Birding highlights: White-throated Wren-Babbler (Endemic), Pale-throated Wren-Babbler (Near Endemic), Spectacled Barwing, Chinese Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Golden Parrotbill, Black-streaked Scimitar-Babbler, Himalayan Shortwing, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Grey Treepie, Crested Bunting.
Gateway cities: Ha Noi Capital (340km).
Airport: Noi Bai International Airport - Ha Noi Capital (320km)
Best time to visit Mu Cang Chai (Che Tao Forest) for a birding trip: December to May
Mu Cang Chai (Che Tao Forest) is one of the best birding hotspots in Northern Vietnam, located in Yen Bai Province. Being considered to be the most beautiful forest in the northwest Vietnam with rich flora and fauna. Other name of this area: Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area.
Mu Cang Chai (Che Tao Forest) supports the largest known population of Western Black Crested Gibbon (Endangered species) in Vietnam. The population at the site is thought to number around 100 individuals. In addition, the proposed protected area is important for bird conservation, supporting a number of restricted-range species populations of Rufous-necked Hornbill (Vulnerable species) and White-throated Wren-babbler (Endangered species).
This area possesses not only beautiful and diversed nature but also diversed culture of ethnic minorities. The primeval forest range is also home of Hmong people who have a rich and profound culture.
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Notes: *** Subspecies of a full species (above) have been recorded in Vietnam, with different traits and are defined by scientists - These subspecies may split into full species in future updates.
1. Great Barbet
2. Golden-throated Barbet
***Himalayan Golden-throated Barbet
3. Crimson-breasted Woodpecker
4. Bay Woodpecker
5. Blyth's Shrike-Babbler
6. Black-eared Shrike-Babbler
7. Grey Treepie
***Eastern Grey Treepie
8. Yellow-bellied Fairy-Fantail
9. Pygmy Cupwing
10. Crested Finchbill
11. Collared Finchbill
12. Striated Bulbul
13. Gray-bellied Tesia
14. Black-faced Warbler
15. Golden-breasted Fulvetta
***Chinese Golden-breasted Fulvetta
16. Spot-breasted Parrotbill
17. Golden Parrotbill
18. White-collared Yuhina
19. Whiskered Yuhina
20. Stripe-throated Yuhina
21. Chestnut-flanked White-eye
22. Golden Babbler
23. Pale-throated Wren-Babbler (Near Endemic)
24. Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler
***White-throated Scimitar-babbler/Brown-crowned Scimitar-babbler
25. Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler
26. Black-streaked Scimitar-Babbler
27. Rufous-winged Fulvetta
28. Rusty-capped Fulvetta
29. Spot-throated Babbler
30. White-throated Wren-Babbler (Endemic)
31. David's Fulvetta (Split from Grey-cheeked Fulvetta)
32. Blue-winged Minla
33. Chestnut-tailed Minla/Bar-throated Minla
34. (Eastern) Spectacled Barwing
35. Red-billed Leiothrix
36. Silver-eared Mesia
37. Red-tailed Minla
38. White-browed Laughingthrush
39. Chestnut-vented Nuthatch
40. White-tailed Nuthatch
41. Hume's Treecreeper/Manipur Treecreeper
42. Green Cochoa
43. Ferruginous Flycatcher
44. Verditer Flycatcher
45. Himalayan Shortwing
46. Red-flanked Bluetail/Orange-flanked Bush-robin
47. White-browed Bush-Robin
48. Sapphire Flycatcher
49. Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush
50. Mrs. Gould's Sunbird
***Scarlet-breasted Sunbird
51. Green-tailed Sunbird
52. Fork-tailed Sunbird
53. Red Avadavat
54. Crested Bunting