Birding highlights: Pale-throated Wren-Babbler (Near Endemic), Bar-winged Wren-Babbler, Tonkin Fulvetta (Endemic - Subspecies), Scaly Laughingthrush, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Black-headed Shrike-Babbler, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Little Forktail.
Gateway cities: Ha Noi Capital (320km).
Airport: Noi Bai International Airport - Ha Noi Capital (300km)
Best time to visit Sa Pa (Hoang Lien National Park) for a birding trip: December to May
Hoang Lien National Park is one of the best birding hotspots in Northern Vietnam, located in Lao Cai province. This park was established in 2002.
Sapa is the name of a small mountainous town located in the center of Hoang Lien National park. This quiet Vietnamese town is home to many ethnic minority groups. There are five main ethnic groups here including the Dao, H’Mong, Xa Pho, and Giay. These days, the town welcomes a diverse range of visitors who are attracted by the highland tribes, Sapa forest treks and typical terraced fields.
This park has an altitude of 1000 to 3000 meters above sea level. It consists of a high mountain system of Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range, including Fansipan mount at 3.143 meters high. It is a mainly primitive forest with a system of diverse and rich flora and fauna that becomes the most biodiversity centers in national parks in Vietnam.
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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. Darjeeling Woodpecker
3. Crimson-breasted Woodpecker
4. Black-headed Shrike-Babbler
5. Blyth's Shrike-Babbler
***Grey-breasted Shrike-babbler
6. Black-eared Shrike-Babbler
7. Yellow-bellied Fairy-Fantail
8. Yellow-browed Tit
9. Crested Finchbill
10. Collared Finchbill
11. Ashy-throated Warbler
12. Gray-cheeked Warbler
13. Chestnut-crowned Warbler
14. Chestnut-headed Tesia
15. Black-faced Warbler
16. Golden-breasted Fulvetta
***Chinese Golden-breasted Fulvetta
17. White-browed Fulvetta
***Tonkin Fulvetta (Endemic - Subspecies)
18. Streak-throated Fulvetta/Manipur Fulvetta
19. Spot-breasted Parrotbill
20. Golden Parrotbill
21. Vinous-throated Parrotbill
22. White-collared Yuhina
23. Whiskered Yuhina
24. Stripe-throated Yuhina
25. Chestnut-flanked White-eye
26. Bar-winged Wren-Babbler
27. Pale-throated Wren-Babbler (Near Endemic)
28. Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler
29. Rusty-capped Fulvetta
30. Scaly Laughingthrush
31. Black-faced Laughingthrush
32. Red-winged Laughingthrush
33. Chestnut-tailed Minla/Bar-throated Minla
34. (Eastern) Spectacled Barwing
35. Red-billed Leiothrix
36. Red-tailed Minla
37. Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch
38. White-tailed Nuthatch
39. Hume's Treecreeper/Manipur Treecreeper
40. Himalayan Shortwing
41. Little Forktail
42. Red-flanked Bluetail/Orange-flanked Bush-robin
43. White-browed Bush-Robin
44. Sapphire Flycatcher
45. Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush
46. Mrs. Gould's Sunbird
47. Green-tailed Sunbird
48. Black-headed Greenfinch