DaLat Plateau: Winter 2019-20; Summer, Autumn 2022; Winter 2022-23; Summer 2023; Autumn 2023; Winter 2023-24.

Link to June- August 2019 DaLat Bird Report

BIRD SURVEYS OF SOUTH VIETNAM 2019-2020; 2022-23; 2024. Callyn Yorke

DALAT PLATEAU, LAM DONG PROVINCE: Summary of Bird Surveys, Winter: December 1, 2022 – February 3, 2023; Summer: June 23 – July 29, 2023; Autumn: August 3 – November 7, 2023; Winter: December 5, 2023 – February 29, 2024.

Callyn Yorke

Weather: Winter: The typical dry season weather pattern in this region: Fair to partly cloudy, occasionally intermittent light rain and cooler temperatures originating from NE weather systems; 11°C to 27°C; winds variable, E, ESE, NE 5 -35 kph. Summer: Ambient temperatures 17°C to 24°C, variable winds as above; frequent afternoon and evening thundershowers; most mornings fair to partly cloudy with intermittent light rain and occasional low fog (i.e., 50-80m visibility). Autumn: Ambient temperatures as in summer (17°C to 24°C); variable winds (2- 15 kph); overcast with intermittent showers – mainly PM (early Autumn – a continuation of Southern Monsoon season).

Time: 0600 – 1230 hrs.

Observers: Callyn Yorke (CDY – primary unless otherwise indicated); Dạ Thảo Lê Ngyuễn (DTLN); Marc Choisy (MC); Hồ Bích Hải (HBH); Glenn Morris (GM); Lê Quý Minh (LQM); Hai-Dang Phan (HDP); Ai Phan (AP); David Brand (DB).

Areas and Dates (m/d) Covered (Winter 2022/23; Summer & Autumn 2023; Winter 2023/24):

1) Dalat University Campus, Phuong 8, DaLat, Lam Dong Province (DUC) 21 Surveys: 12/21/22 (with GM), 1/20/23, 1/21/23, 1/29/23; 6/23/23, 6/30/23, 7/26/23; 8/3/23, 8/4/23, 8/10/23, 8/12/23; 10/5/23, 10/17/23, 10/22/23, 10/28/23; 11/4/23; 12/5/23; 12/21/23; 1/17/24 (with HDP and AP); 1/27/24; 2/13/24: Walking surveys (0630-1030 hrs.) covering most of the 30-hectare campus visually, using a 10×42 Zeiss binocular and hand-held Nikon D3X or D850 camera with a Nikon 200-500 mm IF AF VR or 500mm PF IF VR lens; Nikon D850 camera with a Nikon PF 500mm lens. A Google Pixel 3X cell phone camera was used for documenting survey sites. A pocket field notebook was used for data entries, which were recopied to a permanent, loose-leaf format later the same day.

Walking surveys in a counter-clockwise direction, were made, mostly on paved pathways and driveways. The campus included marginal ruderal (weedy) areas, small agricultural fields (< 1 ha), two ponds (the largest (about 1 ha) in the northeast corner; mature pine woodland (Pinus kesiya), assorted broad-leaved evergreen trees and shrubs – mostly exotic plantings (e.g. Eucalyptus sp., Callistemon linearis, Bauhinia variegata, Tithonia diversifolia) – lawns and gardens, in a mosaic arrangement among buildings (single and multiple level). The campus was open for regular classes in the autumn; surveys were done before and during classes. Most birds appeared to be fairly well habituated to human presence on campus.

Bird species of uncertain identity were noted and, when possible, subsequently compared with digital photo images and online resources using a laptop computer. If a specific assignment remained undetermined, it was indicated as ? in the Annotated Bird List (see below).

2) Ta Nung Park (Hoa Son Dien Trang; eBird: Ta Nung Valley), Phuong 5, Lam Dong Province (TN, 31 Surveys: 12/9/22 (with MC, HBH, GM), 1/27/23, 1/31/23, 2/3/23; 6/24/23, 6/28/23, 7/2/23, 7/5/23, 7/28/23; 8/6/23, 8/9/23, 8/11/23 (with DTLN); 10/4/23, 10/15/23, 10/25/23, 10/29/23 (with DTLN); 11/2/23, 11/7/23; 12/18/23; 12/26/23; 12/30/23; 1/12/24 (with HDP and AP); 1/28/24; 1/29/24; 2/5/24; 2/7/24 (with DTLN); 2/12/24; 2/18/24; 2/21/24 (with DB); 2/25/24 (with DTLN); 2/28/24. Walking surveys were made (0630-1010 hrs.), beginning at or near the main highway entrance or bus parking lot below it, and continuing downhill to the main pond and forest hydro-engineered stream inlet-outlet, then returning the same route. Recently (Summer 2023), my bird surveys have included the new ‘Shrine Trail‘ system in the park (see below). The surveys visually covered an area of approximately 15-25 hectares, using the equipment described above.

A network of hill-forest paths, herein dubbed the Shrine Trail, has recently been established in the park. The trailhead, identified by a series of circular stepping stones leading to a shrine (photo), is located behind a large, decorative clock that shows the correct time twice a day at 11:18, adjacent to a large strangler fig.

Presently, there are three parallel trails, running roughly SW to NE, entirely within broad-leaved evergreen forest. Starting at the trailhead (Elev. 1,335 m), the main (middle) trail soon makes a sharp left turn on a steep segment leading to the upper, ‘highway’ trail (Elev. 1,410 m), about 25m below the DaLat Highway (DT 725). Traffic noise is audible along this trail, though the roadway is concealed above an embankment and the traffic sounds are somewhat muffled by the forest. Unfortunately, the proximity of this trail segment to the highway invites poaching (see map below). During one survey (July 2, 2023) I met a couple from Da Lat near the junction of the middle and lower trails, who, wearing motorbike helmets and carrying a large plastic bag, were collecting plants for medicinal purposes.

The upper trail continues in a northeasterly direction to another junction with a segment connecting with the middle, ‘main’ trail. Here, there is a steeply inclined segment (0.2 km). Similarly, the middle trail, connects with the lower, or ‘streamside’ trail by another, very steep downhill section. Most of the inclined connector segments had earthen terracing for what appeared to be a future staircase. Evidently, trail building is still in progress.

Following the lower middle trail in a NE direction, it eventually turns sharply downhill to a small stream (Elev. 1,300 m). At this junction, a fairly level trail turns southward and parallels the streambed for about 0.2 km, where it abruptly ends. The final segment of this return-home route (about 50m) is within the rocky stream bed and requires a bit of careful rock-hopping to reach the terminus at a large water pipe; painted boulders and a restaurant soon come into view (above photo).

The upstream portion of the Shrine Streamside Trail, heading roughly NE, is much lengthier (about 1.5 km) than the downstream segment, and follows the stream bank as it winds through a well-developed secondary forest (photo). The trail is mostly easy-going until it joins an uphill segment, opposite a grassy clearing and adjacent commercial greenhouse.

On 9 August, 2023, while hiking the northern (upstream) segment of the Shrine Trail, I found a pile of bird feathers that most likely was the result of poaching in Ta Nung Park (see preceding image). The feathers were photographed in situ and subsequently identified by Craig Robson as referable to Gray-capped Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica). Evidently, poachers had discovered the Shrine Trail and were using it for illegally hunting birds. A campsite and feather remains from a presumed Barred Cuckoo-dove (Macropygia inchall), were found on the Shrine Trail by visiting birder, Dave Brand on 21 February 2024 (photo). It seems clear that poaching is common in this relatively remote section of the park. However there are trails from the Da Lat highway in addition to a neighboring driveway (see image below), that allow fairly easy access to the Shrine Trail.

The steep trail segment terminates at a paved driveway leading to Da Lat Highway (DT 725). There is a steel gate near the highway junction that is probably left open during the day, allowing for traffic to and from a flower farm (photo).

From that point on the highway, it is about 2.4 km further SW (downhill) to the entrance of Ta Nung Park (Hoa Son Dien Trang).

The Shrine trail system substrate is mostly bare ground and leaf litter, cleared of woody vegetation, and averages about 1m in width. The three parallel trails vary in length; the middle or ‘main’ trail combined with the stream trail, is about a 2 km trek, one-way. Except for the relatively steep, short connecting trails, the trails are comparatively easy going. Based on my experience, I rate the entire Shrine Trail system a ‘2.5‘ for the level of difficulty (Scale 1- 5; 1 = easy walking on mostly even terrain without obstructions; 5 = very strenuous with cliffs, steep, rocky inclines, sometimes requiring ropes and/or technical climbing gear). The most challenging aspect of the Shrine Trail system is the last 50m within the stream bed on the lower trail.

Aside from the regular birding route through the developed portions of the park, i.e. using the paved driveway (which can be highly productive), the Shrine Trail was best for finding birds in the vicinity of large strangler fig trees. Generally, mixed species flocks of birds respond to the presence of fruiting trees, which vary both seasonally and spatially and the streamside trail has one of the best preserved sections of rainforest habitat in the park.

A bird photo-feeding station was constructed in Ta Nung park sometime in Autumn, 2023 by a Saigon-based bird tour company. The location of the station is on a forest footpath downstream from the two hydro-connected ponds. The bird photo-feeding station apparently began as an experimental project. The station was subsequently abandoned and remained mostly unoccupied for several weeks.

After spending a few hours there during my bird surveys, it was clear that, although the surrounding broad-leaved forest supported a substantial variety of birds, few if any of them were attracted to the feeding station. Nevertheless, I was fairly certain that the location was good and with minor modifications the original facility could be improved and become functional.

In January and February, 2024, I made the following changes at the bird photo-feeding station:

1) Removal of the suspended fruit boxes, which were apparently useless and filled with stagnant rainwater. Unlike what is commonly seen in the New World Tropics, fruit-eating birds in this poacher-infested province are wary, shy and generally avoid feeders, especially when placed close to the ground and/or when near human settlements.

2) Installation of a slow-release mealworm container, suspended a few centimeters above natural perches, about 1m from the ground. This method of food distribution allows birds the freedom to forage at the station at any time, particularly when there are no people around. Birds may thus become accustomed to finding food at this site. A disadvantage of this system is that live mealworms must be resupplied on a weekly basis for a period of several months in order to attract the greatest variety of birds to the station.

3) Swapping the colorful plastic stools originally left in the hide with small, folding chairs that can be easily hand-carried and removed after each session. Birds have excellent color vision and may be reluctant to approach a modified area in the forest with obvious human-associated furnishings.

4) Covering the open-roof hide with plant cuttings from the forest. Previously, the hide was fully exposed to a view from above; birds in nearby trees could easily see the occupants inside.

5) A rearrangement of vines and bordering logs, adding a variety of perch options for birds at the station. Additionally, the area below the suspended feeder was partially cleared, along with some vegetation obscuring a direct view from the hide. Those changes improved viewing and photo opportunities from within hide (photos).

6) Covering the rear opening with additional material. Previously, occupants could be easily seen from the rear of the hide.

Within a day or so, following the initial alterations in January, 2024, I observed a remarkable increase in the number and variety of birds visiting the photo-feeding station (about five bird species became ‘regular customers’). Thereafter, within about ten minutes of my arrival with mealworm offerings, birds appeared and began foraging on the worms. A resident pair of Red-cheeked Squirrel (Dremomys rufigenis) often joined the feast. Occasionally, a curious Eastern Striped Squirrel (Tamiops maritimus) made a brief visit (photos). When most of the worms on the ground had been consumed, birds occasionally leaped and hovered at the worm container, snatching a worm that had wiggled part way out of a small hole near the bottom. The effectiveness of this slow-release feeding method was immediately apparent. Birds responded fairly quickly to the novel food source, displaying surprisingly agile foraging tactics to obtain a meal.

While observing from within the hide, I found it noteworthy that occasional playback of vocal recordings representing a wide variety of birds known to occur in this forest, had little or no effect with respect to attracting different birds to the feeding station. Some species, e.g. Gray-bellied Tesia, responded vocally to the playback sounds and following a hasty inspection, kept their distance from the hide and feeding area. Other birds, e.g. Langbian Lesser Shortwing, remained hidden, responded vocally in the distance and soon became silent. The playback technique for attracting birds, if at all effective, probably works best at the onset of their respective breeding seasons. Playback of bird vocalizations is also a method widely used by poachers and professional bird tour guides, which, over time at a given location, is likely to frighten away more birds than it attracts.

The presence of birds feeding on mealworms at the station is probably the single most effective recruitment variable. Eyes in the forest are watching. Some bird species are extremely shy by nature, e.g. Gray-bellied Tesia and Black-hooded Laughingthrush, avoiding the feeding station if there is any indication of danger, e.g. human presence.

Other species may be quite cautious but bold enough to quickly grab a worm or two before disappearing back into the forest. There are also foraging schedule differences among species; dawn and dusk foragers (e.g. pittas, pheasants and partridges), versus mid-day foragers (e.g. flycatchers). Thus, observers in the hide are often awarded by their patience.

Visits to the photo-feeding station are ongoing during my weekly and bi-weekly bird surveys. Fortunately, since Ta Nung is a private park, poaching thus far has not been observed at the feeding station. Continuing use of this new bird photo-feeding facility by visiting birders, may serve to highlight its significance and discourage poachers from entering the park. If evidence of poaching is discovered, it should be reported immediately to the park management.

Vegetation types within the park at large, included pine woodland (Pinus kesiya) bordering the upper driveway entrance and parking area, broad-leaved evergreen forest (upland rainforest, e.g. the Shrine Trail and downstream bird photo-feeding station) from the middle to lower sections of the main driveway and side paths. Marginal gardens with ornamental herbs and shrubs were almost continuously attended by groundskeepers during the surveys. Bird houses (unoccupied), sculptures, benches and other decorative features were abundant along the main driveway through the park; concession stands and shuttle vehicles were operational by 0900 hrs., at the conclusion of the surveys. Construction and maintenance activities were occasionally quite noisy during surveys. Dogs, the larger ones kept in kennels and on chains, often barked or followed us briefly in the lower sections of the survey route, but were not aggressive. Visitors (sometimes dozens) usually began arriving around 0830 hrs., however there were multiple surveys with fewer than five visitors in the park.

Bird activity in the park was highly variable and unpredictable. Some mornings were characterized by abundant and conspicuous activity in the trees and shrubs near the main driveway and walking route. Other times, the park was quiet and without much avian activity. The presence of fruiting trees in the forest usually attracted a sequential variety of bird species. Most of the resident birds appeared at least partially habituated to human presence, which occasionally allowed for exceptional photographic opportunities.

Survey timing, combined with multiple observers simultaneously covering different parts of the park, sometimes resulted in significantly different bird lists. For example, Glenn Morris and I were both in the park birding on the morning of January 31, 2023. Glenn had arrived earlier than me by about twenty-minutes and was covering the lower part of the driveway at around 0830 hrs. when we met to compare notes. Our bird lists at that point in time, included more than ten species only one of us had observed. By the end of our surveys, our combined surveys tallied a total of fifty-six species; at least nineteen of those were observed only by Glenn, covering roughly the same area in the park.

Given that both Glenn and I are experienced birders in the DaLat region, the disparity in our survey results on the same day in Ta Nung park, suggests high bird species diversity and mobility. Mixed species flocks, for instance, may involve more than ten species of bird moving quickly through a particular spot in the forest, then disappearing from view a few minutes later. Observing such an event is largely by chance, i.e. being at the right place at the right time. Unsurprisingly, when one of us was fortunate enough to encounter a mixed species flock, i.e. ‘bird wave,’ the other observer, out of view some distance away, might easily have missed some or all of those birds. Evidently, that is what happened during our survey of January 31, 2023 in Ta Nung Park.

Ta Nung Park (Hoa Son Dien Trang), privately owned and operated ($4.25 US, daily entrance fee), has been, for about two decades, one of the premier birding locations on the Da Lat Plateau. Professional bird tour groups frequent the park during winter and spring (December-April).

Most of the broad-leaved evergreen forest and pine woodlands immediately adjacent to the park continue to be intact. Additionally, as part of the roughly, north-south oriented Ta Nung Valley, the park is likely an important a migratory corridor. Trapping and hunting are strictly prohibited in the park; indeed, although common elsewhere in the region, bird-trapping was not observed during our surveys. Taken together, these attributes probably account for the abundant, diversified and accessible avifauna found in the park.

3) Three Little Pigs Road, north Tuyen Lam Lake hills, Phuong 4, Lam Dong Province, about 6 km southwest of DaLat city center (TLP) 18 Surveys: 1/23/23 (with GM); 1/30/23; 6/26/23; 7/1/23; 7/4/23; 7/29/23; 8/7/23; 10/7/23; 10/14/23; 10/19/23 (with LQM); 10/26/23;11/1/23; 11/6/23; 12/19/23; 1/12/24 (with HDP and AP); 2/9/24; 2/20/24 (with David Brand); 2/27/24.

Walking surveys (0630-1130 hrs.) began at a roadside edge in a pine woodland (Pinus kesiya) and continued about 1.2 km on a narrow, paved roadway, steeply downhill through a broad-leaved evergreen forest, terminating at a large agricultural-grassland clearing (‘the saddle’) separating two valleys. Agricultural and road-building projects are ongoing in this area.

A steep, rocky trail (turning into a small stream during the rainy season – see above photo of freshwater crab found at this location), heading northwest from the saddle clearing, leads to a small stream and waterfall crossing in a broad-leaved secondary forest; this 0.25 km route was usually included in the surveys.

In late Autumn, the rocky trail near the stream crossing had an overgrowth of flowering Tree Marigold (Tithonia diversifolia) that attracted sunbirds and bulbuls, among other species. Additionally, an exotic fruiting tree (Zanthoxylum sp.) was the focal point of a mixed species flock of bulbuls and other frugivorous birds.

Thanks to my friends, Hai-Dang Phan and his father, Ai Phan, visiting birders from the USA, I was recently made aware of a bird photo-feeding station in TLP, established by a bird-tour company. Using playback recordings, mealworm bait and a small water dish, bird-tour operators had been successfully attracting DaLat Bush-warbler (Locustella idonea). Ai Phan showed me images of that bird on his digital camera, which he obtained a few days earlier at this TLP site. But when we arrived there on January 12, 2024, a large brush fire was moving through the area and still smoldering around the DaLat Bush-warbler photo-feeding site; no sign of the bird was found. Currently, (February 9, 2024) it remains unclear if this rare, endemic and notoriously reclusive bird survives in the immediate vicinity. I have yet to make a positive identification of this species at TLP.

My TLP survey route has been mostly the same through the years. (see my previous reports for additional details). About fifteen hectares were visually surveyed using the equipment and methodology described above. Roughly 70% secondary (closed canopy) broad-leaved evergreen forest; 20% pine woodland with a variably dense (semi-annually burned) fern (Pteridium sp.) and shrub (Lantana camara) understory and 10% tiger grass (Thysanolaena latifolia) margins; agricultural land (ornamental flowers, coffee, citrus) were included in the surveys.

Enroute from DaLat to TLP (and included with relatively recent TLP survey reports), roadside bird surveys were made at a temporary lake and wetland (‘Strawberry Lake‘ – SL) at the junction of the Tuyen Lam Lake Rd. and the road northwestward to Quang Thua village. This modified streambed, previously attracting several waterbird species, has experienced massive dredging, earth-moving and road-building construction for the past several years and presumably will be significantly modified in the near future.

On June 26, 2023, birdlife at Strawberry Lake was scarce to absent (photo). However, with adjacent road construction and hydrology projects now nearing completion, an increasing number of waterbird species have appeared, especially as water levels rise and wetland vegetation fills in the lake margins. About twenty bird species were found there during a recent roadside survey on February 9, 2024: 0620-0742 hrs.- CDY.

Winter season bird activity at TLP, included vocal, mixed-species flocks, appearing in the late morning, i.e., 0930-1200 hrs. These flocks, of up to a dozen or more species, consisted largely of insectivorous birds, e.g. flycatchers, warblers and babblers, moving quickly through the lower, middle and upper layers of both pine woodland and broad-leaved evergreen forest. By contrast, early mornings (0630-0730 hrs.) had different species, e.g. Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Hill Prinia and Flavescent Bulbul, with few if any mixed species flocks. Bird vocalizations were comparatively infrequent in the cool, early morning hours, except following periods of heavy rain. Generally, the optimal survey time frame for this area, which would include the greatest diversity of bird species, is 0630-1230 hrs., with the second-half of the survey period usually adding a significant number of new species.

Vehicular traffic (mostly farm workers on motorbikes) was light, though frequent; the survey route was usually quiet and little disturbed by human activities. However, on several occasions, bird hunters and trappers were active in the area — using a caged bird (e.g. Annam Sunbird) suspended from an overhanging limb and audio recordings. Previous surveys in this area (2019-20) encountered bird-trappers on several occasions, as well as two teenagers shooting at Green Pigeons (Treron sp.) with a rifle. Green Pigeons, once fairly common in this area, have become scarce. It is presently unknown what quantitative effect poaching is having on local bird populations. However, based on the shyness of birds in the survey area, it is clear that hunting and trapping is causing significant impacts, not the least of which is a reduced detectability of birds during our surveys.

A few species of small mammal have been found in the TLP area during my surveys, e.g., Northern Slender-tailed Treeshrew (Dendrogale murina), Northern Treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri), Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula), Black Giant Squirrel (Ratufa bicolor), Variable Squirrel (Callosciurus finlaysonii), Red-cheeked Squirrel (Dremomys rufigenis) and Cambodian Striped Squirrel (Tamiops rodolphii).

3) Dump Ridge Road, Phuong 4, DaLat, Lam Dong Province (DRR, 9 Surveys: 12/8/22 (with GM), 2/2/23; 6/25/23; 6/29/23; 8/8/23; 10/21/23; 10/30/23; 12/22/23 (with GM); 2/29/24.

Walking surveys began at a city dump (bird species there, included Cattle Egret and Large-billed Crow, White Wagtail) for a distance of about 3.5 km SW, surveying birds from an unpaved hillside road.

The survey route transected pine woodland (Pinus kesiya), broad-leaved evergreen secondary forest (Ficus spp., Melochia umbellata, Stenochlaena tenuifolia) and multiple clearings with tiger grass (Thysanolaema latifolia), fern (Pteridium spp.), introduced shrubs (e.g. Lantana camara, Ageratum sp., Dalbergia multijuga and Tithonia diversifolia), coffee and banana farms. The varied assemblage of native and exotic flowering plants supported numerous butterfly species, identified by Glenn Morris (photos).

Local farm worker traffic on the road was light. A bird trapper with several caged ‘judas’ birds (including Mugimaki Flycatcher and Annam Sunbird) was working the south end of our survey route on December 8, 2022 (photo) and seen again in the area on December 22, 2023.

4) Tuyen Lam Lake, Phuong 3 & 4, Lam Dong Province: Lakeside road west TLL; Truc Lam Temple (TLT); 10 Surveys: 12/11/22 (with MC, HBH); 2/1/23 (with QM and DTLN); 6/27/23; 7/3/23; 8/5/23, 8/13/23; 10/11/23; 10/27/23; 11/3/23; 1/20/24. Surveying multiple sections of the shoreline road, including the dam at the base of staircase to the Truc Lam Temple grounds (see below). By motorbike, traveling west and south about 4 km to the end of the lakeshore road at the Da Tien Cafe. Along the road (by motorbike with brief stops) I surveyed open water, pine forest (Pinus kesiya), second-growth, ponds, marsh, and patches of secondary broad-leaved evergreen forest in ravines and steep hillsides. Multiple clearings with tall grass (Thysanolaena latifolia), ferns (Pteridium sp.) shrubs (e.g. Lantana camara), and second-growth were found along this route.

An evening survey (1745-1830 hrs.) about 3 km west of the above area at sharp bend in the road adjacent to an abandoned development (a clearing in the pine woodland with a graded pad for a building next to the lake). We (QM, DTLN and I) were mostly stationary, listening for bird vocalizations, including those of nocturnal species, e.g. Gray Nightjar and Oriental Scops Owl. Playback recordings of those two species were used to attract the birds within visual and photographic range.

Truc Lam Temple (TLT): 8 Surveys: 6/27/23; 7/3/23; 8/5/23; 8/13/23; 10/11/23; 10/27/23; 11/3/23; 1/20/24. This property is usually open daily, sunrise to sunset, and is located on a hillside bordering Tuyen Lam Lake; TLT is essentially an extension of the lakeside habitats (TLL), i.e. pine woodland, second-growth understory and gardens; TLT was usually surveyed together with the adjacent location around the TLL dam.

I Walked pathways throughout most of the temple grounds, spending much of the time in the marginal habitat, consisting of pine woodland with weedy second-growth. Gardens with flowering shrubs and trees, e.g. red bottlebrush, are attractive to a variety of resident and migratory birds. The best time for birding here is generally before 0900 hrs., when busloads of tourists begin arriving.

5) Phuong 6 DaLat, Lam Dong Province (DLT). Multiple stationary and walking surveys were made in my neighborhood of residence, Phuong 6, DaLat. One evening visit (1/30/23, with GM and DTLN) to Nha Tho Giao Catholic Church and Nomini Homestay neighborhood to find Gray Nightjar. Habitats surveyed included patches of mature pine woodland (Pinus kesiya) gardens with ornamental fruiting trees and shrubs, vacant lots with tall grasses and shrubs, small farm plots, buildings and roadways. Note: only visual records of free-ranging bird species are included in the Annotated Bird List for DLT; many caged songbirds are found this area.

6) DaLat Botanical Garden, Phuong 8, DaLat, Lam Dong Province (DBG). 1 Survey: 8/3/23, 1343-1410 hrs.. Walking survey through predominantly flower gardens to eastern ponds; clusters of mature, ornamental shrubs and trees. Ponds with heavy siltation and debris.

7) Xuan Huong Lake, Phuong 8, DaLat, Lam Dong Province (XHL). 8/3/23 and multiple casual surveys around lake on motorbike, stopping occasionally to scan the lake with a binocular.

8) Ankoeret Dam (AD) and Biduop Forest (BF). 5 Surveys: 10/18/23; 10/24/23; 12/29/23; 1/16/24 (with HDP and AI); 2/23/24 (with DB). Stopping first for a brief (i.e. 15-20 minute), roadside bird survey at Ankoeret Dam, located about 13 km northwest of Da Lat. Habitats in this area included a large reservoir surrounded mostly by pine forest with patches of broad-leaved evergreen forest and second-growth on the margins. A small stream below the dam added a riparian element to the mosaic of habitats that could be seen from the roadway.

I continued on the main road (DT 722) northward through Biduop National Forest (BF), stopping for an extended stationary survey at the mountain pass, roadside pull-out with forest service cabin and informational sign (Elevation 1,745 m). Standing quietly off to the side of a forest service access track, I observed birds in the mixed pine and broad-leaved forest. This location could be very productive with mixed species flocks or comparatively devoid of birdlife.

Continuing down from the previous location at the pass, I stopped along the roadway at an elevation of about 1,450 m, and birded a mosaic of habitats, including pine forest, broad-leaved forest, roadside scrub and second-growth. Most of the birdlife was found within a few meters of the roadway inside a broad-leaved, secondary forest.

About 20m from the roadway, inside the broad-leaved, secondary forest, was a well concealed bird feeding-photography station, established several years earlier by a Vietnamese professional bird tour company. Although the tour company representatives demand payment for the use of this facility and part of the inclusive forest (e.g., $US 75 per person, per day), it appears to be an illegal operation on government owned land. Nearby, what was once an accessible government forest service road for birding within a mature, broad-leaved forest, has been fenced, gated and locked; a sign (in Vietnamese) at the entrance apparently indicates that the area is closed to the public.

On the return trip along the same highway (DT 722), I stopped at another mountain pass (Elevation: 1,705 m), apparently a vacant Biduop National Forest roadside facility with a sign, roughly translated as “Heaven’s Gate.” I spent about 30-minutes surveying birds in a mosaic of pine forest, broad-leaved forest and roadside scrub and second-growth. This spot was fairly productive, though had a substantial volume of traffic and associated noise. A relatively well concealed bird photo-feeding station is also in this vicinity. About 1 km southward on DT 722, I stopped for a photo at another roadside pull-out, signed as “Dự án Cù Lần Forest“, apparently contiguous with the Heaven’s Gate broad-leaved forest, included in the Biduop National Forest Reserve (see preceding image).

Annotated Bird List of the Da Lat Plateau, Lam Dong Province, South Vietnam, Winter 2023-24: December 5, 2023 – February 29, 2024.

Callyn Yorke

LEGEND

Abundance: Numbers following each species entry are the maximum count for a single survey, or when multiple surveys of an area were made. A locality abbreviation immediately follows the high count entry (e.g. 10, TLP); locality abbreviations thereafter are listed in order of equal or decreasing count values. Note: A frequency symbol (e.g., C) is not repeated when it applies to multiple survey areas.

Age, sex and molt (when known): ad = adult; imm = immature; m = male; f = female; bsc plmg = basic (non-breeding plumage; alt plmg = alternate (breeding) plumage.

Overall Frequency: C = Common, i.e. found in half (50%) or more of the cumulative total of DaLat Plateau surveys, single and/or multiple locations; UC = found in fewer than half of the cumulative total of surveys, single and/or multiple locations. Note: Bimodal frequency designations (C/UC) may not be entirely applicable. For example, a species commonly found in Ta Nung Park (TN), could be uncommon elsewhere, e.g. DUC, due largely to a bird species’ particular habitat preference, e.g. BF or PW, as noted in the species account.

Survey Localities and Dates (Month/Day/Year): Da Lat residence and adjacent urban neighborhoods, Phuong 6 (DLT: intermittent, casual surveys through the Winter 2023-24 season). Dump Ridge Road (DRR: 2 Surveys: 12/22/23 with GM; 2/29/24). Da Lat University Campus (DUC: 5 Surveys:12/5/23; 12/21/23; 1/17/24 with HDP and AP); 1/27/24; 2/13/24. Ta Nung Park (TN: 13 Surveys: 12/18/23; 12/26/23; 12/30/23; 1/12/24 with HDP and AP; 1/28/24; 1/29/24; 2/5/24; 2/7/24 with DTLN; 2/12/24; 2/18/24; 2/21/24 with DB; 2/25/24 with DTLN; 2/28/24. Three Little Pigs Road, combined with Strawberry Lake (TLP; SL: 5 Surveys, 12/19/23; 1/12/24 with HDP and AP; 2/9/24; 2/20/24 with DB); 2/27/24. Tuyen Lam Lake & Truc Lam Temple (TLL & TLT: 1 Survey: 1/20/24. Ankoeret Dam (AD) and Biduop National Forest (BF) 3 Surveys: 12/29/23; 1/16/24 with HDP and AP; 2/23/24 with DB. Bird photo-feeding station (FS). See introductory section, Areas Covered, for additional details.

Ecology and Behavior: aerial insect hawking (ah); taking fruit, berries or parts of flowers (fr); probing the substrate (pr); gleaning insects from foliage (ig); estimated height (m) above ground (agl); gregarious (greg); mixed species flock (msf). Pine woodland and forest (PW); Broad-leaved Forest (BLF).

Systematics and Nomenclature used herein, an amalgam of recently published and current (2024) online resources, e.g., International Ornithological Congress (IOC), Birdlife International, Avibase and Birds of the World, Cornell University, USA. Species of uncertain identity are indicated by, ?. Acronyms of bird common names follow the North American abbreviation system, combining four letters from the sequential names, e.g. Ashy Drongo (ASDR); Eurasian Tree Sparrow (EUTS); Lesser Racquet-tailed Drongo (LRTD), etc.

Endemic and near endemic species are listed in bold face type; Species of Special Concern, i.e. listed by IUCN as Near Threatened (NT), Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN) and Critically Endangered (CR), are indicated.

Da Lat Plateau Annotated Bird List – Winter 2023-24 Callyn Yorke

• Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica 1 swimming in se pond, UC, DUC (photo).

• Mallard Anas platyrhynchos (domestic, albinistic) 5 (m,f) greg. on embankment above small pond, UC, DUC.
• Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 5 (bsc. and alt. plmg.) diving near edges and in open water of north lake, C, TLL; SL; DUC; AD.
• Feral Rock Pigeon Columba livia 20 greg. mostly in developed areas, especially where fed with rice scraps, etc., on ground rooftops and in pigeon houses, C, TN, DLT; SL.
• Eastern Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 6 greg.. pairs on ground and in trees, C, ubiq.
• Zebra Dove Geopelia striata 4 greg. mostly in developed areas with vacant lots; this species is increasing its range and now nearly ubiquitous in Vietnam, C, DLT, DUC.
• Gray-capped Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica 1 perched briefly on horizontal limb and boulder above FS; UC, TN (photo).

• Thick-billed Green-pigeon Treron curvirostra 2 a pair in a tall fruiting tree adjacent to a clearing; UC; TN.
• Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia 1 vocal (unseen) BF, UC, TLP; TN; DRR.
• Gray Nightjar Caprimulgus jotaka 3 vocal, loosely greg., flying to and from large conifers at top of hill in central DaLat where locally common; elsewhere uncommon, UC, DLT.
• Germain’s Swiftlet Aerodramus germani 60 greg. flying 20-80m agl, over open areas and forest edge, C, ubiq..
• Asian Palm-swift Cypsiurus balasiensis 4 greg. flying fast, SW down valley, 80 m agl, UC, TN.
• House Swift Apus nipalensis 20 greg. itinerant and evidently wide-ranging outside of the nesting season; flying 50-80m agl, C, DUC; BF.
• Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis 3 vocal, grassy clearings with second-growth, C, ubiq..
• Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis 2 greg. individuals and pairs rather shy and reclusive; sometimes in pairs at edge of forest and dense second-growth; C, TN, TLP.
• Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus 1 vocal (more often heard than seen) second-growth and gardens, C, ubiq..
• Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii 1 vocal; UC, TN.
• White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus 1 lakeside wetland vegetation; shy and rather secretive, UC; SL; DUC.
• Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 7 (ad, imm) loosely greg. individuals and pairs in same area as for WBWH in previous entry; adult chasing an immature, C, SL.
• Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis 1 (ad.) foraging in wet grass at edge of north lake, UC, DUC (photo).

• Black-crowned Night-heron Nycticorax nycticorax 1 (ad.) flew to skuttled boat at north end of lake, then back to dense wetland on lake margin; UC, SL.
• Striated Heron Butorides striata 5 (ad, imm) at lakeside in dense vegetation, C, SL; TN; DUC.
• Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus 20 greg. (ad., imm.) at city dump, ponds, lakes and wetlands, C, ubiq..
• Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus 16 greg. at dump, UC, DRR; SL.
• Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 21 flying low over lake and on shoreline excavations, UC, SL.
• Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 1 flushed from field of tall, wet grass, ne campus, UC, DUC.
• Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger 2 flying low over water and marsh, C, SL.
• Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni 1 imm. (2/25/24) 1 adult (2/29/24); imm. flying to subcanopy perch at edge of BLF; adult perched on leafless hillside tree overlooking a coffee farm – scolded by a pair of BCST; taking flight and circling overhead at 30-60m agl; believed to be primarily a migratory, non-resident in this area (LQM) UC, TN; DRR (photos).

• Crested Serpent-eagle Spilornis cheela 1 ad. circling 60m agl above BLF, UC, BF (photo).

• Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis 2 (m,f) a pair circling at mid-day, 60 – 150m agl over BLF, UC, BF.
• Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus 1 circling 50 m agl over area, UC, TLP, DRR.
• Besra Accipiter virgatus 1 flushed from a tall, hillside pine at the forest edge, UC, DRR (photo).

• White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster 1 (ad; imm) flying low and perched 8m agl in pines over far lakeshore; also found at Xuan Huong Lake in central Da Lat (GM), C, TLL.
• Red-headed Trogon Harpactes oreskios 2 (m,f) a pair flying through mid-level BF in late morning, then perching briefly, UC, TLP.
• Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1 perched on a low snag in and at the edge ponds and lake; plunge-diving in shallows, C, ubiq. (photo).

• White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 1 in shrub, lakeside and on utility wire over water, C, TLL, SL, TN.
• Necklaced Barbet Psilopogon auricularis 1 an individual vocalizing continuously and responding briefly to a playback recording of Golden-throated Barbet, while perched on a large, broken horizontal limb of a broad-leaved tree at the edge of the roadway; vocalizations were similar to GTBA but given at a slightly higher frequency and slower tempo, UC, BF.
• Annam Barbet Psilopogon annamensis 10 loosely greg. several individuals can be continuously vocal, creating a chorus-like effect; BLF interior and edge; individuals often rather sedentary in canopy of fruiting trees; an individual was excavating a nest cavity in the terminal trunk of a dead tree, C, TN, TLP, DRR, BF (photo).

• Speckled Piculet Picumnus innominatus 1 in msf with MOFU, GFWA, CCWA, Phylloscopus sp., and several other passerines, UC, TN.
• Gray-capped Woodpecker Picoides cannicapillus 2 (m,f) opposite sexes often found forging on medium to small diameter limbs of separate trees, while maintaining vocal and visual contact in PW and BLF edge; gardens, C ubiq..
• Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis 1 vocal, flying around FS, UC, TN.
• Blue-winged Pitta Pitta molluccensis 1 shy and retiring; foraging (pr) on ground at FS, UC. BF.
• Eastern Black-naped Oriole Oriolus diffusus 3 (ad, imm) greg. in canopy of pines and eucalyptus, UC, DUC.
• DaLat Shrike-babbler Pteruthius annamensis 2 vocal subcanopy of BLF and PW, UC, TN;TLP;BF.
• Clicking Shrike-babbler Pteruthius intermedius 1 in late-morning msf in BLF canopy, UC, TN.
• White-bellied Erpornis Erpornis zantholeuca 1 msf with Phylloscopus spp., MOFU, BWFS and other passerines, lower-middle level of BLF, C, TLP; TN; DRR.
• Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus 2 (m,f) greg. edge of BLF and PW, 3-15m agl, UC, TLP; TN; DRR.
• Annam Minivet Pericrocotus annamensis 3 (m,f) greg. middle to upper level, UC, TLP; TN; BF.
• Indochinese Cuckoo-shrike Lalage polioptera 2 greg. pairs sallying from middle to upper level at edge of BF; gardens with tall trees, UC, DUC; BF.
• Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike Lalage melaschistos 1 (f) with ASDR, sallying and ig. from low limbs of tall, deciduous garden trees, UC, DUC.
• Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus 10 greg. circling 50 m agl over campus, UC, DUC.
• Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus 4 greg. in pairs and small flocks frequenting BLF canopy and subcanopy, forest edge, often in msf, e.g. VEFL, GHCF, Phylloscopus spp., C, TLP; TN; DRR.
• White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis 4 vocal, greg. often actively joining msf composed of a variety of insectivorous passerines in understory and middle level of BLF and PW, second-growth; gardens, C, ubiq..
• Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus 5 greg. and occasionally vocal, sallying from 5-20m perch on outer limbs, PW and BLF edge; gardens, C, ubiq..
• Lesser Racquet-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer 2 a highly vocal, varied repertoire; a pair in subcanopy and middle level of BLF, associated with a msf in late morning; increasingly conspicuous in late winter, C, TLP; TN; DRR.
• Northern Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus 1 1-2.5m agl perch, roadside second-growth, vacant lots, open grassland with scattered shrubs, C, ubiq..
• Burmese Shrike Lanius collurioides 9 vocal, sallying from 1-2m agl perch in gardens, edges of PW, grassy clearings; early mornings at greater heights, e.g. 4-8m agl in pines; territorial; local resident populations apparently augmented by Autumn transients and winter visitants, C, ubiq..
• Eastern Jungle Crow Corvus levaillantii 30 greg. vocal flocks foraging in dump and perched in adjacent pines; uncommon to rare elsewhere in the region, UC, DRR; AD.
• White-faced Jay Garrulus leucotis 6 greg. vocal pairs and trios interacting noisily in canopy and middle of PW; mixed BLF-PW, UC, TN; BF.
• Gray-headed Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis 2 msf with a variety of insectivorous and frugivorous passerines, BLF interior and edge, C, TLL; TLP; TN; DRR.
• Langbian Tit Parus legendrei 8 vocal, greg. pairs often in msf with CVNU, Phylloscopus spp., GHWO, PW and BLF edge, second-growth and gardens; one with nesting material at edge of DRR– in PW, C, ubiq..
• Hill Prinia Prinia superciliaris 5 vocal, pairs and individuals active in second-growth, tall grass in clearings, pine woodland edge, C, ubiq..
• Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis 3 vocal in dense second-growth at edge of BLF, C, TLP; TN; DRR.
• Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius 2 vocal in second-growth, roadsides and overgrown gardens; shy and usually remaining well concealed in dense vegetation, UC, ubiq..
• Annam (DaLat) Grasshopper-warbler Locustella idonea (EN) 1 in largely unburned second-growth with tiger grass- lantana, on lower hillside edge of PW; the bird cautiously approached almost immediately in response to the sounds of a playback recording of a northern Russet Grasshopper-warbler (L. mandelli), and produced a fairly rapid, continuous series of single chip notes, while remaining partly concealed beneath the canopy of a densely branched, understory shrub. After about two-minutes, the bird flew low, about 20m away, across an open area and disappeared in dense shrub cover. Unfortunately, this endangered, endemic species is a common cage bird, currently sold in Da Lat, UC; DRR (photo).

• Eurasian Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 30 greg. flying 0.5 to 30m agl over wetlands, clearings; roosting on utility wires around lakes, C ubiq..
• Puff-throated Bulbul Alophoixus pallidus 1 edge of BLF, UC TN.
• Gray-eyed Bulbul Iole propinqua 1 imm. with msf, ANBA, ANSU in fruiting tree next to main driveway, UC, TN (photo).

• Southern Mountain Bulbul Ixos tickelli 2 greg., individuals and pairs in shady interior and edge of BLF; occasionally at edge of PW, C, TLP; TN.
• Brown-backed Ashy Bulbul Hemixos remotus 3 greg. in second-growth at edge of BLF, C, TN; TLP.
• Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus 20 vocal, highly greg. PW and BLF edge, gardens, C, ubiq..
• Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus flaviventris 2 vocal, pairs often in second-growth at edge of PW and BLF; gardens, C, ubiq..
• Southern Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster 8 vocal, greg. second-growth, PW and BLF edge, gardens, C, ubiq..
• Flavescent Bulbul Pycnonotus flavescens 10 vocal, greg. second-growth PW and BLF edge, occasionally gardens, C, ubiq..
• Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus 1 vocal, singing atop a pine at the saddle; a popular cage-bird, UC, TLP.
• Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 4 foraging 2-8m agl in PW and BLF edge; garden trees, C, ubiq (photo).

• White-spectacled Warbler Phylloscopus intermedius 1 in msf with other passerines in lower-middle understory and edge of BLF, UC, TLP; TN.
• Gray-cheeked Warbler Phylloscopus poliogenys 2 in msf with birds mentioned in previous WSWA account, understory and middle level of BLF, C, TLP; TN.
• Chestnut-crowned Warbler Phylloscopus castaniceps 1 in msf with a variety of small passerines, understory and mid-level of secondary BLF, C, TLP; TN; DRR.
• Kloss’s Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus ogilviegranti 15 in outer PW and BLF foliage; apparently less numerous than wintering YBWA, with which it may compete; 2-4m agl; However, KLLW becomes increasingly abundant, vocal and gregarious in late February, especially in PW, C, TLP; TN; DRR; BF.
• Blyth’s Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus reguloides 1 vocal in msf with KLLW in PW, UC; DRR.
• Gray-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer 4 vocal (esp. during a msf ‘bird wave’ and more often heard than seen) on or near the ground in shady BLF understory; shy and furtive, briefly visiting FS, C, TLP, TN, DRR, BF (photo).

• Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cucullatus 3 vocal (more often heard than seen) broad-leaved evergreen forest, C, TLP, TN, DRR; BF.
• Gray-crowned Tit Aegithalos annamensis 5 greg. outer limbs of pines and BF edge, 2-4m agl, C, TLP; TN; BF (photo).

• Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus 16 vocal, greg. in pines and flowering garden trees, C, ubiq..
• Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata 1 vocal in tree at edge of tall grass-shrub patch, se campus, UC, DUC (photo).

• Rufous-capped Babbler Cyanoderma ruficeps 2 understory of broad-leaved forest edge, often in msf with PLMI, MOFU, C, TLP, TN; DRR.
• Northern Gray-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps 2 in msf with MOFU, GCWA, CCWA, MOTA; visiting FS; , understory of BLF, UC, BF; TLP.
• Pin-striped Tit-babbler Mixornis gularis 1 in msf with MOFU and other insectivorous passerines in BF understory around FS, UC, TN.
• Red-billed Scimitar-babbler Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps 2 a vocal pair with nest material in lantana, BF understory edge, UC, TLP (photo).

• White-browed Scimitar-babbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps 1 gathering nest material on pines and in partially burned lantana-tiger grass understory, UC, TLP (photo).

• Mountain Fulvetta Alcippe paracensis 5 vocal, greg. often in msf with PLMI, RCBA, CCWA, GCWA in BLF understory and edge; lantana thickets, C, TLP, TN, DRR.
• Vietnamese Cutia Cutia legalleni (NT) 3-4 (m,f) greg. scaling bark on pine trunks and limbs, UC, TLP (photo).

• Black-hooded Laughingthrush Garrulax milleti (NT) 2 -5 vocal; very shy (heard more often than seen) BLF understory; a pair briefly visiting FS, UC, TN (photo).

• White-cheeked Laughingthrush Garrulax vassali 8 vocal, greg. in second-growth, lantana thickets at edge of PW and BLF, gardens, C, TLP, TN, DUC, DRR.
• Collared Laughingthrush Trochalapteron yersini (EN) 5 greg. taking mealworms from ground and suspended container at FS, UC, BF (photo).

• White-spectacled Sibia Heterophasia robinsoni 4 vocal, greg. often in msf with MOFU, PLMI and other passerines at edge of dense, second-growth of BLF, C, TN, TLP, DRR.
• Rufous-backed Sibia Leioptila annectans 1 in msf with MOFU and other spp., 5-7m agl in dense vine-tangled second-growth and subcanopy at edge of BLF, UC, TN; TLP.
• Plain Minla Siva orientalis 5 vocal, greg. msf with MOFU, FLBU, WSSI and other passerines, lower to upper-middle levels of BLF edge, C, TLP, TN, DRR.
• Gray-crowned Crocias Laniellus langbianis (EN) 4 vocal, greg. often joining msf in dense second-growth, lantana thickets, mid level of interior and edge of BLF, C, TLP; TN; DRR.
• Chestnut-vented Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis 2 vocal, often in msf with GCWO, LATI and other passerines in PW, all height levels, C, TLP; TN; DUC; DRR; BF.
• Black-collared Starling Gracupica nigricollis 8 vocal, greg. frequenting PW, gardens, second-growth and edges of clearings, C, ubiq..
• White-shouldered Starling Sturnia sinensis 12 vocal, greg. in pines, often in msf with other starlings; pink and yellow forms interacting in canopy of tall pines C, DUC (photo).

• Vinous-breasted Myna Acridotheres leucocephalus 2 greg. a pair in tall pine canopy on, UC, DUC (photo).

• Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 10 vocal, greg. PW, gardens, second-growth, towns, C, ubiq..
• Great Myna Acridotheres grandis 2 pairs with COMY, on multi-level building rooftops, pine woodland, gardens, clearings, C, DUC.
• Green Cochoa Cochoa viridis 1 vocal (repeating song for several minutes – unseen) in BLF near FS, UC, TN.
• Siberian Thrush Geokichla sibirica 1 (m) taking mealworms on ground at FS, UC, TN (photo).

• Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica 1 edge of PW, gardens, 2-3 m agl, sallying to ground, C, DUC; TN (photo).

• Large Niltava Niltava grandis 2 (m,f) individuals and pairs active, often in msf, in understory and middle of BLF; frequenting FS, C, TLP, TN, BF (photo).

• Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus 3 vocal, sallying from 2-3m agl perch, often in msf with a variety of passerines, e.g. BWFS, PLMI, GHCF, edge of pine woodland and broad-leaved evergreen forest, gardens, C, ubiq..
• Rufous-browed Flycatcher Anthipes solitaris 1 BF understory, taking worms at feeding station, C, TN.
• Langbian Lesser Shortwing Brachypteryx langbianensis 1 vocal, BLF, C, TN.
• Siberian Blue Robin Larvivora cyane 1 fem. or possibly imm. first winter m. taking worms from ground at FS; nearly constant, rapid tail oscillations, C, TN (photo).

• White-tailed Blue Robin Myiomela leucura 1 vocal – heard more often than seen in understory and lower middle of BLF, UC, TN; BF.
• Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki 2 (m,f) perched 1-2 m agl on limbs at edge of garden and broad-leaved evergreen forest; joining subcanopy msf in BLF, late mornings, C,TN, TLP.
• Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni 1 subcanopy of BLF over second-growth and lantana thickets; PW; UC, TLP, TN (photo).

• Red-throated (Taiga) Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla 1 sallying from 1-2m agl perch at edge of BLF second-growth and PW, UC, TN.
• Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperthyra 1 (m,f, imm.) brief visits to take mealworms at FS, C; BF (photo).

• Hill Blue Flycatcher Cyornis whitei 1 (fem/ imm.) returning for several weeks to FS for mealworms, snatched from ground and suspended container, on several days, C, TN (photo).

• White-throated Rock-thrush Monticola gularis 1 (m) flushed from edge of PW, UC, TLP.
• Gray Bush-chat Saxicola ferreus 3 (m,f) individuals sallying from 2-3m agl perch at edge of woodland, clearings, open, grassy fields; a pair approaching playback recordings of DaLat Bush-warbler at feeding station C, TLP; DRR; BF (photo).

• Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri 1 perched on tall shrub on embankment, UC, SL (photo).

• Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna 1 vocal; often in msf with ANSU and an assortment of small, insectivorous passerines, frequenting flowering shrubs and trees at edge of BLF, C, TN, TLP, DRR.
• Annam Sunbird Aethopyga annamensis 3 (m,f) vocal, individuals foraging 1-4m agl in flowering red bottlebrush and other flowering trees at edge of PW and BLF; gardens, C, TLP, TN, DRR (photo).

• Langbian Sunbird Aethopyga johnsi 2 (m) greg. in and around Lantana and dense, roadside second-growth, UC, TN.
• White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata 8 (m,f) greg. gardens and weedy edges, UC, TN.
• Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura nisoria 30 (m,f, imm) vocal, greg. (immatures often in separate flocks from adults), in clearings, weedy fields, foraging predominantly on a variety of grass seeds, C, ubiq. (photo).

• Plain-backed Sparrow Passer flaveolus 2 (m,f) canopy of tall pines with WSST, UC, DUC.
• Indian (House) Sparrow Passer indicus 10 (m,f) vocal, greg. on or near pavement in city and and suburbs, usually apart from numerically abundant EUTS, C, DLT.
• Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 30 (m,f) vocal, greg. towns and rural settlements throughout, C, ubiq..
• Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 3 loosely greg. vocal when flushed, on pavement and edges of ponds, lakes, wet ground, C, ubiq..
• Chinese White Wagtail Motacilla leucopsis 1 lakeshore, UC, SL.
• Vietnamese Greenfinch Chloris monguilloti 6 (m,f) vocal, greg. foraging on dry marigold heads and other flowering shrubs and trees, PW and BLF edge, clearings; gardens, C, ubiq..
• DaLat Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra meridionalis 3 (m,f), 1 fem. gathering nest material in pine, UC, TLP; DUC (HDP).

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Annotated Bird List of the DaLat Plateau, Lam Dong Province, South Vietnam, Autumn 2023: August 3 – November 7, 2023

Callyn Yorke

Legend

Abundance: Numbers following each species entry are the maximum count for a single survey, or when multiple surveys of an area were made. A locality abbreviation immediately follows the high count entry (e.g. 10, TLP); locality abbreviations thereafter are listed in order of equal or decreasing count values. Note: A frequency symbol (e.g., C) is not repeated when it applies to multiple survey areas.

Age, sex and molt (when known): ad = adult; imm = immature; m = male; f = female; bsc plmg = basic (non-breeding plumage; alt plmg = alternate (breeding) plumage.

Overall Frequency: C = Common, i.e. found in half (50%) or more of the DaLat Plateau cumulative total of surveys, single and/or multiple locations; UC = found in fewer than half of the cumulative total of surveys, single and/or multiple locations. For example, a species commonly found in TaNung Park, could be uncommon (UC) elsewhere, e.g. DUC, due largely to a bird species’ particular habitat preference, e.g. BF or PW, as noted in the species account.

Survey Localities and Dates: DaLat residence and adjacent urban neighborhoods, Phuong 6 (DLT: intermittent, casual surveys through the Autumn season); Dump Ridge Road (DRR: 3 Surveys: 8/8/23; 10/21/23, 10/30/23); DaLat University Campus (DUC: 9 Surveys: 8/3; 8/4; 8/10; 8/12; 10/5/23, 10/17/23, 10/22/23, 10/28/23; 11/4/23); Ta Nung Park (TN: 9 Surveys: 8/6/23 (with DTLN); 8/9/23; 8/11/23 (with DTLN); 10/4/23, 10/15/23 (with DTLN), 10/25/23, 10/29/23 (with DTLN); 11/2/23, 11/7/23); Three Little Pigs Road (TLP: 7 Surveys, 8/7/23; 10/7/23, 10/14/23, 10/19/23 (with LQM), 10/26/23; 11/1/23, 11/6/23); Tuyen Lam Lake & Truc Lam Temple (TLL & TLT: 5 Surveys: 8/5; 8/13 (with DTLN); 10/11/23, 10/27/23; 11/3/23. DaLat Botanical Garden (DBG: 1 Survey, 8/3); Xuan Huong Lake (XHL: 8/3). Ankoeret Dam (AD) and Biduop Forest (BF) 2 Surveys: 10/18/23, 10/24/23. See introductory section, Areas Covered, for additional details.

Ecology and Behavior: aerial insect hawking (ah); taking fruit, berries or parts of flowers (fr); probing the substrate (pr); gleaning insects from foliage (ig); estimated height (m) above ground (agl); gregarious (greg); mixed species flock (msf). Pine woodland and forest (PW); Broad-leaved Forest (BLF).

Systematics and Nomenclature used herein, an amalgam of recently published and current (2023) online resources, e.g., International Ornithological Congress (IOC), Birdlife International, Avibase and Birds of the World, Cornell University, USA. Species of uncertain identity are indicated by, ?.

Endemic and near endemic species are listed in bold face type; rarities italicized.

• Mallard Anas platyrhynchos (exotic) 5 (albinistic) greg. sw ponds, DUC; C
• Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 6 (alt. plmg; bsc. plmg.) greg. 8/10/23 – an adult with half-grown young (photo), diving and carrying smaller chick on back, north lake, DUC; a pair often swimming around the north lake together; a single bird in bsc. plmg. (offspring?) sometimes approaching the pair; individuals diving near the dam and grassy shore of TLL; DUC; TLL; C (photo).

• Eurasian-crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 1 (August 3, 2023) ID: an adult or young adult in bsc. plmg. with pale grayish upperparts, white below; bill large, pale; dusky crown and neck markings; about 40-50% larger in overall size than a resident Little Grebe, which chased it across the lake and into a marsh-grass fringe. Initially seen swimming and diving at a distance of about 30m from southwest corner of lake, then again from the northwest corner at close range (15 m). Before I could remove my camera from a dry bag and ready it for photos, the bird flew off low, in a southwest direction toward the DaLat Botanical Garden (DBG) and Xuan Huong Lake (XHL). An afternoon search the same day of the latter two areas, failed to relocate the bird. According to Le Quy Minh, this is the second record of Eurasian Crested Grebe in Vietnam; the first being in 2015 at Babe Lake in northern Vietnam.
• Feral Rock Pigeon Columba livia (exotic) 5 greg. on pavement, flushed to trees, DBG; DLT; DRR; C.
• Eastern Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 6 greg. vocal in clearings on ground and in trees; a common cage bird in town; ubiq; C.
• Barred Cuckoo-dove Macropygia unchall 2 a pair flying ne over BLF valley, TN; UC.
• Zebra Dove Geopelia striata 6 greg. vocal, on utility wire, north lake, DUC; DLT; DRR; TLT, TLP; C.
• Gray-capped Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica 1 flying low through BLF; feather remains found in TaNung, presumably from poaching, BF;TN; UC (photo – see Areas and Dates Covered – Ta Nung).
• Thick-billed Green-pigeon Treron curvirostra 2 a pair in BLF canopy of fruiting fig tree, TN; UC.
• Yellow-footed Green-pigeon Treron phoenicopterus 1 vocal (unseen) BLF, TLP (LQM); UC.
• Wedge-tailed Green- pigeon Treron Spenurus 3 usually well concealed in the canopy of tall trees, TN; DUC; UC.
• Pin-tailed Green Pigeon Treron apicauda 6 (ID: Treron sp. with a long, pointed tail) greg. seen briefly in flight, 20 m agl over BLF, DRR; UC.
• Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia 2 vocal, usually unseen in subcanopy; seen briefly flying fast over BLF, PW; TLP; TN; UC.
• Nightjar Caprimulgus sp. c.f. jotaka 1 (10/28/2023) (ID: a medium-sized, nearly uniform gray-brown nightjar with fine banding pattern on the tail; no conspicuous white markings on wings); flushed twice at close range (3m), flying briefly 15m away and alighting in leaf litter of a shady BLF section, in a relatively quiet, undisturbed part of the central campus, DUC; UC.
• House Swift Apus nipalensis 120 (8/10/23) with fair skies, highly greg. circling entire campus, occasional visits to tile roof of Bldg. A11, 0-50m agl, individuals dipping into north lake; on overcast days, only a few birds observed in the sky above the campus circling; a few visiting nest-site tile roof of DUC Bldg. A-ll; abundance apparently highly correlated with seasonal nesting cycle and local weather conditions; ubiq; C.
• Germain’s Swiftlet Aerodramus germani 5 loosely greg. vocal, flying 20-30m agl, nw over TLP saddle; over broad-leaved forest valley, ubiq; C.
• Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis 3 greg. pairs and trios flying 10-20m agl nw, TLT; TLP; UC.
• Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis 2 vocal, individuals active, flying low, ascending trees and perched with open wings atop shrubs in weedy-marshy fields bordering ponds and lakes, ubiq;; C.
• Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis 1 adjacent to msf of WCLT, SEME and other spp., mid to lower level of BLF second-growth, TN; TLP; C.
• Western Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus 1 flew briefly to subcanopy of pines, then back to garden section in ne, DUC; UC.
• Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus 1 (fem) bright buffy upperparts, extensively covered with small black lines and spots on head; flew to conspicuous perch in shrub next to north lake, DUC; UC.
• Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii 1 vocal (unseen), at edge of BLF, TN; UC.
• Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 4 (ad) loosely greg. individuals standing on floating debris in ponds, DBG; locally C.
• Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus 1 flying low from lakeside tall grass, sw across north lake, DUC; UC.
• Striated Heron Butorides striata 1 on dam, then flew down to stream bed, AD; UC.
• Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus 2 flying around campus sw pond and n lake; across main lake near dam; seasonal; becoming common by mid-October, DUC, TLL; C.
• Little Egret Egretta garzetta 2 common on margins of Xuân Hủỏng Lake by mid-October; possibly a late Autumn visitor on campus, DLT; UC.
• Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia 1 seen in flight at Xuân Hủỏng Lake in late October-November, DLT; UC.
• Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger 6 (ad, imm) flying low over middle and edges of lake; common in early Autumn; local population apparently vacating the lake by October, TLL; C/UC.
• Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis 1 flying low over lake; noted comparatively slow wing strokes and long tail; less numerous but apparently seasonal as in preceding species, TLL; UC.
• Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1 (10/22/23) found only once around sw ponds, DUC; UC.
• Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei 1 conspicuous, stationary perch on outer limb of BLF tree, for at least thirty minutes at forest edge, TN; UC (photo).

• Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1 (10/11/23) seen once, circling the swc of the lake, TLL; UC.
• Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis 1 BLF, circling low (15-20m agl) over tree tops, TN; TLP; UC (photo).

• Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus 1 (ad.) chasing BLBU over PW and Dalat Highway (DT 725) about 1.0 km ne of Ta Nung Park entrance; seen soaring with intermittent wing strokes over BLF and PW; TN; TLP; C.
• White-bellied Sea-eagle Haliaeetus albicilla 1 (imm) circling the lake and perched in PW at edge of sw section of the lake; possibly a regular late autumn and winter resident at this location, TLL; UC.
• Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus 1 (f) sallying at mid-level in shady BLF in late mornings with relatively warm ambient temperatures; distantly associated with msf, e.g., WTFA, MOFU, PLMI, TN; DRR; UC.
• Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1 flushed from crossroads dirt track to subcanopy perch, PW, DRR; UC (photo).

• Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis 1 (10/19/23; 10/30/23) twice seen at two different survey sites, in flight over farm valleys; possibly a late-autumn passage migrant in this region, TLP, DRR; UC.
• Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1 gave alarm call when flushed; favoring low perches around margins of the n lake, DUC; AD; UC.
• White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 2 vocal; occupies conspicuous snag or canopy perch on margins of lake, TLL; DUC; TN; C.
• Necklaced Barbet Psilopogon auricularis 1 vocal, active in BLF upper-mid level, associated with msf of ANMI, MOFU, BF; TLP; UC.
• Annam Barbet Psilopogon annamensis 6 vocal, often in BLF canopies of fruiting trees at edge of BLF; msf of bulbuls and other frugivorous birds often nearby, TN; TLP; DRR; C (photo).

• Speckled Piculet Picumnus innominatus 1 at edge of BLF in small fruiting tree/shrub, msf with WSSI, WTFA, TN; UC.
• Black-naped Woodpecker Picus guerini 1 (f) on upper trunk of mature pine, edge of PW, TN; UC.
• Gray-capped Woodpecker Picoides canicapillus 2 (m,f) individuals and pairs on lateral PW branches, ubiq; C.

• Dalat Shrike Babbler Pteruthius annamensis 1 in eucalyptus subcanopy, flying to PW; also in BLF with msf with PLMI, WTFA, GHCF and others, TN; TLP; BF; C (photo).

• Clicking Shrike-babbler Pteruthius intermedius 1 (m) in msf, mid-level BLF with PLMI, WTFA, YBWA and other species, TLP; DRR; UC.
• White-bellied Erpornis Erpornis zantholeuca 3 greg. BLF edge, fruiting fig canopy, usually in msf, e.g. with PLMI, ANBA and GCTI, TN; TLP; C.
• Annam Minivet Pericrocotus annamensis 3 (m,f) greg, ah, ig in BLF and PW, BF, TLP; UC (photo).

• Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus 2 (m,f) perched and sallying – ah, BF canopy at edge, TN; UC.
• Large Cuckoo-shrike Coracina nipalenis 1 in loose msf, BF/PW canopy, subcanopy, roadside, BF; UC.
• Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike Lalage melaschistos 1 (f) with captured katydid on middle limb of tall deciduous tree, DUC; UC.
• Indochinese Cuckoo-shrike Lalage poliptera 4 vocal, greg. in BLF garden trees and native BLF edge; becoming more common and abundant in October, suggesting a late autumn passage migrant, DUC, TLP; TN; C.
• Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus 2 a pair interacting, ig, in BLF at edge of roadway, TN; DRR; TLP; C.
• White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis 3 vocal, confiding; highly active and opportunistic at all foliage height levels; DUC gardens with red bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus) and frequent msf with OWEY; in Ta Nung BLF edge and PW; frequently active and drawing attention to msf with WCLT, PLMI, MOFU, GHCF, CCWA, and several other spp. ubiq; C (photo).

• Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus 4 vocal (increasingly so in October), small flocks (3-5) and pairs, mid-upper levels sallying from ornamental trees and pines at edge of clearings, TN; DUC; TLT; DRR; C (photo).

• Lesser Racquet-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer 1 vocal (repeated, distinctively varied song) PW-BLF near crossroads, DRR; UC.
• Greater Racquet-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus 1 flying low over coffee plantation, DRR; UC.
• Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus 2 tree top perch at edge of PW and BLF, TN, UC.
• Burmese Shrike Lanius collurioides 7 (ad, imm) individuals sallying from low limbs and utility wires to bare ground and grassy areas; resident population augmented by migrants in October, ubiq; C.
• Northern Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus 1 increasingly common by mid-October; perched on post or utility wire over clearings and in gardens, TLL, TLP, TN; C.
• White-faced Jay Garrulus leucotis 1 in subcanopy of PW and mixed BLF; often loosely associated with a msf of SODR, GCWO, LATI and other birds; curious and opportunistic, though rather shy and fleeting, TN; DUC; TLT; BF; C (photo).

• Eastern Jungle Crow Corvus levaillantii 30 highly greg., vocal; foraging in dump, retreating to adjacent pines, DRR; locally C (photo).

• Gray-headed Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis 2 a pair, sally and snatch-glean from foliage, BLF mid level understory, often in msf with MOFU, GCTI, TLP; DRR; TN; C.
• Langbian Tit Parus legendrei 2 vocal pairs at mid-level to upper levels on outer branches in PW and BLF trees; often in msf with RVNU, GCWO, Phylloscopus spp., TN; TLP; DRR; C (photo).

• Hill Prinia Prinia superciliaris 7 greg. pairs and small flocks of cohorts; highly vocal in fields with shrubs and tall, wet grass, often near water, e.g. seepages, ponds and lakes, ubiq; C (Photo).

• Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius 2 vocal, though rather shy and secretive in second-growth, TN; TLP; BF; UC.
• Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 40 greg. flying 5-20m agl over broad-leaved forest, open areas, becoming abundant around lakes in late Autumn, ubiq; C.
• Striated Swallow Cercropis striolata 5 loosely greg., flying 20m agl nw over lake, TLL; UC.
• Puff-throated Bulbul Alophoixus pallidus 2 greg. pairs in msf, shady mid-level of mature BLF, msf with several bird spp., including PLMI, MOFU, SMBU, TLP; TN; UC.
• Ochraceous Bulbul Alophoixus ochraceus 2 vocal, greg. pairs in upper-mid level, joining other bulbul species in fruiting trees, edge of BLF, TLP; UC.
• Brown-backed (Ashy) Bulbul Hemixos remotus ? 1 (ID: a tentative assignment to this newly minted, nearly endemic species, due to difficulties, even with photos, discerning the slight differences in the brown mantle and olive coloration in the wings on this species (supposedly darker and more pronounced), compared with Ashy Bulbul (H. flavala), the latter of which supposedly does not occur on the DaLat Plateau (see, Craik and Minh, 2018. pp. 234-235) upper-mid level of BLF, often in msf with SMBU, PLMI, GHCF, and other bird species, TLP; C.
• Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus concolor 12 greg. vocal; often fr in msf in large fruiting trees and usually the earliest arrivals in the morning; one observed being chased above PW by CRGO, ubiq; C.
• Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus flaviventris 2 vocal, greg. in garden second-growth, broad-leaved trees, TLT; TN; TLP; DRR; C.
• Southern Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster 8 vocal, greg. pairs often fr joining msf in fruiting trees and second-growth, ubiq; C (photo).

• Flavescent Bulbul Pycnonotus flavescens 5 vocal, greg., fr in second-growth of PW and BLF, ground to canopy level, TN; TLP; DRR; C.
• Sunda Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus apalis 2 a pair alighting on emergent shrub in at edge of playing field and west side of north lake, DUC; apparently now established as a small, local resident population, DUC; locally C.
• Southern Mountain Bulbul Ixos tickelli 4 vocal, greg. pairs hover-gleaning on foliage in understory and mid-level of BLF, TLP; TN; DRR; C.
• Kloss’s Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus ogilviegranti 4 ig from foliage in msf with MOFU and GHCF, in BLF understory and mid-level, DRR; TN; TLP; AD; C.
• White-tailed Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus intensior in msf, BLF outer mid-level canopy, TLP; UC.
• Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 5 greg. pairs foraging at mid-upper levels in PW and edge of BLF; often in msf with PLMI, GHCF, BWFS, WTFA, and several other bird species; increasingly abundant and common by mid-October, ubiq; C.
• White-spectacled Warbler Phylloscopus intermedius 1 in msf with PLMI, MOFU and other birds, BLF lower to mid-level at roadway edges, TLP; UC.
• Gray-cheeked Warbler Phylloscopus poliogenys 1 in msf with MOFU, GCTI and other birds, BLF low to mid-level at edges, TLP; UC.
• Chestnut-crowned Warbler Phylloscopus castaniceps 2 in msf with several bird species, including MOFU, WTFL, GCCF, PLMI, lower to upper-mid level BLF at edges, TLP; TN; DRR; C (photo).

• Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis 1 ig in mid to upper level in BLF tree, TLT; UC.
• Gray-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer 3 repeatedly vocal (seldom seen), shady, mature BLF; repeated vocalizations positively correlated with the nearby msf, BLF, TN; TLP; DRR; C.
• Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cucullatus 1 vocal in msf with MOFU, MOBU and other spp, middle of BLF (often heard but seldom seen), TLP; TN; DRR, C.
• Gray-crowned Tit Aegithalos annamensis 5 greg. in canopy of emergent broad-leaved trees, lower second-growth, msf with SEME, BWFS and other spp., TN; TLT; DRR; C (photo).

• Red-billed Scimitar-babbler Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps 5 greg. vocal (loud chattering contact calls and partial song) in vine-tangled upper-mid levels of BLF edge, sometimes flying over road, DRR; TN; TLP; UC (photo).

• White-browed Scimitar-babbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps 1 in vine-tangled upper mid-level of BLF, once seen following a flock of RBSB, TN, TLP; UC.
• Northern Gray-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps 1 in msf, BLF understory and mid-level, TN; UC.
• Rufous-capped Babbler Cyanoderma ruficeps 3 vocal, active in msf with MOFU, PLMI and other bird species in understory and mid-level of BLF and occasionally adjacent PW, TN; TLP; DRR; C (photo).

• Indochinese Wren-babbler Rimator danjoui 1 BLF understory-mid-level with msf of WCFA, MOFU; TLP; UC.
• Mountain Fulvetta Alcippe peracensis 8 greg. vocal, often in msf, moving rapidly in lower levels of Lantana and BLF second-growth at edges of roadway, TN; TLP; DRR; BF; C.
• Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus 18 greg. vocal, large, busy flocks in gardens; often ig and fr in red bottlebrush trees, DUC; TLT; C (photo).

• Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger 4 greg. in pines and ornamental trees, upper level of temple grounds, msf with Eastern White-crested Laughing Thrush, Common Myna and White-throated Fantail, TLT, UC (photo).

• Eastern White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax diardi 4 (2 ad, imm — with yellowish underparts and pale-pink gape) vocal, greg. an apparent family cohort in msf with spp. noted in previous entry for Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, TLT, UC (photo).

• Black-hooded Laughingthrush Garrulax milleti 6 vocal (brief outbursts), greg. in BLF understory and mid-level; usually skulking, shy, evanescent and difficult to see; eagerly pursued by trappers and nearly extirpated in areas where it was recently quite common, TN; DRR, UC.
• White-cheeked Laughingthrush Garrulax vassali 12 confiding on DUC campus; vocal though comparatively silent (mostly soft, churring contact calls), greg. foraging in shady lower to mid-level of BLF and shrubs, DUC; TN; DRR; TLP; C (photo).

• Collared Laughingthrush Trochalopteron yersini 3 vocal (unseen) on ground in second-growth and BLF understory; another endemic laughingthrush that is eagerly pursued by trappers and locally extirpated from most of areas where recently common, and in BLF it is becoming scarce in unprotected areas,BF; UC.
• White-spectacled Sibia Heterophasia robinsoni 1 vocal (unseen) BLF edge; commonly kept as a cage bird, TN; TLP; TLT; BF; C.
• Rufous-backed Sibia Leioptila annectans 1 msf in canopy of emergent broad-leaved trees at edge of BLF; another popular cage bird that appears to be declining, TN; TLP; UC.
• Silver-eared Mesia Leiothix argentauris 5 greg. moving quickly in msf with WCLT and other spp. in vine-tangled second-growth at edge of broad-leaved forest; another victim of intensive trapping and declining throughout the region, TN; C.
• Plain Minla Siva orientalis 5 (imm) ig vocal, greg. ig, fr in canopy to shady understory interior of BLF at edges; almost always encountered in msf with any number of other species TLP; TN; DRR; C.
• Gray-crowned Crocias Laniellus langbianis 2 pairs ig. fr in BLF canopy with Cambodian Striped Squirrels; often with nearby msf, TLP; DRR; TN; C.
• Chestnut-vented Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis 2 vocal, greg. individuals and pairs foraging at mid-level, ig, pr on bark of pine limbs, needle fascicles and cones, ubiq; C (photo).

• Black-collared Starling Gracupica nigricollis 8 (ad, imm) Note: This species evidently has some regional variation in the head color pattern and may actually be polytypic over its range. In this area (DaLat, Lam Dong, Vietnam) the head of adults, often appearing yellowish from a distance, is buffy to the black collar; a bright yellow patch variably accents the eyes and auriculars (see Craik & Minh (2018) pp. 302- 303). Individuals and pairs highly vocal (e.g. harsh contact and warning calls), greg., wary and readily flushed to trees when foraging on ground, often in recently cut grass, cultivated and fallow fields; a pair of adults foraging with a juvenile on ground (8/4/23), DUC; TLT; C (photo).

• Vinous-breasted Starling Acridotheres leucocephalus in red flowering bottlebrush tree with ORWE, DUC; UC.
• Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnia malabarica 2 pairs in PW and BLF trees, loosely associated with other starlings, DUC; UC.
• Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 4 vocal, greg. often on ground and pavement in open areas with disturbed vegetation, DUC; TLT; TLP; C.
• White-shouldered Starling Sturnia sinensis 30 (m,f) occasional yellow and pink forms with predominantly typical form, vocal, greg. in PW and BLF tree canopies, DUC, C.
• Great Myna Acridotheres grandis 2 greg. pairs perched and flying together between pines and other tall trees and buildings, DUC; DBG; UC.
• Scaly Thrush Zoothera dauma 1 understory of garden-pines; flew to subcanopy of a tall pine; repeated vocalizations (ubseen) on campus, TLT; DUC; UC (photo).

• Orange-headed Thrush Geokichla citrina 5 greg. migrants moving through BLF understory and mid-level, TLP; UC.
• Siberian Thrush Geokichla sibirica 8 greg. migrants moving through BLF understory, clearings and mid-level, TLP, UC.
• Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica 1 low to upper mid level, garden and PW -BLF edge, TLT; TLP; UC.
• Large Niltava Niltava grandis 1 (imm) hover and snatch-gleaning on roadside Lantana, at edge of broad-leaved forest, TLP; TN; DRR; C.
• Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus 2 (m,f) often loosely assoiciated with msf but remaining in BLF canopy of at edges of roadways and clearings, ubiq; C.
• Rufous-browed Flycatcher Anthipes solitarius 1 an individual frequenting an experimental bird-feeding station near ground of streamside BLF understory, TN; UC.
• Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra 1 (f) an individual in secondary BLF understory around established bird-feeding station, BF; UC.
• Langbian Lesser Shortwing Brachypteryx langbianensis 1 vocal (repeated song) broad-leaved forest near stream crossing, TLP; TN; C.
• White-tailed Blue Robin Myiomela leucura 4 (m,f) individuals in lower levels of broad-leaved forest understory; m & f in proximity, one flew across road, TLP; TN; UC.
• Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni 1 ig interior of broad-leaved tree subcanopy, TN; TLP; UC.
• Red-throated (Taiga) Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla 1 low-mid level in PW-garden, TLT; UC.
• Gray Bushchat Saxicola ferreus 1 (m); confiding; low-mid levels; frequently perched on edge of roof of abandoned building; brushy clearings at edge of BLF and PW, e.g. saddle clearing TLP, ubiq; C (photo).

• Asian Fairy-bluebird Irena puella 1 vocal (sharply issued, repeated call notes), foraging in fruiting fig tree canopy with ANBA, TN; UC.
• Yellow-vented Flowerpecker Dicaeum chrysorrheum 10 greg. in PW understory, ig and fg on flowering shrubs; msf in BLF subcanopy, TLT; TLP; TN; C.
• Modest Flowerpecker Dicaeum obsoletum 3 (note: easily confused with much more common and abundant YVFL when not seen clearly in the distance) ig, fr in canopy and subcanopy of BLF flowering/fruiting trees at edge of clearings, TN; UC.
• Little Spiderhunter Aracnothera longirostra 1 ig, pr, lower level of second-growth at edge of PW and BLF; often in msf, TN; TLP; DRR; C.
• Langbian Sunbird Aethopyga johnsi 1 (f) fr, ig in lower level of BLF edge, TN; DRR; TLP; C.
• Annam Sunbird Aethopyga annamensis 3 (1 m, 2 f) fr, ig on flowers of red bottlebrush tree and Tree Marigold,TN; TLP; DRR; C (photo).

• Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura nisoria 38 (m,f, imm) vocal, greg. imm and fem. often foraging in separate flocks from males; flocks of 8 -12 birds ground to lower-mid levels, clearing in PW, BLF, gardens, frequenting stands of tall grass with seeds, ubiq; C.
• White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata 3 greg. foraging on tall grasses with seeds, flying low over open field and second-growth; readily flushed to trees, TN; UC.
• Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus (m,f) vocal, greg. tight flocks foraging on ground, pavement, open, disturbed areas and gardens near buildings, DUC; DLT; XHL; TLL; C.
• Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 3 vocal when flushed; pr, ig, often on roadways and in clearings, ubiq. C.
• Vietnamese Greenfinch Chloris monguilloti 6 (m,f) greg. small flocks (3-5) and pairs at all levels in clearings and edge of BLF/ PW; fr in emergent trees with small fruits (berries) and shrubs, e.g. hillside with patches of Tree Marigold; TLP; DUC; DRR; TN; C (photo).

• Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra meridionalis 2 greg. a pair in PW at edge of clearing, perched briefly on snag, DRR; UC.

Annotated Bird List of the DaLat Plateau, Lam Dong Province, South Vietnam, Summer: June 23 – July 29, 2023. Callyn Yorke

Abundance: Numbers following each species entry are the maximum count for a single survey, or when multiple surveys of an area were made. A locality abbreviation immediately follows the count entry and frequency category (e.g. 10, C, TLP). Note: A frequency symbol is not repeated when it applies to multiple survey areas.

Age, sex and molt (when known): ad = adult; imm = immature; m = male; f = female; bsc plmg = basic (non-breeding plumage; alt plmg = alternate (breeding) plumage.

Overall Frequency: C = Common, i.e. found during half or more of the cumulative DaLat Plateau surveys, i.e. single or multiple locations; UC = found on fewer than half of the cumulative surveys. Note: Some species may be common (C) at one location, e.g. TLP and uncommon (UC) in another, depending on their habitat associations, e.g. Broad-leaved Forest (BF) or Pine woodland (PW).

Survey Localities and Dates: DaLat, Phuong 6 (DLT); Dump Ridge Road (DRR: 2 Surveys, 6/25; 6/29); DaLat University Campus (DUC: 3 Surveys, 6/23; 6/30; 7/26); Ta Nung Park (TN: 5 Surveys, 6/24; 6/28; 7/2; 7/5; 7/28 with DTLN); Three Little Pigs Road (TLP: 4 Surveys, 6/26; 7/1; 7/4; 7/29); Tuyen Lam Lake & Truc Lam Temple (TLL & TLT: 2 Surveys, 6/27; 7/3); See introductory section, Areas Covered, for additional details.

Ecology and Behavior: aerial insect hawking (ah); taking fruit, berries or parts of flowers (fr); probing the substrate (pr); gleaning insects from foliage (ig); estimated height (m) above ground (agl); gregarious (greg); mixed species flock (msf).

Systematics and Nomenclature used herein, an amalgam of recently published and current (2023) online resources, e.g., International Ornithological Congress (IOC), Birdlife International, Avibase and Birds of the World, Cornell University, USA. Species of uncertain identity are indicated by, ?.

Endemic and near endemic species are listed in bold face type.

• Gray-lag Goose Anser anser (domestic, leucistic) 2 walking on roadside near lake; C,TN.
• Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 5 (alt. plmg.) individuals and pairs swimming and diving near the lakeshore; C, TLL; DUC.
• Feral Rock Pigeon Columba livia 3 foraging on ground in landfill; C, DRR; TLT; DLT.
• Eastern Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 6 greg. often in pairs, vocal; in pines and on ground; C, DUC; TN; DRR; TLT; DLT; UC, TLP.
• Zebra Dove Geopelia striata 1 foraging alone on gravel substrate, ne; C, DUC; DLT.
• Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra 1 (f) early am, perched in full sun atop isolated tree in clearing; UC, TN.
• Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia 1 vocal (unseen); in flight over forest canopy; UC, TLP; TN.
• Germain’s Swiftlet Aerodramus germani 15 w/ nearby flocks of Asian Palm Swift, flying (migrating, possibly disoriented?) in loose flocks (4-8 birds) nw, low (3-5 m agl) in fog over TLP saddle; 80m agl over lake and pine woodland; C, TLL; TN; DLT; TLP.
• Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis 10 loose flocks of 4-6 birds flying (migrating, possibly disoriented?) nw, low (3-5m agl) in fog over TLP saddle (7/29/23); 20m over forest canopy; UC, TN; TLP.
• House Swift Apus nipalensis 60 greg. vocal, circling 20-100m agl, around a large area, centered on a multi-level building (A-11, se corner, adjacent to playing fields), entering and exiting cavities under lowest rows of roof tiles of different levels and sections, where there has been a nesting colony for several successive years, C, DUC (photos); DLT.

• Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis 2 vocal, 1 flushed from tall grass clearing; C, DUC.
• Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis 3 greg. 1 in msf and a pair in subcanopy of streamside forest edge; UC, TN (photo).

• Western Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus 1 repeatedly vocal (unseen) in pines with second-growth understory; UC, DUC.
• Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus 1 vocal (unseen); UC, DLT.
• White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus 1 partially concealed while walking in grassy edge of n lake; UC, DUC.
• Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus 1 flew low over north lake into tall, dense grass; UC, DUC.
• Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger 16 individuals diving (successfully) for fish in open water; twelve standing together on far lake shore; one diving for small fish in roadside pond; C, TLL.
• Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicolis 1 (imm. ID: comparatively large size, slow wing strokes and long tail) flying low from dam, north across the lake; UC, TLL.
• Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus 1 (ad) gliding across clearing and into subcanopy of pine woodland; UC, TLP; TN.
• Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus 1 (f) on periphery of msf, upper-mid level of liana tangles, at junction of middle and lower Shrine Trail; UC, TN.
• White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 1 perched on low snag over shore, flew to middle limb in a shoreline pine; C, TLL.
• Annam Barbet Psilopogon annamensis 5 vocal, mostly concealed in tree subcanopies at edge of forest along park roadway; C, TN; DRR; TLP; TLT.
• Blue-eared Barbet Psilopogon cyanotis 1 foraging on small green fruits in tree canopy with a flock of Black Bulbul; UC, TLP.
• Gray-capped Woodpecker Picoides canicapillus 1 (f) foraging along inner pine limbs, UC, TN; TLP.
• Clicking Shrike-babbler Pteruthius intermedius 1 (m) noted broad white supercilium, in msf in vine-tangled second-growth, with WBER, BWFS, GHCF,WTFA, GCTI, GRTD; UC, TN.
• White-bellied Erpornis Erpornis zantholeuca 2 individuals in msf with preceding spp., UC, TN; TLP.
• Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus 1 in msf with preceeding spp.; UC, TN; TLP.
• Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike Lalage melaschistos 1 ID: a robust cuckoo-shrike with overall dark gray feathering; wings blackish; perched on lower pine limb; UC, TLT; DUC.
• White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis 1 broadleaved and pine forest understory and mid-level; sometimes on periphery of msf; C, TN; DRR; TLP.
• Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus 2 ad, imm in pines, TLT (photo); C, TN; DRR; DUC; TLP.

• Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus 1 in upper mid-level of broad-leaved forest with large, noisy msf, at junction of middle and lower Shrine Trail; UC, TN.
• Greater Racquet-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus 1 in msf with CLSB, GBMA and other species (see previous species accounts); UC, TN.
• Burmese Shrike Lanius collurioides 6 individuals sallying from low perch to capture and consume large insects (Lepidoptera) from ground and pavement; C, DUC; TN; TLL; DRR; TLP.
• White-faced Jay Garrulus leucotis 4 greg. vocal, in red flowering bottlebrush trees and in subcanopy of pines; UC, TLT (photo); TN.

• Eastern Jungle Crow Corvus levaillantii 5 vocal, loosely greg. in and around landfill; UC, DRR (photo); TLT.

• Gray-headed Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis 1, in msf with FLBU at edge of secondary forest and garden; C, TN; TLP.
• Langbian Tit Parus legendrei 5 greg., pairs displaying with tail fanning, in pines and on pavement; in flowering red bottlebrush trees; C, TLT; TLP; TN.
• Yellow-cheeked Tit Machlolophus spilonotus 1 in outer pine limbs with LATI; UC, TLP.
• Hill Prinia Prinia superciliaris 3 vocal, mostly concealed in tall, weedy second-growth at edge of fields and lake; a well-concealed individual came into view, responding to my vocalized pshhing sounds; C, DUC; TN; DRR; TLP; TLT; DLT.
• Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius 1 rep. vocal (song: single, slurred chirp, loud and steadily repeated for about one-minute), roadside broad-leaved forest in a recent tree-fall area with exposed understory; UC, TLP; TN.
• Eurasian Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 1 flying n over saddle at about 15m agl; UC, TLP; TN.
• Puff-throated Bulbul Alophoixus pallidus 1 subcanopy of fruiting fig, msf with PLMI; UC, TLP.
• Brown-backed Ashy Bulbul Hemixos remotus 2 greg. a pair in outer limbs of pines with FLBU; UC, TLP.
• Southern Mountain Bulbul Ixos tickelli 3 greg., individual and a pair sallying from low perch in understory of broad-leaved forest; UC, TLP (photo).

• Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus 12 greg. a flock of 8 in fruiting fig tree; C, TLP; TN; TLT.
• Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus flaviventris 2 vocal, greg. a pair in outer foliage of mature fig tree; C, TN; DRR.
• Southern Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster 8 vocal, greg. pairs in tall second-growth, pines and ornamental trees throughout; C, DUC; TN; TLT; DRR; TLP.
• Flavescent Bulbul Pycnonotus flavescens 5 vocal, greg. second-growth at edge of forest and park roadway; C, TN (photo); DRR; TLP.

• Sunda Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus (goiavier) apalis 1 flew to tall shrubs at edge of n lake; UC, DUC.
• Gray-cheeked Warbler (Phylloscopus) poliogenys (note: this author disagrees with the current placement of this species with Phylloscopus) 1 foraging in understory and middle of broadleaved forest with Mountain Tailorbird; UC, TLP.
• Kloss’s Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus ogilviegranti 5 ig. individuals and small flocks outer foliage of broadleaved trees; C, DRR; TLP; TN.
• Gray-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer 5 repeatedly vocal (unseen); vocalizations usually associated with the presence of other birds in the immediate vicinity, e.g. a msf; understory and edge of shady broadleaved forest; C, TLP; TN.
• Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cucullatus 2 (vocal) individuals consistently found foraging with GCWA at mid-level of forest understory; C, TLP; TN.
• Gray-crowned Tit Aegithalos annamensis 8 greg. in msf with KLWA, WBER, CLSB and other species (see previous species accounts); C, TN (photo); TLP.

• Red-billed Scimitar-babbler Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps 1 foraging inconspicuously in upper-mid level of vine-tangled broad-leaved forest; LANI nearby; UC, TLP.
• Rufous-capped Babbler Cyanoderma ruficeps 1 vocal, foraging mid-level in pine foliage; PW, BF, C, TLP.
• Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus 10 ID: face with extensive yellow and conspicuous white eye ring; mid-ventral yellow line inconspicuous to entirely absent; greg. foraging on bottlebrush flowers; UC, TLT (photo); TN; C, DUC; TLT.

• Black-hooded Laughingthrush Garrulax milleti vocal – a brief, loud outburst of song streamside forest understory; UC, TN.
• Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger 3-4 greg., one individual with worn remiges and rectrices (cage escapee? – photo), all at base of separate bottlebrush trees and on ground, flushed to higher perches; mostly silent or producing nearly inaudible calls; (3/7/23) three birds highly gregarious but largely silent, allopreening in subcanopy of red bottlebrush tree; C, TLT (photo).

• White-cheeked Laughingthrush Garrulax vassali 10 (ad, imm. – note: narrow yellow eyering and base of bill) highly greg., vocal, (two contact- call types – soft churring and a single, rapidly repeated, higher pitched notes, given when flock was alarmed by my steady advance in their direction; flock ig, fr, frequenting low (ground) to mid-level in open second-growth fields with Lantana; shady understory and foraging on ground, n; C, DUC (photo); TN; UC, DRR.

• White-spectacled Sibia Heterophasia robinsoni 2 vocal, often unseen; msf nearby in forest edge; C, TN.
• Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris 1 foraging in flowering lantana, UC, TN.
• Plain Minla Siva orientalis 5 vocal, greg. in msf with several other species (see Mountain Fulvetta entry above); C, TLP; DRR; TN.
• Gray-crowned Crocias Laniellus langbianis 8 vocal, greg. two separate, small flocks, in subcanopy of fruiting fig and large, flowering clump of Lantana at roadside; UC, TLP; TN.
• Chestnut-vented Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis 2 flying to upper levels of pines; UC, DRR; TLT (photo); TLP; TN.
• Black-collared Starling Gracupica nigricollis 6 vocal, greg., pairs foraging on wet, grassy ground beneath pines; flying and perching high in trees; C, DUC; DRR; TLT.
• Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 9 vocal, greg. on rooftops, in pine subcanopy and foraging on ground; C, DUC.
• Great Myna Acridotheres grandis 1 on rooftop, adjacent home, ne; C, DUC.
• Large Niltava Niltava grandis 4 (m,f) individuals and pairs sallying at mid level of broadleaved forest understory; GBTE vocalizing below; C, TLP.
• Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus 1 (m) sallying in upper-middle level of pine woodland; C, TLP.
• White-tailed Blue Robin Myiomela leucura 1 (m) lower-middle understory of broad-leafed forest, lower Shrine Trail; initially came to playback of Lesser Shortwing song, keeping 10-15m distance away; subsequently showed increasingly responsive behavior to playback of its conspecific song; UC, TN (photo); TLP.

• Slaty-backed Forktail Enicurus schistaceus 1 vocal (flight calls) flying low, up and downstream near pond; UC, TN.
• Gray Bushchat Saxicola ferreus 4 (ad.; immature m & f with scalloped feathering on mantle,); individuals, loosely gregarious (cohort?), separated by 15-20m, on conspicuous, trailside perch in pines, on abandoned buildings and in small trees; C, TLP; DRR (photo); TLT.

• Langbian Sunbird Aethopyga johnsi 2 (m,f) ID fem. noted two-toned bill, orange and black; orange base of tarsi; chasing in and around flowering bottlebrush; male foraging on lantana flowers; C, TN (photo); DRR.

• Annam Sunbird Aethopyga annamensis 2 (m,f) foraging on flowering red bottlebrush tree; UC, TN; TLP.

• Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura nisoria 12 (m,f) greg. vocal, foraging on seed heads of tall grass in weedy, second-growth, nw and se; C, DUC; TLP; TN; DRR.
• White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata 4 greg. in tall grass with seeds; UC, TN (photo).

• Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 15 (m,f) greg. on weedy lakeshore and adjacent gardens; C, TLL; DLT.
• Plain-backed Sparrow Passer flaveolus 5 greg. 20m agl in canopy of mature eucalyptus; UC, DUC.
• Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus 5 loosely greg. on ground in weedy, roadside adjacent to landfill; UC, DRR (photo).

• Vietnamese Greenfinch Chloris monguilloti 2 (m,f) vocal when flushed, a pair on ground and in low herbaceous growth second-growth understory of pines; UC, TLT.
• Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra meridionalis 3 (m,f) on hillside shrub and crowns of adjacent pines at edge of saddle; UC, TLP.

__________________________________________________________

Annotated Bird List of the DaLat Plateau, Lam Dong Province, South Vietnam, Winter: December 1, 2022 – February 3, 2023 Callyn Yorke

Abundance: Numbers following each species entry are the maximum count for a single survey, or when multiple surveys of an area were made Age, sex and molt (when known): ad = adult; imm = immature; m = male; f = female; bsc plmg = basic (non-breeding plumage; alt plmg = alternate (breeding) plumage.

Frequency: C = Common, i.e. found during half or more of the surveys in appropriate habitats; UC = found on fewer than half of the surveys but more than once; R = found only once. Note: these nonparametric categories apply primarily to areas receiving multiple surveys.

Localities & Distribution: DaLat, Phuong 6 (DLT); Dump Ridge Road, Phuong 4 (DRR); DaLat University Campus (DUC); Ta Nung Park (TN);Three Little Pigs Road (TLP); Tuyen Lam Lake (TLL); Strawberry Lake (SL). See Areas Covered for further location details; ubiquitous in the appropriate habitat (ubiq).

Ecology and Behavior: aerial insect hawking (ah); taking fruit, berries or parts of flowers (fr); probing the substrate (pr); gleaning insects from foliage (ig); estimated height (m) above ground (agl); gregarious (greg); mixed species flock (msf).

Systematics and Nomenclature used herein, an amalgam of recently published and current (2022) online resources, e.g., International Ornithological Congress (IOC), Birdlife International, Avibase and Birds of the World, Cornell University, USA. Species of uncertain identity are indicated by, ?.

Endemic and near endemic species are listed in bold face type.

• Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata 8 (m,f) greg. on embankment above small pond, UC, DUC
• Chinese Spot-billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha (domestic) 10, greg. in and near main pond, C, TN
• Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha (domestic?) 1 with the numerically dominant CSPD, as above, UC, TN
• Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 2 diving near edges and in open water of north lake, C, DUC, TLL, SL
• Feral Rock Pigeon Columba livia 20 greg. on ground, rooftops and in pigeon houses, C, TN, DLT
• Eastern Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 6 greg.. pairs on ground and in trees, C, ubiq.
• Zebra Dove Geopelia striata 4 greg. mostly in developed areas with vacant lots, C, DLT, DUC
• Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon Treron sphenurus 2 a pair in a tree adjacent to a clearing, DRR
• Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia 2 vocal (unseen) edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC TLP
• Great-eared Nightjar Lyncornis macrotis 1 vocal (unseen), TLL
• Gray Nightjar Caprimulgus jotaka 3 vocal, flying 10-20 m agl over pine woodland and clearings for several minutes at dusk, then apparently absent from the immediate vicinity; evidently, not strongly attracted to playback of its vocalizations, TLL
• Germain’s Swiftlet Aerodramus germani 60 greg. flying 20-80m agl, over open areas and forest edge, C, ubiq.
• Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis 6 greg. flying 20-50m agl over forest and clearings; a small colony evidently nesting under roof thatching in TN, C ubiq.
• Cook’s Swift Apus cooki (ID: a medium-sized swift with long, sickle shaped wings with contrasting anterior to posterio, dark and light brown pattern, pointed tail, fast wing strokes, though slower than APSW; no conspicuous rump markings visible when viewed from above, i.e., below eye-level, 3 greg, flying 10-15m agl over forest clearing, R, TN (2/3/23).
• House Swift Apus nipalensis 20 greg. itinerant and evidently wide-ranging outside of the nesting season; flying 50-80m agl, C, DUC
• Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis 2 vocal, grassy clearings with second-growth, ubiq.
• Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis 1 at edge of forest and dense second-growth, UC, TN, TLP
• Large Hawk Cuckoo Hieroccocyx sparverioides 1 flew from perch on forest edge tree across open grass-shrub ravine, R, TN
• Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus 1 vocal (more often heard than seen) second-growth and gardens, C, ubiq.
• Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus 1 vocal (unseen), TN (GM)
• White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus 1 foraging at edge of inundated, brushy islet with strewn trash, UC, SL
• Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 5 (ad, imm) loosely greg. same area as for WBWH in previous entry; adult chasing an immature, C, SL
• Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus 1 flushed from edge of sw pond into wet, grassy area, UC, DUC
• Striated Heron Butorides striata 1 at edge on main pond, UC,TN
• Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus 20 greg. at dump, ponds, lakes and wetlands, C, ubiq.
• Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus 8 greg. at dump, C, DRR
• Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 2 a pair on shoreline excavations, C, SL
• Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodei 1 vocal (unseen) TLP, UC, (GM)
• Oriental Scops-owl Otus sunia (rufous morph) 3 vocal, responsive to playback recordings; one individual alighting in a roadside pine tree at 4m agl, maintaining its position for several minutes, TLL (photo).

• Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus 1 circling 50 m agl over area, DRR
• Besra Accipiter virgatus 1 UC, TN (GM)
• Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela 1 UC, TN (GM)
• Black Hawk Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis 1 UC, TN (GM -photo)
• White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster 1 (ad) perched 8m agl in pines over far lakeshore; sallying to lake surface for fish, TLL
• Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1 perched on a low snag in and at the edge ponds and lake, C, ubiq.
• White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 1 in shrub, lakeside and on utility wire over water, C, TLL, SL, TN
• Blue-eared Barbet Psilopogon cyanotis 1 vocal, C, TN
• Annam Barbet Psilopogon annamensis 3 vocal, taking green (unripe) Lantana fruits, C, TN, TLP, DRR
• Speckled Piculet Picumnus innominatus 1 in msf with MOFU, GFWA, CCWA, Phylloscopus sp., and several other passerines, R, TN
• Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis 2 vocal, in pine woods and broad-leaved evergreen forest, loosely associated with insectivorous passerines, e.g. ASDR, VEFL, UC, TLP, TN
• Greater Yellownape Chrysophlegma flavinucha 1 vocal (unseen) UC, TLL
• Gray-capped Woodpecker Picoides cannicapillus 2 (m,f) on small diameter limbs of pines and other trees at forest edge, gardens, C ubiq.
• Eastern Black-naped Oriole Oriolus diffusus 3 (ad, imm) greg. in canopy of pines, C, DUC
• White-bellied Erpornis Erpornis zantholeuca 1 msf with Phylloscopus spp., MOFU, BWFS and other passerines, lower-middle level of broad-leaved-evergreen forest, UC, TLP, TN, DRR
• Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus 2 (m,f) greg. edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, pine woodland, 3-15m agl, UC, TLP, TN, DRR
• Minivet Pericrocotus sp. ? cf. ethologus 3 (m,f) greg. middle to upper level, UC, TLP, TN
• Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike Lalage melaschistos 1 (f) with ASDR, sallying, ig from low limbs of garden trees, UC DUC (photo).

• Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus 1 flying over clearing in pine woods, 15m agl, UC, DUC
• Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus 2 edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, msf with VEFL, GHCF, Phylloscopus spp., C, TLP, TN
• Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis virgatus 1 TN (GM- photo)
• White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis 2 vocal, greg. msf with a variety of insectivorous passerines in understory and middle level of broad-leaved evergreen forest, pine woodlands, second-growth, gardens, C, ubiq.
• Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus 3 greg. sallying from 5-20m perch on outer limbs, pine and broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, gardens, C, ubiq.
• Northern Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus 2 1-1.5m agl perch, roadside second-growth, open grassland with scattered shrubs, C, ubiq.
• Burmese Shrike Lanius collurioides 7 vocal, sallying from 1-2m agl perch in gardens, edges of woodland, grassy clearings; early morning at 4-8m agl in pines, C, DUC, TN, DRR
• large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos 14 greg. in and around dump, C, DRR
• Gray-headed Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis 2 msf with a variety of insectivorous and fruigivorous passerines, broad-leaved evergreen forest interior and edge, C, TLL, TLP, TN
• Langbian Tit Parus legendrei 5 vocal, greg. often in msf with CVNU, Phylloscopus spp., GHWO, in pine woodland, broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, second-growth and gardens; one with nesting material at edge of DRR pine woodland, C, ubiq.
• Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula ? 1 seen briefly when flushed from grassy clearing in pine woodland, DRR
• Hill Prinia Prinia superciliaris 5 vocal, pairs active in second-growth, tall grass in clearings, pine woodland edge, C, ubiq.
• Rufescent Prinia Prinia rufescens ? vocal, pairs active in hillside scrub-grassland at edge of pine woodland, DRR
• Brown Prinia Prinia polychroa ? 1 seen briefly when flushed from recently burned fern-Lantana understory of pine woodland, keeping on or near the ground, R, TLP
• Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis 3 vocal in dense second-growth at edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, C, TLP, TN, DRR
• Eurasian Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 10 greg. flying 0.5 to 30m agl over wetlands, clearings, C ubiq.
• Puff-throated Bulbul Alophoixus pallidus 1 edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC TN
• Southern Mountain Bulbul Ixos tickelli 2 a pair in second-growth at the edge of broad-leaved evergreen and pine forest, UC, TLP
• Brown-backed Ashy Bulbul Hemixos remotus 3 greg. in second-growth at edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, C, TN, TLP (photo).

• Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus 12 vocal, greg. pine woodlands and broadleaved evergreen forest edge, gardens, C, ubiq.
• Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus flaviventris 2 vocal, pairs often in second-growth at edge of pine woodland and broad-leaved evergreen forest, gardens, C, ubiq.
• Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus 2 greg. second-growth at edge of woodland and forest, gardens, UC, ubiq but declining due to cage-bird trade; at least three recently killed in unattended garden mist nets at DUC; caged escapees probably wandering throughout area.
• Southern Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster 8 vocal, greg. second-growth, woodland and forest edge, gardens, C, ubiq.
• Flavescent Bulbul Pycnonotus flavescens 10 vocal, greg. second-growth at woodland and forest edge, occasionally gardens, C, ubiq.
• Sunda Yellow-vented Bulbul Pynonotus goiavier 3 vocal, greg. second-growth and gardens with fruiting trees, UC, DUC
• Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 4 foraging 2-8m agl in pines and broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, garden trees, C, ubiq.
• White-spectacled Warbler Phylloscopus intermedius 1 in msf with other passerines in lower-middle understory and edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, TLP (GM)
• Gray-cheeked Warbler Phylloscopus poliogenys 2 in msf with birds mentioned in previous WSWA account, understory and middle of broad-leaved evergreen forest, C, TLP, TN
• Chestnut-crowned Warbler Phylloscopus castaniceps 1 in msf with a variety of small passerines, understory and mid-level of secondary broad-leaved evergreen forest, C, TLP, TN, DRR
• Blyth’s Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus reguloides 2 in outer pine and broad-leaved evergreen foliage, 2-5m agl, C, TLP, TN
• White-tailed Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus intensior 1 on outer foliage of second-growth and broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, UC, TLP
• Kloss’s Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus ogilviegranti 1 in outer pine and broad-leaved evergreen foliage, 2-4m agl, C, TLP, TN, DRR
• Gray-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer 3 vocal (esp. during a msf ‘bird wave’ and more often heard than seen) on or near the ground in the shady understory of broad-leaved evergreen forest, C, TLP, TN, DRR
• Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cucullatus 3 vocal (more often heard than seen) broad-leaved evergreen forest, C, TLP, TN, DRR
• Gray-crowned Tit Aegithalos annamensis 3 greg. outer limbs of pines, 2-4m agl, C, TLP, TN
• Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense 4 greg. a roadside clearing within a cirque of steep embankments, in an isolated clump of tall grass and shrubs near a small stream, UC, DRR (photo).

• Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus 16 vocal, greg. in pines and flowering garden trees, C, ubiq.
• Rufous-capped Babbler Cyanoderma ruficeps 2 understory of broad-leaved forest edge, often in msf with PLMI, MOFU, C, TLP, TN
• Northern Gray-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps 2 in msf with MOFU, GCWA, CCWA, MOTA, and several other passerines, understory of broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, TN, TLP, DRR
• Mountain Fulvetta Alcippe paracensis 5 vocal, greg. often in msf with PLMI, RCBA, CCWA, GCWA in understory of broad-leaved forest edge, lantana thickets, C, TLP, TN, DRR
• Orange-breasted Laughingthrush Garrulax annamensis 1 vocal (unseen) in dense second-growth of broad-leaved evergreen forest at roadside stream crossing, R, TLP (GM)
• White-cheeked Laughingthrush Garrulax vassali 8 vocal, greg. in second-growth, lantana thickets at edge of pine woodland and broad-leaved evergreen forest, gardens, C, TLP, TN, DUC, DRR
• White-spectacled Sibia Heterophasia robinsoni 4 vocal, greg. often in msf with MOFU, PLMI and other passerines at edge of dense, second-growth broad-leaved evergreen forest, C, TN, TLP, DRR
• Plain Minla Siva orientalis 5 vocal, greg. msf with MOFU, FLBU, WSSI and other passerines, lower to upper-middle levels of broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, C, TLP, TN, DRR
• Gray-crowned Crocias Laniellus langbianis 4 vocal, greg. in dense second-growth, lantana thickets, at edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, C, TLP, TN, DRR
• Chestnut-vented Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis 2 vocal, often in msf with GCWO, LATI and other passerines in pines, all height levels, C, TLP, TN, DUC, DRR
• Black-collared Starling Gracupica nigricollis 8 vocal, greg. frequenting pine woodlands, gardens, second-growth and edges of clearings, C, ubiq.
• White-shouldered Starling Sturnia sinensis 8 vocal, greg. in pines, often in msf with other starlings; at least three pink and and one yellow variant observed, C, DUC (photo).

• Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 10 vocal, greg. pine woodland, gardens, second-growth, towns, C, ubiq.
• Vinous-breasted Myna Acridotheres leucocephalus 3 in pines with COMY and WSST, UC, DUC
• Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnia malabarica 3 (ad, imm) greg. UC, DUC (photo – GM)
• Great Myna Acridotheres grandis 2 pairs with COMY, on multi-level building rooftops, pine woodland, gardens, clearings, C, DUC
• Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus 15 greg. in second-growth at edge of pine woodland clearing, UC, DRR
• Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica 1 edge of pine woodland, gardens, 2-3 m agl, sallying to ground, C, DUC, TN (photo).

• Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus 3 vocal, sallying from 2-3m agl perch, often in msf with a variety of passerines, e.g. BWFS, PLMI, GHCF, edge of pine woodland and broad-leaved evergreen forest, gardens, C, ubiq.
• Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki 1 (f) perched 1-2 m agl on limbs at edge of garden and broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC,TN
• Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni 1 subcanopy of broad-leaved evergreen tree over second-growth and lantana thickets, UC, TLP, TN
• Red-throated (Taiga) Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla 1 sallying from 1-2m agl perch at edge of broad-leaved evergreen second-growth and pine woodland, C, TN
• White-throated Rock-thrush Monticola gularis 1 (m) perched 1-2m on driveway bordering garden and edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, C, TN (photo).

• Gray Bushchat Saxicola ferreus 3 (m,f) individuals sallying from 2-3m agl perch at edge of woodland, clearings, open, grassy fields, C, TLP, DRR (photo).

• Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri 1 (f) apparently, a late-winter resident, twice found perched 1.5 m agl on small citrus tree, open orchard on a rocky hillside recently planted with coffee and juniper (‘saddle’ area of TLP), C, TL.
• Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus 2 (m,f) vocal, pairs in flowering trees and vines, UC, TLP, TN
• Annam Sunbird Aethopyga annamensis 2 (f) vocal, individuals foraging 1-4m agl in Lantana thickets and flowering trees at edge of pine woods and broad-leaved evergreen forest, gardens, C, TLP, TN, DRR
• Langbian Sunbird Aethopyga johnsi 1 (m) in and around dense, roadside second-growth, UC, TLP, DRR
• Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura nisoria 20 (m,f, imm) vocal, greg. (immatures often in separate flocks from adults), in clearings, weedy fields, foraging predominantly on a variety of grass seeds, C, ubiq. (photo).

• Indian (House) Sparrow Passer indicus 10 (m,f) vocal, greg. on or near pavement in city and and suburbs, usually apart from numerically abundant EUTS, C, DLT
• Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 30 (m,f) vocal, greg. towns and rural settlements throughout, C, ubiq.
• Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 3 loosely greg. vocal when flushed, on pavement and edges of ponds, lakes, wet ground, C, ubiq.
• Chinese White Wagtail Motacilla leucopsis 4 loosely gregarious in and around a dump, DRR
• Vietnamese Greenfinch Chloris monguilloti 6 (m,f) vocal, greg. foraging on dry sunflower heads and other flowering shrubs and trees, edge of pine woodlands, broad-leaved evergreen forest, clearings gardens, C, ubiq.
• DaLat Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra meridionalis 2 (m,f) greg. on 12/21/2022, Glenn Morris and I observed and photographed a female constructing a bowl-shaped nest of evergreen twigs and foliage in the crown of a mature pine (Pinus kesiya), about 5m agl; the male accompanied the female to and from the source nest material and nest site (about 20m apart) at the guarded, north driveway entrance of DUC; subsequent surveys of 1/21 and 1/29/2023, I observed no nesting activity or any crossbills on the campus; the fully constructed nest apparently had been abandoned; UC, DRR, DUC (photo).

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DALAT PLATEAU, LAM DONG PROVINCE: Summary of Bird Surveys, Autumn: August 1 – November 30, 2022

Weather: The typical rainy season weather pattern in this region: Mostly cloudy to partly cloudy, occasionally fair skies; frequent intermittent light to heavy rain; 13C to 20C; winds variable, E, ENE 5 -35 kph.

Time: 0600 – 1230 hrs.

Observer: Callyn Yorke

Areas and Dates (m/d) Covered:

1) Dalat University Campus, central DaLat (DUC, 10 Surveys: 8/13, 8/15, 8/21, 9/1, 9/3, 10/1, 10/29, 11/4, 11/6. 11/17): Walking surveys (0630-0930 hrs.) covering most of the 30-hectare campus visually, using a 10×42 Zeiss binocular and hand-held Nikon D3X camera with a Nikon 200-500 mm IF AF VR lens. A Google Pixel 3X cell phone camera was used for documenting survey sites. A pocket field notebook was used for data entries, which were recopied to a permanent, loose-leaf format later the same day.

A counter-clockwise route through the campus on paved pathways and driveways was used for the surveys. The campus included marginal ruderal (weedy) areas, small agricultural fields (< 1 ha), two ponds (the largest (about 1 ha) in the northeast corner (photo), mature pine woodland (Pinus dalatensis), assorted broad-leaved evergreen trees and shrubs – mostly exotic plantings (e.g. Eucalyptus sp., Callistemon linearis) – lawns and gardens, in a mosaic arrangement among buildings (single and multiple level). The campus was open for regular classes for most of the autumn; surveys were done before and during classes. Most birds appeared to be fairly well habituated to human presence on campus.

Bird species of uncertain identity were noted and, when possible, subsequently compared with digital photo images and online resources using a laptop computer. If a specific assignment remained undetermined, it was indicated as ? in the Annotated Bird List (see below).

2) Ta Nung Park (Hoa Son Dien Trang; eBird: Ta Nung Valley) (TN, 9 Surveys: 9/5, 9/21,10/3, 10/13, 10/28 10/31, 11/3, 11/14). Walking surveys were made (0630-0930 hrs.), beginning at or near the main highway entrance or bus parking lot below it, and continuing downhill to the main pond and forest hydro-engineered stream inlet-outlet, then returning the same route. The surveys visually covered an area of approximately 10 hectares, using the equipment described above. Side trails and paths were taken to survey the shadier, less frequented areas of the rainforest. Vegetation types within the surveyed area included pine woodland (Pinus kesiya) bordering the upper driveway entrance and parking area, broad-leaved evergreen forest (upland rainforest) from the middle to lower sections of the main driveway and side paths. Marginal gardens with ornamental herbs and shrubs were almost continuously attended by groundskeepers during the surveys. Bird houses (unoccupied), sculptures, benches and other decorative features were abundant along the main driveway through the park; concession stands and shuttle vehicles were operational by 0900 hrs., at the conclusion of the surveys. Construction and maintenance activities were occasionally quite noisy during surveys. Dogs, the larger ones kept in kennels, often barked and followed us briefly in the lower sections of the survey route, but were not aggressive. Visitors (sometimes dozens) usually began arriving around 0830 hrs., however there were multiple surveys with fewer than five visitors in the park.

Bird activity in the park was highly variable and unpredictable. Some mornings were characterized by abundant and conspicuous activity in the trees and shrubs near the main driveway and walking route. Other times, the park was quiet and without much avian activity. Generally, bird activity in the park appeared greatest following heavy rains the prior evening. A series of rainy days, however could result in bird activity being significantly reduced. The presence of fruiting trees in the forest usually attracted a sequential variety of bird species. Most of the resident birds appeared at least partially habituated to human presence, which occasionally allowed for exceptional photographic opportunities.

Ta Nung Park (Hoa Son Dien Trang), privately owned and operated, has been for more than a decade, one of the premier birding locations on the DaLat Plateau. Professional bird tour groups frequent the park during winter and spring (December-April). Trapping and hunting are strictly prohibited in the park; indeed, although common elsewhere in the region, no poaching was observed during our surveys. Most of the broad-leaved evergreen forest and pine woodlands immediately adjacent to the park continue to be intact. Additionally, as part of the roughly, north-south oriented Ta Nung Valley, the park is likely an important a migratory corridor. Taken together, these attributes probably account for the abundant, diversified and accessible avifauna found in the park.

Based tentatively on eBird records (Cornell University, USA), it appears Ta Nung Park (as well as the rest of the DaLat Plateau) is seldom covered by birders during the Summer and Autumn months (June-November). This report and the previous one (Summer 2022) is an attempt to fill a conspicuous seasonal gap in our knowledge of the status and distribution of birds in this region.

3) Three Little Pigs Road, north Tuyen Lam Lake hills, Phuong 4, about 6 km southwest of DaLat city center (TLP, 6 Surveys: 8/16, 10/12, 10/26, 11/1, 11/7, 11/8 ). Walking surveys (0630-1130 hrs.) began at a roadside edge in a pine woodland (Pinus kesiya) and continued about 1 km on a narrow, paved roadway, steeply downhill through a broad-leaved evergreen forest, terminating at a large clearing (‘the saddle’) separating two valleys; the same route was used to return (see my previous reports for additional details). About 10 hectares were visually surveyed using the equipment and methodology described above. Roughly 70% secondary (closed canopy) broad-leaved evergreen forest; 20% pine woodland with an exotic Lantana understory, and 10% ruderal-agricultural land was included in the surveys.

Bird activity, especially, vocal, mixed-species flocks, was most often observed in the late morning, i.e., 0900-1130 hrs. These flocks consisted largely of insectivorous birds, e.g. flycatchers, warblers and babblers, moving quickly through the lower-middle and upper layers of both pine woodland and broad-leaved evergreen forest. By contrast, early mornings (0630-0730 hrs.) had different species, e.g. Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Hill Prinia and Flavescent Bulbul, with few if any mixed species flocks; bird vocalizations were comparatively infrequent in the cool, early morning hours. The optimal survey time frame for this area, which would include the greatest diversity of bird species, is generally, 0630-1130 hrs..

Except for occasional vehicular traffic (mostly motorbikes), the survey route was quiet and little disturbed by human activities. However, on multiple occasions, bird-trappers were active in the area, using a caged bird (e.g. Annam Sunbird) suspended from an overhanging limb and audio recordings. Previous surveys in this area (2019-20) encountered bird-trappers on several occasions, as well as two teenagers shooting at birds with a rifle. It is unknown what effect these illegal activities are having on local bird populations. However, based on the shyness of birds in the survey area, it is clear that hunting and trapping is causing significant impacts, not the least of which is a reduced detectability of birds during our surveys.

4) Bidoup Forest, located 15-20 km northeast of DaLat city center (BF, 2 Surveys: 11/2, 11/5); Soui Vang Lake and Ankroet Dam (SVL: 11/2) Brief, roadside surveys of SVL were made going to BF (0620-0700 hrs.). Most of my survey time was spent at the BF summit pass (Elev. 1,725 m) and at a lower elevation roadside (Elev. 1,550 m within a patch of mature, secondary broad-leaved evergreen forest (0730-1030 hrs).

5) Tuyen Lam Lake (TLL) and Truc Lam Temple (TLT, 1 Survey: 11/8). I made multiple stops for roadside birding of the lake and dam, followed by a walking survey of the adjacent Truc Lam Temple grounds (0735-0845 hrs.), Subsequently, I surveyed 3LP (0910-1125 hrs. – see previous entry for that location on 11/8).

6) Phuong 6 DaLat (DLT). Multiple stationary and walking surveys were made in my neighborhood of residence, Phuong 6, DaLat. These surveys included gardens with ornamental fruiting trees and shrubs, vacant lots with tall grasses and shrubs, small farm plots, buildings and roadways.

Annotated Bird List of the DaLat Plateau, Lam Dong Province, South Vietnam, Autumn: August 1 – November 30, 2022 Callyn Yorke

Abundance: Numbers following each species entry are the maximum count for a single survey, or when multiple surveys of an area were made Age, sex and molt (when known): ad = adult; imm = immature; m = male; f = female; bsc plmg = basic (non-breeding plumage; alt plmg = alternate (breeding) plumage.

Frequency: C = Common, i.e. found during half or more of the surveys in appropriate habitats; UC = found on fewer than half of the surveys but more than once; R = found only once. Note: these nonparametric categories apply primarily to areas receiving multiple surveys.

Localities & Distribution: Biduop Forest (BF); DaLat, Phuong 6 (DLT); DaLat University Campus (DUC); Soui Vang Lake (SVL); Ta Nung Park (TN);Tuyen Lam Lake and Truc Lam Temple (TLL; TLT); Three Little Pigs Road (TLP) See Areas Covered for further location details; ubiquitous in the appropriate habitat (ubiq).

Ecology and Behavior: aerial insect hawking (ah); taking fruit, berries or parts of flowers (fr); probing the substrate (pr); gleaning insects from foliage (ig); estimated height (m) above ground (agl); gregarious (greg); mixed species flock (msf).

Systematics and Nomenclature used herein, an amalgam of recently published and current (2022) online resources, e.g., Birdlife International, Avibase and Birds of the World, Cornell University, USA. Species of uncertain identity are indicated by, ?. Endemic and near endemic species are listed in bold face type.

• Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 1 (f) in a small roadside pond, UC, TLP
• Oriental Spot-billed Duck Anas sp. c.f. zonorhyncha 16 vocal, greg., presumably a resident, domestic flock for the most part, though variable numbers and skittish behavior of some of the ducks, suggesting augmentation and turnover from with new arrivals, e.g. migrants, C, TN
• Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 2 (alt. plmg.) a resident pair, usually separated by >30m while diving and swimming the grassy edges in the main (north) lake, C, DUC
• Feral Rock Pigeon Columba livia 20, greg., C TN, DLT
• Red-collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica 2 greg., UC, DUC
• Eastern Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 12 vocal, greg., C, ubiq.
• Zebra Dove Geopelia striata 8 greg., vocal, scattered pairs, mostly in developed areas; a recent arrival in this area, C, ubiq.
• Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon Treron sphenurus 2 greg. a pair in a roadside forest fruit tree, R, TLP
• Emerald Ground-dove Chalcophaps indica 1 foraging on ground in shady understory of broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, BF (photo).

• Germain’s Swiftlet Aerodramus germaini 30 greg. commonly flying 5 -80m agl over open areas and secondary forest, C, ubiq.
• Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis 12 greg. flying 10-30m agl over forest clearings and open areas, C, TN, TLP
• House Swift Apus nipalensis 150 + greg. 0.1 to 100m agl, often dipping into lake surface- DUC; itinerant, absent for several days or weeks in areas where previously abundant, e.g. DLT, DUC — a large nesting colony (at least 50 pair) in an older, multilevel building on the campus, UC, ubiq.
• Cook’s Swift Apus cooki ? 2 greg., flying 20-50m agl in association with GESW, R TLP
• Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis 2 vocal, rather secretive in grassy areas, forest clearings, C, ubiq.
• Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis 2 in trees, secondary forest edge, UC, TN, TLP, TLL
• Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus 1 (ad) in mature garden fruit trees; reportedly in the same residential yard for at least two weeks, possibly a returning migrant, UC, DLT (photo).

• Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonnerati 1 vocal (usually unseen) forest edge, UC, TN
• Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus 1 vocal (ususally unseen) gardens and forest edge, UC, ubiq.
• Drongo-cuckoo Surniculus lugubris 1 perched on utility line in overgrown garden, UC, DUC (photo).

• Large Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides 1 mid to upper-level perch at forest edge, UC, TN, TLP
• Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus 1 flying low between small pond, lake and grassy wet field, UC, DUC
• Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis 1 (ad) in grassy edge of pond, R, DUC (photo).

• Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus 4 individuals and pairs at edge of ponds, wet grass and fields, wary and readily flushed C, ubiq.
• Striated Heron Butorides striata 1 at edge of main pond, UC, TN
• Black Eagle Ictinaeus malaiensis 1 (ad) circling 30-40m agl above pine and broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, TN (photo).

• Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus 2 (m,f) a pair perched on adjacent trees at mid-level in shady, secondary forest, R, TLP
• Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis 1 perched conspicuously 15m agl on a dead, hillside tree at the forest edge, R, TN
• Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1 perched on low snags in and at edge of ponds, UC, ubiq.
• Blue-eared Barbet Psilopogon cyanotis 2 vocal (often unseen); a pair nesting in a broken, vertical tree limb, C, TN, TLP, BF
• Necklaced Barbet Psilopogon auricularis 1 vocal (often unseen) at forest edge, UC, TN, TLP
• Annam Barbet Psilopogon annamensis 4 vocal, greg. in fruiting trees at forest edge, C, TN, TLP (photo).

• Speckled Piculet Picumnus innominatus 1 working small diameter limbs in broad-leaved evergreen trees at forest edge, UC, TN, TLP
• Gray-capped Woodpecker Picoides canicapillus 2 (m,f) often in msf with a variety of small, insectivorous species, on small diameter limbs, middle to upper level in pines and broad-leaved evergreen trees (e.g. fruiting) in gardens and at edge of forest and woodland, C, ubiq.
• Eastern Black-naped Oriole Oriolus diffusus 3 ad., imm. vocal, greg. in canopies of pines and broad-leaved evergreen trees, gardens, open woodland and forest edge, UC, ubiq.
• Slender-billed Oriole Oriolus tenuirostris 2 in canopy and subcanopy of mature pines, UC, DUC
• DaLat Shrike-babbler Pteruthius annamensis 2 often moving quickly in a msf with a variety of small insectivorous birds, middle to upper levels in pines and broad-leaved evergreen trees at woodland or forest edge, UC, TLP, TN
• White-bellied Erpornis Erpornis zantholeuca 1 low to lower-middle levels at edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest in a msf with a variety of insectivorous birds, e.g. MOFU, WSSI, GHCF, BWFS, UC, TLP, TN
• Long-tailed Minivet Pericrcotus ethlogus 2 (m,f) in canopy and subcanopy of broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, UC, TN
• Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus 3 (m,f) at mid to upper-level in vine- covered secondary, broad-leaved evergreen and pine forest edge, UC, TN (photo).

• Large Cuckooshrike Coracina nipalensis 1 at mid-upper level of forest edge, UC, TN, TLP
• Indochinese Cuckooshrike Lalage polioptera 2 in msf with small insectivorous birds at mid-upper level of forest edge, UC, TN
• Black-winged Cuckooshrike Lalage melaschistos 1 in msf with small insectivorous birds at mid-upper level of broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, UC, 3LP, TN (photo).

• Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus 16 greg. flying around forest clearings, 8-20m agl UC, SVL
• Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus 3 greg. often in msf with small, insectivorous-frugivorous birds, e.g. GHCF and PLMI, C TLP, TN
• White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis 2 greg. often in msf with a variety of small, insectivorous birds, e.g. GHCF, PLMI, MOFU, C, TLP, TN
• Sooty Drongo Dircrurus leucophaeus 2 greg. pairs sallying from outer limbs of forest edge and woodland trees, 5-8m agl, C, TN, TLP, TLT
• Lesser Racquet-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer 2 vocal, subcaopy of shady broad-leaved evergreen forest, sallying from 2-3 m limbs, UC, TLP, TN
• Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus 1 foraging on eucalyptus blossoms in canopy, 10m agl, R, DUC
• Northern Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus 2 sallying to ground from 1m agl perches in clearings, UC, TN, TLP, DLT
• Burmese Shrike Lanius collurioides 6 vocal, territorial, sallying to ground from 1-3m agl tree limbs, C, ubiq.
• White-faced Jay Garrulus leucotis 1 subanopy of pine and edge of broad-leaved evergreen woodland, UC, TLP, TLT
• Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos 2 individuals and pairs, occasionally vocal, flying 10-20m agl over forest and clearings, UC, TN
• Gray-headed Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis 2 often with msf of a variety of small, insectivorous birds, e.g. PLMI, WTFA, YBWA, MOFU, at edge of broad-leaved evergreen woodland and forest interior, C, TLP, TN
• Langbian Tit Parus legendrei 2 greg. varied vegetation types, especially pines; all height levels, in msf with CVNU, GCWO, Phylloscopus spp. UC, DUC, TN, TLP
• Yellow-cheeked Tit Machlolophus spilonotus 1 in mid to upper mid level of pine woodland edge in msf of CVNU, LATI, DASB, R, TLP
• Hill Prinia Prinia superciliaris 5 vocal, individuals, pairs and small, loosely associated flocks in tall grass and mixed shrubs, vacant lots, gardens and woodland clearings, C, ubiq.
• Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis 2 vocal in roadside shrubs, tall grasses and woodland-forest edge, C, TLP, TN
• Eurasian Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica gutturalis 25 (occasionally 1-2 saturata/tytleri) greg. flying 1-30m agl over open areas, wetlands and through apparent migratory corridors in foothills, e.g. ‘the saddle’, TLP; C, ubiq.
• Puff-throated Bulbul Alophoixus pallidus 2 greg. pairs foraging 2-5m agl, in broad-leaved evergreen forest, second-growth and woodland edge, UC, TN, TLP
• Brown-backed (Ashy) Bulbul Hemixos remotus 5 greg. pairs in forest and woodland edge second-growth, often in msf with other bulbuls, e.g. FLBU and PLMI, C, TN, TLP
  • Southern Mountain Bulbul Ixos tickelli 2 in middle to upper level of shady, broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, TLP, TN
  • Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus 12 vocal, greg. frequenting canopy of pines and deciduous trees at forest and woodland edge, gardens, frequenting fruiting trees and shrubs, C, TLP, TN, DUC
  • Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus flaviventris 3 vocal, greg. often in pairs in second-growth, woodland and forest edge, gardens, C, TLP, TN, DUC
  • Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus gardens and second-growth; population declining due to trapping for the cage-bird trade; individual escapees wandering throughout the area, UC, ubiq.
  • Southern Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster 12 vocal, greg. gardens, second-growth, woodland edge, varied vegetation types and all heights, C, ubiq.
  • Stripe-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus finlaysoni 3 greg. rather secretive; pairs frequenting dense second-growth, overgrown gardens, forest and woodland edge, UC, ubiq.
  • Flavescent Bulbul Pycnonotus flavescens 7 vocal, greg. dense second-growth, woodland and forest edge, C, ubiq.
  • Sunda Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier 2 gardens with fruiting trees, occasionally woodland clearings with second-growth and tall grasses, UC, DUC, TN
  • Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 5 vocal, sometimes in pairs; pine woodlands, broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, gardens, 2-5 m agl, ig in outer limbs of mature trees, C, ubiq.
  • Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis 1 fast-moving in forest understory, 1-2m agl, broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, 3LP, BF
  • Blyth’s Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus reguloides 1 (ID assisted by digital images captured in the field); middle to upper levels in broad-leaved evergreen and pine woodland, UC, TN, TLP
  • Kloss’s Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus ogilviegranti 1 (ID assisted by digital images captured in the field); in pine woodland and bordering broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, mid- upper level, 2-10m agl, often loosely associated with small insectivorous passerines, e.g. LATI, CVNU, UC, TN, TLP
  • White-spectacled Warbler Phylloscopus intermedius 1 in msf with a variety of small insectivorous birds, e.g. MOFU, GHCF, RCBA, GCWA lower to middle level in shady, broad-leaved forest edge, second-growth, UC, TLP, TN
  • Gray-cheeked Warbler Phylloscopus poliogenys 1 in msf with a variety of small insectivorous-frugivorous birds, as in the previous species entry, UC, TLP, TN
  • Chestnut-crowned Warbler Phylloscopus castaniceps 2 in msf with a variety of small insectivorous birds as in previous two species, UC, TLP
  • Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis 3 in canopy of pines and ornamental trees, UC, DUC
  • Gray-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer 3 vocal, secretive in shady, broad-leaved forest understory, sometimes becoming active and visibie, appearing briefly at the edges of the forest when a msf passes by, C, TLP, TN
  • Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cucullatus vocal, secretive and seldom visible in dense second-growth and forest edge, UC, TLP, TN
  • Gray-crowned Tit Aegithalos annamensis 8 greg. in msf with GCWO, CVNU, MOFU, FLBU, SSBU, and a variety of other passerines in pines and adjacent broad-leaved evergreen forest, gardens and second-growth, UC, TLP, TN
  • Chinese White-eye Zosterops simplex 3 in msf with ORWE, garden bottle-brush trees, UC, DUC
  • Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus 10 vocal, greg. in garden bottlebrush trees, pines and ornamental trees, C, DUC (photo).

• Red-billed Scimitar-babbler Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps 3 vocal, in lantana thickets and second-growth at broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, msf with PLMI and MOFU, WSSI, UC, TLP
• White-browed Scimitar-babbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps 1 shady, broad-leaved forest understory, C, BF
• Northern Gray-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps 2 broad-leaved forest understory, UC, TLP, BF (photo).

• Rufous-capped Babbler Cyanoderma ruficeps 1 in msf with small, insectivorous birds, e.g. MOFU, in broad-leaved forest understory and second-growth, C, TLP, TN
• Spot-throated Babbler Pellorneum albiventre 2 a pair, 1m agl at edge of broad-leaved forest understory, R, TN
• Black-browed Fulvetta Alcippe grotei 2 broad-leaved forest understory, UC, BF
• Mountain Fulvetta Alcippe peracensis 5 vocal, greg. broad-leaved forest edge, middle level and understory, msf with WCLT, WSSI, BBBU, FLBU, GCTI, PLMI, C, TLP, TN
• Black-hooded Laughingthrush Garrulax milleti 5 vocal, greg. in forest and woodland understory, secretive, seldom visible, UC, TN
• White-cheeked Laughingthrush Garrulax vassali 16 vocal, greg. overgrown gardens, pine woodland-lantana understory, broad-leaved forest second-growth and edge of clearings, UC, TLP, TN, DUC
• White-spectacled Sibia Heterophasia robinsoni 4 vocal, greg. msf with a variety of passerines in forest edge-lantana second-growth, C, TN, TLP, BF (photo).

• Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris 2 greg. msf with MOFU, FLBU, PLMI, WSSI in broad-leaved forest edge understory and second-growth, lantana thickets, UC, TN, TLP
• Rufous-backed Sibia Leioptila annectans 2 forest edge, second-growth, lantana thickets with other passerines, as in previous species entry, UC, TN, TLP
• Plain Minla Siva orientalis 5 vocal, greg. in msf with MOFU, sibias and other passerines, lower to mid-level heights in broad-leaved forest edge, pine woodlands, second-growth, lantana thickets, C, TN, TLP (photo).

• Gray-crowned Crocias Laniellus langbianis 5 vocal, greg, lower to middle level of broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, pine woodland edge, second-growth, lantana thickets, UC, TN, TLP
• Chestnut-vented Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis 2 vocal, sometimes in pairs, exclusively on pines, working the main and lateral limbs, 2-20m agl, often in loose association with other birds, e.g. GCWO, LATI, YBWA, LACU, SODR, C, DUC, TLP, TN
• Yellow-billed Nuthatch Sitta solangiae 2 lower- middle to upper-middle level in broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, R, TLP (photo).

• Black-collared Starling Gracupica nigricollis 10 vocal, greg. 10 -15m agl in pines, eucalyptus and other tall trees, woodland edge, farms and gardens, C, ubiq.
• White-shouldered Starling Sturnia sinensis 8 vocal, greg. in garden trees, pines, sometimes with COMY,UC, TLP, DUC (photo).

• Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnia malabarica 5 vocal, greg. sometimes with WSST and COMY in pines and tall garden trees, UC, DUC
• Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 16 vocal, greg. on ground, lawns, pavement, developed areas, farms and gardens, C, ubiq.
• Great Myna Acridotheres grandis 2 pairs in second-growth and rooftops on adjacent buildings around water, UC, DUC, DLT (photo).

• White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 1 on freshly disturbed soil mound in overgrown garden, R, DUC (photo).

• Green Cochoa Cochoa viridis 1 imm. in subcanopy of a fruiting tree at the edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, R, TN (5/9/22 – photo).

• Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis 1 tail-less adult (possibly an escaped cage-bird) on ground and in trees around buildings, UC, TN
• Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa cacabata 1 atop eucalyptus 20m agl, R, DUC
• Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica 3 sallying from 1-3m agl on limbs of garden trees and pines, C, DUC,TLP (photo).

• Large Niltava Niltava grandis decorata 2 (m,f); sallying from lower-middle level in shady, broad-leaved evergreen forest, sometimes alighting on a forest floor log, UC, TN, TLP, SVL, BF (photos).

• Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana 1 seen clearly at close range in subcanopy of broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, R, TLP
• Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus 2 sallying from middle to upper levels in pine woodland and broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, often in msf with other passerines, e.g. GHCF, PLMI, BWFS C, ubiq. (photo).

• Langbian Lesser Shortwing Brachypteryx langbianensis 1 vocal, on ground and in understory of broad-leaved evergreen forest, C, BF
• White-tailed Blue Robin Myiomela leucura 2 (m,f) vocal, on ground and understory of broad-leaved evergreen forest, C, BF
• Forktail Enicurus sp. ? 1 seen briefly at rapid flow outlet of main pond and garden, R, TN
• Yellow-billed Whistling Thrush Myophorus flavirostris 3 greg. exposed, hilltop perch in an emergent, leafless broad-leaved evergreen tree R TN
• Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki 1 (f) roadside second-growth and lower lim,bs of pines, 0.2 – 1.5 m agl, UC, TN
• Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperthyra 2 (m,f) broad-leaved forest understory, C, BF
• Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni 1 subcanopy of pines and adjacent broad-leaved evergreen forest, second-growth, 2-4 m agl, UC, TN, BF (photo).

• Red-throated (Taiga) Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla 1 (f, imm) edge of broad-leaved and pine woodland, farms, second-growth, UC, TN, TLP
• White-throated Rock-thrush Monticola gularis 1 on driveway at edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest and pine woodland, gardens and second-growth, UC, TN
• Gray Bushchat Saxicola ferreus 4 (m,f) individuals sallying from pine woodland edge and grassy fields with scattered trees, 2-3m agl, C, TLP, TN, SVL (photo).

• Asian Fairy-bluebird Irena puella 2 (m,f, imm) greg. msf with BLBU, taking small fruits and sallying from lower to upper-middle level of shady, broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, TN, TLP (photo).

• Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus 2 (m,f) second-growth and broad-leaved forest edge, 2-5m agl, UC, TN, TLP
• Yellow-vented Flowerpecker Dicaeum chryssorheum 2 a pair 4m agl in subcanopy of broad-leaved forest edge, UC, TLP
• Modest Flowerpecker Dicaeum obsoletum 1 foraging on clusters of flower buds in vine covered broad-leaved evergreen tree at forest edge, R, TN (photo).

• Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna 1 moving quickly in msf with sunbirds and bulbuls, broad-leaved forest edge with dense second-growth, 2-4m agl, UC, TLP, TN
• Langbian Sunbird Aethopyga johnsi 3 (m,f) foraging on a variety of flowering shrubs and ornamental trees, e.g. bottlebrush, at edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest and pine woodland, C, TN, TLP
• Annam Sunbird Aethopyga annamensis 2 (m,f) vocal, pairs foraging on a variety of native and ornamental flowering shrubs and trees, also ig 2-4m agl in pine woodland and broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, gardens, C, TLP, TN, TLL, TLT
• White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata 10 (m,f, imm) vocal, greg. foraging on seeds of tall grass and second-growth in clearings and woodland-forest edge, C, TN
• Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura nisoria 16 (m,f, imm) separate flocks of adults and immatures, foraging mainly on the seeds of tall grasses and herbs in forest clearings, pine woodland edge, gardens, vacant lots, C, ubiq.
• Indian (House) Sparrow Passer indicus 6 (m,f) greg., vocal on ground, pavement, mostly disturbed, developed areas, usually not associated with the numerically dominant EUTS, C, DLT
• Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 40 (m,f) vocal, greg. foraging on ground, pavement, mostly in developed areas, roosting in trees and on buildings, usually apart from less abundant INSP, C, DLT
  • Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 5 vocal when flushed, loosely gregarious in small flocks arriving in early September; forest clearings, open areas, cities, paved roadways, wetlands and edges of ponds, gardens, C, ubiq. (photo).

• Vietnamese Greenfinch Chloris monguilloti 4 (m,f) vocal, greg. in canopy and subcanopy of pines and other trees, woodland edge and flowering garden trees, UC, DUC, TLC, TN (photo).

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DALAT PLATEAU, LAM DONG PROVINCE: Summary of Bird Surveys, Summer: June 1 – July 22, 2022

Weather: Fair to heavily overcast with intermittent light rain; occasional early morning fog; 16C to 22C; wind E, NE 0-20 kph.

Time: 0600- 1100 hrs.

Observers: Callyn Yorke (CY) and Da Thao Le Nguyen (DT) (co-survey (CY with DT) dates only; otherwise CY solo: m/d): (TN: 6/1, 6/6, 7/7, 7/15; TLP: 6/2, 7/6, 7/18; DUC:7/16; TLL: 6/7; DSR: 7/2; PH6; 6/1- 7/22).

Areas Covered:

1) Dalat University Campus. central DaLat (DUC, 3 Surveys: 6/3, 7/9, 7/16): Morning walking surveys (0630-0930 hrs.) covering most of the 30-heactare campus visually, using 10×42 and 8×42 Zeiss binoculars and hand-held Nikon D850 or D3X camera with a Nikon 200-500 mm IF AF VR lens. A Google Pixel 3X cell phone camera was used for documenting survey sites. A pocket field notebook was used for data entries, which were recopied to a permanent, loose-leaf format later the same day.

A counter-clockwise route through the campus on paved pathways and driveways was used for the surveys. The campus included marginal ruderal (weedy) areas, small agricultural fields (< 1 ha), two ponds (the largest (about 1 ha) in the northeast corner (photo), mature pine woodland (Pinus kesiya), assorted broad-leaved evergreen trees and shrubs – mostly exotic plantings (e.g. Eucalyptus sp., Callistemon linearis) – lawns and gardens, in a mosaic arrangement among buildings (single and multiple level). The campus was closed to regular classes for most of the summer, allowing surveys to be made in relatively quiet, undisturbed conditions.

Uncertain identities of bird species were noted and, when possible, subsequently compared with digital photo images and online resources using a laptop computer. If a specific assignment remained undetermined, it was indicated as ? in the Annotated Bird List (see below).

2) Ta Nung Park (Hoa Son Dien Trang; eBird: Ta Nung Valley) (TN, 9 Surveys: 6/1, 6/6, 6/8, 6/9, 7/4, 7/7, 7/8, 7/15, 7/19). Morning walking walking surveys were made, beginning at or near the main highway entrance or parking lot below it, and continuing downhill to the lower pond and forest hydro-engineered stream inlet-outlet, then returning the same route. The surveys visually covered an area of approximately 10 hectares, using the equipment described above. Side trails and paths were taken to survey the shadier, less frequented areas of the rainforest. Vegetation types within the surveyed area included pine woodland (Pinus kesiya) bordering the upper driveway entrance and parking area, broad-leaved evergreen forest (upland rainforest) from the middle to lower sections of the main driveway and side paths. Marginal gardens with ornamental herbs and shrubs were almost continuously attended by groundskeepers during the surveys. Bird houses (unoccupied), sculptures , benches and other decorative features were abundant along the main driveway through the park; concession stands and shuttle vehicles were operational by 0900 hrs., at the conclusion of the surveys. Construction and maintenance activities were occasionally quite noisy during surveys. Dogs, the larger ones kept in kennels, often barked and followed us briefly in the lower sections of the survey route, but were not terribly aggressive. Visitors (sometimes dozens) usually began arriving around 0830 hrs., however there were several survey mornings with fewer than ten visitors in the park.

Bird activity in the park was highly variable and unpredictable. Some mornings were characterized by abundant and conspicuous activity in the trees and shrubs near the main driveway and walking route. Other times, the park was quiet and without much avian activity. Generally, bird activity in the park appeared greatest following heavy rains the prior evening. A series of rainy days, however could result in bird activity being significantly reduced. The presence of fruiting trees in the forest usually attracted a sequential variety of bird species. Most of the resident birds appeared at least partially habituated to human presence, which occasionally allowed for exceptional photographic opportunities.

Ta Nung Park (Hoa Son Dien Trang), privately owned and operated, has been for more than a decade, one of the premier birding locations on the Da Lat Plateau. Professional bird tour groups frequent the park during winter and spring (December-April). Trapping and hunting are strictly prohibited in the park; indeed, although common elsewhere in the region, no such activities were ever observed during our surveys. Most of the broad-leaved evergreen forest and pine woodlands immediately adjacent to the park continue to be intact. Additionally, as part of the roughly, north-south oriented Ta Nung Valley, the park is likely an important a migratory corridor. Taken together, these attributes probably account for the abundant, diversified and accessible avifauna found in the park.

Based tentatively on eBird records (Cornell University, USA), it appears Ta Nung Park (as well as the rest of the DaLat Plateau) is seldom covered by birders during the Summer and Autumn months (June-November). This report and the one that follows (Autumn 2022) is an attempt to fill a conspicuous seasonal gap in our knowledge of the status and distribution of birds in this region.

3) Three Little Pigs Road, north Tuyen Lam Lake hills, about 6 km southwest of Da Lat city center (TLP, 4 Surveys: 6/2, 7/6, 7/18, 7/22). A morning walking survey (0630-1030 hrs.) began at a roadside edge in a pine woodland (Pinus kesiya) and continued about 1 km on a narrow, paved roadway, downhill through a broad-leaved evergreen forest, terminating at a large clearing (‘the saddle’) separating two valleys; the same route was used to return (see my previous reports for additional details). About 10 hectares were visually surveyed using the equipment and methodology described above. Roughly 70% secondary (closed canopy) broad-leaved evergreen forest; 20% pine woodland with an exotic Lantana understory, and 10% ruderal-agricultural land was included in the surveys.

Bird activity, especially, vocal, mixed-species flocks, was most often observed in the late morning, i.e., 0900-1100 hrs. These flocks consisted largely of insectivorous birds, e.g. flycatchers, warblers and babblers, moving quickly through the lower-middle and upper layers of both pine woodland and broad-leaved evergreen forest. By contrast, early mornings (0630-0730 hrs.) often had different species active, e.g. Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Hill Prinia and Flavescent Bulbul, but few if any mixed species flocks; bird vocalizations were comparatively infrequent in the cool, early morning hours. The optimal survey time frame for this area, which would include the greatest diversity of bird species, is generally, 0730-1130 hrs..

Except for occasional vehicular traffic (mostly motorbikes), the survey route was quiet and little disturbed by human activities. However, on two occasions, bird-trappers were active in the area, using a baited combination of a caged bird (e.g. Annam Sunbird) suspended from an overhanging limb and audio recordings. Previous surveys in this area (2019-20) encountered bird-trappers on several occasions, as well as two teenagers shooting at birds with a rifle. It is unknown what effect these illegal activities are having on local bird populations. However, based on the shyness of birds in the survey area, it is clear that hunting and trapping is causing significant impacts, not the least of which is a reduced detectability of birds during our surveys.

4) Bidoup Forest, located about 20 km northeast of Da Lat city center (BF, 1 Survey: 6/4). I spent most of the time (0740-1130 hrs.) in the lower bird-feeding- photography station (#1) within a patch of mature, secondary broad-leaved evergreen forest. The feeding station consists of a makeshift, wood framed, nylon-netted enclosure with kindergarten-sized chairs. Cut-outs in the front partition allow concealed observations and photography of birds in and around a 3.5m diameter forest clearing with multiple small-diameter limb perches, moss covered rocks and logs.

Live mealworms (beetle larvae) were used as bait; birds and small mammals (Northern Treeshrew and Variable Squirrel) soon arrived and began foraging on them. Most of the birds were habituated to human presence; some even approaching the entrance of the occupied photography hide. I did not use recordings to attract birds, though this method, unfortunately, is commonly used (and over-used) by professional bird tour leaders. Lighting in the clearing in front of the hide was poor during the first half of the observation period, requiring a high ISO setting (e.g. 2400 +) for a hand-held, Nikon D850 camera with a 200-500mm IF AF VR lens.

Evidently, the photography hide had been used fairly recently (perhaps within a few days of my visit) by a bird tour group. However, during the recent two-year COVID-19 pandemic, the site had been largely abandoned and had fallen into disrepair. There has been little use of the feeding station since. Coincidentally, the forest service road leading to a similar, nearby feeding station (#2), was gated and locked and posted with no trespassing sign. The popular roadway birding track through that section of the forest is currently closed to the public, which is unfortunate, since it was one of the most accessible and interesting birding areas on the Da Lat Plateau.

The two bird-feeding photography stations are controlled by local professional bird tour leaders and advance permission is required for their use. It is unclear, however, if the land is private or government-owned and who is actually the responsible party. Nevertheless, a fee ($US 70 per person) is normally collected in advance by one of the local bird tour operators for the day-use of the bird-feeding-photography stations.

5) Tuyen Lam Lake, the dam and adjacent northern shoreline areas, including Truc Lam Temple grounds (TLL-TLT, 1 Survey: 6/7). A late-morning (0721-1050 hrs.) walking survey of lakeside and roadside pine woodland (Pinus kesiya), mixed with broad-leaved evergreen forest was done using a motorbike to access several locations, ending with the Truc Lam Temple grounds. Materials and methods were otherwise the same as described for previous surveys. Increasing traffic and numbers of visitors to the area made observations of birds difficult, particularly at TLT. Several tourist rental boats were moving across the northern section of the lake near the dam.

6) Du Sinh Road, Phuong 5, Da Lat (DSR, 1 Survey: 7/21). A walking, roadside survey was made, covering about 1 km of roadway, initially adjacent to a cemetery and landfill, then terminating at a small farm; returning the same route. Habitat was predominantly mature pine woodland and ruderal understory and roadside. Specifically, we searched for the endemic Da Lat Bush-warbler, reportedly common in this area, though without finding any sign of its occurrence.

7) Phuong 6, west-central Da Lat (PH6, incidental observations at and near our home in this section of Da Lat, June 1- July 22). Habitats in this part of Da Lat are highly disturbed and modified as commercial establishments and suburban housing with gardens, exotic flowering trees and shrubs, small-scale horticulture and vacant lots with ruderal vegetation. Many, if not most of the homes in our neighborhood, have a variety of native caged birds (one was a Da Lat Bush-warbler); we counted only free-ranging birds, although their provenance, i.e. escapees or from a natural population, was largely unknown.

Annotated Bird List of the Da Lat Plateau, Lam Dong Province, South Vietnam: June 1 – July 22, 2022 Callyn Yorke

Abundance: Numbers following each species entry are the maximum count for a single survey, or when multiple surveys of an area were made Age, sex and molt (when known): ad = adult; imm = immature; m = male; f = female; bsc plmg = basic (non-breeding plumage; alt plmg = alternate (breeding) plumage.

Frequency: C = Common, i.e. found during all or more than half of the surveys in appropriate habitats; UC = found on fewer than half of the surveys; R = found only once. Note: these nonparametric categories apply primarily to areas receiving multiple surveys.

Localities & Distribution: Da Lat University Campus (DUC); Ta Nung Park (TN); Three Little Pigs Road (TLP); Biduop Forest (BF); Tuyen Lam Lake and Truc Lam Temple (TLL; TLT); Du Sinh Road, Da Lat (DSR); Phuong 6, Da Lat (PH6). See Areas Covered for further location details; ubiquitous in the appropriate habitat (ubiq).

Ecology and Behavior: aerial insect hawking (ah); taking fruit, berries or parts of flowers (fr); probing the substrate (pr); gleaning insects from foliage (ig); estimated height (m) above ground (agl); gregarious (greg); mixed species flock (msf).

Systematics and Nomenclature used herein, an amalgam of recently published and current (2022) online resources, e.g., Birdlife International, Avibase and Birds of the World, Cornell University, USA. Endemic and near endemic species are listed in bold face type.

• Rufous-throated Partridge Arbophila rufogularis 1 (m) approached clearing cautiously from dense understory; pr but was not seen taking mealworms; walked around edge of the clearing briefly, and returned to dense cover, BF (photo).

• Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus 1 (m) ran across road and into the forest in the upper section of the survey route, R, TLP
• Eastern Spot-billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha (domesticated) 22 greg. in the lower main pond and adjacent walkways, C, TN
• Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 2 (ad., imm) individuals diving in open water and swimming in marshy edge of ne pond, C, DUC
• Feral Rock Pigeon Columba livia (exotic) 12 greg. several raised pigeon houses available to birds in TN, C, ubiq.
• Eastern Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 4 vocal, greg. usually in pairs on ground or on a low perch in open areas, C, ubiq.
• Red Turtle Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica 2 a pair in trees at edge of garden, R, DUC
• Barred Cuckoo-dove Macropygia unchall 1 perched on low pine limb; flying over open area to woods, UC, TN
• Zebra Dove Geopelia striata 4 vocal, C, DUC, PH6, DSR
• Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra 8 greg. in fruiting tree, R, TN
• Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon Treron sphenurus 3 greg. quietly perched in subcanopy of favored, roadside broad-leaved tree, C, TLP
• Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia 2 flying 40 m agl over forest canopy, UC, TN
• Germain’s Swiftlet Aerodramus germani 15 greg. flying back and forth over open areas and forest, 5 – 40 m agl, C, TN, TLP, TLL
• Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis 4 flying 5-20m over forest clearings, C, TN; UC DUC, TLP
• House Swift Apus nipalensis 150 ( probably a low estimate) greg. large flocks flying 20 -100m agl, 30-50 pairs evidently nesting annually in openings under eaves of abandoned, multilevel building in southeast corner of the campus, C, DUC, PH6, TLP, TN
• Pacific Swift Apus pacificus ? (ID: dark (seen from great distance), medium to large size, sickle-shaped wings and forked tail, 6 greg. flying in large circles 150 m + agl, R DUC
• Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis 1 vocal, flying low, short distances in grassy clearings and woodland edge, C, DUC, TLP; UC TN, TLL
• Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis 1 mid to upper level in broad-leaved evergreen forest edge and gardens, C, TN, UC,TLP
• Western Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus 1 vocal (unseen) in forest edge, UC, TN, DUC
• Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus 1 vocal, in garden trees, flying low at forest edge , UC, TN, TLP, DUC
• Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus 1 flying between ne pond and ruderal edge of playing field, R, DUC
• Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger 5 individuals and pairs on snags in shallows around shoreline, TLL
• Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei 2 a pair interacting on low limbs of fig tree at forest edge, UC, TN (photo).

• Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis 1 soaring 60 m agl over the forest, R, TN
• Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1 at edge of pond, flying to cover, UC, TN
• White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 2 frequently vocal, edge of ponds, lakes, streams, clearings and gardens, C, ubiq.
• Necklaced Barbet Psilopogon auricularis 1 vocal (mostly unseen) forest edge, UC, TN
• Annam Barbet Psilopogon annamensis 5 vocal in trees at edge of forest, C, TN, TLP
• Speckled Piculet Picumnus innominatus 1 in pines, often in msf with leaf warblers, flycatchers and other insectivorous birds, UC, TN, TLP (photo).

• Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis 1 in a vine-covered tree at forest edge, R, TN
• Gray-capped Woodpecker Picoides canicapillus 1 in pines and broad-leaved evergreen trees, msf with flycatchers, leaf-warblers and other insectivorous birds, UC, TN, TLP
• Slender-billed Oriole Oriolus tenuirostris 3 greg. in fruiting tree, UC, TLP
• DaLat Shrike-babbler Pteruthius annamensis 2 pairs in pines, msf with leaf-warblers, flycatchers and other insectivorous birds, UC, TN, TLP
• White-bellied Erpornis Erpornis zantholeuca 1 in msf with babblers and flycatchers, mid to lower-mid level of broadleaved evergreen forest, UC, TN, TLP
• Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus 1 ? upper level in forest edge, R, TN (TLN)
• Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus 6 (ad. imm.) greg. ad feeding fledgling in pines; circling eucalyptus, UC, DUC
• Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus 2 individuals and occasionally pairs conspicuously sallying, snatch-gleaning and aerial-hawking from mid-to upper level at forest edge, often in msf with flycatchers, warblers, and other insectivorous birds, C, TN, TLP (photo).

• Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus 2-3 loosely greg., gleaning large larvae from foliage in pines, R, TN (photo – possible first documented record for Da Lat Plateau).

• White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis 2 snatch-gleaning from foliage, lower to upper mid-level in broad-leaved evergreen forest, often in msf with babblers, warblers, flycatchers and other insectivorous birds, C, TN, TLP, DSR
• Sooty Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus 2 greg. pairs aerial-hawking from exposed perch in canopy of pines at woodland edge, C, TN, UC TLP, DUC, TLL (photo).

• Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus 2 subcanopy perch at edge of pine woodland, R, TN
• Greater Racquet-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus 1 mid-to upper mid-level in broad-leaved evergreen forest, often in msf with other insectivorous birds, UC, TN, TLP, BF
• Burmese Shrike Lanius collurioides 5 sallying to ground for insects, open areas and woodland edge, C, DUC, TN, TLP, TLL (photo).

• White-faced Jay Garrulus leucotis 2 vocal, often in msf with bulbuls and other birds in pine woodlands, UC, TN, TLP, TLL, DUC
• Gray-headed Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis 2 vocal, often in late-morning msf with flycatchers, leaf-warblers, babblers and a variety of other insectivorous birds, lower-to upper mid-level in broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, C, TLP, TN
• Langbian Tit Parus legendrei 3 vocal, greg. most often in pines, msf with flycatchers, leaf-warblers, shrike-babblers and other insectivorous birds, C, TN, TLP, DUC, TLL
• Hill Prinia Prinia superciliaris 6 vocal, in tall grass, second-growth at edges of pine woodland and forest, gardens, C, ubiq.
• Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris ? 1 heard briefly at edge of garden on upper section of roadway survey route, R, TN
• Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius 1 vocal at edge of woodland and broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, TN, TLP
• Eurasian Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 16 loosely greg. flocks at 5-20m agl flying over TLP saddle, suggesting a migratory corridor; loosely gregarious with HOSW, dipping into pond surface, DUC, C, ubiq.
• Puff-throated Bulbul Alophoixus pallidus 5 vocal, greg. mid-to upper mid level in forest, UC, TN
• Ashy Bulbul Hemioxus flavala 2 (ID: distinct black hood and dark mantle; closest in appearance to the extralimital northern population of H. flavala hildebrandi, rather than the locally endemic Brown-backed Bulbul H. remotus (see Craik & Minh 2018, pg. 234-35); outer canopy in broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, TLP, TN
• Southern Mountain Bulbul Ixos tickelli 2 edge and interior of broad-leaved evergreen forest, mid-to upper middle level, UC, TLP, TN
• Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus 8 vocal, greg. in cohesive flocks, mostly in tall trees, including pines and broad-leaved evergreen forest, gardens, C, ubiq.
• Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus flaviventris 4 vocal, greg. in second-growth at edge of pine woodland and broad-leaved forest, C, TN; UC, TLP, DUC
• Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus 1 second-growth, gardens, woodland edge (a common cage-bird), UC, DUC, PH6
• Southern Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster 6 vocal, greg, frequenting fruiting shrubs and trees in gardens, second-growth, woodland edge, C, ubiq.
• Flavescent Bulbul Pycnonotus flavescens 7 vocal, greg. in gardens, second-growth, forest and woodland edge, C, TN, TLP, TLL (photo).

• Sunda Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus apalis 1 clearing with second-growth at edge of pine woodland, upper driveway, R, TN
• Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis 1 in msf with other warblers and flycatchers, mid-level broad-leaved evergreen forest, R, TLP
• White-spectacled Warbler Phylloscopus intermedius 1 in msf with other warblers and flycatchers, lower to upper mid-level of broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, TLP
• Gray-cheeked Warbler Phylloscopus poliogenys 1 in msf with other warblers and flycatchers, lower to mid-level of interior and edges of broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, TLP, TN
• Chestnut-crowned Warbler Phylloscopus castaniceps 1 in msf with other warblers and flycatchers, low-mid level of broad-leaved evergreen forest and edge, UC, TLP
• Kloss’s Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus ogilviegranti 3 mostly foraging in outer pine foliage at woodland edge, often in msf with other insectivorous birds, C, TN, TLP
• Gray-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer 5 individuals and pairs, highly vocal yet shy and seldom seen on or near the the ground in broad-leaved evergreen forest, interior and edge, C, TLP, TN
• Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cucullatus 2 highly vocal yet almost never visible in dense, vine tangled second-growth at forest edge, UC, TN, TLP
• Gray-crowned Tit Aegithalos annamensis 5 vocal, greg. small flocks moving quickly at lower to mid-leve in pines and occasionally in adjacent broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, often in msf with LATI and other insectivorous birds, UC, TLP, TN
• Black-headed Parrotbill Psittiparus margaritae 8 vocal, greg. small , cohesive flocks in dense second-growth, low-mid level, bordering pine woodland and broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, TN (photo).

• Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus 5 greg, in ornamental shrubs and trees, pines, UC, DUC, TLL, DSR
• Gray-faced Tit-babbler Mixornis kelleyi 1 in msf with other babblers and warblers, lower middle of broad-leaved evergreen forest, R, TLP
• White-browed Scimitar-babbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps 1 mid-level of broad-leaved evergreen forest edge, R, TN, BF
• Indochinese Babbler Malacopteron indochinense 1 in msf with other babblers, warblers and flycatchers, mid-level, broad-leaved evergreen forest interior and edge, UC, TN
• Indochinese Wren-babbler Rimator danjoui 1 in msf with other babblers and warblers, low-mid level, dense understory of broad-leaved evergreen forest, R, TN
• Mountain Fulvetta Alcippe paracensis 5 vocal, greg. often in msf with warblers, flycatchers and other insectivorous birds, broad-leaved forest edge, low-mid level; taking mealworms at feeding station, C, TN, TLP, BF (photo).

• Rufous-capped Babbler Cyanoderma ruficeps 1 in msf with other babblers and flycatchers, lower to middle level in understory of broad-leaved evergreen forest edge and interior, UC, TN, TLP (photo).

• Orange-breasted Laughingthrush Garrulax annamensis 1 second-growth at edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, in a low shrub , R, TN (TLN)
• White-cheeked Laughingthrush Garrulax vassali 16 vocal, gregarious, in large, cohesive flocks affecting second-growth, e.g. flowering Lantana, at edge of pine woodland and broad-leaved evergreen forest; taking mealworms at feeding station, C, TN, TLP; UC, DUC, BF
• White-spectacled Sibia Heterophasia robinsoni 3 vocal, foraging in Lantana and vine tangled second-growth at edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, C, TN; UC TLP (photo).

• Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris 2 greg. in msf with bulbuls and fulvettas, foraging in flowering/fruiting Lantana at edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, TN, TLP (photo).

• Rufous-backed Sibia Leioptila annectens eximia 1 in msf with fulvettas and bulbuls, low second-growth at edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, TN, TLP
• Plain Minla Siva orientalis 2 often in msf with warblers, flycatchers and other insectivorous birds, lower mid- to upper mid-level in broad-leaved evergreen forest, interior and edge, C, TLP, TN
• Gray-crowned Crocias Laniellus langbianis 4 greg. msf with warblers, flycatchers and babblers in vine-chocked second-growth at edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, TN, TLP
• Chestnut-vented Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis 2 individuals on separate trees, foraging on lower to mid-level pine trunks and limbs, often in msf with LBTI and GCWO, UC, TN, TLP, DUC, DSR
• Black-collared Starling Gracupica nigricollis 8 vocal, greg. in pines and tall ornamental trees, C, DUC, TLL, DSR
• Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 4 vocal, greg. in clearings and fields, gardens, cities and other developed areas, C DUC, PH6
• Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnia malabarica 4 greg. flying over pine woodland, R, DUC
• Great Myna Acridotheres grandis 2 in flight above pine woodland, R, DUC
• Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica 1 perched at 3m agl at edge of clearing, R, TLP
• Large Niltava Niltava grandis decorata 2 (m,f) perched at low-mid level in broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, TN, TLP, BF (photo).

• Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus 2 perched and sallying for insects from mid-to upper levels of pine woodland and broad-leaved evergreen forest, nesting on roadside embankment with second-growth, C, TN, TLP (photo).

• Langbian Lesser Shortwing Brachypteryx langbianensis 1 vocal yet shy and seldom seen in shady understory of broad-leaved evergreen forest; readily taking mealworms at feeding station; rather tame and coming to entrance of photo hide, UC, TN, TLP, BF (photo).

• White-tailed Blue Robin Myiomela leucura 2 (m,f) taking mealworms at feeding station, BF
• Slaty-backed Forktail Enicurus schistaceus 1 flew low over main pond and landed briefly at edge, continuing into the adjacent broad-leaved evergreen forest, R, TN
• Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra 1 (f) on low limb, sallying to ground for mealworms, BF
• Gray Bushchat Saxicola ferreus 3 m,f (bsc. plmg.) in understory of pine woodland, and in open grassland with scattered trees, saddle; edge of farm, UC, TLP, DSR
• Asian Fairy-bluebird Irena puella 1 (m) on ground at edge of roadway, R, TN
• Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum minullum 1 with ANSU in flowering bottlebrush, UC, TN
• Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus 2 (m,f) in flowering shrubs and trees at edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, TN
• Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna 1 in msf with sunbirds and warblers, visiting flowering plants in second-growth at edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, UC, TN
• Langbian Sunbird Aethopyga johnsi 2 (m,f) visiting flowering shrubs and trees in gardens, second-growth and edge of broad-leaved evergreen forest, C, TN, TLP
• Annam Sunbird Aethopyga annamensis 3 (m,f) visiting flowering shrubs and trees in gardens, second-growth, Lantana and broad-leaved forest edge, also pine woodlands, C, TN, TLP
• White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata 8 (m,f, imm) greg. in tall grass and second-growth, edges of clearings, easily flushed to adjacent trees, C, TN
• Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura nisoria 10 (m,f, imm) greg. immatures tend to be spatially separate from adults; in tall grass and second-growth in clearings, C, ubiq.
• Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 20 greg. on ground and buildings throughout developed areas and adjacent farmland, C, ubiq.
• Indian (House) Sparrow Passer indicus 4 (m,f) greg. on ground in clearings, vacant lots, developed areas; when sympatric, usually spatially separate from EUTS and seldom as numerous.

DALAT PLATEAU, LAM DONG PROVINCE: Summary of Bird Surveys, Winter: December 18, 2019 – January 26, 2020

Weather: Mostly fair with occasional early morning fog; 50F to 75F; wind E, NE 0 – 10 mph.

Time: 0700- 1240 hrs.

Observers: Da Thao Le Nguyen and Callyn Yorke; with Glenn Morris (1/24/2020).

Areas Covered: 1) Ta Nung (TN): we walked the pathways down to the main ponds and stream, returning the same route, about 1 km each way. Increasing numbers of noisy visitors usually began arriving in the park around 0830 hrs., making detection of bird sounds difficult. Otherwise, the park offers excellent early morning birding at the edge of a mature secondary, mixed pine-broad-leaved evergreen hill forest (16 surveys: 18/12/19; 21/12/19; 22/12/19; 25/12/19; 26/12/19; 27/12/19; 31/12/19; 2/1/20; 11/1/20; 13/1/20; 14/1/20; 16/1/20; 17/1/20; 18/1/20; 21/1/20; 22/1/20.)

2) Three Little Pigs Road (TLPR): We walked from the summit down the first intersection about 1.5 km, returning the same route. The survey route included pine woodland and mature secondary broad-leaved evergreen hill forest, which is relatively isolated and dry, and with only one small stream in the lower section. Bird life was generally diverse though relatively scarce along this survey route; mixed species flocks were often active in late mornings. Adjacent scrub and pine woodland (Pinus kesiya) understory, dominated by Lantana camara, was burned during our surveys in late December. Although widely regarded as an invasive exotic, Lantana provides significant cover and forage (berries and associated insect larvae) for many bird species in the DaLat region. Impacts to bird populations due to brush fires should be evaluated. Although many pines were scorched by the fires, neither they nor the adjacent broad-leaved trees were seriously affected. Except for brush fires, local motorbike and auto traffic, there was little human disturbance during during the surveys. TLPR, a relatively remote forest on the outskirts of DaLat and Tuyen Lam Lake, has attracted hunters and wild bird trappers in the past, however, those activities were not observed during our December 2019 -January 2020 surveys (4 surveys:19/12/19; 20/12/19; 29/12;19;15/1/20).

3) Truc Lam Temple, DaLat (TLT). We made two visits to this well-known temple on the shore of Tuyen Lam Lake, which was always crowded with visitors. However, bird life was surprisingly varied and conspicuous; many species appeared to be habituated to human presence (2 surveys: 30/12/2019; 25/1/20).

4) Tuyen Lam Lake (TLL): Glenn Morris and I spent most of the morning of 24/1/2020 walking pathways and paved roads along the shore of Tuyen Lam Lake. This area includes open water, shoreline, weedy edge and fields with scrub and second-growth, pine forest (i.e., Pinus kesiya) and broad-leaved evergreen forest. Bird life was varied and relatively conspicuous throughout. There was almost no disturbance from human activities during our single survey: 24/1/20).

5) Bidoup National Park (BNP) and adjacent areas, in various stages of ecological succession. A vast region of mixed pine-broad-leaved hill forest is located about 25 km from DaLat. We drove on HWY 722 to a highlands area known as “Heaven’s Gate” which offers good birding opportunities along the highway and secondary roads through broad-leaved forest. Bird life is diverse, though spotty throughout this forested area. With patience, some of the more cryptic forest birds, e.g. partridges, pittas and laughingthrushes, may be observed here both in the summer (wet) and winter (dry) months. We made two visits to this area during the winter season (2 surveys: 23/12/19; 26/1/20).

6) Da Lat city and suburbs, including lawns ornamental fruiting trees, shrubs, pine woodland with Lantana understory, weedy vacant lots, lakes, ponds and drainages (DLT – multiple surveys in transit to above-locations).

BIRDS NOTED (Numbers of individuals represent the highest count for a single survey; endemic and near-endemic Vietnamese birds in bold type.

Rufous-throated Partridge (Arborophila rufogularis) 2 a pair foraging by scratching the ground leaf litter vigorously in shady broad-leaved forest, BNP (photo).

Bar-backed Partridge (Arborophila brunneopectus) 4 -6 gregarious, a covey flushed from roadside stream area next to driveway, flying into adjacent forest understory, TLPR.

Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) 3 (m,f) probably semi-domesticated, wandering around on roadway near entrance, TN (photo).

Chinese Spot-billed Duck (Anas zonorhyncha) 4 (m,f) domesticated, gregarious in main ponds, TN (photo).

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 10 domestic albino, gregarious, often with CSBD, TN.

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) 4 diving near shore, TLL.

Feral Rock Dove (Columba livia) 10 gregarious, widespread in and around human habitation.

Eastern Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis) 6 ubiquitous, especially near human habitation.

Thick-billed Green Pigeon (Treron curvirostra) 4 gregarious,most commonly seen in fruiting trees, TN.

Mountain Imperial Pigeon (Ducula badia) 2 gregarious, often flying over broad-leaved forest TN, BNP.

Germain’s Swiftlet (Aerodramus germani) 3 circling 30-50m agl, TLT.

House Swift (Apus nipalensis) 6 circling 100-200 m agl, TLT.

Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) 1 vocal, edge of forest, TLPR, TN.

Green-billed Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis) 1 climbing up vines at edge of tall secondary forest, TN, TLPR, BNP.

Banded Bay Cuckoo (Cacomantis sonneratii) 1 vocal, edge of forest, TN.

Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus) 1 vocal (rarely seen), edge of forest and clearings, TN, TLPR.

Large Hawk Cuckoo (Hierococcyx sparvrioides) flying at edge of pine woodland – broad-leaved forest, BNP, TLL (photo).

Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) 1 vocal (unseen) mature broad-leaved forest, TLL.

Slaty-legged Crake (Rallina eurizonoides) 1 adult, foraging in leaf litter, cautiously on forest floor; shy and retiring, BNP (photo).

Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus) 2 open fields at edge of forest, TN, BNP.

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) 3 lakeside marsh and shoreline, TLL.

Eastern Cattle Egret (Bulbucus coromandus) 5 flying over wet field adjacent to BNP.

Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger) 5 flying; perched on snags near shore, TLL.

Western Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 1 perched in tree above shoreline, BNP.

Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) 1 seen briefly flying over pine woods, TLL.

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) 1 soaring over forest; perched in tree at edge of forest, TLP, TN, BNP (photo).

Mountain Hawk-eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis) 1 imm. flew to top of pine tree, TN.

Crested Goshawk (Accipiter trivirgatus) 1 flying over forest, edge and open fields, TN, TLPR, BNP.

Red-headed Trogon (Harpactes erythrocephalus) 1 m perched in subcanopy of broad-leaved forest, TN.

Blue-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis athertoni) 2 sallying from low branches at edge of clearing, TN.

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) 1 roadside, BNP.

White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) 1 vocal, perched in isolated tree in clearing, TN (photo).

Red-vented Barbet (Psilopogon lagrandieri) 2 vocal (unseen), pine-broad-leaved forest edge, TN, TLL.

Necklaced Barbet (Psilopogon auricularis) 2 vocal, perched in subcanopy of broad-leaved tree, TLL (photo).

Annam Barbet (Psilopogon annamensis) 5 vocal in subcanopy of broad-leaved forest; occasionally gregarious in fruiting trees, TN, TLPR, BNP, TLL (photo).

Bay Woodpecker (Blythipicus pyrrhotis) 1 vocal, flying, TLPR.

Yellownape (Chrysophlegma sp.) 1 flying through pine woodland, TLL.

Gray-capped Woodpecker (Picoides canicapillus) 1 all height levels in pines and broad-leaved trees, often in mixed species flocks (msf), TN, TLPR, TLL.

Blue Pitta (Hydrornis cyaneus) 2 (m,f) foraging on mealworm bait at feeding station in shady broad-leaved forest, BNP (photo).

Long-tailed Broadbill (Psarisomus dalhousiae) 1 vocal (unseen) subcanopy of broad-leaved forest, TLL.

Maroon Oriole (Oriolus traillii) 1 vocal in subcanopy of broad-leaved forest, TN, BNP.

Eastern Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus diffusus) 1 flying in pine woodland, TLT.

Slender-billed Oriole (Oriolus tenuirostris) 3 (ad., imm.) gregarious, subcanopy and outer exposed snags in pine woods, TLL (photo).

DaLat Shrike-babbler (Pteruthius annamensis) 3 (m,f) occasionally vocal; foraging on horizontal branches in subcanopy of pines and broad-leaved trees, TN, TLPR, TLL (photo).

Clicking Shrike-babbler (Pteruthius intermedius) 1 in msf with GHCF and other insectivorous passerines at the forest edge, TN, TLPR.

White-bellied Erpornis (Erpornis xantholeuca) 1 in msf with several other insectivorous passerines at the forest edge, TN, TLPR.

Gray-chinned Minivet (Pericrocotus solaris) 2 (m,f) foraging in subcanopy of broad-leaved forest, BNP.

Annam Minivet (Pericrocotus annamensis) 2 (m,f) often gregarious, one female gleaning insect larvae in isolated trees at edge of field, pine woodland and broad-leaved forest, TN (photo).

Large Wood-shrike (Tephrodornis virgatus) 1 in subcanopy of pine forest, TN, BNP (photo).

Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike (Lalage melaschistos) 1 mid level at edge of broad-leaved-pine forest, TN.

Indochinese Cuckoo-shrike (Lalage polioptera) 1 gleaning insect larvae from small limbs in subcanopy of broad-leaved trees, TN, TLL (photo).

Ashy Woodswallow (Artamus fuscus) 3 on exposed canopy snag and soaring overhead in pine woodland, TLL (photo).

Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike (Hemipus picatus) 4 (m,f) often in msf of small insectivorous passerines at edge of broad-leaved forest, TN, TLPR, BNP, TLL.

White-throated Fantail (Rhipidura albicollis) 4 active on ground and occasionally in canopy at forest edge and gardens, often joining msf, TN, TLPR, BNP, TLL.

Sooty Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus) 5 often gregarious, sallying from exposed perches in pine woodland and broad-leaved forest edge, habitation, TN, TLPR, BNP, TLL, TLT (photo).

Bronzed Drongo (Dicrurus aeneus) 5 vocal, often gregarious, sallying from medium heights and canopy of broad-leaved forest, TN, TLPR .

Lesser Racquet-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus remifer) 2 vocal, sometimes joining msf at edge of broad-leaved forest; individuals often without one or both tail streamers, TN, TLPR, BNP, TLL.

Northern Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus) 1 in garden trees, TLT (photo).

Burmese Shrike (Lanius collurioides) 3 edge of forest and second-growth, TN, TLL, BNP.

White-faced Jay (Garrulus leucotis) 1 flying through pine woodlands, BNP, TLL.

Gray-headed Canary Flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis) 3 lower to mid-level at edge of broad-leaved forest, often joining msf, TN, TLPR, BNP, TLL (photo).

Langbian Tit (Parus legendrei) 2 mostly found in upper levels of pines, TN, TLPR, TLT, BNP (photo).

Hill Prinia (Prinia superciliaris) 5 vocal, active in lower levels of shrubs and small trees, TN, TLP, TLL.

Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) 2 vocal, active in undergrowth, second-growth and lower levels of forest edge, TN, TLPR, TLL.

Dark-necked Tailorbird (Orthotomus atrogularis) 1 vocal, roadside second-growth, TLPR.

Eurasian Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 6 gregarious, loose flocks flying low over open areas, TLPR, TLL.

Puff-throated Bulbul (Alophoixus pallidus) 1 mid to upper mid-level of broad-leaved forest, TN, TLPR.

Brown-backed Ashy Bulbul (Hemixos remotus) 2 pairs active in mid to upper levels at edge of broad-leaved forest, TLPR, TN.

Southern Mountain Bulbul (Ixos tickelli) 3 gregarious, active in mid to upper levels at edge of broad-leafed forest, TN, TLPR, TLL, BNP.

Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus concolor) 8 gregarious, vocal, active in mid to upper levels in pine and broad-leaved forest edge, TN, TLPR, BNP, TLT, TLL.

Black-crested Bulbul (Pycnonotus flaviventris) 4 gregarious, active from low to upper levels of broad-leaved forest edge, TN, TLPR, BNP, TLL.

Southern Sooty-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus aurigaster) 5 gregarious, active at all levels in pine and broad-leaved forest; second-growth and open fields with scattered trees, TN, TLPR, TLT, BNP, TLL.

Flavescent Bulbul (Pycnonotus flavescens) 5 gregarious, active in a wide variety of habitats with fruiting shrubs and trees, TN, TLPR, BNP, TLT, TLL (photo).

Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus) 10 vocal, widespread, often joining msf, affecting a large variety of vegetation from mature broad-leaved forest to gardens and scrub, ubiquitous.

Radde’s Warbler (Phylloscopus schwarzi) 3 active on and near ground in weedy second-growth, gardens and forest edge, TN (photo).

White-spectacled Warbler (Phylloscopus intermedius) 1 gathering fibrous nest material at edge of broad-leaved forest in lower-middle level, TN, TLPR, BNP. Note: In my opinion this warbler, together with a series of closely related taxa (e.g. Phylloscopus poliogenys, P. tephrocephalus, P. omeiensis, P. soror, and P. valentini) have been mistakenly assigned to Phylloscopus. This conclusion is based on comparatively distinctive morphology and behavior separating the two groups (photo).

Gray-cheeked Warbler (Phylloscopus poliogenys) 1 often in msf with other, small, insectivorous passerines , lower level of understory at edge of broad-leaved forest, TLPR, TN.

Chestnut-crowned Warbler (Pylloscopus castaniceps) 1 apparently nesting behind exposed roots on a road-cut embankment in broad-leaved forest, BNP. Note: This species appears to be another candidate for removal from the ‘catch-all’ and almost certainly polyphyletic genus Phylloscopus (see note for the two previous species).

Blyth’s Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus reguloides) vocal in subcanopy of broad-leaved and pine forest, BNP, TLL.

Kloss’s Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus intensior) 3 foraging in pines and broad-leaved trees, TN, TLPR, BNP, TLL (photo).

Gray-bellied Tesia (Tesia cyaniventer) 1 foraging on ground and leaf litter of broad-leaved forest with quick dashes in and out of cover, BNP (photo).

Rufous-faced Warbler (Abroscopus albogularis)1 with msf in understory edge of broad-leaved forest, TLPR.

Mountain Tailorbird (Phyllergates cucullatus) 1 vocal (seldom visible) and secretive in broad-leaved forest edge, TN, TLPR, TLL.

Gray-crowned Tit (Aegithalos annamensis) 3-5 gregarious, in lower and middle levels of broad-leaved forest and Lantana understory of pine forest, TN, TLP.

Black-headed Parrotbill (Psittiparus margaritae) 8 gregarious in middle level of broad-leaved forest, TLL.

Chinese White-eye (Zosterops simplex) 4-6 vocal, gregarious, active in pines and ornamental shrubs, TLT.

Red-billed Scimitar-babbler (Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps) 4 gregarious, vocal in mid-level and subcanopy of broad-leaved forest, TLP, TN (photo).

White-browed Scimitar-babbler (Pomatorhinus schisticeps annamensis) 2 feeding each other mealworms bait on ground and fallen logs in shady broad-leaved forest, BNP (photo).

Northern Gray-throated Babbler (Stacyris nigriceps) 2 often in msf in understory of broad-leaved forest, TN, BNP (photo).

Rufous-capped Babbler (Cyanoderma ruficeps) 1 often joining msf of other small insectivorous and frugivorous birds in the understory and edge of broad-leaved forest, TN. TLPR.

Black-crowned Fulvetta (Schoeniparus klossi) 1 foraging at middle levels, understory and on mealworm bait at feeding station in broad-leaved forest, BNP (photo).

Austen’s Wren-babbler (Naptothera roberti) 1 vocal in broad-leaved forest, TLP.

Mountain Fulvetta (Alcippe paracensis) 3 often with msf at edge of broad-leaved forest, TN, TLPR, BNP.

Vietnamese Cutia (Cutia legalleni) 3 gregarious, vocal in subcanopy of pines and broad-leaved trees, TLL.

Orange-breasted Laughingthrush (Garrulax annamensis) 1 vocal, often shy and difficult to see near edges of broad-leaved forest and also Latana understory of pine forest, TN, DLT (photo).

White-cheeked Laughingthrush (Garrulax vassalii) 30 + highly gregarious, vocal in a wide variety of habitats, including gardens, second-growth, Lantana understory, and edge of broad-leaved forest, TN, TLPR (photo).

Collared Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron yersini) 3 gregarious, vocal taking mealworm bait at feeding station in shady broad-leaved forest, BNP (photo).

Rufous-backed Sibia (Leioptila annectans) 3 often gregarious, feeding on Lantana berries; lower to middle level of broad-leaved forest, TN, TLPR.

White-spectacled Sibia (Heterophasia robinsoni) 4 vocal, often in pairs; lower to upper middle of broad-leaved forest and edge, TN, TLP, BNP.

Plain Minla (Siva orientalis) 4 often gregarious in msf, lower to subcanopy of broad-leaved forest, TN, TLPR.

Gray-crowned Crocias (Laniellus langbianis) 4 gregarious, affecting fruiting shrubs (e.g, Lantana), vines, broad-leaved forest, all height levels, TLP, TN, BNP (photo).

Chestnut-vented Nuthatch (Sitta nagaensis) 2 vocal, pairs often foraging in adjacent pines, TN, TLPR, TLL, BNP, DLT.

Yellow-billed Nuthatch (Sitta solangiae) 2 foraging in subcanopy of broad-leaved trees, TLL, BNP.

Black-collared Starling (Gracupica nigricollis) 5 gregarious, vocal, ubiquitous, especially around agriculture and human habitation.

Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) 2 parks and suburban gardens, DLT.

Vinous-breasted Myna (Acridotheres lecuocephalus) 3 (ad, imm) on outer limbs of mature pines, TLL.

Green Cochoa (Cochoa viridis) 1 vocal but difficult to see (repeated, distinctive song- matched to Xeno-Canto sound recording in the field) broad-leaved forest, TLPR.

Siberian Thrush (Geokichla sibirica) 1 taking mealworms from logs at feeding station in broad-leaved forest, BNP (photo).

Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina aurimacula) 1 male visiting feeding station and taking mealworm bait, BNP (photo).

Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica) 2 sallying from a variety of perches at all height levels but predominantly lower-middle of forest edge, pine and broad-leaved, TN, TLP, TLL, BNP (photo).

Large Niltava (Niltava grandis) 2 (m,f) individuals sallying from broad-leaved forest edge and interior, TN, TLP, BNP, TLL (photo).

Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyas thalassinus) 4 (m,f) sallying from middle to upper level of broad-leaved forest and isolated trees in open fields, TN, TLPR, TLL, BNP (photo).

Langbian Lesser Shortwing (Brachypteryx langbianensis) 2 vocal, on or near ground in broad-leaved forest interior, often near running water, TN, TLPR, BNP (photo).

Siberian Blue Robin (Larvivora cyane) 2 (m,f) on ground in garden and forest, TN, BNP (photo).

White-tailed Blue Robin (Myiomela leucura) 2 (m,f) on ground and logs at feeding station in broad-leaved forest, BNP (photo).

Spotted Forktail (Enicurus maculatus) 2 (m,f) a pair on ground, taking mealworm bait at feeding station in shady, broad-leaved forest, BNP (photo).

Yellow-billed Whistling-thrush (Myophonus flavirostris) 1 on ground at edge of stream in broad-leaved forest, TN (photo).

Mugimaki Flycatcher (Ficedula mugimaki) 2 (m,f) individuals sallying from a variety of low perches in gardens and at the edge of broad-leaved forest, TN (photo).

Little Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula westermanni) 2 (m,f) very fast moving through understory, often in msf, TN (photo).

Red-throated (Taiga) Flycatcher (Ficedula albicilla) 1 sallying from a variety of low perches in gardens and edge of pine-broadleaved forest, TN.

Snowy-browed Flycatcher (Ficedula hyperythra) 1 (f) lower level of the interiro of broad-leaved forest, BNP (photo).

White-throated Rock-thrush (Monticola gularis) 2 (m,f) mostly on ground unless flushed to nearby lower tree limbs, gardens and pine-broad-leaved forest edge, TN (photo).

Gray Bushchat (Saxicola ferreus) 4 (m,f) sallying from a variety of low perches in gardens, roadside scrub and pine woodland, TN. TLPR, TLL, DLT, BNP.

Asian Fairy Bluebird (Irena puella) 2 (m,f) in fruiting trees at edge of broad-leaved forest, TN.

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Dicaeum ignipectus) 2 (m,f) foraging in canopy of broad-leaved forest, TN, TLP.

Streaked Spiderhunter (Arachnothera magna) 3 vocal, gregarious, foraging mostly in understory and middle levels at edge of broad-leaved forest, TN, TLPR (photo).

Ruby-cheeked Sunbird (Chalcoparia singalensis) fem. foraging in canopy at edge of broad-leaved forest, TN, TLPR.

Langbian Sunbird (Aethopyga johnsi) 2 (m,f) foraging at multiple height levels on a variety of flowering shrubs and trees, TN, TLPR (photo).

Annam Sunbird (Aethopyga annamensis) 2 (m,f) foraging at multiple height levels on a variety of flowering shrubs and trees, TN,TLPR, TLL (photo).

White-rumped Munia (Lonchura striata) 8 (m,f) highly gregarious, affecting mostly second-growth and weedy fields, gardens and disturbed areas adjacent to pine or broad-leaved forest, TN, TLPR, DLT.

Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura nisoria) 12 (m,f) as in the previous species, affecting mostly disturbed areas in and around habitation, TN, TLPR, DLT, BNP.

Indian Sparrow (Passer indicus) 4 (m,f) gregarious, vocal, ground-feeding, and often in the same suburban habitats as EUTS, DLT.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) 12 (m,f) gregarious, vocal, ground and arboreal feeding; common around habitation; less common in broad-leaved forest, DLT.

Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni) 1 on edge of highway through pine forest, BNP.

Gray Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) 5 (m,f) individuals and pairs in open areas, roads, shorelines of ponds and lakes, wet fields, TN, TLPR, BNP, TLL, DLT (photo).

Vietnamese Greenfinch (Chloris monguilloti) 5 (m,f) gregarious, in canopy of pines and fruiting trees at edge of broad-leaved forest, TN, TLPR, TLL, BNP.

Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra meridionalis) 2 (m,f) gregarious, a pair in the canopy of pines (Pinus kesiya) TLL.