Bird Watching at Southern Chin Hills in West Myanmar

Bird Watching

at Southern Chin Hills in West Myanmar

From 26 to 30 November 2010

By

Thet Zaw Naing and Stephen C. Tierney

ITINERARY

25 November
Morning, fly from Yangon to Bagan and proceed from Bagan to Natmataung (Mt. Victoria) National Park. Overnight at Mountain Oasis Resort, this is situated near the boundary of the park.
26 to 30 November
Birding at Natmataung National Park (Mt. Victoria).
1 December
Drive back to Bagan. Overnight at Thande hotel in Bagan    
2 December
Fly back from Bagan to Yangon

NOTES ON SITE VISIT IN SOUTHERN CHIN HILLS

Bird watching was conducted at Natmataung (Mt. Victoria) National Park in the southern Chin Hills. Natmataung is established in 1994 encompasses an area of 722.61 sq km of mountainous terrain including Mount Victoria (Natmataung) with the elevation of 3054m, the highest mountain in West and Central Myanmar. The park located at 21° 19' N and 93° 55' E in Chin State, north-western part of Myanmar. This park falls within the Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area, which is covered by hill savannah, hill evergreen, moist upper mixed deciduous and pine forests.  

Birding was conducted five full days at South-east part of Natmataung.  The distant of birding route is about 22 km and between 1700 and 2750 masl. Detail are:
26 November – between 8 Mile Camp (~2500m) and Topmost Picnic Area (mile 10/3 at 2750m)
27 November – between Topmost Picnic Area and mile 11/7 (~2630m).
28 November – in the morning around Forest Guest House (~1900m) and in the afternoon from Forest Guest House to Mountain Oasis Resort (~1700m)
29 November – in the morning from mile 2/4 (~2250 m)to mile 4/0 (~2440m) and in the afternoon from mile 2/4 to mile 0/6 (~2080m)
30 November – in the morning around 8 Mile Camp and in the afternoon down from mile 3/0 to Forest Guest House

RECORDED BIRD SPECIES

During the trip we recorded a total of 140 bird species. Details are:

PHASIANIDAE: PERDICINAE: Partridges, francolins, quails
Hill Partridge Arborophila torqueola
Head at Topmost Picnic Area on the 26th.
Mountain Bamboo Partridge Bambusicola fytchii
Head on the 28th and 3 seen on the 29th.

PHASIANINAE: Pheasants & Junglefowl
Blyth's Tragopan Tragopan blythii
Head near 8 Mile Camp on the 30th.
Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos
A pair seen on the 26th.
Mrs Hume's Pheasant Syrmaticus humiae
One male seen near 8MC on the 30th.

Mrs Hume's Pheasant

FALCONIDAE: FALCONINAE: Falcons
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Single ones seen at Mountain Oasis Resort on the 28th and 29th.
Oriental Hobby Falco severus
Single ones seen near 8MC on the 27th and 30th.

FALCONIDAE: ACCIPITRINAE: Hawks, eagles & allies
Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus
One seen on the 28th.
Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus
One seen on the 30th.
Himalayan Buzzard Buteo burmanicus
Single ones seen on most days.
Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis
Single ones seen on the 26th, 28th, 29th and 30th, and a flock of four birds seen at TPA on the 27th.
COLUMBIDAE: COLUMBINAE: Typical pigeons & doves
Ashy Woodpigeon Columba pulchricollis
A flock of eight near TPA on the 27th.  
Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis
One seen on the 29th.

COLUMBIDAE: TRERONINAE: Green-pigeons, fruit-doves, imperial-pigeons & allies
Wedge-tailed Green-pigeon Treron sphenura
One seen on the 29th.

CUCULIDAE: CUCULINAE: Old World cuckoos
Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris
One seen near MOR on the 28th.

RAMPHASTIDAE: MEGALAIMINAE: Asian barbets
Great Barbet Megalaima virens
Up to 52 birds seen on 5 days.
Golden-throated Barbet Megalaima franklinii
Up to 5 seen daily with an exceptional 31 birds on the 30th.
Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica
One seen near MOR on the 28th.

PICIDAE: PICINAE: Typical woodpeckers
Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Hypopicus hyperythrus
A pair seen on the 26th and up to 9 recorded on the 9th.
Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei
One male seen near Forest Guest House at 1900 masl on the 28th.
Stripe-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos atratus
One female seen near Forest Guest House at 1900 masl on the 28th.
Crimson-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos cathpharius
One male seen near FGH on the 28th and up to four birds seen on the 30th.
Darjeeling Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis
One male seen near 8MC on the 30th.
Greater Yellownape Chrysophlegma flavinucha
One female seen near FGH on the 28th.
Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus
A pair seen near FGH on the 28th.
Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis
Heard daily with 2 birds seen on the 30th.

VIREONIDAE: Shrike-babblers, White-bellied Erpornis & allies
Black-headed Shrike-babbler Pteruthius rufiventer
Six birds seen near TPA at 2700m on the 27th and 3 on the 29th.
White-browed Shrike-babbler Pteruthius flaviscapis
Head on the 26th and 28th, five birds seen near TPA at 2700m on the 27th and 4 on the 29th.
Green Shrike-babbler Pteruthius xanthochlorus
One seen on the 27th and 3 on the 30th.
Black-eared Shrike-babbler Pteruthius melanotis
A total of 14 birds recorded on the 29th and 6 birds on the 30th.

CAMPEPHAGIDAE: Cuckooshrikes, trillers, minivets & allies
Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei
Three seen on the 28th and two on the 29th.
Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris
Three seen on the 30th.
Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus
Daily seen with up to 38 birds recorded on the 28th.
Short-billed Minivet Pericrocotus brevirostris
One seen on the 26th and 5 birds on the 30th.

ORIOLIDAE: Orioles & allies
Slender-billed Oriole Oriolus tenuirostris
4 seen on the 28th.
Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii
Daily seen with up to 5 birds seen on the 29th.

RHIPIDURIDAE: Fantails
Yellow-bellied Fantail Chelidorhynx hypoxantha
Daily seen.
White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis
Single ones seen on the 27th and 28th and two birds on the 29th.

DICRURIDAE: Drongos
Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus
Daily seen.
Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus
Daily seen with up to 46 birds recorded on the 28th.

CORVIDAE: Crows, nutcrackers, magpies, jays, treepies & allies
Eastern Jungle Crow Corvus levaillantii
Split from Large-billed Crow.
Daily seen.
Yellow-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa flavirostris
A flock of 6 birds seen at 8MK on the 26th and 3 birds at TPA on the 27th.  

Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha
A flock of six birds seen at MOR on the 27th, a total of 11 birds and 14 birds seen on the 28th and 30th respectively.
Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae
7 birds seen on the 28th, 6 on 29th and 20 on 30th.

NECTARINIIDAE: Sunbirds & spiderhunters
Mrs Gould's Sunbird Aethopyga gouldiae
Four birds seen on the 30th.
Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis
Daily seen with up to 10 birds seen on the 29th.
Black-throated Sunbird Aethopyga saturate
One male seen on the 30th.
Fire-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda
8 birds seen on the 26th, 14 on the 27th and a pair on the 30th.

DICAEIDAE: Flowerpeckers
Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum melanoxanthum
One male seen on the 27th.
Yellow-vented Flowerpecker Dicaeum chrysorrheum
One bird seen near MOR at 1700m on the 28th.
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus
One male seen on the 27th and a pair on the 29th.

CHLOROPSEIDAE: Leafbirds
Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons
3 birds seen near FGH on the 28th.
Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii
Single bird seen on the 29th.

MOTACILLIDAE: Wagtails & pipits
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
Daily seen.
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Single ones seen  on the 28th and 29th.

FRINGILLIDAE: CARDUELINAE: Siskins, serins, finches, grosbeaks & allies
Yellow-breasted Greenfinch Chloris spinoides
Head on the 26th and a flock of 4 birds seen on the 30th.
Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus
Up to 7 birds seen near the FGH on the 28th.

EMBERIZIDAE: Buntings & allies
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla
Daily seen with up to 54 birds seen on the 26th.

Chestnut Bunting Emberiza rutila
Up to 8 birds seen on the 29th and 3 on the 30th.

CERTHIIDAE: CERTHIINAE: Treecreepers
Bar-tailed Treecreeper Certhia himalayana
Four birds seen on the 26th, one on the 27th, two on the 29th and one on the 30th.
Hume's Treecreeper Certhia manipurensis
Daily seen with up to 10 birds seen on the 29th.

SITTIDAE: Nuthatches
Chestnut-vented Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis
Daily seen with up to 18 birds seen on the 29th.
White-browed Nuthatch Sitta victoriae (Endemic Species of Myanmar)
Three birds seen at 8MC on the 26th , 4 birds seen near TPA on the 27th and up to 5 birds recorded near 8MC on the 30th.   

White-browed Nuthatch

STURNIDAE: STURNINAE: Mynas, starlings & allies
Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa
Head at MOR on the 26th and at least 50 birds seen near FGH on the 28th.

TURDIDAE: Thrushes, cochoas, grandala & allies
Grey-sided Thrush Turdus feae
A flock of 8 birds seen at 8MC on the 26th and one seen near TPA at 2700m on the 27th.

Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscures
Two bird seen near FGH on the 30th.

MUSCICAPIDAE: SAXICOLINAE: Shortwings, robins, redstarts, rock-thrushes, chats, forktails, whistling-thrushes & allies
Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis
Single males seen on the 27th and 28th, a pair on the 26th .
Chestnut-bellied Rock-thrush Monticola rufiventris
One or three birds seen daily.
Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferreus
Daily seen with up to 20 birds seen on the 30th.
Himalayan Bluetail Tarsiger rufilatus
Daily seen with up to 8 birds seen on the 30th.
White-crowned Forktail Enicurus leschenaultia
One bird seen near FGH on the 28th.
Spotted Forktail Enicurus maculates
One bird seen near mile 11/7 at 2630m on the 27th.

MUSCICAPIDAE: MUSCICAPINAE: Old World flycatchers & allies
Hill Blue Flycatcher Cyornis banyumas
One male seen at TPA on the 27th.
Blue-throated Flycatcher Cyornis rubeculoides
Two males and one female seen on the 28th and one male seen on the 29th.
Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus
Two seen on the 28th and one on the 29th.
Vivid Niltava Niltava vivida
One male seen on the 29th.
Slaty-backed Flycatcher Ficedula hodgsonii
Up to four birds seen on the 29th and a pair seen on the 30th.
Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor
A pair seen on the 29th.
Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla
Daily seen.
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Muscicapa  strophiata
One or two birds seen daily.
Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica
One bird seen on the 26th.

PARINAE: Typical tits
Black-bibbed Tit Poecile hypermelaena
Up to five birds seen on the 26th, two birds on the 27th and four birds on the 30th.
Black-bibbed Tit

Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus
Daily seen with up to 19 birds seen on the 28th.
Yellow-browed Tit Sylviparus modestus
One bird seen on the 26th.

STENOSTIRIDAE: Canary-flycatchers & allies
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis
Up to 5 birds seen on the 28th and single bird on the 30th.

PYCNONOTIDAE: Bulbuls
Crested Finchbill Spizixos canifrons
15 birds seen on the 28th, 29 birds on the 29th and 9 birds on the 30th.
Striated Bulbul Pycnonotus striatus
2 birds seen on the 26th, 11 on the 27th and 20 on the 30th.
Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus flaviventris
Three birds seen on the 30th.
Flavescent Bulbul Pycnonotus flavescens
Three birds seen at MOR on the 25th , one on the 28th and seven on the 29th.
Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer
Four birds seen on the 28th.
Mountain Bulbul Ixos mcclellandii
A flock of 6 birds seen on the 30th.

Himalayan Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus
Daily seen with up to 40 birds seen on the 30th.

HIRUNDINIDAE: HIRUNDININAE: Martins, swallows & allies
Nepal House Martin Delichon nipalense
A total of 50 birds seen on the 29th.

CETTIIDAE: Abroscopus warblers, Mountain Tailorbird, Broad-billed Warbler, Cettia bush-warblers, tesias & allies
Black-faced Warbler Abroscopus schisticeps
Two birds seen on the 29th.
Broad-billed Warbler Tickellia hodgsoni
Head on two days and one bird seen on the 30th.
Brownish-flanked Bush-warbler Cettia fortipes
Two birds seen on the 28th.
Chestnut-headed Tesia Tesia castaneocoronata
Daily seen with up to 11 birds seen on the 29th.

AEGITHALIDAE: Long-tailed tits
Burmese Tit Aegithalos sharpie (Endemic Species)
Split from Black-browed Tit.
A flock of 12 birds seen near 8MC and up to 60 birds seen on the 30th.
Burmese Tit


PHYLLOSCOPIDAE: Seicercus & Phylloscopus warblers
Whistler's Warbler Seicercus whistleri
Two birds seen on the 27th.
Grey-crowned Warbler Seicercus tephrocephalus
Two birds seen on the 30th.
Grey-hooded Warbler Phylloscopus xanthoschistus
Two birds seen on the 28th, three on the 29th and two on the 30th.
Blyth's Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus reguloides
Daily seen with up to 43 birds seen on the 29th.
Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides
Single ones seen on the 28th and 29th.
Two-barred Warbler Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus
Single ones seen on the 27th, 28th and 29th.
Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis
Two birds seen on the 30th.
Buff-barred Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher
8 birds seen on the 26th, 16 on the 27th and one on the 30th.
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus
Daily seen.
Hume's Warbler Phylloscopus humei
14 birds seen on the 26th, 10 on the 27th and 5 on the 30th.
Tickell's Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus affinis
Single ones seen on the 28th and 30th and three birds on the 29th.

TIMALIIDAE: Babblers
White-browed Fulvetta Fulvetta vinipectus
25 birds seen on the 26th, up to 50 birds on the 26th , 4 on the 29th and 9 on the 30th.
Chestnut-flanked White-eye Zosterops erythropleurus
5 birds seen on the 26th, 12 on the 27th, 10 on the 30th.
Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicas
7 birds seen on the 26th, 4 on the 27th and 8 on the 29th.
Stripe-throated Yuhina Yuhina gularis
2 birds seen on the 27th and 3 on the 29th.
Whiskered Yuhina Yuhina flavicollis
Head on the 26th, up to 13 birds seen on the 27th, 2 on the 29th and 7 on the 30th.
Nepal Fulvetta Alcippe nipalensis
14 birds seen on the 28th and 3 on the 29th.
Rusty-capped Fulvetta Schoeniparus dubius
Two birds seen on the 29th.
Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps
5 birds seen on the 28th and one on the 30th.
Spot-breasted Scimitar-babbler Pomatorhinus mcclellandi
Head near FGH on the 28th.
White-browed Scimitar-babbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps
15 birds seen on the 28th, 4 0n the 29th and 3 on the 30th.

Streak-breasted Scimitar-babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis
Head near FGH on the 28th, 5 birds seen on the 27th, 7 birds on the 29th and one on the 30th.
Coral-billed Scimitar-babbler Pomatorhinus ferruginosus
Two birds seen near FGH on the 28th.
Chin Hills Wren-babbler Spelaeornis oatesi (Near Endemic)
Split from Long-tailed Wren-babbler.
Daily seen with up to 18 birds seen on the 28th.
Pygmy Wren-babbler Pnoepyga pusilla
One bird seen near TPA on the 27th.
Golden Babbler Stachyridopsis chrysaea
Head on the 27th, single ones seen on the 28th and 30th, and 4 birds seen on the 29th.
Rufous-winged Fulvetta Pseudominla castaneceps
15 birds seen on the 27th, 4 on the 29th and 10 on the 30th.
Mt. Victoria Babax Babax woodi (Near Endemic)
Split from Chinese Babax.
Three birds seen on the 26th, one bird on the 27th and four bird on the 30th.
Mt. Victoria Babax

Brown-capped Laughingthrush Trochalopteron austeni (Near Endemic)
8 birds seen on the 28th and 3 on the 29th.
Assam Laughingthrush Trochalopteron chrysopterum (Near Endemic)
Split from Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush.
Daily seen with up to 50 birds seen on the 28th.


Crimson-faced Liocichla Liocichla phoenicea
Split from Red-faced Liocichla.
4 birds seen on the 28th.
Bar-throated Minla Chrysominla strigula
10 birds seen on the 26th, 35 on the 27th, 10 on the 29th and 2 on the 30th.
Red-tailed Minla Minla ignotincta
20 birds seen on the 27th and 9 birds on the 29th.
Blue-winged Siva Siva cyanouroptera
4 birds seen on the 28th and 17 on the 29th.
Silver-eared Mesia Mesia argentauris
20 birds seen on the 28th and 3 on the 29th.
Grey Sibia Malacias gracilis
Daily seen with up to 67 birds recorded on the 29th.
Rufous-backed Sibia Leioptila annectens
Two birds seen on the 27th.
Streak-throated Barwing Actinodura waldeni
Four birds seen on the 26th and three birds on the 27th.
Rusty-fronted Barwing Actinodura egertoni
Two birds seen on the 28th and one on the 29th.

MEGALURIDAE: Grasshopper warblers, Bradypterus bush-warblers, Striated Grassbird & allies
Brown Bush-warbler Bradypterus luteoventris
Single bird seen near 8MC on the 30th.

CISTICOLIDAE: Cisticolas, tailorbirds, prinias & allies
Striated Prinia Prinia crinigera
One birds seen at FGH on the 30th.
Black-throated Prinia Prinia atrogularis (Near Endemic)
Split from Hill Prinia.
Three birds seen on the 26th and one bird on the 28th.