Birding Sites in Myanmar

Shwedagon Pagoda
Shwedagon Pagoda

Myanmar Tourist Destinations

If you are new to Myanmar, please read through our information about the different tourist destinations to help you choose where you want to travel. The most famous tourist destinations in Myanmar are Yangon, Mandalay, Inle Lake and Bagan. These destinations form the basis of a ‘classic’ tourist itinerary. However, there are myriad other fascinating attractions and destinations to choose from.

Birding Sites in Myanmar

There are many birding sites in Myanmar since its rich biodiversity. Here are popular birding sites introduction.

Natmataung national park(Mt.Victoria)

Natmataung is located in Chin state western part of Myanmar is one of ASEAN heritage park in Myanmar which is covering an area of 279 sq miles; 723 sq km with a high of 32,00 m( 105,00 ft)above sea lavel . Natmataung national park is made up of hill forest (ever green)and comprises dipterocarp forest, pine forest and stone oak forest, oak forests , rhododendron forests and meadows 808 species of plants(including 70 ferns)with a rich diversity of orchids, 23 amphibians, 65 reptiles, 77 butterflies and 299 have been identified. Natmataung is an excellent place to go bird watching and it is an important bird area (IBA, designated by BLI 2004) and one of the world’s high plant diversity site(IUCN 2005). This national park provides endemic species of birds, near
endemic species of birds, migrant species of birds, and rare species such as Spotted Wren Babbler( Elachura formosa), White-browed Nuthatch(Sitta victoriae), Burmese Tit((Aegithalos sharpie) and Chin Hills Wren Babbler(Spelaeornis oatesi), Mt.Victoria Babax, Striped Laughingthrush (Strophocincla virgata), Brown-capped Laughingthrush(Trochalopteron austeni), Assam Laughingthrush(Trochalopteron chrysopterum), Blyth’s Tragopan (Tragopanblythii), Grey-sided Thrush (Turdusfeae), Himalayan Cutia(Cutia nipalensis).The open pinewoods are home to a variety of colorful Flycatcher as well as Orange-flanked Bush-robin, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch and Fire-tailed Sunbird. Patroling Black Eagle can be seen in the open sky. It is a native place for bear, wild boar, leopard, goar, serow, Hoolock gibbon.The park can give many advantages for both nature lovers and birdwatchers.

Inle

Inle is a freshwater lake located in the Nyaungshwe Township of Taunggyi District of Shan State, part of Shan Hills in Myanmar (Burma). It is the second largest lake in Myanmar and lies in a north-south valley surrounded on both sides by mountain ranges with an estimated surface area of 44.9 square miles (116 km2), and one of the highest at an elevation of 2,900 feet (880 m). Inle lake is 22 km long and 11 km wide. The wetland sanctuary has been established to protect migratory birds and their habitats. It is famous for traditional leg rowing of Intha people and floating agriculture. The key resources of the site is a large population of many migratory and resident birds, besides native aquatic plants and freshwater fishes. Inle lake is also one of Myanmar ecotourism sites and ASEAN heritage Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. It was designated a world Network and Biosphere Reserve as well. Key bird species of Inle lake are Gadwall, Eurasian Widgeon, Northern Pintail, Garganey, Eurasian Teal, Common Pochard, Weatern Marsh Harrier, Eastern Mash Harrier, Ruddy-breasted Crake, Grey-headed Swamphen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Bronze-winged Jacana,Brown-headed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Jerdon’s Bushchat, Collared Myna, and Chinese Grassbird.

Bagan

Bagan is an ancient city that was the capital of the first Burmese empire. It is located in the dry central plains of the country, on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. As the heart of Burma during ancient times, Bagan serves as home to temples and buildings built from the 11th century to the 13th century. There are more than 2,000 pagodas and temples to be found, most of which were built by the ancient kings and leaders of Burma. Beautiful species of birds can be found covered with acacia and dry monsoon forests and cultivated farm land by indigenous people. The Six endemic bird species White-throated Babbler, Jerdon’s Minivet, Hooded Treepie, Burmese Bushlark, Burmese Collared-dove and Ayeyarwady Bulbul have to be found here among glorious temples. The Laggar Falcon parching on the temple is one of the attraction of Bagan birding.

Ayeyarwaddy is one of two major rivers and largest river in Myanmar. Striated Babbler, Sand Lark, Zitting Cisticola, Red Avadavat, Pied Harrier are highlight of Bagan region on the beautiful bank of Ayeyarwady river. Yellow-breasting Bunting endanger species is a characteristic of the trip.

Kalaw

Kalaw– Kalaw is an old hill station with elevation 1320m above sea lavel. Kalaw was being popular since British colonial time due to the refreshing climate and scenic views. Silver-eared Laughingthrush, near-endemics Burmese Yuhina, Dark-backed Sibia, Speckled Piculet, White-browed Laughingthrush, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar, White-browed Scimitar and White-browed Shrike Babblers, Spectacled Barwing, Silver-eared Mesia, Grey-cheeked Fulvettas, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, Black Bulbul , Ashy Bulbul, Flavescent Bulbul and Brown-breasted Bulbuls, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Sliver-breasted Broadbilland Long-tailed Broadbill, Black-breasted Thrush, White-crowned Forktail, Black-headed Greenfinch, Black- tailed Crake and others species of birds can be found there.

Yangon

Hlawgar– Hlawgar wildlife park is the first protected area in Myanmar and it was established in 1982 as an environmental education center with total area 1540 acres.Hlawgar wildlife park natural habitats consists of semi-evergreen forests, mixed deciduous forests, and swamp forests. The park is home to at least 21 species of mammals, 283 species of birds and 8 species of reptiles. Barking deer, hog deer and wild boar are the most common mammal species. Resident and migratory birds of the park are a great chance to do bird watching near Yangon. The species are Ayeyawady Bulbul endemic, White-throated Babbler endemic, Davison Bulbul, Black-headed Bulbul, Black-crested Bulbul, Red-vented Bulbul, Red-whiskered Bulbul and Abbott’s Babbler, Puff-throated Babbler, Racket-tailed Treepie, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Olive-backed Sunbird, Venhelsal’s Sunbird, Asian Openbill, Black-crowned Night Heron, Oriental Darter, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Bronze-winged Jacana, Black Baza, Thick-billed Warbler, Hooded Pitta, Blue-winged Pitta and others.

Moeyungyi wetland-the first RAMSER site in Myanmar is just two and half hours drive from Yangon. The Sanctuary is  permanent freshwater lake established in 1988 as a wetland wildlife sanctuary for the protection of water fowls and their habitats. Large assemblies of migratory and resident water birds are accessible. The highlights are flocks of Asian Openbill, rare Painted Stork, Lesser Whistling Duck, Purple Swamphen, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Pheasant-tailed Jacana and Bronze-winged Jacana. Other specialties rare species Sarus Crane, Oriental Darter, Spot-billed Pelican, Water Cock, Asian Golden Weaver, Plaintive Cuckoo, Oriental Pratincole, Little Tern, Cinnamon Bittern and Vinous-breasted Starling, and Asian Pied Starling, Black-capped Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Black-winged Stilt, Glossy Ibis, Black-headed Ibis, Yellow-bellied Prinia, , Eastern Marsh, Western Marsh Harrier, Pied Harrier, Whiskered Tern, Bluethroat, Black-browned Reed Warbler, Oriental Reed Warbler and others.