Native Birds found in Thailand – A birding paradise

The swan goose is probably the largest goose that you may see in your lifetime. They have a very long neck and you can easily distinguish between the male the female because the males are much bigger than the females. Their voice will sound like a warning call to you because it's quite loud, and sometimes they make a barking honk that won't go for long durations.

They also call it the Brahminy Duck, and they have almost similar characteristics of a goose. But, their legs are longer and the neck is shorter, and that's where the difference can be made. They have got a very cute appearance particularly because of their body colour which consists of both brown and orange. Their mouth and the fingers are black in colour, and only the males of this species have been blessed with the round-neck line.

It's one of the critically endangered bird species found in Thailand. They are said to be breeding around lakes and then nesting in dense grass. Specialists say that these diving ducks migrate to Vietnam, Japan and India in winter, but the probability of them getting hunted is very high that the reports say as many as 3000 Baer's Pochards get killed every year, which is so unfortunate.

It's a vulnerable bird species as per the listings made by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They can be found in lowland evergreen forests, and can often be found roaming around with their small groups. Their diet includes seeds, berries, and termites. They do have a loud call and often followed by couplets or triplets of whistles.

Due to the forest fires, land conversations, and logging that have been happening in Thailand over the years, Moustached Hawk-cuckoo is a bird that has been named as threatened by the authorities. This cuckoo takes small fruits as well as animals for its diet and can be easily identified from the rest, thanks to its blackish moustache.

There are several bird sanctuaries and bird parks in Thailand that give you the best of birding experiences. If you decide to spend your Thai holiday at any boutique hotel in Bangkok the likes of Maitria Rama 9 Hotel, you may simply head to the Chai Nat Bird Park which is known to be the largest bird sanctuary in Asia. There are also some other places such as the Phuket Bird Park and the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) that also showcase many birds that are native to Thailand.