Bird fauna - Birding

The Dalat Plateau is one of the five endemic bird areas (EBAs) in Vietnam identified by BirdLife International. Eight of the eight restricted-range bird species that occur in this EBA, Crested Argus (Rheinardia ocellata), Yellow-billed Nuthatch (Sitta solangiae), Black-hooded Laughingthrush (Garrulax milleti), White-cheeked Laughingthrush (G. vassali), Collared Laughingthrush (G. yersini), Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler/Indochinese Wren Babbler (Jabouilleia danjoui), Vietnamese Greenfinch (Carduelis monguilloti), and Grey-crowned Crocias (Crocias langbiansis).

The Dalat Plateau also supports distinctive and endemic sub-species of Rufous-backed Sibia, Black-headed Sibia, Blue-winged Minla, Black-throated Sunbird and Red Crossbill, Vietnamese Cutia, Black-crowned Fuvetta, Indochinese Fulvetta, Black-headed Parrotbill. The last four among them nowadays are recognised as split spcies and known to be endemics. 

Click here to see the full bird checklist in Da Lat area

Most highlights

Bar-backed Partridge, Silver Pheasant, Red-vented Barbet, Indochinese Barbet, Red-headed Trogon, Long-tailed Broadbill, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Black Eagle, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Jerdon's Baza, Rusty-naped Pitta, Blue Pitta, Burmese Shrike, Indochinese Green Magpie, Eurasian Jay, Slender-billed Oriole, Maroon Oriole, White-throated Rock Thrush, Green Cochoa, Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Blue-and-White Flycatcher, Mugimaki Flycatcher, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Little Pied Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Lesser Shortwing, White-tailed Robin, Spotted Forktail, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Grey-crowned Tit, Grey-bellied Tesia, White-spectacled Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Black-hooded Laughingthrush, White-cheeked Laughingthrush, Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, Collared Laughingthrush, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Streaked Wren Babbler, Eyebrowed Wren Babbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler, Vietnamese Cutia, Chestnut-fronted Shrike-Babbler, Blue-winged Minla, Black-crowned Fulvetta, Indochinese Fulvetta, Grey-crowned Crocias, Rufous-backed Sibia, Black-headed Sibia, Black-headed Parrotbill, Mrs Gould's Sunbird, Streaked Spiderhunter, Vietnamese Greenfinch, Red Crossbill, Brown Bullfinch.

The stunning Collared Laughingthrush – an endemic species to Vietnam

More bird's pictures in Da Lat Plateau

Birding routes

The cool climate, pine forests, lakes and waterfalls make Dalat a popular destination for Vietnamese tourists; weekends and, especially, public holidays can be very busy. The Dalat area is also known throughout Vietnam for its market gardens and nurseries growing vegetables and flowers. 

Many birding sites within a few minutes drive from Da Lat city, as followed:

Mount Langbian

Only 12 km north of the city, Lang Bian mountain (also called 'Nui Ba') is easily reached by motorbike taxi or car. A trail leads up the mountain through pine forest to remaining montane evergreen forest at the summit. Vietnamese Greenfinch can be found in the pines all the way along the trail, with Red Crossbill in the pines nearer the summit. The endemic Collared Laughingthrush Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Black-crowned Fulvetta can be found in the evergreen forest leading up to the summit. Other interesting species found here include Green Cochoa, White-cheeked Laughingthrush, Black-throated Sunbird and Vietnamese Cutia.

Tuyen Lam Lake

This man-made lake is just 3km outside of the city and is easily reached by motorbike or car but it is necessary to hire a boat to access the remnant forest at the far end of the lake where the best birding is to be found. There are some trails through the forest but they are poorly marked and hard to find. Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Grey-crowned Crocias and Vietnamese Greenfinch, Vietnamese Cutia are among the local specialities.

Ta Nung Valley

This site, around 15 km from Da Lat by motorbike or car, is one of the best sites for Grey-crowned Crocias. Indochinese Green Magpie, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Black-hooded, White-cheeked and 'Orange-breasted' Laughingthrushes, and Grey-headed Parrotbill can also be seen here.

Giang Ly

Giang Ly is located inside Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park, situated right on the road TL723 connect Da Lat and Nha Trang. The broadleaves forest here at 1600m asl supports habitat to almost endemicsm of Da Lat pletaeu (except Orange-breasted Laughingthrus). Inadditional, Indochinese Fulvetta sometimes show-up makes this spot better replace for Langbian Mt.

Cong Troi ("Heaven Gate")

About 30 km from Da Lat city, Cong Troi is a relativety new birding spot, a newly constructed road (to Dak Lak province, and not completed yet) helps us to access this excellent birding area. Here we can find everything those available on Langbian mt, and even Ta Nung, Tuyen Lam lake as well as Giang Ly. We also have built several bird-blinds at Cong Troi forest where the Collared Laughingthrush, Indochinese Wren-babbler, Grey-bellied Tesia and many other birds come close for photography.

Bidoup Mountain

The highest peak (2,287m) in the core zone of Bidoup Nui Ba national park, the Indochinese Fulvetta is confined only above 1,800m on the trail to the top of the mountain. Although the Collared Laughingthrush, Green Cochoa also easily to see here, Bidoup mt is not a popular birding spot because it’s difficult logistics, we have to camp at least one night in the forest to get there.

Di Linh or Deo Nui San

Di Linh is usually referred as Deo (pass) Nui San or Deo (pass) Suoi Lanh is a forested mountain pass on the main road Di Linh to Phan Thiet around 80 km from Da Lat. This area can be considered as a separated birding area from Da Lat. However, all the bird species here can be found in Da Lat though several species are easier to locate then those in Da Lat including Vietnamese Cutia, Black-headed Parrotbill and Green Cochoa are among them. Other species like Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, Blue and Rusty-naped Pittas, Black-hooded and White-cheeked Laughingthrush, and Indochinese Fulvetta are also possible here.

Transportation

Da Lat is accessible via National Highway 20, located roughly 300 km (a 6 to 7-hour drive) from Ho Chi Minh City, and about 5 hours from Nha Trang via the scenic Khanh Le Pass.

If you prefer to fly, Lien Khuong Airport services regular direct flights from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Accommodations

Da Lat is a big tourism city, hotels from standard to 5 stars, guesthouses and restaurants everywhere.

In Di Linh town, Bao Phu hotel is the best "mini hotel" for big birding group while Juliet Villa is nicer, located near the forest but only able to accommodate maximum 6 people.

List of Birds of Da Lat area

Relevant tours:

• Cat Tien & Da Lat
• Birding in Da Lat Plateau from Da Lat - Nha Trang - Phan Rang - Phan Thiet
• Central Highland
• Da Lat birds photography tour

More information about birding sites in Vietnam

• Cat Tien National Park
• Tan Phu Forest
• Yok Don National Park
• Mang Den - Kon Plong