Bird fauna – Birding

Little known by birders around the world, the Sa Mu pass is located in the north-west Quang Tri province and belongs to Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve. The area encompassed by lowland and mid-montane evergreen forest in the central Vietnam, adjacent to the international border with Laos. The avifauna of reserve area is typical of the Annamese Lowlands EBA, more than 200 species has been recorded included many important species either restrict ranged or threatened.

Click here to see the full bird checklist in Sa Mu – Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve

Most highlights

Edwards’s Pheasant, Siamese Fireback, Crested Argus, Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo, Blyth’s Kingfisher, Crested Kingfisher, Austen’s Brown Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Red-collared Woodpecker, Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler, White-cheeked Laughingthrush, Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush.

How to get there and birding?

From Khe Sanh town, you follow Ho Chi Minh Tay road about 50km in an hour by car to reach the highest point of the pass (1,100 meters above sea level). It is worth to spend at least full morning birding around this point where the Rufous-cheeked Laughingthush is commonly seen. If you have more time, explore several trails which hope to see mystery Edwards’s Pheasant... who know? Find a good stream habitat for scared Blyth's Kingfisher. Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler is fairly common at lower attitude (600-800m).

Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve

Where to stay

Many mini hotels are available in Khe Sanh town and Lao Bao town, one of the best choice is Thai Ninh hotel which is closest and biggest one.

Relevant tours

• The best comprehensive birding of Vietnam
• Bach Ma National Park
• Central Highland of Vietnam

More infomation about birding sites in Vietnam:

• Mang Den – Kon Plong
• Da Lat Plateau
• Cat Tien National Park
• Yok Don National Park
• Tam Dao National Park
• Sa Pa - Fansipan Mt
• Cuc Phuong National Park
• Lo Xo Pass
• Bach Ma National Park
• Sa Mu - Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve
• Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park
• Tan Phu Forest (Thac Mai)
• Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve
• Mekong Delta