Bird watching in Phang Nga Bay

Birds found in the Mangroves and the Inter Tidal Zone:

River Rovers' Bird Watching Charters invite you to visit this wonderful land and experience the magnificent and diverse avifauna of Thailand.

Discover the Bird Life of Thailand. There is an astonishing wealth of shapes, colour and behavior of the birds of this country.

More than 920 species of birds have been identified, of which approximately two thirds are resident while one third are migratory. Over 200 species of these birds are in the mangrove forests.

Population growth has had a major impact on the environment, reflected here in the reduction of natural resources and bio diversity.

Before World War 2, 70 percent of the country was covered by primary forest. Today, less than 15 percent of the forest remain intact. Under the Forestry Department, Thailand has established about a hundred parks and nature reserves and attempting to carry out a concerted policy of nature conservation.

1. The Mangrove Pitta is a beautiful and elusive bird. Although not often seen, it's loud "taew laew" call, gives away its presence. They have a strong bill which enables them to feed on crabs.

2. The compact and dark Little Heron can be found perched on a branch just above the water or wading in the mud. They feed on small aquatic fauna by stabbing them with their bill.

3. Two species of Kingfishers are common residents in the mangroves. Firstly, the Brown Winged Kingfishers are the larger of the two, with a huge red bill and chocolate brown wings. The head and under parts are bright ginger. They have a loud and harsh "tree treew treew" call. And secondly, the Collared Kingfishers. They have blue upper parts and all white under parts.

4. The Common Sandpipers are migrant waders. Their distinct habit of bobbing their tail up and down while feeding and walking, makes them easy to identify.

5. The Brahminy Kites are the most common birds of prey in the coastal areas. They are beautiful and graceful with a distinct colouring of bright chestnut, with the head, neck and breast being white. It is a delight to watch them circle gracefully overhead.

6. The White Bellied Sea Eagle is most frequently seen near the coastal areas of the South Asian continent and surrounding islands. They can be found at the coast in Australia, but are also to be found up the major waterways for some distance. The White Bellied Sea Eagle spends most of its day soaring, perched on rocks or trees at the edge of the water. This is where they hunt from. It has a strong liking for sea snakes, which come to the surface to breathe. When fishing they plunge with an impressive splash.

7. The Hornbills that you see in Thailand are resident. They are frugivorous, though they may eat small reptiles and insects during malting or when rearing young.

Over thirty species of water birds are known to utilize the mudflat areas of Thailand as refueling sites during migration which accounts for 9 out of every 12 months.

The rapid pace of habitat destruction in general, means that action should be taken to protect these areas and long term conservation programs must be sort.

Some of the migratory species are: The Grey Plover; The Asian Golden Plover; Greater Sandpiper; Mongolian Plover; The Malaysian Plover; Eurasian Curlew; Whimbret; The Bar-tailed Godwit; Asian Dowitcher; Common Redshank; Common Greenshank; Terek Sandpiper; Common Sandpiper; Curlew Sandpiper; Great Knot; Red-necked Stint; Sanderling; Ruddy Turnstone; Crested Tern; Common Terns; Little Tern; Little Heron; Little Egret; Pacific Reef Egret.

An expert guide is available onboard for dedicated bird watcher cruises.