bagan.
Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos : Single birds were noted at Ngalaik
Reservoir, Old Bagan and on the lower slopes of Mt Victoria; 4 were seen at
Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary.
Artamini : Woodswallows & allies
Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus : 6 were seen at Toneyay Reserve Forest, 5 at
Nagapwet and 2 on the outskirts of Bagan.
Oriolini : Orioles, cuckoo-shrikes, trillers, minivets & flycatcher-shrikes
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis: 2 were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park and
Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary and 5 seen at Pyone.
Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornis : A single bird was seen at Hlawgar Wildllife
Park, 3 in forest along the Pyinmana road and 4 in roadside forest near Gyobin
village.
Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii : Up to 3 were seen in the evergreen forest on Mt
Victoria.
Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei : Single birds were seen at Shwesettaw Wildlife
Sanctuary and Pyone and up to 3 were seen in the deciduous forest zone on Mt
Victoria.
Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos : Single birds were seen near
Ngalaik Reservoir and at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary and 2 at Pyone.
Rosy Minivet Pericrocotus roseus : 3 were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park.
Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divarcatus : Single birds were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife
Park, near Gooegyo village and in forest along the Pyinmana road. 2 were also
seen with 3 Rosy Minivets on the second visit to Hlawgar Wildlife Park.
Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus : 7 were seen in forest near Gyobin village,
3 at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary and 2 at Pyone.
White-bellied Minivet Pericrocotus erythropygius : A single bird was seen at
Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, a nesting pair were closely observed at Old
Bagan and another pair were seen en route from Mt Victoria to Bagan
Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris : Up to 2 were seen on several occasions in
the evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus : A group of 4 and a singleton were seen
in the evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Short-billed Minivet Pericrocotus brevrostris : Up to 4 were seen on most days in the
evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus : 3 were seen near Gooegyo village, 4 at Pyone
and 3 en route from Mt Victoria to Bagan.
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus : 2 were seen at Pyone and in the
deciduous forest zone on Mt Victoria.
DICRURINAE : Rhipidurini : Fantails
Yellow-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hypoxantha : Up to 20 were seen daily on Mt
Victoria, mostly in the evergreen forest zone.
White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis : Up to 3 were seen most days on Mt
Victoria and a single bird was seen in a riverside gully at Shwesettaw Wildlife
Sanctuary, an unusually low altitudinal record.
White-browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola : A maximum of 6 were seen at Shwesattaw
Wildlife Sanctuary.
Dicrurini : Drongos
Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus : Recorded in large numbers at all lowland
locations visited with maxima of 100+ near the Seasons of Yangon Hotel and
300 at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary.
Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus : Up to 2 were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park,
Ngalaik Reservoir, Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary and on Mt Victoria.
Crow-billed Drongo Dicrurus annectans : A single bird was seen near Ngalaik
Reservoir.
Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus : At least 10 were seen in forest on the Pyinmana
road and in roadside forest near Gyobin village; a single bird was also seen in
the deciduous forest on Mt Victoria.
Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus : 4 were seen in forest along the Pyinmana
road, a singleton near Gyobin village and 3 were seen at Pyone.
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus : 7 were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife
Park and 3 were noted at Ngalaik reservoir, in forest along the Pyinmana road
and in forest near Gyobin village.
Monarchini : Monarchs, paradise-flycatchers & allies
Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea : 2 were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park,
near Ngalaik Reservoir and in forest along the Pyinmana road; a singleton was
noted at Pyone.
AEGITHININAE : Ioras
Common Iora Aegithina tiphia : At least 6 were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park, 1 at
Ngalaik Reservoir, 6 in forest near Gyobin village, 4 at Shwesettaw Wildlife
Sanctuary and 8 including a nesting pair at Old Bagan.
MALACOTINAE : Vangini : Philentomas, Woodshrikes & allies
Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis gularis : 5 were seen at Pyone.
Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus : A pair with a recently fledged
youngster were seen at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary.
MUSCICAPIDAE : TURDINAE : Thrushes & shortwings
Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush Monticola rufiventris : Up to 3 were seen most days in
the pine forest zone on Mt Victoria.
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius : Single birds were seen at Ngalaik Reservoir
and at Old Bagan.
Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus : Single birds were seen on 3 occasions
in the evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Long-tailed Thrush Zoothera dixoni : One bird was seen in the same location by the
roadside in the evergreen forest on Mt Victoria on 3 separate occasions; another
was also seen once nearby.
Scaly Thrush Zoothera dauma : One bird, displaying similar site fidelity to the above,
was seen twice by the roadside in the evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Black-breasted Thrush Turdus dissimilis : 2 were seen feeding with other Turdus sp.
in fruiting trees in the evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Grey-sided Thrush Turdus feae : Seen most days with maxima of 45 and 20 in fruiting
trees in the evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus : Up to 7 were seen feeding in fruiting trees in the
evergreen forest on Mt Victoria, 4 were also seen near the Chin Village Resort.
White-browed Shortwing Brachypteryx montana : A pair were seen in a gully near the
summit of Mt Victoria.
MUSCICAPINIAE ; Muscicapini : Old World Flycatchers
Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica : A single bird was seen in the pine forest
on Mt Victoria.
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica: A single bird was seen in Halwgar
Wildlife Park.
Ferruginous Flycatcher Muscicapa ferruginea : A single bird was seen at Shwesettaw
Wildlife Sanctuary.
Slaty-backed Flycatcher Ficedula hodgsonii : Seen most days, max.10 on Mt Victoria.
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata : Seen daily, max. 20 on Mt Victoria.
Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva : Seen in all forested lowland locations with a
maximum of 40 recorded in roadside forest near Gyobin village.
White-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula moniliger : A single bird was seen near the
summit of Mt Victoria.
Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra : Single birds were seen most days in
the evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni : Up to 8 were seen in the evergreen
forest on Mt Victoria.
Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor : Single birds were seen on 3 occasions in the
evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina : Up to 5 were seen most days in the evergreen
and deciduous forest zones on Mt Victoria.
Large Niltava Niltava grandis : Up to 3 were seen in the evergreen forest on Mt
Victoria.
Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara : Single birds were seen most days in the
evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Blue-throated Flycatcher Cyornis rubeculoides : A single male was seen at Pyone.
Pygmy Blue Flycatcher Muscicapella hodgsoni : Single birds were seen on two
occasions in the evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culcicapa ceylonensis : 3 were seen in forest along
the Pyinmana road and up to 4 were seen in the deciduous forest on Mt Victoria.
Saxicolini : Chats & allies
Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope : Remarkably scarce, noted only at Ngalaik
Reservoir (1), Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary (1), Old Bagan (2) and near the
Chin Village resort, Mt Victoria (1).
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica : A single bird was seen at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary.
Siberian Blue Robin Luscinia cyane : Single birds were seen near Ngalaik Reservoir, in
roadside forest near Gyobin village, near the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan and in
the deciduous fores on Mt Victoria.
Orange-flanked Bush Robin Tarsiger cyanurus : Common on Mt Victoria with up to
40 seen on one day.
Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis : Two birds were seen near Ngalaik
Reservoir, near Gyobin village, at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary and at Old
Bagan.
White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus : Single birds were seen near Ngalaik
Reservoir, near Gyobin village, and at Pyone and 2 were seen at Old Bagan.
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus : A single bird was seen near the Chin Village
Resort, Mt Victoria.
Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis : Up to 3 seen daily in the pine forest on
Mt Victoria.
Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata : At least 40 were seen at Moeyungyi Bird
Sanctuary; small numbers were also noted near Ngalaik Reservoir (5), Toneyay
Reserve Forest (4), Kapaing and Kanthit village ponds (3) and at Shwesettaw
Wildlife Sanctuary (2).
Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata : Up to 5 were seen daily in the dry lowlands between
Yangon and Bagan.
Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferrea : Up to 8 were seen daily on the higher slopes of Mt
Victoria.
STURNIDAE : Sturnini : Starlings & mynas
Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnus malabaricus : 4 were seen at Toneyay Reserve
Forest.
Asian Pied Starling Sturnus contra : A single bird was seen at Toneyay Reserve Forest.
Vinous-breasted Starling Sturnus burmannicus : Small numbers (max 10) were noted
at all lowland forest locations visited.
Common Myna Acridotheres tristis : Up to 20 seen in the urban lowlands
Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus : At least 100 roosted nightly near the Seasons of
Yangon Hotel and up to 10 were seen at Bagan.
Hill Myna Gracula religiosa : 6 were seen in roadside forest along the Pyinmana road.
SITTIDAE : SITTINAE : Nuthatches
Chestnut-vented Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis : up to 6 were seen daily in the pine and
evergreen forest zones on Mt Victoria. An active nest was noted in a split pine
tree at @8300'
Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch Sitta castanea : 2 were seen near Gooegyo village.
White-tailed Nuthatch Sitta himalyensis : Only seen on two days (max.3) in the higher
reaches of the deciduous forest on Mt Victoria.
White-browed Nuthatch Sitta victoriae : Less common than expected. Only 4 birds,
including a nesting pair, could be found in the stunted trees around the topmost
picnic area on Mt Victoria. Namataung National Park is a specially designated
conservation area and this endemic bird is its flagship species. We observed
massive habitat destruction by uncontrolled burning which extended right to the
summit of Mt Victoria. We also observed illegal trapping by use of bird lime in
this area. These activities coupled with unintentional disturbance by
birdwatchers could all be implicated in the worryingly low numbers of this
intensely parochial species in its fragile montane forest habitat.
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis : Single birds were seen near Gooegyo village
and at Pyone.
CERTHIIDAE : CERTHIINAE : Certhiini : Treecreepers
Bar-tailed Treecreeper Certhia himalayana : One or two were seen daily in the
evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Brown-throated Treecreeper Certhia discolor : Much the commoner of the two
treecreepers found in the deciduous forest on Mt Victoria with a maximum of 8
seen in a day.
PARINAE : Typical tits
Black-bibbed Tit Parus hypermelaena : 2 were seen in the pine forest zone and up to 3
were seen almost daily in the evergreen/deciduous forest border on Mt Victoria.
Great Tit Parus major : A single bird was seen in roadside forest near Gyobin village.
Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus : Up to 6 were seen daily in the evergreen and
deciduous forest on Mt Victoria.
Yellow-browed Tit Sylviparus modestus : Up to 10 were seen, usually in mixed-
species feeding flocks, in the evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
AEGITHALIDAE : Long-tailed tits
Black-throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus : Up to 5 were seen most days in the
evergreen forest on Mt Victoria.
Black-browed Tit Aegithalos bonvaloti : Up to 5 were seen most days in the evergreen
forest on Mt Victoria.
HIRUNDININAE : Martins & swallows
Sand Martin Riparia riparia : 3 were seen at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary.
Plain Martin Riparia paludicola : At least 100 were seen over the Ayeyarwady River at
Bagan. Many occupied nest holes were observed there in riverside cliffs.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica : At least 30 were seen at Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary
and smaller numbers were seen at other lowland locations
Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii : 2 were seen at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary
and a singleton seen at Old Bagan.
Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica : 3 were seen at Old Bagan, 3 in dry country
between Bagan and Nagapwet and 2 on the return journey to Bagan
Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus : 15 were seen over the evergreen forest on Mt
Victoria.
Nepal House Martin Delichon nipalensis : 5 were seen over the evergreen forest on Mt
Victoria.
PYCNONOTIDAE : Bulbuls
Crested Finchbill Spizixos canifrons : Up to 20 seen daily at all altitudes between the
pine forest and the Chin Village Resort on Mt Victoria.
Striated Bulbul Pycnonotus striatus : Up to 12 seen daily in the evergreen and
deciduous forests on Mt Victoria.
Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps : 4 were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park.
Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus : At least 20 were seen at Hlawgar
Wildlife Park, 6 near Ngalaik Reservoir, 10 near Gooegyo village and 10 in
roadside forest near Gyobin village.
Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus : At least 20 were seenat Pyone.
Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus Pycnonotus cafer : Common in all dry lowland
locations between Yangon and Bagan.
Stripe-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus finlaysoni : 5 of the local pale-eyed subspecies
were seen at Hlawgar Wildlife Park.
Flavescent Bulbul Pycnonotus flavescens : Up to 20 were seen in the evergreen forest
on Mt Victoria.
Streak-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus blanfordi : Common in all dry lowland locations
between Yangon and Bagan.
Mountain Bulbul Hypsipetes mcclellandii