Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary Wonderland of Woodpeckers
Among South-East Asian countries, Myanmar is the most biologically diverse country on the mainland. And, Myanmar presents a great variety of habitats and ecosystems, from snow-capped mountain to coral reefs, supporting rich biodiversity.
Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary
Woodpeckers attract all birders and always a highlight of the birding trip since they have feature characteristics with colorful feathers and behaviors as well. And, little chance of a sighting although song can be heard easily. There are different shapes and sizes. Observing a few species of Woodpeckers are available in typical altitude.
Since the richness in geography feature, the biggest opportunity to observe 12 different Woodpeckers species in Myanmar. These 12 different Woodpecker species are Common Flameback, Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Greater Flameback, Greater Yellownape, Lesser Yellownape, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Rufous Woodpecker, Streak-breasted Woodpecker, Streak-throated Woodpecker, and White-bellied Woodpecker. They all are obviously available in the Chatthin wildlife sanctuary.
Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kanbula township of the Sagaing region. It covers an area of 103.55 square miles which was established in 1941. Forest types include low indaing forests, high indaing forests, flooded indaing forests, upper mixed deciduous forests, grass savanna matric forests.
Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) is a fragment of second-growth monsoonal, dry dipterocarp forest known as indaing and is the largest remaining habitat of the endangered thamin or Eld’s deer. The best opportunity to search a variety of Woodpecker species among the total 240 bird species. Moreover, Macaca species, barking deer, wild boar, wild dog, leopard, cat species, bats and Guano species, amphibian species and 158 species of birds and approximately 1530 numbers of Thamin reside in the park. Altogether 69 species of medicinal plants and herbs have recorded in the latest inventory survey.
Other highlight opportunity bird species in the park besides 12 different Woodpeckers are Hooded Treepie(endemic), Jerdon’s Minivet(endemic), Burmese Collared-dove, Large-tailed Nightjar, and Savanna Nightjar.
