Birds of Cuc Phuong National Park [update 2023] which covers 239 species over time, Endemics, near-endemic, and highlight – Review by Thang Nguyen.

Overview Birds of Cuc Phuong National park – last update Feb/2023

Number of species: 239
Number of globally threatened species: 1
Number of introduced species: 1

The highlight for Birds of Cuc Phuong National Park

The vegetation of Cuc Phuong National Park is dominated by limestone forest. In some places, the forest is stratified into as many as five layers, including an emergent layer up to 40 m in height. Due to the steep topography, however, the canopy is often broken and stratification is unclear. Many individual trees show well developed buttress roots in response to the generally shallow soils (Anon. 1991).

Endemic & Near-Endemics birds of Cuc Phuong

Vietnam birds Endemic Tonkin Partridge - Birds of Cuc Phuong

Tonkin Partridge

The most wanted birds for the birder

Several species that are difficult to see elsewhere in Vietnam can be found at Cuc Phuong such as Malay Night-heron (present during the summer months), Red-collared Woodpecker, Pied Falconet, Eared Pitta and Greyish Limestone-babbler.

Other species of interest include Tonkin Partridge, Silver Pheasant, Austen’s Brown Hornbill, Red-vented Barbet, Blue-rumped and Bar-bellied Pittas, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, White-winged Magpie, Indochinese Green Magpie, Limestone Leaf-warbler and Rufous-throated and Black-browed Fulvettas.

During the winter months thrushes, flycatchers, and robins of several species are common here.

FAQs about birds of Cuc Phuong National park

When is the best time for birding & bird photography in Cuc Phuong Np.?

“The best time for birding in Cuc Phuong is from Nov to Mar when it is not much rain and migratory time”

Where to birdwatching in Cuc Phu in Cat Tien National Park Overtimeong National Park?

Bongs: easy walk around
Mac Lake: easy walk around
Botanic Garden: easy walk around
Main Trail:
Nguoi Xua Cave: Good place for Limestone wren babbler

How to Birding in Cuc Phuong National Park?

Get there
About 140 kilometers from the center of Hanoi, Cuc Phuong National Park has become an attractive destination for tourists from all four directions, so it is not difficult for you to move there. There are 2 ways for your choice: by public transport and by private transport.
By public transports
From Hanoi, you can take a bus from Giap Bat bus station to the national park. There are 2 bus owners for your reference: Duc Hanh and Phu Duyen. The buses run directly to Cuc Phuong National Park, so it is very convenient for you because you do not have to stop at any intermediate places.
If you cannot catch the bus of the two vehicles above in time, you can take the bus to Nho Quan from Giap Bat bus station, then continue for another 10 kilometers by taxi or bus, “xe om”.
By private transports
Using a private vehicle such as a car or motorbike is the most convenient way for you to get to the park with flexibility in time and schedule. Starting from Hanoi, visitors can follow the Trang An – Hoa Lu – Bai Dinh – Dong Chuong – Cuc Phuong National Park route or follow the 1A highway – Gian Khau crossroad – Nho Quan – Cuc Phuong National Park.
Accommodation
Entrance Area
As a starting point for activities at the national park, this area offers a full range of rooms from 200,000 VND and useful services such as jungle equipment rental, bike rental, sightseeing guide, chapter ethnic performances, etc.
Mac Lake Area
About 1.5 kilometers from the gate of the national park, Mac Lake Area provides visitors a quiet and fresh relaxing space with all kinds of rooms and communal stilt houses. This is also a suitable area for large groups of people to organize campfires and cultural exchanges as well as holding parties.
Park Center
As the final point in the trekking route across the national park, Park Center with separate stilt houses and apartments is always ready to offer guests a full range of services and accommodations. You should note that there is no electricity in this place, the generator – which runs for only 4 hours per night – is used instead.
Accommodation beyond the national park
Due to a number of reasons such as insects, mosquitoes, and the solitude that prevent you from staying in the forest, homestays, hotels, and resorts outside the national park are the right choice for you. Some accommodation suggestions for your reference are Cuc Phuong Resort, Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu Shack Homestay, Ninh Binh Family Homestay, etc.

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Cuc Phuong National Park Bird list

List of birds in Cuc Phuong National Park Overtime

No.English NameLatin NameStatus
 GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae  
1Bar-backed PartridgeArborophila brunneopectus 
2Scaly-breasted PartridgeTropicoperdix chloropus Tonkin Partridge (EN)
3Red JunglefowlGallus gallus 
 PODICIPEDIFORMES: Podicipedidae  
4Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis 
 COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae  
5Oriental Turtle-DoveStreptopelia orientalis 
6Spotted DoveSpilopelia chinensis 
7Asian Emerald DoveChalcophaps indica 
8Thick-billed Green-PigeonTreron curvirostra 
9Pin-tailed Green-PigeonTreron apicauda 
10White-bellied Green-PigeonTreron sieboldii 
 CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae  
11Greater CoucalCentropus sinensis 
12Lesser CoucalCentropus bengalensis 
13Green-billed MalkohaPhaenicophaeus tristis 
14Asian KoelEudynamys scolopaceus 
15Asian Emerald CuckooChrysococcyx maculatus 
16Banded Bay CuckooCacomantis sonneratii 
17Plaintive CuckooCacomantis merulinus 
18Square-tailed Drongo-CuckooSurniculus lugubris 
19Large Hawk-CuckooHierococcyx sparverioides 
20Indian CuckooCuculus micropterus 
 CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Apodidae  
21Silver-backed NeedletailHirundapus cochinchinensis 
22Brown-backed NeedletailHirundapus giganteus 
23Germain’s SwiftletAerodramus germani 
24House SwiftApus nipalensis 
25Asian Palm SwiftCypsiurus balasiensis 
 CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae  
26Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticola 
27Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucos 
 CHARADRIIFORMES: Turnicidae  
28Barred ButtonquailTurnix suscitator 
 PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae  
29Cinnamon BitternIxobrychus cinnamomeus 
30Great EgretArdea alba 
31Intermediate EgretArdea intermedia 
32Little EgretEgretta garzetta 
33Cattle EgretBubulcus ibis 
34Chinese Pond-HeronArdeola bacchus 
35Striated HeronButorides striata 
36Black-crowned Night-HeronNycticorax nycticorax 
37Malayan Night-HeronGorsachius melanolophus 
 ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae  
38Oriental Honey-buzzardPernis ptilorhynchus 
39Black BazaAviceda leuphotes 
40Crested Serpent-EagleSpilornis cheela 
41Mountain Hawk-EagleNisaetus nipalensis 
42Changeable Hawk-EagleNisaetus cirrhatus 
43Rufous-bellied EagleLophotriorchis kieneriiNear-threatened
44Black EagleIctinaetus malaiensis 
45Gray-faced BuzzardButastur indicus 
46Crested GoshawkAccipiter trivirgatus 
47ShikraAccipiter badius 
48Black KiteMilvus migrans 
 STRIGIFORMES: Tytonidae  
49Barn OwlTyto alba 
 STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae  
50Mountain Scops-OwlOtus spilocephalus 
51Collared Scops-OwlOtus lettia 
52Asian Barred OwletGlaucidium cuculoides 
53Collared OwletTaenioptynx brodiei 
54Brown Wood-OwlStrix leptogrammica 
55Brown BoobookNinox scutulata 
 TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae  
56Red-headed TrogonHarpactes erythrocephalus 
 BUCEROTIFORMES: Upupidae  
57Eurasian HoopoeUpupa epops 
 BUCEROTIFORMES: Bucerotidae  
58Brown HornbillAnorrhinus austeniNear-threatened
59Oriental Pied-HornbillAnthracoceros albirostris 
 CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae  
60Common KingfisherAlcedo atthis 
61White-throated KingfisherHalcyon smyrnensis 
62Black-capped KingfisherHalcyon pileataVulnerable
 CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae  
63DollarbirdEurystomus orientalis 
 PICIFORMES: Megalaimidae  
64Coppersmith BarbetPsilopogon haemacephalus 
65Great BarbetPsilopogon virens 
66Red-vented BarbetPsilopogon lagrandieri 
67Green-eared BarbetPsilopogon faiostrictus 
68Blue-throated BarbetPsilopogon asiaticus 
 PICIFORMES: Picidae  
69Speckled PiculetPicumnus innominatus 
70White-browed PiculetSasia ochracea 
71Gray-capped Pygmy WoodpeckerYungipicus canicapillus 
72Bay WoodpeckerBlythipicus pyrrhotis 
73Greater FlamebackChrysocolaptes guttacristatus 
74Rufous WoodpeckerMicropternus brachyurus 
75Common FlamebackDinopium javanense 
76Lesser YellownapePicus chlorolophus 
77Red-collared WoodpeckerPicus rabieriNear-threatened
78Greater YellownapeChrysophlegma flavinucha 
 FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae  
79Pied FalconetMicrohierax melanoleucos 
 PASSERIFORMES: Eurylaimidae  
80Long-tailed BroadbillPsarisomus dalhousiae 
81Silver-breasted BroadbillSerilophus lunatus 
 PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae  
82Blue-rumped PittaHydrornis soror 
83Bar-bellied PittaHydrornis elliotii 
 PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae  
84Short-billed MinivetPericrocotus brevirostris 
85Long-tailed MinivetPericrocotus ethologus 
86Scarlet MinivetPericrocotus speciosus 
87Black-winged CuckooshrikeLalage melaschistos 
 PASSERIFORMES: Vireonidae  
88Clicking Shrike-BabblerPteruthius intermedius 
89White-bellied ErpornisErpornis zantholeuca 
 PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae  
90Black-naped OrioleOriolus chinensis 
91Maroon OrioleOriolus traillii 
 PASSERIFORMES: Vangidae  
92Large WoodshrikeTephrodornis virgatus 
93Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrikeHemipus picatus 
 PASSERIFORMES: Aegithinidae  
94Common IoraAegithina tiphia 
95Great IoraAegithina lafresnayei 
 PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae  
96White-throated FantailRhipidura albicollis 
 PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae  
97Black DrongoDicrurus macrocercus 
98Ashy DrongoDicrurus leucophaeus 
99Bronzed DrongoDicrurus aeneus 
100Lesser Racket-tailed DrongoDicrurus remifer 
102Hair-crested DrongoDicrurus hottentottus 
104Greater Racket-tailed DrongoDicrurus paradiseus 
 PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae  
105Black-naped MonarchHypothymis azurea 
106Blyth’s Paradise-FlycatcherTerpsiphone affinis 
 PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae  
107Brown ShrikeLanius cristatus 
108Long-tailed ShrikeLanius schach 
109Gray-backed ShrikeLanius tephronotus 
 PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae  
110Red-billed Blue-MagpieUrocissa erythroryncha 
111White-winged MagpieUrocissa whiteheadi 
112Common Green-MagpieCissa chinensis 
113Racket-tailed TreepieCrypsirina temia 
114Ratchet-tailed TreepieTemnurus temnurus 
 PASSERIFORMES: Stenostiridae  
115Gray-headed Canary-FlycatcherCulicicapa ceylonensis 
 PASSERIFORMES: Paridae  
116Sultan TitMelanochlora sultanea 
117Japanese TitParus minor 
 PASSERIFORMES: Alaudidae  
118Indochinese BushlarkMirafra erythrocephala 
 PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae  
119Common TailorbirdOrthotomus sutorius 
120Dark-necked TailorbirdOrthotomus atrogularis 
121Rufescent PriniaPrinia rufescens 
122Yellow-bellied PriniaPrinia flaviventris 
123Plain PriniaPrinia inornata 
124Zitting CisticolaCisticola juncidis 
 PASSERIFORMES: Locustellidae  
125Russet Bush WarblerLocustella mandelli 
 PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae  
126Barn SwallowHirundo rustica 
127Red-rumped SwallowCecropis daurica 
 PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae  
128Black-crested BulbulRubigula flaviventris 
129Red-whiskered BulbulPycnonotus jocosus 
130Light-vented BulbulPycnonotus sinensis 
131Sooty-headed BulbulPycnonotus aurigaster 
132Stripe-throated BulbulPycnonotus finlaysoni 
133Puff-throated BulbulAlophoixus pallidus 
134Gray-eyed BulbulIole propinqua 
135Black BulbulHypsipetes leucocephalus 
136Ashy BulbulHemixos flavala 
137Chestnut BulbulHemixos castanonotus 
 PASSERIFORMES: Phylloscopidae  
138Yellow-browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatus 
139Hume’s WarblerPhylloscopus humei 
140Pallas’s Leaf WarblerPhylloscopus proregulus 
141Radde’s WarblerPhylloscopus schwarzi 
142Dusky WarblerPhylloscopus fuscatus 
143Eastern Crowned WarblerPhylloscopus coronatus 
144Gray-crowned WarblerPhylloscopus tephrocephalus 
145Bianchi’s WarblerPhylloscopus valentini 
146Arctic WarblerPhylloscopus borealis 
147Chestnut-crowned WarblerPhylloscopus castaniceps 
148Limestone Leaf WarblerPhylloscopus calciatilis 
149Sulphur-breasted WarblerPhylloscopus ricketti 
 PASSERIFORMES: Scotocercidae  
150Asian StubtailUrosphena squameiceps 
151Yellow-bellied WarblerAbroscopus superciliaris 
152Manchurian Bush WarblerHorornis canturians 
 PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae  
153Swinhoe’s White-eyeZosterops simplex 
154Indian White-eyeZosterops palpebrosus 
 PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae  
155Pin-striped Tit-BabblerMixornis gularis 
156Golden BabblerCyanoderma chrysaeum 
157Rufous-capped BabblerCyanoderma ruficeps 
158White-browed Scimitar-BabblerPomatorhinus schisticeps 
159Large Scimitar-BabblerErythrogenys hypoleucos 
160Black-streaked Scimitar-BabblerErythrogenys gravivox 
161Gray-throated BabblerStachyris nigriceps 
162Spot-necked BabblerStachyris strialata 
 PASSERIFORMES: Pellorneidae  
163Scaly-crowned BabblerMalacopteron cinereum 
164Rufous-throated FulvettaSchoeniparus rufogularis 
165Puff-throated BabblerPellorneum ruficeps 
166Spot-throated BabblerPellorneum albiventre 
167Buff-breasted BabblerPellorneum tickelli 
168Abbott’s BabblerMalacocincla abbotti 
169Streaked Wren-BabblerGypsophila brevicaudata 
170Annam Limestone BabblerGypsophila annamensis 
171Eyebrowed Wren-BabblerNapothera epilepidota 
172Short-tailed Scimitar-BabblerNapothera danjouiNear-threatened
 PASSERIFORMES: Leiothrichidae  
173Black-browed FulvettaAlcippe grotei 
174David’s FulvettaAlcippe davidi 
175Lesser Necklaced LaughingthrushGarrulax monileger 
176White-crested LaughingthrushGarrulax leucolophus 
177Black-throated LaughingthrushPterorhinus chinensis 
 PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae  
178Velvet-fronted NuthatchSitta frontalis 
 PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae  
179Golden-crested MynaAmpeliceps coronatus 
180Common Hill MynaGracula religiosa 
181White-shouldered StarlingSturnia sinensis 
 PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae  
182White’s ThrushZoothera aurea 
183Scaly ThrushZoothera dauma 
184Purple CochoaCochoa purpurea 
185Green CochoaCochoa viridis 
186Siberian ThrushGeokichla sibirica 
187Orange-headed ThrushGeokichla citrina 
188Chinese BlackbirdTurdus mandarinus 
189Japanese ThrushTurdus cardis 
190Gray-backed ThrushTurdus hortulorum 
191Black-breasted ThrushTurdus dissimilis 
192Eyebrowed ThrushTurdus obscurus 
 PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae  
193Dark-sided FlycatcherMuscicapa sibirica 
194Oriental Magpie-RobinCopsychus saularis 
195White-rumped ShamaCopsychus malabaricus 
196White-tailed FlycatcherCyornis concretus 
197Hainan Blue FlycatcherCyornis hainanus 
198Hill Blue FlycatcherCyornis whitei 
199Fujian NiltavaNiltava davidi 
200Himalayan ShortwingBrachypteryx cruralis 
201Rufous-tailed RobinLarvivora sibilans 
202BluethroatLuscinia svecica 
203Blue Whistling-ThrushMyophonus caeruleus 
204White-crowned ForktailEnicurus leschenaulti 
205White-tailed RobinMyiomela leucura 
206Red-flanked BluetailTarsiger cyanurus 
207Mugimaki FlycatcherFicedula mugimaki 
208Snowy-browed FlycatcherFicedula hyperythra 
209Little Pied FlycatcherFicedula westermanni 
210Taiga FlycatcherFicedula albicilla 
211Blue Rock-ThrushMonticola solitarius 
212Amur StonechatSaxicola stejnegeri 
213Pied BushchatSaxicola caprata 
214Gray BushchatSaxicola ferreus 
 PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae  
215Plain FlowerpeckerDicaeum minullum 
216Scarlet-backed FlowerpeckerDicaeum cruentatum 
 PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae  
217Ruby-cheeked SunbirdChalcoparia singalensis 
218Purple SunbirdCinnyris asiaticus 
219Olive-backed SunbirdCinnyris jugularis 
220Crimson SunbirdAethopyga siparaja 
221Fork-tailed SunbirdAethopyga christinae 
222Purple-naped SpiderhunterKurochkinegramma hypogrammicum 
223Little SpiderhunterArachnothera longirostra 
224Streaked SpiderhunterArachnothera magna 
 PASSERIFORMES: Irenidae  
225Asian Fairy-bluebirdIrena puella 
 PASSERIFORMES: Chloropseidae  
226Blue-winged LeafbirdChloropsis cochinchinensis 
227Orange-bellied LeafbirdChloropsis hardwickii 
 PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae  
228House SparrowPasser domesticusIntroduced species
229Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanus 
 PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae  
230Forest WagtailDendronanthus indicus 
231Gray WagtailMotacilla cinerea 
232Eastern Yellow WagtailMotacilla tschutschensis 
233White WagtailMotacilla alba 
234Richard’s PipitAnthus richardi 
235Paddyfield PipitAnthus rufulus 
236Olive-backed PipitAnthus hodgsoni 
237Red-throated PipitAnthus cervinus 
 PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae  
238Little BuntingEmberiza pusilla 
239Tristram’s BuntingEmberiza tristrami 

References

  • Lepage, D. 2023. Checklist of the birds of Cat Tien National Park. Avibase, the world bird database. available at https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org
  • BirdLife International and Handbook of the Birds of the World (2016) Bird species distribution maps of the world. Version 6.0. Available at http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/requestdis http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/requestdis [Species records]
  • Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2022. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/ https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/ [Taxonomy]
  • Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2011-2018. eBird Basic Dataset (EBD) http://www.ebird.org/ [Species records]

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