Endemic Birds of Vietnam and Where to find them?

The best time of the year to see all endemic species of Vietnam: The months of Decemeber through to April are considered the best months of the year to spot most of these endemics. December to April is also the best time to go birding in Vietnam. Birders can see a greater number of birds more easily, getting better views to enjoy every species during this time.

The best birding places to see all endemic species of Vietnam: Da Lat Plateau is one of the best birding places in Vietnam to view a majority of these Vietnamese endemics with total 8 species including Vietnamese Cutia, Gray-crowned Crocias, Collared Laughingthrush, Vietnamese Greenfinch, Dalat Shrike-Babbler, Annam Prinia, Dalat Bush Warbler and Black-crowned Fulvetta.

Below is the list of endemic birds of Vietnam:

1. Edwards’s Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi)

Edwards’s Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi) is currently the rarest bird of Vietnam as none have been seen since for serveral years. This Pheasant remains classified as Critically Endangered because the remaining wild population is likely to be extremely small and severely fragmented.

Where to find Edwards’s Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi): There are no recent reports of this species in the wild. It was recorded in the areas north of Central Vietnam in the past.

2. Dalat Shrike-babbler (Pteruthius annamensis)

Dalat Shrike-babbler (Pteruthius annamensis) is one of the most beautiful endemic birds of Vietnam. Its natural habitat are broadleaved evergreen forests and pine forests.

Where to find Dalat Shrike-babbler (Pteruthius annamensis): Da Lat Plateau and Deo Nui San (Di Linh) are the best birding places to see this beautiful endemic species.

3. Annam Prinia (Prinia rocki)

Annam Prinia (Prinia rocki) is a new endemic species to Vietnam. It was split from Brown Prinia (Prinia polychroa). Its natural habitat is open dry forest, shrubby areas and agricultural edges.

Where to find Annam Prinia (Prinia rocki): Da Lat Plateau and Yokdon National Park are the best birding hotspots to see this new endemic species.

4. Dalat Bush Warbler (Locustella idonea)

Dalat Bush Warbler (Locustella idonea) is one of the most shy endemic birds of Vietnam. This bird prefers to stay hidden amongst the grasses. Birdwatchers have much better chances of hearing their characteristic call than seeing them.

Where to find Dalat Bush Warbler (Locustella idonea): Da Lat Plateau is the best birdwatching place to see this rare and shy endemic species.

5. Black-crowned Fulvetta (Schoeniparus klossi)

Black-crowned Fulvetta (Schoeniparus klossi) is a cute endemic bird of Vietnam. Its natural habitat is the dense undergrowth of wet zone forests.

 Where to find Black-crowned Fulvetta (Schoeniparus klossi): Da Lat Plateau is the best place to see this lovely endemic bird.

6. White-throated Wren-Babbler (Napothera pasquieri)

White-throated Wren-Babbler (Napothera pasquieri) is one of the most rare and shy endemic birds of Vietnam. It was found only at approximately 1200-2000 meters in the mountains of northwestern Vietnam. This shy and rare bird can be difficult to see; This bird spends most of its time on the ground looking for food.

Where to find White-throated Wren-Babbler (Napothera pasquieri): Sa Pa (Hoang Lien National Park) and Mu Cang Chai (Che Tao forest) are the best birding places to see this rare endemic species.

7. Vietnamese Cutia (Cutia legalleni)

Vietnamese Cutia (Cutia legalleni) is a beautiful endemic bird of Vietnam. Very similar in appearance to Himalayan Cutia, but ranges do not overlap. Its natural habitat are broadleaved evergreen forests and pine forests.

 Where to find Vietnamese Cutia (Cutia legalleni):Da Lat Plateau and Deo Nui San (Di Linh) are the best birdwatching places to see this beautiful endemic species.

8. Gray-crowned Crocias (Laniellus langbianis)

Gray-crowned Crocias (Laniellus langbianis) is a beautiful and rare endemic species of Vietnam. This bird is often seen in pairs of small flocks, sometimes mixed in with other species. Its natural habitat is intact broadleaved evergreen forests and secondary forest, generally near watercourses.

Gray-crowned Crocias (Laniellus langbianis) at Da Lat Plateau, Southern Vietnam. Photo by: Bui Duc Tien

Where to find Gray-crowned Crocias (Laniellus langbianis): Da Lat Plateau is the best place to see this beautiful and rare endemic bird.

9. Collared Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron yersini)

Collared Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron yersini) is one of the most beautiful endemic birds of Vietnam. It was found only in the undisturbed forests in the wet zone and in the hills of Dalat Plateau, Southern Vietnam.The populations are suspected to be declining as a result of forest degradation and fragmentation.

 Where to find Collared Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron yersini): Da Lat Plateau is the best birding hotspot to see this beautiful endemic species.

10. Golden-winged Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron ngoclinhense)

Golden-winged Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron ngoclinhense) is a beautiful and rare endemic species of Vietnam. It was found only in high-elevation forest (above 2,000 meters) in Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve, Central Vietnam. The populations are suspected to be declining as a result of forest degradation.

Where to find Golden-winged Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron ngoclinhense): Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve is the best birdwatching place to see this beautiful endemic species.

11. Orange-breasted Laughingthrush (Garrulax annamensis)

Orange-breasted Laughingthrush (Garrulax annamensis) is a rare shy endemic species of Vietnam. Its natural habitat are montane forest between 900m and 1500 m above sea-level and can survive in degraded habitats such as secondary forest and cultivated land close to forested areas. It is most often seen in pairs.

Where to find Orange-breasted Laughingthrush (Garrulax annamensis): Da Lat Plateau and Deo Nui San (Di Linh) are the best birding places to see this rare endemic species.

12. Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush (Ianthocincla konkakinhensis)

Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush (Ianthocincla konkakinhensis) is one of the most rarest endemic birds of Vietnam.This shy and rare bird can be difficult to see. The populations are suspected to be declining as a result of forest degradation and fragmentation.

Where to find Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush (Ianthocincla konkakinhensis): Mang Den (Mang Canh forest) is the best place to see this rare endemic bird.

13. Vietnamese Greenfinch (Chloris monguilloti)

Vietnamese Greenfinch (Chloris monguilloti) is a beautiful endemic species of Vietnam. Its natural habitat are scrubs and pine forests where it can be found foraging in small flocks.